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Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban shared the Government’s environmental protection plans and support for green initiatives during the Youth Climate Summit today. Minister Roban said, “Welcome to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and the fourth annual Youth Climate Summit. As the Minister of Home Affairs, I am passionate about using the resources at my disposal to protect our environment while encouraging the growth and development of green initiatives. “As Bermuda’s future leaders, you must be knowledgeable and have a say in our chosen path. To that end, I wish to share with you our plans for the next twelve months. “At last year’s summit, I advised of the Government’s commitment to reducing single-use plastics in Bermuda. “I spoke of how the Government will introduce a Bill to reduce single-use plastics. Whilst the aim is to make a positive impact on the environment and human health, we are aware of the need to avoid any adverse economic effects by: “I am pleased to inform you that the Cabinet has now given the go-ahead for the Attorney General’s Chambers to draft the legislation. This is being done as we speak. As soon as they have produced a draft of the Bill, it will be publicised so everyone can provide feedback. Then, they will finalise the legislation and pass it into law to become an Act. “In line with protecting our environment from single-use plastics, we will also work to ensure that the air we breathe is safe. “Bermuda’s Clean Air Act was initially developed in 1993, using information available at that time on the known health effects of air contaminants on people, including respiratory and cardiovascular effects, such as asthma. In the thirty years since drafting these Regulations, our understanding of how air contaminants affect our health has grown significantly, and air quality standards in other jurisdictions have become more stringent. However, despite this improved understanding, you will be surprised to learn that the portion of the Bermuda’s Clean Air Regulations that set limits for contaminants in the outside air have never been updated. “I am pleased to announce that this issue is being addressed. In the coming months, Bermuda’s air quality standards will be aligned with the air quality objectives and target levels of the UK and EU. This alignment will result in limits that are even more enforceable than in those countries. These limits are grounded in the latest health and safety data regarding human exposure to air contaminants. “Through my previous speaking engagements, including last year’s Youth Climate Summit, many here today may recall me sharing information about the work to protect our oceans. Such as taking significant measures to protect our shark species from fishing because protecting them will help rebalance and restore our entire marine ecosystem. “We also recognise the importance of effectively managing our most significant resource, our marine EEZ or Economic Exclusive Zone. Bermuda is blessed with an extensive EEZ of some four hundred and sixty-four thousand [464,000] square kilometres. The Government is committed to sustainably managing this tremendous resource for current and future generations. We also recognise the global commitment to protect our oceans. With this in mind, we have committed to fully protecting 20 per cent of our EEZ. “To accomplish this, we have embarked on an exciting project called the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Plan, also known as BOPP, in partnership with the non-profit Waitt Institute and BIOS, the Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences. “The BOPP continues to evolve and develop. You can visit www.bermudaoceanprosperity.org to learn more about our plans to protect our ocean while building a thriving “blue” economy. “The BOPP is comprised of two complementary components. The first is a marine spatial plan, similar to the more well-known terrestrial plan, and the second is a blue economy strategy that is a guide for growing Bermuda’s ocean-related industries and attracting investment opportunities. “Much work has been done over the last several years. Numerous reiterations of draft plans have been continually modified and refined using feedback from all of the many marine-related stakeholder groups and the public. These groups included those focused on conservation, economic development, education, fishing, tourism, and utilities, to name a few. “We released a draft plan to the public in April of this year and invited public feedback. Then, I formed an independent review panel to review all the public feedback to guide us in refining the draft plan to achieve the social, economic, and environmental impacts that matter to the people of Bermuda. “In support of BOPP, we are creating the Marine Development Act, which will provide the framework for managing the Marine Spatial Plan and the Blue Economy