The Big Sell-Off -- June 6, 2026

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Item for the family. Not intended for general readership.  

One wonders to what extent "IRS quarterly taxes are due" (June 15, 2026) had to do with the the huge sell-off.

Probably nothing. 

But I sold my first tranche of RMDs required this year earlier in May -- well before the sell-off. But I won't be seeing a penny of these RMDs -- 100% of it -- all of it -- will be going to to the IRS plus my entire cash position in my bank checking account. I keep very little in cash. But the portfolio RMDs is sizeable. 

Only For Die-Hard Apple Enthusiasts -- Apple May Still Be Winning -- June 6, 2026

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Link here. 

From Jonny Evans.

I don't recommend this article for anyone but die-hard Apple enthusiasts. 

It is really getting into the weeds. We'll know much more by the end of the summer.

NATO-Turkey-US -- $28-Billion Pipeline Project -- Security Issue For US -- June 6, 2026

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This is a very, very big story but won't get much press for a variety of reasons. 

It only caught my attention because we were stationed at Incirlike Air Base for two years, back in 1993 - 1994, or thereabouts. I truly forget the dates. I will have to look that up in my journals. 

Regardless, it's a big story. 

My hunch: the project is being "fully" funded by the US to ensure adequate jet fuel for Incirlik Air Base. I doubt Turkey is spending much of its own money on this project. Turkey is an incredible negotiator. 

Link here. 

Samsung Ditches New Jersey HQ For Texas -- Tax Issues -- June 6, 2026

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Relocations are tracked here.  And here. And here.

This is a huge story. Huge. I may post this story again. Texas relocations are tracked here.

I may re-post this story later.  

Huge story sent to me by a reader. Sorry for the late posting. 

Link here.

Samsung Electronics America is relocating its headquarters to Texas from New Jersey just eight months after moving into its new Garden State facility with much fanfare, reigniting criticism that the area's high corporate taxes and red tape are driving away businesses. 

South Korean Samsung, the consumer electronics giant, confirmed that it was exiting 700 Sylvan Ave. in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, where it leases roughly 270,000 square feet, according to CoStar data. The U.S. headquarters will move to Samsung's existing campus in Plano, Texas, "building on our 30-year presence in the state." 

Samsung is "undergoing a business transformation designed to better position our organization for long-term growth and future success," the company said, adding that "as part of this strategy, we will be optimizing parts of the organization to ensure our roles and functions align to key business priorities."

Samsung's plan adds to the Lone Star State's bona fides as a mecca for companies seeking low corporate taxes and a business-friendly environment. The list of firms that have migrated to Texas is long, with the most notable example being Elon Musk's decision to move Tesla's headquarters from California to Austin, Texas. Earlier this year, Texas was once again recognized as a top destination for corporate facility investments.

Garden State business advocates and Republican lawmakers immediately blamed New Jersey's policies and high corporate taxes again for fueling an exodus of companies from the state, with Samsung as the latest example. Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill's new state budget had some provisions that opponents considered anti-business, such as no longer allowing companies to write off unlimited pandemic-era losses.

Much more at the link.

June 6, 1944 -- D-Day -- Posted June 6, 2026

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Eighty-two (82) years ago. Hard to believe. 

According to Google Gemini, there are still about 45,000 Americans still alive who participated in WWII. Of those 45,000 living WWII American veterans, a very few participated in the D-Day invasion. The estimates range from a few dozen (36) to a few hundred (360) veterans still alive -- Americans who participated in the D-Day invasion. 

AI data would  have almost precisely the exact number if Elon Musk would have been allowed to tie all government computerized data together. But that won't happen any time soon, if ever: the US Congress is afraid to let Americans know what Elon Musk might discover.  

Alison's Quick Connects -- June 6, 2026

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Alison's quick connects for June 5, 2026:

• Commentary: With data centers, skepticism is not anti-business -- South Dakota Searchlight

• Gov. Gordon demands data center developers in state 'do it the Wyoming way' -- WyoFile

• ND energy research center brings back part of furloughed workforce -- North Dakota Monitor

• Oil industry faces uncertainty in what Bakken's next era will look like -- North Dakota Monitor

• Senator John Hoeven on production: 'We've already declined 400,000 barrels a day' -- Williston Herald

• Dutch court to continue Greenpeace case against Energy Transfer over pipeline protest fine -- Reuters

• Trump announces $425 million investment in coal and energy, some for North Dakota -- Bismarck Tribune

• Public Service Commissioners and executive director presented with the Patriot Award -- The Hazen Star

• North Dakota's elected officials are pushing hard to deploy Enhanced Oil Recovery technologies -- Oil Price

• Oliver County man charged with terrorizing over threats against data center supporters -- KFYR-TV

• North Dakota Republican incumbents join Fedorchak for statewide candidate tour -- North Dakota Monitor

• Former North Dakota Senate Majority Leader and longtime legislator Gary Nelson dies -- Bismarck Tribune

• Senator Kevin Cramer discusses United States Senate's focus as election season approaches -- KX News

• NDDOT to begin mowing along the shoulder of state highways mid-June to July 1 -- Dept. of Transportation

• Forget Theodore Roosevelt Nat'l Park, North Dakota's unsung state park has world-class fishing -- Islands

