Welcome to The Weekly Wire.
A running collection of the stories, stats, nostalgia, news and general nonsense worth talking about this week. Updated throughout the week as we find more things worth talking about.
America marks 25 years since September 11
Today is the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. Ceremonies are being held at all three sites, with President Donald Trump attending the Pentagon observance and Vice President JD Vance scheduled for New York. This year’s commemorations also include recognition of people who later died from illnesses connected to toxic exposure at Ground Zero.
September 11 changed:
air travel
national security
foreign policy
New York City
and an entire generation’s sense of what was possible.
Dramatic helicopter footage from 9/11/01
Diesel At $6 Gallon for the First Time Ever
The U.S. national average diesel price has now crossed $6 per gallon for the first time, reaching roughly $6.05. That’s up from about $3.70 a year ago.
Oil Nearly Hit $110—and the Shortage May Last Into 2027
Brent crude briefly reached nearly $110 Friday as attacks around two of the world’s most important shipping corridors raised fears of a prolonged energy shortage. The International Energy Agency now warns that normal Middle Eastern oil flows may not fully recover until 2027.
O’Charley’s closes every one of its locations nationwide after 55 years
After 55 years slinging drinks and plates of Southern comfort food, Nashville-based hot spot O’Charley’s has closed all remaining locations. Earlier this year, the national chain had 52 restaurants, according to multiple reports.
All locations closed down on Wednesday, September 9, and every one of its social media platforms was disabled shortly after shutting down — including its website.
ChatGPT ’80s trend: Prompts to try it yourself
The viral 1980s AI photo trend on Instagram allows users to transform modern selfies into retro-style portraits. By uploading a photo to ChatGPT and using specific prompts, you can recreate authentic vintage details like film grain and period-accurate clothing
Trump Promises $5,000 to Every American Adult if Republicans Win Congress
President Donald Trump made an extraordinary promise Wednesday night: if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress in November, he says every adult U.S. citizen will receive a $5,000 “Trump Dividend.” The proposal could cost more than $1 trillion and Trump provided few details about how it would be funded or implemented. Beyond the politics, a payment that large would immediately raise questions about consumer spending, federal borrowing and inflation.
Visa and Mastercard Are Preparing for a World Where the Buyer Isn’t Human
Visa, Mastercard and Ant International announced a joint effort Thursday to create common standards for identifying and verifying AI agents that make purchases on behalf of users.
$100 Oil Turned Into $102 Oil—and Buyers Are Scrambling for Supply
Brent crude pushed above $102 Thursday as disrupted Middle Eastern supply forced refiners to hunt for replacement oil around the world. Chinese buyers have been sourcing more crude from places as far away as Canada, West Africa and South America, showing how a regional conflict can rapidly reorganize global supply chains.
DK Metcalf Thinks There Could Be Another Civilization Inside Earth.
Steelers WR DK Metcalf says he’s a “big conspiracy theorist” — and one of his biggest theories involves Antarctica.
Metcalf believes Antarctica could be “another world” and says he thinks there may even be another civilization inside the Earth. His reasoning? He questions why access to Antarctica seems so restricted compared with other remote parts of the planet.
He could actually be on to something here.
Record Gas Prices Are Squeezing Americans
Gas prices hit a record for Labor Day, with the national average reaching $4.15 a gallon — nearly $1 higher than a year ago. Ongoing conflict with Iran has helped keep crude oil near $90 a barrel, preventing the usual post-summer drop at the pump. With the midterms approaching, affordability and energy prices are likely to remain major political issues.
Weight Loss Drugs Tied To Depression And Suicide
A new observational study found that people using prescription weight-loss drugs reported higher rates of depression, mental-health counseling and suicidal thoughts, with the strongest association among those who regained weight. Researchers found weight-loss drug users were 2.7 times more likely to report suicidal thoughts, while users who gained weight had 4.2 times higher odds compared with non-users. Experts caution that the study shows an association — not that the medications caused the mental-health problems — and much of the data predates widespread use of newer GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound.
Google is spending $15 billion in Finland—and buying nuclear power for 22 years
Google announced a roughly $15.1 billion AI-infrastructure investment in Finland over the next two years, including data centers, grid improvements, batteries and clean-energy infrastructure. It also signed a 22-year agreement to buy as much as half the output of Finland’s Loviisa nuclear plant.
7 American Cities Remote Workers Are Choosing To Live In
Remote work is giving Americans more freedom to choose where they live, and some smaller cities are benefiting. From affordable housing and outdoor recreation to strong internet and growing communities, these 7 cities offer alternatives to expensive major metros. Here’s where remote workers are putting down roots.
Alex Van Halen calls Sammy Hagar ‘a complete idiot’ as decades-long feud between bandmates deepens
Alex Van Halen has some thoughts about former bandmate Sammy Hagar.
During an interview with Brazilian music journalist Marcelo Vieira published earlier this month, Alex ripped into Hagar when asked about his 2011 memoir, “Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock.”
SEC presidents will meet Thursday and vote on whether to expel LSU
LSU and its push to sign former NFL players has definitely ruffled some feathers in the SEC. I can’t imagine they would ever vote to get rid of LSU but there could be some penalties that come out of it.
Would LSU be able to be independent or would they look to another conference?
Lane Kiffin’s halftime statement was cited in the SEC’s filing
SMU–Florida State became bizarre before the game even started
Almost two-hour delay. Limited scoreboard. No normal coach-to-player communication.
Then they finally played football.
SMU won 27–24 on a field goal with 21 seconds left.
College football refuses to have a normal week.