Fund. “To strengthen Bermuda’s marine enforcement and compliance, the Government has been working with the UK through the Blue Belt Ocean Shield Programme and the US Coast Guard. Enforcement is also supported by the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coast Guard, which provides assistance to our fisheries wardens. A Marine Resources Enforcement Action Plan has been drafted as part of the BOPP and is in the process of being modified and strengthened. When fully implemented, it will continue to help coordinate these efforts. “Clean water is fundamental to public health and the sustainability of our natural ecosystems. Ensuring the purity of this essential resource protects our community’s health and our island’s economy and preserves Bermuda’s natural beauty for future generations. Monitoring groundwater quality and the status of the freshwater lenses is crucial to managing the island’s water resources. With this in mind, the Government updated the water legislation to increase the protection of our groundwater resources and limit pollution to the ocean. New measures put in place include extension of pollution to groundwater to also include pollution to the ground, increased enforcement and investigative powers to prevent local boats and outfalls from dumping sewage and contaminants into the sea. “The Government is committed to reducing the use of fossil fuels by eighty-five per cent [85%] in the production of electricity by 2035, which is reflected in the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan [IRP]. Work continues to promote the reduction and consumption of fossil fuels. We are also promoting the use and installation of domestic and utility-sized solar generation across the island. The Government and the Regulatory Authority are also actively investigating other means of renewable energy generation, such as wind and wave. “Finally, I would like to turn to one of the Government’s most critical projects. In 2021, I stated that Bermuda needed to embark on a comprehensive climate change assessment to better understand the threats we face and set priorities for action in the short, medium, and long term. I am glad to say that, with the assistance of the UK Government, the study has been completed, and the Government has started reviewing it. “We are in the process of forming a Climate Task Force to help us guide Bermuda’s adaptation process, which must begin soon to prepare for the climate changes we expect to see in the coming years—some of which have already begun. “The successful implementation of these initiatives will create economic opportunities, improve living standards, and, most importantly, protect and preserve our environment for future generations. As the saying goes, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Thank you.” : ,Raymond James Financial Inc. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors

United Airlines has had what will likely go down as one of its best years on record, with its stock providing investors with impressive returns of over 130% this year alone, something which has raised many questions about whether this level of success can continue. United Airlines shares closed today at a value of $95.79, approaching the carrier's record highs from the years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Get all the latest aviation news from Simple Flying! With such impressive growth in the market this year alone and competitors that are looking to challenge United in many of their key markets, many observers have begun to question whether the airline's success can continue. With investments continuing across the carrier's network, including $500 million being sunk into an expansion at the airline's principal east coast hub at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), United certainly seems to have bold ambitions . Earlier today, Scott Kirby made one of his most direct public discussions regarding the company's impressive performance and its ambitions for future growth, when he appeared on CNBC. From today's appearance, we can get a better idea of exactly how Kirby and United's upper management team are charting their path forward and what they think investors should know about their ambitions to remain on the profitable path. The airline's pathway forward involves continued investment in its hubs Kirby was quick to indicate today that the airline, while happy with its current performance, has strong plans to continue expanding and providing returns to investors. Traditionally, airline stocks have been seen as volatile investments, and carrier performance can only be successful for so long. Delta Air Lines, an Atlanta-based legacy airline, has historically set the standard for profitability, largely thanks to a lucrative partnership with American Express. Scott Kirby believes that, amid a post-pandemic environment that has changed industry dynamics, United remains in a strong position to push toward its