Analyst Report: PG&E Corp.
Patreon is raising its fees for new creators soon
Patreon has announced an update to its pricing, consolidating its Pro and Premium plans into a single offering starting August 5th. The new plan will take 10 percent of creators’ earnings, rather than the current eight percent for Pro and 12 percent for Premium users. That will mean a price increase for many new users, though existing users won’t see any increase, nor will anyone who signs up before the change takes effect. And for access to all the features from the old Premium tier, you’ll need an add-on that tacks an extra three percent onto the default take.
Currently, Patreon’s more expensive Premium plan adds access to coaching and support staff, team accounts, and merchandise options. From August all of those features except merch will be rolled into the new standard plan, fixed at 10 percent of creators’ earnings on the platform. There’ll be an optional add-on for merch, which will add three percent to your overall rate, so in effect there are still two plans available. As before, payment processing, currency conversion, and payout fees will still sit on top of that.
Existing Patreon creators on the Pro tier will continue paying eight percent, as will anyone who launches a Pro creator page on or before August 4th. The Pro plan will be upgraded to include all the same features as the new standard plan.
Creators currently on the 12 percent Premium rate will actually save money, migrating to an 11 percent rate that includes all their current features. They’ll have the option to drop the merch add-on and move to an eight percent rate, matching legacy Pro users.
Patreon’s last pricing update was to sunset its five percent Lite tier in 2023; the Pro and Premium prices were set back in 2019. Explaining this year’s increase, Patreon says in a statement that since 2019 it has “expanded beyond just payments to include media hosting, community, and discovery,” and that the increased prices are in the name of “continuing to invest in the platform creators are building their businesses on.”
Later this summer Patreon will also update pricing for video, which remains in early access despite launching in 2022. Patreon’s video tools launched with 500 free lifetime hours for creators, which was then reduced to 100 hours, but soon eligible creators will instead receive 100 free hours of video per month.
Malik Tillman shines as USMNT secures a desperately needed win
SAN JOSE, Calif. — A United States men’s national team shorn of some of their biggest stars kicked off their 2025 Gold Cup run with a 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago at PayPal Park on Sunday.
Led by a brace from Malik Tillman, the U.S. was dynamic as it consistently tested the visitors, eventually taking a 3-0 lead by halftime that included a goal from Patrick Agyemang. In the second half, Trinidad and Tobago looked more lively, but it was the U.S.’ Brenden Aaronson and Haji Wright who added two more goals after the 81st minute.
With three points in hand after their tournament opener, manager Mauricio Pochettino and his men will now face Saudi Arabia on June 5. As for Trinidad and Tobago, they’ll seek to bounce back against Haiti in their next group stage match.
Here are the three biggest talking points from Sunday’s win.
1. Tillman puts on show with goals, flair
It was an impressive 90-plus minutes for the 23-year-old attacking midfielder.
Tillman not only stole the spotlight with his two first-half goals, but also with his clever and eye-catching one-touch passes that seemed to catch every opposing player off guard. With the backdrop of a sunny California day, the PSV Eindhoven man seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself as he linked up well with members of the attack like Jack McGlynn and Diego Luna, who provided assists for the midfielder.
For fans of the USMNT, it was a sign of relief to see the player who has yet to consistently perform for country in the same manner that he has stepped up for his club. If he can maintain the form that has made him recognized as one of the top players in the Eredivisie, there’s no reason the USMNT can’t find success at the Gold Cup.
2. Pochettino finds much-needed chemistry with XI, subs
Credit where credit is due.
After stumbling to two defeats in his recent tune-up matches, Pochettino turned his side around with a well-balanced XI that had no real issues against Trinidad and Tobago. Moving forward, rapid ball progression and unpredictable movements were key within a first half that cemented their lead. In the midfield, Luca de la Torre marshaled the heart of the pitch, and in support defensively, captain Tim Ream thrived as a reliable leader.
By the second half, Pochettino’s substitutes seemed just as eager to make their mark. Through a couple of assists from Max Arfsten to goal-scoring options off the bench Aaronson and Wright, the U.S. was able to cement a near-perfect performance.
