Author: Connor Simpson

Tesla Is First Green Tech Company to Pay Back Its Department of Energy Loan

AP

Tesla no longer owns the federal government a dime. On Wednesday the company announced it had repaid the outsanding balance of $451.8 million, with interest,  on its 2009 Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan from the Department of Defense. That means taxpayers earned a very, very small $12 million profit on the loan.

By Connor Simpson

Apr 27, 2013

They Arrested the Other Weird Guy in the Already Too Weird Ricin Story

J. Everett Dutschke, the 41-year-old former bluesman and taekwondo instructor who feuded with the Elvis impersonating initial suspect, has been arrested for sending letter laced with ricin to the President and two other Mississippi politicians. 

Comments | 2,548 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 27, 2013

How the Trial of the American Citizen in North Korea May End

An American citizen will be put on trial for crimes against the state in North Korea in what surely isn't a facade in the ongoing bargaining between North Korea and the U.S. and what will surely be a fair and balanced trial based on real facts. 

Comments | 15,091 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 24, 2013

It Could've Been This Easy for Boston's Bombers to Use a Cellphone Detonator

We see cellphone detonators all the time in the movies and on television, which sometimes seem to stretch the limits of even fictional terrorist technology. But could two brothers living in Massachusetts have learned to make one — and make it work?

Comments | 1,366 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 24, 2013

Human Skulls Have a Habit of Popping Up at Florida Airports

Two women may be in hot water with authorities after TSA officials discovered pieces of human skull in their carry-on luggage. The question separating these voodoo ladies from some very serious charges is whether or not they knew the skulls were in their onboard pottery. And, no, this is not a precedent.

Comments | 1,554 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 24, 2013

A Few Tattoos Sasha and Malia Could Get to Spite Their Father

The First Dad told the Today show Wednesday that he can stop the First Daughters from getting tattoos... by getting his own, and taking it viral. But if history has taught us anything, kids are always going to find a way to screw over their folks. Like so, perhaps.

Comments | 2,525 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 24, 2013

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, College Weed Dealer

We knew that 19-year-old Boston Marathon suspect smoked pot — he seemed to admit as much on his much-parsed Twitter account. But according to a new report, Tsarnaev was also a go-to source for marijuana at UMass Dartmouth. Because, you know, he was a kid in college.

Comments | 14,278 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 24, 2013

The Bird Flu Has Spread Beyond China, and It's 'One of the Most Lethal' Ever

The first reported case of a human infection outside mainland China arrived Wednesday, and that's got the world's top scientists pretty worried about this H7N9 strain — even if it's not being transmitted from person to person.

Comments | 9,746 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 22, 2013

Only Michael Bay Can Stop the Michael Baymageddon

For some reason — probably to get attention to the new Michael Bay movie — Michael Bay has been on an apology tour of late, and for some of the best work of a previously unabashed blockbuster film career. This needs to stop, Michael Bay.

Comments | 2,719 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 22, 2013

Everything You Need to Know About the Al Qaeda Linked Canadian Terrorist Plot

Another Monday, another terror plot: Who woulda thunk this Monday would yield a thwarted attack in Canada to bomb a Niagra Falls railway passage from Toronto to New York, links to Al Qaeda and all?

Comments | 3,106 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 22, 2013

Will the Pressure Cooker-as-WMD Case Hold Up Against the Boston Bomber?

The new WMD charge against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev could result in the death penalty, raising a strange question in a case sure to be full of precedents in how America prosecutes terrorism: Do bombs made in kitchen pressure cookers now count as weapons of mass destruction?

Comments | 4,276 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 22, 2013

What Did the Boston Bombers' Parents Know?

As Dzhokhar Tsarnaev continues to answer questions from his hospital bed, where he reportedly was charged on Monday as the White House said he will not be as a so-called "enemy combatant," his parents are planning to come to America and answer for him. Already, they have started providing more details than last week — ominous phone calls, elaborate setups, the role of Islam — as the Tsarnaev family's big picture begins to flesh out a portrait.