biggest competitor. Kirby particularly believes that expanding transatlantic capabilities will be the key to the airline's continued success. In the years following the pandemic, international travel has boomed and airports have struggled to meet this increase in demand and capacity. As a result, airlines, like United, that invest heavily in their facilities will be able to thrive. United Airlines recently announced a $500 million expansion plan at Washington Dulles (IAD), according to Quartz . The carrier is looking to build fourteen new international gates, which Kirby says will be used to support transatlantic expansion. Industry dynamics have changed The structure of the commercial airline industry has changed significantly, as airlines have begun to remold schedules to meet the needs of remote travelers and higher-end leisure customers, with loyalty programs playing an increasingly important role. When addressing this, Kirby had the following words to share: "I think this industry has structurally changed coming out of COVID, and it has turned into a couple of winners and everyone else. The gap is very wide." Kirby alludes to his belief that United is one of these "winners" he identified, citing the fact that the airline had the best revenue day in its history this past Sunday. He also projected that the carrier would have the best December in its history from a profitability standpoint. These bold expectations have led the market to continue projecting growth for the company, which has led to the stock's continued increase in valuation. However, should the company perform below these lofty expectations for the holiday season, United shareholders might be in for weaker returns in January.With its price rising $2.44, up 17.68% in the previous 24 hours and over 300% in the past 30 days, Ripple (XRP) has been enjoying an amazing comeback lately. A strong investor attitude and good technical indicators help to show market optimism on XRP. A substantial 111.6% increase following the U.S. elections drove XRP past $2, fueling the latest surge. Many speculators see XRP's potential to rise to $5 by 2025. Though XRP's long-term future seems bright, a new competitor token called Rexas Finance (RXS) is causing waves in the crypto market with its ability to provide faster and more significant profits. Therefore, why hold XRP when Rexas Finance (RXS) predicted it would be 20x before it may touch $5? XRP’s Road to $5: A Long-Term Journey Given XRP's past price behavior and growing relevance in cross-border payments, its climb to $5 is a reasonable goal. After its legal fight with the SEC, Ripple's constant attempts to increase its alliances and regulatory clarity have significantly changed its market situation. The price of XRP has lately surged in line with increasing investor trust in the coin. But XRP's path to $5 could take some time, stretching into late 2025. Although this chronology fits XRP's conventional growth trends, investors seeking quick profits might find it challenging. This is where Rexas Finance (RXS), priced at just $0.15, enters the picture and provides a substitute for those looking for faster and bigger returns. Rexas Finance (RXS) Stealing the Spotlight Rexas Finance (RXS) is rising as a token, transforming the crypto scene. Positioned as a revolutionary platform for tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs), RXS is changing personal asset management and investment behavior. Using its creative approach, users can globally access liquidity and investment prospects by tokenizing and trading assets, including real estate, art, and commodities. Priced at $0.15, the coin is at its 10th presale round and has thus raised an impressive $27.02 million. Early sales of each presale stage indicate high investor demand and project confidence. Since its first presale phases, Rexas Finance (RXS) has shown strong performance; its price has increased fivefold in just over two months. Early investors have already made significant profits; the momentum shows no slowing. With its listing price expected to be $0.20 as RXS prepares for its public release, individuals who make investments now should immediately get rewards. Moreover, RXS intends to list on three Tier-1 exchanges, which will help increase its trading volume and awareness even more. Such deliberate launches may trigger price swings; hence, the token appeals to investors trying to maximize short-term profits. Although XRP and RXS have great growth potential, their applications and timescales define them as distinct. For those ready to wait for XRP's price to develop, this well-known cryptocurrency focused on cross-border payments is a long-term investment. On the other hand, RXS presents a more instant prospect since its expected 20x returns could materialize in the next year. The difference in price points also makes RXS a more accessible option for retail investors. At $0.15, even a modest investment in RXS can yield significant