Bullet Train Update -- February 7, 2026

Locator: 49926BULLETTRAIN.

Without this project, neither California nor Governor Newsom have any marketing photo ops. 

 

Definition of a railhead: simply a staging area for material. It may or may not have any rail. In this case, there is yet no rail laid for the actual project.

In early February, 2026, Governor Newsom announced a major milestone for the California high-speed rail project, a railhead in Kern County, to begin staging material to complete a 119-mile segment of the "bullet train" route through the "central valley," from Merced to Bakersfield, combined population, 500,000.

Governor Newsom says the projects hopes to be a fully operational high-speed rail segment by 2033. 

Current cost estimates for the rail from "Los Angeles" to "San Francisco" is $135 billion; original estimates, $33 billion, made in 2008. There are no time-of-completion estimates for the entire "LA-to-SF" project," but it now well accepted it will be well beyond 2040, assuming it is even completed. 

Yahoo -- Flashback -- February 7, 2026

Locator: 49930YAHOO.

iPhone 18 Pro Max: To Deliver Next-Level Batter Life -- February 7, 2026

Locator: 49929BATTERY.
Locator: 49929APPLE.
Locator: 49929BROADCOM.

Link here. 

Battery will extend Apple's reputation for best-in-class battery life.

Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made wiht TSMC's 2nm process, the device could tout extremely impressive battery life. The phone is expected to be thicker than its predecessor to facilitate the larger battery.

Current 17 Pro Max: biggest iPhone battery to date; battery life up to 39 hours. 

18 Pro Max: over 40 hours of battery life? 

The first foldable iPhone, expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumored to feature class-leading battery life, also. The battery for the foldable phone could easily be the largest battery by capacity of any iPhone as well as any rival foldable device.

The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch later this year, featuring a smaller Dynamic Island, the C2 modem, a simplified Camera Control, a 24-megapixel front-facing camera, and an upgraded main camera with a variable aperture. 

Noteworthy:

Based on current 2026 reports, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro is expected to significantly reduce reliance on Broadcom components by adopting Apple-designed Wi-Fe/Bluetooth chips (N1/N1x) and a custom C2 5G modem. While Apple has a long-term supply agreement with Broadcom, the iPhone 18 line aims for in-house alternatives for wireless connectivity.

More on this later. 

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow -- February 7, 2026

Locator: 49928WASHINTONPOST.
Locator: 49928GLOBALWARMING.

Updates

Later, 3:31 p.m. PT: The Washingon Post CEO has stepped down.  

Original Post 

Link here. When I see these stories, I'm not exactly sure what the definition of journalism is. It's hard to believe that folks are upset that The Washington Post is changing -- dramatically. The bigger question:
is The Washington Post even needed any more? Seriously, many subscribe to the print edition any more?
How many subscribe to the on-line edition? How many read at least one "full" story from The Washington Post at least once a day? Why did Jeff Bezos buy it in the first place? How would The Washington Post be different if Elon Musk owned it?

LNG Exports -- Update -- February 7, 2026

Locator: 49926LNG.

Link here. 

 

GTL In An AI Economy -- Nope -- February 8, 2026

Locator: 49925GTL.

GTL.

GTL: a solution to a problem that no longer exists? 

See this link.

That link prompted this AI prompt:

Right now (February 7, 2026) with huge energy needs for AI data centers have things changed? Is natural gas more important or are GTL projects more important for fossil fuel companies?

Reply: 

To Infinity And Beyond -- February 7, 2026

Locator: 49924MARKET.

This didn't age well, link here:

In nearly 50 years of investing, I've never seen anything like this: 

*************************
Good! Now Liquidate The Shorts!

 Link here.

*******************************
Amgen

Link here.

 

***********************************
Chasing Cash

Link here. 

Alison's Quick Connects -- February 6, 2026

Locator: 49923B.

The stories:

• North Dakota oil output fully restored, nationwide outages dropping -- EnergyNow.com

• Ron Ness talks tough economic environment for state's oil and gas developers -- InForum

• Energy board votes down $40M loan extension for Cerilon gas plant -- Bismarck Tribune

• Public Service Commission to seal mine entrance next to Cartwright Tunnel -- KFYR-TV

• Since 2007, North Dakota has invested $4.5 billion in water projects using oil extraction taxes -- BEK TV

• North Dakota board recommends $40M loans, $3.4M grants for battery, mineral projects -- Bismarck Tribune

• ND town serves as an example of the promise and perils of data centers for SD -- South Dakota Searchlight

• New energy, new industries: landowners prepare for North Dakota's next development boom -- KX News

• South Dakota advances 'bossly bill' aimed at preventing land survey abuses -- South Dakota Searchlight

• Iowa advances bill that would create severance tax for pipeline-transported CO2 -- North Dakota Monitor

• Update provided on planned multi-billion dollar Cerilon gas-to-liquid plant in Williams County -- KFYR-TV

• Lawyers Scott Porsborg and Brian Schmidt to represent state legislature in term limits lawsuit -- KFYR-TV

