New Reality Show’s Prize? 10 Days on the International Space Station

CNN reports:
A planned reality show will seek to give the winner of its on-air competition “the greatest prize ever given out on Earth” — a 10-day stay on the International Space Station… The production company’s press release said that the team is “now looking for global brand and primary distribution partners.” Space Hero is planning to open the application process for…

2019 State of the Climate Report: Peak greenhouse gases and record heat

2019 ranks among the 3 warmest years in records dating to the mid-1800s. In 2019, greenhouse gases reached their highest levels on record. Both facts are from the 30th annual State of the Climate report, a review of world climate based on contributions from more than 520 scientists in over 60 countries. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/international-climate-report-2019-record-heat-greenhouse-gas…

The Story of The Doctor Who Ordered America’s First Covid-19 Lockdown

Long-time Slashdot reader bsharma shared the story of doctor/public health officer who “went first,” ordering America’s very first coronavirus lockdown in six counties on March 16th after the identification of only the 7th known case of Covid-19 in the United States. The Bay Area Newsgroup reports that on January 31st, Cody’s cellphone rang at 6:49 a.m. “You’ve got your first positive,”…

The California DMV Is Making $50 Million a Year Selling Drivers’ Personal Info

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Motherboard: The California Department of Motor Vehicles is generating revenue of $50,000,000 a year through selling drivers’ personal information, according to a DMV document obtained by Motherboard. DMVs across the country are selling data that drivers are required to provide to the organization in order to obtain a license. This information includes names, physical…