returns if the token achieves its projected $3 price. For example, an investment of $1,000 in RXS today could grow to $20,000 by early 2025, offering a faster and more lucrative return than waiting for XRP to hit $5. Why Hold XRP When Rexas Finance (RXS) Will Give a Bigger Gain Earlier Investors seeking faster returns and exposure to innovative technologies are increasingly choosing Rexas Finance. Although XRP is still a fierce competitor in the crypto market, its long-term development paths might differ from investors seeking faster profits. With its creative use and fast price momentum, RXS offers an unmatched chance for wealth creation. RXS’s ability to combine strong presale performance, market utility, and strategic exchange listings makes it a compelling choice for new and seasoned investors. The token’s current price of $0.15 offers an entry point that could deliver exponential returns, with analysts predicting a 20x surge to $3 by early 2025. Website: https://rexas.com Win $1 Million Giveaway: https://bit.ly/Rexas1M Whitepaper: https://rexas.com/rexas-whitepaper.pdf Twitter/X: https://x.com/rexasfinance Telegram: https://t.me/rexasfinance Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.Political analyst Mark Halperin expressed doubt on Tuesday about Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom launching a 2028 presidential campaign. Newsom holds 7% support among Democratic 2028 primary voters for who they would like to be their party’s presidential nominee in 2028, trailing only Vice President Kamala Harris , who is at 37%, according to a November Emerson College poll. However, Halperin , on “American Agenda,” suggested Newsom may lack both the ambition and circumstances necessary to mount a White House bid. (RELATED: MSNBC Reporter Says Undecided Voter Chose Trump Over Harris Because She Didn’t Go On Joe Rogan Podcast) WATCH: “A lot of what Democrats want to see is someone who will be tough and take the fight directly to [President-elect] Donald Trump in a telegenic way ... I think objectively he has some of those skills. I will say, I continue to believe people overstate his willingness to make the personal sacrifices to run for president,” Halperin said. “And also running for president from California geographically in the space time continuum is not easy to do. And again, I think if you combine that with the personal challenges, I think people, again, are overstating the likelihood that he’ll be a major player in ’28.” “He’s got young kids. He’s got a wife who, by all accounts, is not super enthusiastic about this ... I think it’s an under-discussed reality that a lot of the governors, including Governor Newsom, who are talked about as potential ’28 candidates ... they’re just more ambivalent,” he added. “They don’t have the drive. Most people I know who run for president effectively wake up every morning and say, what are the 10 things I need to do today to increase my chances of winning? And if one of them is chew through handcuffs, they’ll do it. I just don’t get the sense that that’s where Gavin Newsom’s head is at.” Halperin recently asserted on “ The Morning Meeting ” that Vice President-elect JD Vance’s willingness to conduct interviews across a variety of platforms gives him “a huge advantage” over other possible 2028 presidential contenders. “I think one of the smartest things JD Vance could do to consolidate his position ... is to go on those shows regularly. He can do it. He can develop personal relationships with those people, and people in the media, contrary to popular perception, are human beings,” Halperin said. “And if the vice president of the United States is stopping by your podcast every month and giving you time, you’re gonna be favorably disposed towards that person.” However, former CNN political analyst Chris Cillizza also recently speculated about the possibility of Donald Trump Jr. running for the White House in 2028, suggesting he could inherit his father’s “political movement” rather than Vance. “Look, I just think there will be an attempt at some point to hand off Trumpism, and Donald Trump will want to be in control of that handoff,” Cillizza said. “And the fact that his eldest son is standing right there, is someone who has shown that he gets the MAGA base in a way very few Republicans do, who has shown that he, in his own right, is extremely popular online, who gets the kind of social media trolling that goes hand in hand with being a Trump supporter, that he is related by blood to Donald Trump — these are all things that I think you cannot rule out Don Jr. of running in 2028.” All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

U.S. stocks lower at close of trade; Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.31%None

NoneDemocrats stick with Schumer as leader. Their strategy for countering Trump is far less certain