Comments | 26,678 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 22, 2013

Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Plant Has a Serious Rat Problem

A cooling fuel pool was shut down Monday at the embattled power plant so workers could remove two dead rats. It was the third time in a little over a month that cooling equipment had to be shut down for rat related issues — and right now there are more radioactive rodent recurrences than answers.

Comments | 1,552 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 21, 2013

Reese Witherspoon Asked Her Arresting Officer, "Do You Know My Name?"

Because, yes, that Reese Witherspoon was arrested and spent a night in jail this weekend for disorderly conduct. And yes, that Reese Witherspoon tried to argue with the cop because she's a famous person and she is allowed to "stand on American ground."

Comments | 13,175 Views

By Adam Clark Estes and Connor Simpson

Apr 21, 2013

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Is Awake and Answering Questions

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev regained consciousness and began answering written questions from police on Sunday night. Authorities have now released the full transcript of Monday's bedside hearing with a federal judge.

Comments | 45,816 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 21, 2013

Box Office Report

Tom Cruise Blows the Box Office Into 'Oblivion'

Welcome to the Box Office Report, where it's been a while. Let's get reacquainted, shall we?

Comments | 1,744 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 21, 2013

The Sunday Grind

Menino Says the Brothers Acted Alone

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino revealed he thinks the Tsarnaev brothers acted alone when they terrorized Boston over the last five days during an appearance on ABC's This Week.

Comments | 3,293 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 21, 2013

F.B.I. Released the Tsarnaevs' Photos Because of Reddit and the Post

One of the most interesting details from the Washington Post's steller tick-tock of the F.B.I. investigation into the Boston Marathon bombings has to be the reason they decided to release the photos of Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev: to fend off Reddit and the New York Post

Comments | 39,839 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 21, 2013

Who Influenced the Tsarnaev Brothers to Bomb the Marathon?

As the days press on, the investigation into the brothers Tsarnaev is turning up fewer and fewer leads explaining why they would decide to bomb innocent citizens at the Boston Marathon and then engage law enforcement in two days of intense firefights before being captured or killed. 

Comments | 12,810 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 21, 2013

The Koch Brothers Wouldn't Mind Controlling the Medium and the Message

Charles and David Koch are very major players in the Tribune Company's sale of some of the biggest newspapers in the country, including the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune, and according to a new report, they have debated using the media to spread their political message. 

Comments | 1,549 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

See How the Cops Knew Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Was Inside That Boat

When the police received a tip that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev might be hiding out in a Watertown boat, there was obviously some worry: how do you safely check to see if he's there when he's been carrying explosives this whole time? You use a police helicopter's thermal camera, of course. 

Comments | 25,102 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

Would the Real Sarah Hanson Please Stand Up?

What happens when a 19-year-old programmer extensively covered by media outlets this week probably doesn't exist? 

Comments | 3,288 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

"This Is Our F------- City": Boston Sports Rallies the City

As the Massachusetts city slowly returns to normal life after Friday night's events, Boston's three most important sports teams played Saturday and helped breath a semblance of normal life back into the exhausted citizens. 

Comments | 4,062 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

Meet David Henneberry, the Tipster Who Caught Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

David Henneberry is the most beloved boat owner in America. For it was his boat -- a 20-footer resting in his driveway, under a tarp, waiting for the harbor to thaw enough for sailing season to begin -- that led to the capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the 19-year-old accused of bombing the Boston marathon. 

Comments | 51,036 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

Earthquake Kills Over 100 in China, Death Toll Expected to Rise

A powerful earthquake devastated China's southwestern region on Saturday leaving more at least 156 people dead and more than 5,500 injured, with expectations that those numbers will surely arise as the recovery efforts continue. 

Comments | 387 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

What the Newspapers in Massachusetts Look Like The Morning After

The last Boston Marathon bombings suspect sought by authorities was captured Friday evening in a dramatic two hour stand off with police in Watertown, a community just outside of Boston. The day after, Saturday morning's newspapers offers a look at a state that was brought to its knees, now standing tall once again. 