• Former Dem-NPL state lawmaker Vern Thompson launches campaign for US House -- North Dakota Monitor

• Heating assistance available for North Dakotans this winter through state LIHEAP program -- KX News

• ND Health and Human Services confirms state's first case of measles for 2026 in William County -- KVRR

• Discussion criticizes lawmakers' proposed changes to initiated measure process, term limits -- KSJB AM 600

• Trio of candidates announces run for North Dakota state legislature, including Sen. Axtman -- KX News

• Produced water spill reported 10 miles southwest of Alamo; 1,200 gallons spilled and recovered -- KX News

• Williams County issues moratorium on solar farms, battery storage sites through end of year -- KFYR-TV

• Williston City Commissioner Gjovig not seeking full term in June following appointment last year -- KFYR-TV

• Two-year effort yields a path forward for North Dakota's strained local newspapers -- Dickinson Press

• Dickinson construction company sues Federal Government for $6.3M in unpaid border wall work -- KFYR-TV

• After 16 years, Senator Randy Burckhard announced that he will not seek reelection -- Minot Daily News

• Williston STAR Fund awards $50,000 across 25 community enhancement projects -- Williston Herald

• Williston Park Board member Shawn Roness announces run for mayor, bringing field to five -- KFYR-TV

• Williston Area Chamber of Commerce announces Mitch Melberg as new president, CEO -- Williston Herald

• Acro Stars Gymnastics announces receipt of generous $35,000 donation from Chevron -- Williston Herald

• From associate to bachelor's: new Degree Bridge Program keeps Williston students local -- KX News

• ND colleges can develop reduced-credit bachelor's degrees but with limitations -- North Dakota Monitor

• Departing NDSU President David Cook sets stage for interim president Rick Berg -- Dickinson Press

• US HHS awards over $3.1M to Cankdeska Cikana Community College for Head Start -- Kevin Cramer

• Standing on principle: why "universal" school meals isn't the answer for ND -- McKenzie County Farmer

• Legislators conflicted on funding school meals; District 2 reps oppose ballot initiative petition -- The Journal

• School board gets tour of DCHS heating renovations; frustrations voiced over cold classrooms -- The Journal

• Dickinson High School junior uses state student council position to promote inclusion -- KFYR-TV

• Number of North Dakota homeschooled students increased 756% from 2007 to 2025 -- Grand Forks Herald

• Commerce Department's career fairs aim to keep talented graduating students in North Dakota -- InForum

• 2026-2027 calendar for Beulah Public Schools is complete according to school officials -- The Beacon

• Trump announces that US will develop $12 billion stockpile of minerals considered to be critical -- The Hill

• AI power needs may turn expected LNG surplus into a gap by 2030, says Qatar Energy CEO -- Reuters

• Devon and Coterra announce definitive agreement to merge, create premier shale operator -- Oil Price

• Interior Secretary Doug Burgum highlights national security risk posed by wind farms -- Fox Business News

• Global oversupply set to override geopolitical flare-ups, keeping oil prices close to $60 per barrel -- Oil Price

• Trump says he's reached a trade deal with India after Modi commits not to buy Russian oil -- The Hill

• US government soon to issue general license for oil production in Venezuela, sources say -- Reuters

• Taxpayers predicted to reap fewer dollars after royalty rate slashed for onshore production -- E&E News

• Oil refiners on US Gulf Coast are struggling to absorb a rapid surge in Venezuelan crude shipments -- KFGO

• DOE taps Mark Lewis and Mike Howard to be new members for National Petroleum Council -- E&E News

• EIA projects US to produce almost a quarter of the world's petroleum in 2026 in short term outlook -- Rigzone

• When it comes to climate and fossil energy, let's retire the politics of fear -- The Empowerment Alliance

• Crudely put: Oil is everywhere and almost as vital to human survival as oxygen & H2O -- RealClearEnergy

• David Blackmon: Higher electric bills are being driven by political ideology in blue states -- Daily Caller

• Fox News Digital report spurs 22 AGs to urge House probe into alleged judicial climate bias -- Fox News

• Watchdog warns that over-reliance on wind and solar is making winter blackouts likely -- Just The News

• Climate alarmism is distracting the world's attention from true environmental threats -- The Center Square

• Back to Energy Reality: A Message to Leaders Finally Recognizing What Works -- RealClearEnergy

Unbelievable -- The Day The Music Died -- February 6, 2026

Locator: 49922EVS.

This $26 billion financial hit --  mainstream media suggests this happened overnight but it's been going on for quite some time now. Check "STLA" and set time frame to "five years" or "max." There's no way this can be sugar-coated.

Link here. 

Link here.

Unbelievable -- February 6, 2026

Locator: 49921MARKETING.
Locator: 49921AMAZING.

Not one word needs to be said. I'm so glad I didn't watch one minute of CNBC today and listen to al the talking heads who probably said this was absolutely predictable. One exception: Cramer got a couple of things wrong but in the big scheme of things, he was right on target this past week.