Woolies flags major move to stop union workers blocking warehousesSnow continued to fall Monday around parts of the Great Lakes region, where storm-weary residents who have plowed and shoveled for days faced the prospect of even greater accumulations. Lake-effect snow fell on parts of western New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio that were already blanketed with a foot (0.3 meters) or more over the past four days. By Monday morning, the village of Cassadaga, New York, east of Lake Erie, recorded 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) of snow. Snow was forecast through Tuesday in that largely rural area south of Buffalo. “It was so much, so quick, that we got buried," said Rebecca Chamberlin, who lives in Cassadaga with her husband and two sons. She has been struggling to keep up with the bands of sometimes wet and heavy snow. “If it had been, you know, over a period of a week or more, it wouldn’t have been so bad.” In Ohio, the quaint village of Geneva-on-the-Lake had more than 4 feet (1.2 meters) of snow, and more is in the forecast through the rest of the week, according to the National Weather Service. “At this point, it's just annoying,” said Ryan Colby, who lives a snowball's toss from Lake Erie in the Ohio village. “We’ve just been getting hit left and right with it. I’ve been getting up every couple hours and shoveling out the driveway and the porch just so we don’t get too, too buried again.” Lake-effect snow warnings were in effect through Tuesday night in parts of Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. Winter storm warnings or advisories also were posted through Tuesday in Michigan, up and down the Lake Michigan coast, where as much as a foot (0.3 meters) of snow was predicted. Farther inland, some communities canceled school, including Gaylord, where more than 3 feet (0.9 meters) of snow has fallen since Thanksgiving. “Last year at this time we still had green grass,” said Mike Williams, who has a snow removal business in Gaylord. “To get it all at once overwhelmed everyone.” In southwest Michigan, a crash involving about 14 passenger vehicles and three semi-trucks critically injured a driver and shut down Interstate 94 near Hartford in both directions during whiteout conditions on Monday, the Michigan State Police posted on the social platform X. More than a dozen “vehicle slide offs” had also been reported in the area, with police warning drivers to slow down. Skies were clear east of Lake Ontario in northern New York, where some residents were still digging out from mountains of snow. “We’ve got snow banks that are higher than me,” said Mary Shambo, owner of the Cottage Inn in Copenhagen, New York. The small village received more than 5 feet (1.5 meters) of snow in four days. Shambo and her husband, Ben, managed to stay open through the thick of the storm. Some locals arrived by snowmobile, but they mostly served truckers who pulled off the road when bands of snow became particularly fierce. “It goes from whiteout conditions to clear,” she said, “so they would take off when it was clear and hope to God they got to where they needed to go.” In Ohio, the mayor of Geneva-on-the-Lake has been using a backhoe almost nonstop since Thursday to clear the snow. “Every business down here has been shut down the last four days," Mayor Dwayne Bennett said. “You can’t even get in the front doors." “The problem is we’re not equipped to handle this much snow in this amount of time,” he added. Officials faced similar problems in snow-bound Erie, Pennsylvania, where 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) of snow fell since Thursday, and accumulations on the ground were particularly wet and heavy. “Every shovel is like 30 pounds, and there’s not a lot of space to put that snow once it’s been piling up for days and days,” said Sarah Morrison with the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority. Up to 17 inches (43 centimeters) of snow fell in Alaska’s capital city of Juneau over the weekend as part of a system that was “definitely stronger” than what the region typically experiences this time of year, National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Spann said. Snow had transitioned to freezing rain early Monday, he said, with roads icy in some areas. Wet, heavy snow was piled on sidewalks along typically busy streets near downtown Juneau, and slushy pools were forming at some intersections. School went to remote learning in the city on Monday, and state offices were closed due to freezing rain. Ice encased the thin branches on some trees. The rest of Juneau's week is expected to be very different, with forecasts calling for rain and unusually warm temperatures in the 40s (between 4.4 and 10 degrees Celsius). This story has been updated to correct the snow total in Cassadaga, New York, to 4.5 feet, not 5.5 feet. Contributing to this report were Susan Haigh in Norwich, Connecticut; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Ed White in Detroit; Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska.