• North Dakota tribal leaders call for greater sovereignty as federal support wavers -- North Dakota Monitor

• Human remains discovery near ND governor's residence interrupts construction -- North Dakota Monitor

• Port: This year's primary election on June 9 here in North Dakota is absolutely vital to state -- InForum

• EPA awards two grants totaling $28,730,000 to the NDDEQ for drinking water systems -- Kevin Cramer

• Letter: Total elimination of primary residence property tax is needed in North Dakota -- InForum

• $19.2M approved in state infrastructure grant allocations for public airports across ND -- NewsDakota

• Food, family fun, and giving back to charities are all on the menu at 14th Bakken BBQ -- KX News

• North Dakotans invited to three open houses on Minot Air Force Base development plans -- KX News

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park ends partnership with nonprofit support association -- Bismarck Tribune

• North Dakota Small Business Development Center-Southwest to reopen Dickinson office -- Dickinson Press

• Forum Communications finalizes purchase of McKenzie County Farmer weekly newspaper -- InForum

• $40M in federal health grants available to help rural hospitals upgrade equipment -- North Dakota Monitor

• Several new programs aim to get rural North Dakotans moving and eating healthier -- Dickinson Press

• Northwest Area Water Supply biota treatment plant could begin startup in late August -- Minot Daily News

• $100M renovation and addition completed at 4 Bears Casino & Lodge west of New Town -- Minot Daily News

• Crosby, Divide voters to decide ballot measures; chickens, home rule charter among issues -- The Journal

• Williams County approves sober living group home in 3-2 vote after contentious debate -- Williston Herald

• Dunn County Commission addresses requests from community members during meeting -- Dickinson Press

• Taxable sales growth still strong; Divide's third straight quarter with big increase over prior year -- The Journal

• I-94 exit to Medora to be closed during opening of Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library -- WDAY

• Ward County commissioners forged ahead with battery storage systems ordinance -- Minot Daily News

• Kessel, Dodge, Kempenich focus on being local, responding to people's needs -- Bowman County Pioneer

• Meet-and-greet event held for District 33's Mike Heger; Governor Armstrong among attendees -- The Beacon

• Experts say ND childcare crisis needs workforce fix, many counties don't meet demand -- Minot Daily News

• How candidates for state's top K-12 job would address teacher recruitment, retention -- North Dakota Monitor

• Minot voters will elect two members to the Minot School Board at the polls on June 9 -- Minot Daily News

• Proposed Indigenous medical school aims to boost Native physician numbers -- South Dakota Searchlight

• Surrey Public School asking voters to weigh in on borrowing $5.8M to add 8 permanent rooms -- KFYR-TV

• Low turnout at Ray bond forum; school officials, architects spell out details of $29M proposals -- The Journal

• Beulah Public Schools Board submits administrative reports during regular May 14 meeting -- The Beacon

• Area students among participants for 2026 session of North Dakota Governor's School -- Minot Daily News

• Across the US, more cities are pressing pause on data centers as the local backlash grows -- Stateline

• Iran accuses Trump administration of ceasefire violations and will move to close Strait of Hormuz -- The Hill

• Prolonged energy disruption from Iran war would be severe blow to global economy: Research -- The Hill

• Re-escalation in US-Iran conflict, prolonged blockage of Hormuz could drive oil to $180 by August -- Oil Price

• House Judiciary Committee escalates its climate lawfare probe issuing its first subpoena -- EID Climate

• EPA boss made criminal referrals alleging Democrats 'self-dealing' in green energy grants -- Just The News

• Blue states sue in effort to block Trump's deal to cancel wind lease in exchange for oil investments -- The Hill

• Wind farms taking a toll, Golden Eagles should be listed under the Endangered Species Act -- CFACT

• China is rapidly expanding coal-to-chemicals and coal-to-gas production amid high oil prices -- Oil Price

• Oil prices rise 1% to one-week high as Iran reviews US proposed agreement to end the war -- Reuters

• Trump expected to announce that administration will put about $700 million to bolster coal -- The Hill

• Solar, wind, batteries provide new cheap electricity to reliably meet rising power demand -- The Power Line

• Securities & Exchange Commission proposes rescinding Biden-era climate disclosure rules -- Breitbart

Four New Permits; Four Permits Renewed; One Permit Canceled -- June 6, 2026

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This was from Friday's end-of-day report, June 5, 2026. Due to a situation beyond my control -- the urge to do too much swimming and not pay attention to the blog -- I was delayed in posting. Sorry. 

WTI: $90.54 (the price of WTI -- or at least the "trending" price no longer makes sense -- this has been true for some time)

Active rigs: 28. 

Four new permits, #43005 - #43008, inclusive:

• Operator: Hess Bakken Investments II
• Field: Ellsworth (McKenzie County)
• Comments:
• Hess has permits for four BW-Braaten wells, NWNE 30-149-100, 
• to be sited 462 / 561 FNL and 2346 FEL

Four permits renewed:

• KODA Resources: one Bock and three Stout permits, all in Divide County; Fertile Valley;

One permit canceled: 

• 42930, PNC, Oasis, Jaffa 5303 12-2 2B, Williams County.