Obviously, this should be taken with a grain of salt against the Concacaf minnows that have a 0W-0D-5L record all time against the U.S. in the Gold Cup. Nonetheless, that won’t matter to the coach that has just stopped a four-game losing streak as the U.S. seeks a title this summer.
3. Local kid Luna shines in front of family and friends
Playing not too far from his hometown, Sunnyvale, Luna was all gas and no brakes on Sunday.
Easily the most energetic member of the U.S. XI, the 21-year-old covered an immense amount of ground as he not only stole a ball that led to a Tillman goal, but also provided an assist for Agyemang — which for all intents and purposes should be recognized as a Luna goal that was deflected by Agyemang.
Heading into the match, Luna told media that he would have 30 family and friends at the Gold Cup opener. If he were given as many tickets as wanted? “[They] could fill half the stadium,” the midfielder said with a smirk.
Recognized as a scrappy but hungry up-and-coming player, this could be the start of a memorable tournament for the Real Salt Lake star that was galvanized by his hometown. The performance was a positive sign for the California kid, and for the USMNT this summer.
Mariska Hargitay Shares What Mom Jayne Mansfield Would Think of Doc
In terms of undertaking the project itself, Mariska—who shares kids August, 18, Amaya, 14 and Andrew, 13, with husband Peter Hermann—explained how she felt “ready” despite her only previous directing credits being from episodes of Law & Order.
“Directing television and a documentary are two very different things, but I felt ready,” she detailed. “I got the blessing of my family, and I started to see things differently than I had, the way I had lived with the story before, and so it felt like a lot of integration was happening. I was ready to go in, and with the support of my family, I was like, ‘let’s do it.’”
Mariska’s film, which hits theaters June 20 and will be available to stream on Max June 27, may be one of the most personal to premiere this year, but it’s far from the only. Keep reading to see every film to add to your 2025 watchlist…
—Reporting by Emily Curl
Minnesota suspect attempted to kill two other state lawmakers, officials say
A man who is accused of killing a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband, and injuring another state lawmaker and his wife, allegedly attempted to kill two other state lawmakers, Minnesota officials said on Monday.
Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who is charged with fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota Democrat, and her husband, Mark, visited the homes of three other state lawmakers in “truly chilling” attacks, US Attorney Joseph H Thompson said.
Mr Boelter, who police said researched the victims and their families beforehand, allegedly had planned for a larger scale attack, which police thwarted.
He appeared in court on Monday afternoon to face six federal charges, and possibly the death penalty, if he is found guilty.
Mr Boelter was wearing an orange jumpsuit when he arrived in court in St. Paul on Monday afternoon. He said he cannot afford a lawyer and will have a federal defence lawyer.
At the brief hearing, Mr Boelter said he has seven cars, $20,000-30,000 in savings and makes about $540 per week.
At a press conference on Monday officials walked through the early hours of Saturday morning in the suburbs of Minneapolis when the Hortmans were killed, and John Hoffman, a Minnesota state senator, and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were shot multiple times.
They also announced that Mr Boelter faces six federal charges, some of which make him eligible for the death penalty. At the federal level, he faces two counts of stalking, two counts of murder, and two firearms-related charges.
Separately, at the state level Mr Boelter is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder at the state level.
Thompson said that Mr Boelter arrived at the Hoffman home disguised as a police officer in a large black car with emergency lights on the vehicle. Mr Boelter was wearing a “hyper realistic silicon mask” when he rang the doorbell and shouted “this is the police, open the door”.
Thompson said authorities have a clear picture of what happened because the Hoffmans have a security camera outside their front door.
Yvette and John Hoffman/FacebookWhen the Hoffmans opened the door, Mr Boelter shined a flashlight at the couple. Mr Boelter told the couple there was a shooting reported in the house and lowered his flashlight, Thompson said. The couple then realized he was not a police officer.
After they attempted to push him out, he allegedly fired at the couple multiple times, Thompson said, then fled the scene and the couple’s daughter Hope called 911.