CS updated on drainage worksHow major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 11/27/2024

3 Market-Beating Tech Stocks to Supercharge Your Portfolio in 2025 and BeyondThe Portland Trail Blazers will have center Deandre Ayton and point guard Scoot Henderson available Monday night at Indiana, but forward Jerami Grant is out. Ayton will make his first appearance since injuring his right index finger on November 8 against Memphis. His return comes at the perfect time, given that backup centers Donovon Clingan (knee) and Robert Williams III (concussion protocol) are out. Henderson missed a game with a left quad contusion and then three more with a back strain. Grant being out will likely lead to Deni Avdija returning to the starting lineup. Also out are Kris Murray (sternum) and Matisse Thybulle (ankle sprain). -- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)

Andrew Luck returns to Stanford as the GM of the football programIn 1979, brothers Jeff and Steven McDonald, who were not yet old enough to drive, started a band, Redd Kross . Now, 45 years later, the Year of Redd Kross kicked off in June with the release of a double album in June. A memoir, “Now You Are One of Us: The Incredible Story of Redd Kross,” followed, with the McDonalds writing their own individual sections and coauthor Dan Epstein adding context between chapters. This month, a documentary, “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story,” begins a round of special screenings, some with the band in attendance. Jeff McDonald, left, and Steven McDonald, right, share a look during an interview about their band, Redd Kross, in the new documentary, “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story,” which opens in Dec. 2024. (Film still courtesy of ‘Born Innocent’) Brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald formed the band Redd Kross in Hawthorne when Jeff was 15 and Steven was 11. “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story” is a new documentary that traces Redd Kross from its birth in Hawthorne in 1979 to its 45th anniversary as cult heroes of Southern California punk and power pop. (Film poster courtesy of ‘Born Innocent’) Redd Kross formed in the late ’70s when brothers Jeff McDonald, left, and Steven McDonald, right, were still to young to drive. They celebrate their 45th anniversary as a band in 2024 with the release of a new documentary, “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story,” as well as a memoir and a self-titled double album. (Photo by Al Flipside) Jeff McDonald, left, and Steven McDonald, right, laugh during an interview about their band, Redd Kross,” in the new documentary, “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story,” which opens in Dec. 2024. (Film still courtesy of ‘Born Innocent’) Southern California cult heroes Redd Kross, founded by Jeff McDonald, center, and Steven McDonald, right, are the subjects of the new documentary, “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story,” which opens in Dec. 2024. (Film still courtesy of ‘Born Innocent’) Jeff McDonald, left, and Steven McDonald, right, check out the copy of the Beatles’ “White Album” that inspired them as boys growing up in Hawthorne. The new documentary “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story” opens in Dec. 2024. (Film still courtesy of ‘Born Innocent’) Redd Kross celebrates its 45th anniversary this year with a new documentary, “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story,” as well as a memoir and a self-titled double album. Seen here in a still from the film are brothers Jeff McDonald, left, and Steven McDonald, right, performing on the Santa Monica Pier early in their career. (Film still courtesy of ‘Born Innocent.’) Southern California cult heroes Redd Kross, founded by Jeff McDonald, center, and Steven McDonald, right, perform at the Observatory in Santa Ana, where they were touring with the Melvins, the Seattle band for which Steven McDonald is also the bass player. The new documentary, “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story,” opens in Dec. 2024. (Photo by Steve Appleford) Redd Kross celebrates its 45th anniversary this year with the new documentary “Born Innocent,” the memoir “Now You’re One of Us,” and a self-titled double album. Seen here are the brothers who founded the band in the late ’70s, Jeff McDonald, left, and Steven McDonald, right. (Photo by Tony Molina Filmworks) Jeff McDonald, left, and Steven McDonald, right, share a look during an interview about their band, Redd Kross, in the new documentary, “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story,” which opens in Dec. 2024. (Film still courtesy of ‘Born Innocent’) It’s a ton of terrific material about Redd Kross , a band that deserves every bit of acclaim that the