Comments | 5,610 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 20, 2013

Behind the Scenes of Boston's Manhunt: What Happened Last Night? What Now?

A week of uneasy, unanswered questions came to an end Friday evening as Boston authorities were finally able to capture the only surviving suspect allegedly behind the Boston Marathon bombings, but only after another intense firefight with police. Now the nation looks for answers.

Comments | 15,447 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 17, 2013

Google Fiber Is Coming to Provo, Utah — Because It Already Had Fancy Internet

Last Tuesday, Google announced another reason to be jealous of Austin, Texas — the city became the second place in the U.S. where Google would offer its super fast, affordable fiber Internet service. Well, this week you can be jealous of Provo, Utah.

Comments | 769 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 17, 2013

Is This the New Daft Punk Song?

After a tease at Coachella over the weekend, fake versions have tricked fans multiple times all week, but it appears the first single off the electronic music legends' first album in eight years has finally leaked in full. Sort of.

Comments | 5,059 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 17, 2013

Mark Sanford's Trespassing Charge Just Lost Him a Lot of Campaign Money

The National Republican Congressional Committee announced they would not be contributing another cent to Mark Sanford's campaign in South Carolina Wednesday afternoon because of his trespassing charge.

Comments | 3,303 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 16, 2013

Pat Summerall, Who Let the NFL Speak for Itself, Has Died

Known for bringing his dulcet, almost restful near baritone to the restlessness of the NFL as a play-by-play announcer on CBS, Fox, and ESPN, Summerall also played nine seasons in the league with the Detroit Lions, Chicago Cardinals, and New York Giants.

Comments | 1,343 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 16, 2013

While You Were Watching Boston, All of This News Happened, Too

As the world turned in the 24 hours since two explosions went off around 3 p.m. Monday, most of the world's attention turned to the aftermath in Boston. But other things were happening, believe it or not, so here's a quick primer on what you may have missed.

Comments | 3,263 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 16, 2013

Boston's Broken Hearts Are Nearly Ready for Bawstin Sports

In the immediate and very strange aftermath, Boston is coping with tragedy, and America with it, however it can. But, eventually, blessedly, not soon enough, that happiest distraction of all will return: the light touch and emotional balance of sports. Because sports are important. We are waiting for the games to begin again.

Comments | 192 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 16, 2013

Run On: Bombs Can't Stop the Spirit of America's Marathoners

Across the running paths of America — and certainly across social media today and going forward — the runners are rallying. There are shirts. There are Instagram photos. There are beautiful words. But right now, running is enough. Just run.

Comments | 1,343 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 16, 2013

Iran Earthquake Leaves Scores Dead

A powerful seismic event occurred near the Iran-Pakistan border on Tuesday, and some are expecting it may cause hundreds of deaths.

Comments | 6,103 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 15, 2013

Why Was the New York Post the Outlier in Boston Marathon Coverage?

The New York Post is either the most well-sourced newspaper in the country, the luckiest paper in the country, or an awful rag stirring up hate for Muslims. It depends on who you ask today, really. 

Comments | 41,450 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 15, 2013

The Boston Marathon's Final Mile Was Dedicated to Newtown Victims

Adding further heartbreak to utter tragedy, the last mile of Monday's Boston Marathon, which was rocked by at least two explosions resulting in an unknown number of injuries and casualties Monday afternoon, was dedicated to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting massacre.

Comments | 277,911 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 15, 2013

Obama Expects Alabama to Keep Rolling

For the third time in four years, President Obama greeted head coach Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide football team to the White House for the annual photo op and gear exchange. "I was thinking about trying to find some cots for them here, they are here so often," the President said.

Comments

By Connor Simpson

Apr 15, 2013

Are Guns Allowed at NRA-Sponsored NASCAR Races?

The suicide of a 42-year-old Texas man at an NRA sponsored Nascar race over the weekend was the cherry on top of a critical maelstrom the racing league faced in the lead-up to the event. But it also brings up an important question: how did he have a gun in the first place? 