Yvette Hoffman was shot eight times and John Hoffman was shot nine times. Both remain in hospital, though Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has said they are expected to make a full recovery.
After allegedly shooting the Hoffmans, Mr Boelter drove to another state representative’s home and rang the doorbell there, Thompson said.
That state representative was not home, Thompson said, noting that she and her family were on vacation. Authorities did not reveal her name.
He then drove to a third lawmaker’s home, allegedly targeting them, Thompson said. Officials did not reveal the name of that state lawmaker, either.
Thompson said an officer pulled up next to Mr Boelter in his vehicle and assumed he was a police officer, dispatched to the scene to perform a wellness check on that lawmaker.
When the officer asked Mr Boelter what he was doing, he simply stared straight ahead, Thompson said, and Mr Boelter went on to the Hortman residence.
He is accused of arriving at the Hortman home, and allegedly shooting and killing Melissa and Mark Hortman. Police said they found him at that residence and engaged fire before Mr Boelter fled.
After he fled, police embarked on a two-day search for Mr Boelter before finding him late Sunday night in a wooded rural area west of Minneapolis, where he surrendered peacefully, eventually crawling towards officers, police said.
Thompson said Mr Boelter had “planned his attack carefully”.
“He conducted surveillance of their homes and took notes about the location of their homes,” he said of Boelter.
Upon finding his car, officials discovered five more firearms including assault-style rifles, large quantities of ammunition and a list of more than 45 Minnesota state and federal elected officials, including Melissa Hortman.
Mark Bruley, police chief from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, said the officers who arrived at the Hortman home “foiled” a larger plan. They “essentially took (Mr Boelter’s) vehicle away from him, which involved all his maps, all his names, all his weaponry”, Mr Bruley said.
“I would be very scared what it would look like over the next few hours ahead had we not done that,” he said.
“It’s a chilling attack on our democracy, on our way of life,” Thompson said at the Monday press conference. “It’s only the most recent example of violent political extremism in this country, and that’s a trend that’s been increasing over in recent years, and that’s unfortunate.
I hope it is a wake up call to everyone that people can disagree with you without being evil or needing to be killed or hurt.”
Mr Boelter is scheduled to return to court for his next hearing 27 June.
Getty ImagesActivists urge Colorado to ban commercial sale of furs taken from state wildlife
Environmental activists are demanding that Colorado Parks and Wildlife prohibit the commercial sale of wildlife furs, filing a citizen rulemaking petition urging swift action on Monday.
Contrary to the vast protections granted by Colorado to other animals, the Centennial State currently allows the for-profit sale of furs from all species deemed “furbearers,” according to the Center for Biological Diversity, which filed the petition.
Among the state’s furbearers are beavers, ringtails, red foxes, pine martens and bobcats, as well as swift foxes, which is a species of special concern in the state, the group noted.
“Auctioning off piles of pelts from native animals is a relic of an era that drove iconic species, like beavers and bison, to the brink,” Samantha Miller, senior carnivore campaigner for the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement.
Miller emphasized the need for Colorado to align with the policies of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation — a set of principles that many agencies use to guide their wildlife management and conservation protocols.
One key tenet of this model is the prohibition of commercial sales of wildlife, as such practices have hastened the declines and even extinctions of iconic species, the organization warned.
Although the petition calls for the elimination of wildlife fur commercialization, it does include some exceptions for hand-tied fishing flies crafted with incidental fur and for traditional Western felted hats, in recognition of the cultural importance of these items.
The petition also does not affect sales at stores that sell products with factory-farmed fur, as opposed to that of animals in the wild.
“Our state needs to modernize wildlife management to confront today’s biodiversity crisis,” Miller said.
Advancing a state-wide regulation, as opposed to targeted local policies, would ensure uniformity and avoid the creation of a “patchwork” of ordinances that cause enforcement difficulties, according to the petition.
The document also stressed that a ban on commercial fur sales would remain “consistent with the big game commercial hunting ban” upheld by Colorado, where it is a felony to sell or purchase big game.