album, book and film might bring. Still, Steven McDonald had one more thing in mind. “The one we didn’t get to do – which, whatever, we’ve done too much as it is – I was hoping there would be an audiobook,” Steven McDonald says on a recent video call with his brother. This launches the McDonalds into enthusiastic riffing about all the possibilities, like brothers who have long known how to take a wild dream and talk it into being. “Omni Books saw that Jack Black , who I’ve known for a long time, liked a post about the book,” Steven says. The publisher asked him to send Black a book, so he called to let the actor and cofounder of the comedic rock band Tenacious D know. “He’s like, ‘I want the audiobook,’” Steven continues. “I said, ‘So do I! But no one would produce it.’ “He said, ‘Well, come and give me the book. Come over and read it to me,’” he continues. “I said, ‘OK, great, I’ll do my part, you can do Jeff’s.’” “Wow,” Jeff says, nodding his approval of this obvious solution. “There you have it.” “That would be a good audiobook too, if we just record that,” Steven says, and then shifts into the serious intonation of a “Masterpiece Theatre” narrator: “The role of Jeff McDonald will be played by Jack Black.” And so it goes, in the interview as in the film and memoir, and even, at times, the album. A brotherly banter that is often entertaining, occasionally endearing, and always true to the dynamic these closest of siblings have shared their entire lives. In an interview edited for length and clarity, Jeff and Steven McDonald talked about everything from making the movie, book and album to forming Redd Kross in the relative isolation of the South Bay in the ’70s, that time when Steven was kidnapped at 13 by an older fan for several months (yes, you read that right), and more. Q: The documentary is so much fun. How did you get connected with director Andrew Reich [an Emmy winner as executive producer of “Friends.”] Steven McDonald: Andrew and I had mutual friends, and he pursued us through mutual friends. He started the film project, like eight years ago, the better part of a decade. Q: Was it a quick yes? Something you wanted to do right away? Jeff McDonald: I know, with a good documentary, it’s the filmmaker telling their version of your story. Which is great. Because I knew if it was us telling our version, entirely us, it would just go on forever. So it was important that we liked and trusted Andrew. And I instantly liked him, instantly just clicked. So it got the OK early on. We had no idea how long the movie would take, He just said, ‘Oh, it’s going to take a couple of years.’ But those couple of years turned into eight years. It was really insane. Q: And the memoir? When did that begin? SM: I thought the book was going to come out in 2025, actually. The book was also a bait and switch. [laughs] The literary agent Lee Sobel reached out to me through Facebook and asked if I was interested in a Steve McDonald book. Of course, I am! [laughs] Then about 10 minutes later he switched it to a Redd Kross book. Q: So Steven, why were you thinking it was going to come out next year? SM: Because that’s the only thing my blood pressure would allow. I had no idea that all three deadlines were all going to hit at the same time. Not only did we do the record, we’ve completed two pretty extensive tours. That has been a lot of heavy lifting. Which is great. I mean, that’s what it’s about for me and Jeff. More than any of it, it’s to go out and play live. But it’s just, in this age of the independent artist, it’s hard. And even though we’re celebrating our 45th year as a band, there’s still so much to learn. JM: It’s non-stop. SM: It never stops being a challenge but, you know, it’s one I’m grateful for. JM: I think if you’re a band that’s still growing you always feel you have something to prove. You never get to that spot where it’s like, ‘Oh, I’ve arrived.’ When that feeling’s gone, that’s when you put it down. SM: But yeah, so it’s great to have this opportunity to show what we can do. That’s kind of what 2024 has been about. Q: Did all the different projects create any crossover moments or influence each other? SM: We did the book before and while were making the record, which I think added another interesting quality. But also just the process of being interviewed by Andrew for eight years. There was a lot of reflection going on. Jeff and I wrote the lion’s share of this in 2023 in the midst of all this. I’m sure it informed some of the more reminiscing moments on the record. Also, I will often reference the Beatles ‘Get Back’ doc that came out, too. That’s the other thing that really inspired our record. Just seeing a unique collaboration. Not to compare us to Lennon and McCartney but to see how much they valued that creative partnership in real