Comments | 1,686 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 9, 2013

Kevin Ware Got to Cut Down the Nets

Fab Five reunion and an unlikely performance from a current freshman couldn't stop Louisville from coming from behind to beat Michigan for the NCAA championship.

Comments | 1,097 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

North Koreans Skipped Work in Kaesong on Tuesday

North Korean workers didn't show up for work at the Kaesong factory complex Tuesday. Don't be jealous, though. This puts the future of the factory site and one of the country's biggest economic sources in jeopardy. 

Comments | 731 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

Colorado Judge Kicks the Decision on Fox News' Jana Winter Further Down the Road

After a day full of criticism in the media, both of the situation and the coverage, Colorado district court Judge Carlos Samour Jr. decided to delay making a decision that would force Fox News reporter Jana Winter to reveal her anonymous sources or face jail time.

Comments | 5,158 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

Everyone Is on Board for This 'Crossfire' Reboot on One Condition...

Rumors have been swirling that CNN may revive Crossfire, the shuttered political debate show, since last Friday, and now it seems that most of the regular talking heads on the old Crossfire think it's a great idea so long as CNN doesn't make one fatal mistake. 

Comments | 1,459 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

Someone at the Vatican Is Downloading Really Dirty Porn

That whole secret report on gay sex and bribery and the Pope aside, the Catholic Church is known for being fairly uptight when it comes to doing the deed. So you might be surprised to learn that new IP logs and DVD titles reveal a mysterious Vatican City resident with a taste for leather. Sexy leather.

Comments | 15,435 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

The Navy Has a Frickin' Drone-Shooting Laser

The U.S. Navy unveiled a laser capable of blasting away enemy drones Monday, and announced that it would likely be deployed on a real live U.S. naval ship some time early next year.

Comments | 2,905 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

Will Chris Webber Outlive His Timeout?

With the Michigan Wolverines playing for a national title twenty years after Chris Webber and the Fab Five let one slip through their grasp, everyone wants to know if this will finally be the year the former players and the school finally bury the hatchet and let things go. We're a few hours away from game time, but it doesn't seem likely.

Comments | 5,767 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

The Fired Rutgers Athletic Director Gets to Keep the iPad New Jersey Bought Him

The state school is still going to pay the man who didn't act on acts of violence around $1.2 million through the next year, and pay for his car, and let him keep the laptop and iPad the school purchased, likely by way of taxpayer dollars. That must be nice for him.

Comments | 721 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 8, 2013

Convicted Hillary Clinton Hostage-Taker Returns from Leisurely Stroll from Jail

The man who took hostages at Hillary Clinton's campaign office in 2007 briefly escaped from his correctional facility Sunday evening, only to be found less than 24 hours later. So here's how that happened.

Comments

By Connor Simpson

Apr 7, 2013

Florida Republicans Want to Know Why Jay-Z and Beyonce Were in Cuba

American royalty Beyonce and Jay-Z recently took their families on a vacation to Cuba, despite restrictions on American travel to that country. This has some Florida Republicans writing sternly worded letters to the Department of Treasury looking for answers. 

Comments | 5,135 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 7, 2013

Box Office Report

Oh My, You Were All Brave Enough to See 'Evil Dead'

Welcome to the Box Office Report, where we're never astounded by America's appetite for blood and guts on the big screen. 

Comments | 898 Views

By Connor Simpson

Apr 7, 2013

The Sunday Grind

Graham Isn't Afraid of Hillary; Malloy Calls LaPierre a Clown

This week on the Sunday talk shows, Lindsay Graham isn't afraid of big, bad Hillary Clinton running for President; Dan Malloy thinks the face of the NRA is more a circus act than anything; and everyone else gabs about North Korea. 

Comments | 1,079 Views

  • The Atlantic Wire on Twitter
  • The Atlantic Wire RSS Feed
  • The Atlantic Wire iPhone App