time. The demystifying things were fascinating, and it was super freeing and inspiring, and got me hungry to get into that room with Jeff and see what we were capable of. Especially after all that reflection. Q: One thing that struck me in the book and in the movie was the isolation you felt in Hawthorne at the time. You got yourselves to Hollywood and into Black Flag’s circle – but didn’t become a hardcore punk band like them. JM: The four bands [in the area] when we met Black Flag and became part of that whole tiny scene, it was us, a very early version of the Descendents , who were extremely poppy, almost like the original surf punk band. The Last, who were like our version of the Flamin’ Groovies , and Black Flag. So everyone had their own identity, and even we did at our young age. SM: And we played all of our first shows with Black Flag. The first one was an eighth-grade graduation party, and we got Black Flag the gig. We just had all these sort of extraordinary experiences in a very condensed amount of time. And it shaped us in many ways, but it didn’t keep us from being who we were. Or when we did feel any constraint coming down we just kind of distanced ourselves and went our own way. And in reference to what it was like to be in Hawthorne, we detail that on the song ‘Born Innocent,’ which is the closing credit title for the film. [And also the closing track on the new album.] Andrew asked us to write an origin story song. Q: One surprising part of your story is the kidnapping of Steven when he was very young by a woman in her 20s who had started an inappropriate relationship with him before taking him to Las Vegas for three months. SM: I’ve talked about it a little bit, and when you’re asking about doing the movie and how we felt talking about our lives, I don’t know. During lockdown, I found myself revisiting that moment because it turned out to be like the 40th anniversary of that time. And I’m a dad too, and it just so happened that I had, my son was 12 or 13, the same age I was 40 years later. So I found myself just sort of investigating where my head was at that time. For our family, it was traumatizing, and we did our best to process it, but much of it was left unprocessed. As you can see, my parents, it’s still a very raw topic for them, as is detailed in the film with their beautiful interview. I’ve always been fine with talking about it. But whatever, it was a real moment, and it happened within the context of our rock and roll experience. Had I not been in a band it would have never happened. So it’s somewhat of a cautionary tale as well. Q: I want to ask about the mixture of influences you talk about in the film and book. You didn’t censor yourselves over what was cool or popular. You loved the Beatles but you also loved the Partridge Family equally. JM: Through reading about rock and roll music and biographies, I learned, oh, you know, the Beatles did Shirelles covers. They were doing like girl bubblegum covers and were inspired by that type of stuff. It made me realize that anything that moves you is valid and it doesn’t matter what social baggage it may have. It’s like when we were in the punk movement, just saying, ‘I love the Partridge Family’ was kind of like a little bit of a troll to people who took themselves very seriously. SM: I think we also have not been afraid to infuse a nice dose of humor into what we do. I think that’s also something that sometimes people find hard to take on board, because it might imply that you’re not serious on some level, or there’s missing some substance or something. And it’s not just music, you know, it’s movies, it’s television. It’s all sorts of cultural things we took on board. We were hanging out with people that were much older than us and had very sophisticated interests. JM: Yeah, we have been inspired by movies, like Russ Myers and John Waters and all that stuff. And there’s always a bit of humor in what we do. You know, like I may not be taken as seriously as a singer as like, say, Perry Farrell [of Jane’s Addiction], who’s not very funny at all. But comedians are some of the heaviest entertainers there are. So you just can’t judge a book by its cover. Q: This year has been busy. How do you take advantage of that and go forward next year? JM: We haven’t been to South America yet. SM: We have done a lot to get the momentum going. It’s true. I have a day job. I’m also in the Melvins , who have a very busy schedule next year. So it’s a conflict in my life to have had this moment and create so much momentum for us. You don’t want it to dissipate. But at the same time, it’s been a long career. I mean, hopefully there’s enough for people to snack on for a while, and they’ll be hungry for us the next time we’re available, which hopefully will be sometime next year. Related ArticlesNone