After receiving the petition, Colorado Parks and Wildlife then must review the document and recommend to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission — the decisionmaker on citizen rulemaking petitions — whether the request should be denied or granted.
The Hill has reached out to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for comment.
Threads will let you hide spoilers in your posts
Threads is rolling out a test that will let you hide images or text that contain spoilers, according to a post from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. With the test, you’ll be able to blur content by tapping an image or highlighting text and selecting the “mark spoiler” option.
Other users can view the hidden content by tapping or clicking the spoiler. Reddit similarly lets you hide posts or comments using its “spoiler” tag, but it’s nice to see another platform adopting the feature, since it’s never fun to scroll past unexpected spoilers.
Meta spokesperson Alec Booker told The Verge that this is a “global test,” though it’s not clear how many people will gain access to it.
Spoilers will also look a bit different depending on which device you’re using. On desktop, spoilers are hidden by a gray block, but they appear behind a bunch of floating dots on mobile (which you can see in the GIF embedded above). “This feature is currently optimized for mobile, but we’re working to improve the experience for desktop,” Booker said.
USA 5-0 Trin & Tob (Jun 15, 2025) Game Analysis
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Malik Tillman scored twice as the United States built a three-goal, first-half lead and ended a four-game losing streak by routing Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 on Sunday in a Concacaf Gold Cup opener.
Tillman scored in the 16th and 41st minutes for his first two international goals, both following giveaways by Alvin Jones, and Patrick Agyemang scored his fourth international goal in the 44th.
Brenden Aaronson added his ninth goal in the 82nd and Haji Wright his fifth just 1 minute, 13 seconds later as the 16th-ranked Americans overwhelmed the No. 100 Soca Warriors and ended their longest losing streak since 2007.
Victory in the Group D opener came after days of controversy over Christian Pulisic‘s desire to rest during the Gold Cup and coach Mauricio Pochettino not including the star in a pair of pre-tournament friendlies in which the attacker offered to play.
The U.S. had 70.5% possession and a 21-3 advantage in shots against the Soca Warriors, whose 2-1 home win against the Americans in 2017 ended a streak of seven straight World Cup appearances by the U.S.
The Americans have won their group in 16 of 17 Gold Cups, along with a second-place finish behind Panama in 2011, and improved their group stage record to 41 wins, 1 loss and 5 draws. They play invited guest Saudi Arabia on Thursday in Austin, Texas, then close group play on June 22 against Haiti in Arlington, Texas.
Matthew Freese was in goal in place Matt Turner, who had started 14 consecutive competitive matches for the U.S. and 23 of 24 dating to the 2022 World Cup. The lone exception was a Gold Cup group stage game against St. Kitts and Nevis in 2023.
Missing Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Giovanni Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun and Sergiño Dest, the U.S. starting lineup averaged 14.8 international appearances. That was the second fewest for the Americans in a Gold Cup opener behind 9.8 against Bermuda in 2009, according to Opta.
Adams (turf toe), Johnny Cardoso and Damion Downs (both illness) didn’t dress.
Defender Tim Ream started, extending his Gold Cup span for the U.S. to 14 years and surpassing DaMarcus Beasley (2002-15) for the American high.
Trinidad, coached by former star Dwight Yorke, has lost four of its past five games.
Michael Armstrong, Emma Armstrong Share Stillbirth of Son
He went on to praise his wife, emphasizing that she carried their son “with such grace and love, singing to him each night and morning in bed.”
“She brought him into the world with fierce devotion,” he continued. “She’s been traveling through this heartbreak and physical pain with unwavering courage. She feels it all fully. I am inspired by her.”
For Emma, she is learning to accept this new reality.
“I must of spent hours every day just imagining all the things I would do with my baby and the mother I would get to be,” she shared. “We were preparing for the happiest day our life and instead we got our worst.”
“This is not a share about some silver lining or Gods plan though I have felt the divinity and love like a breath for air that desperately gasp for while I drown,” she continued. “This is me sharing my shock. For any human that has felt the ground ripped from underneath them. For any mother that has lost her baby. The shock, denial, confusion, longing, love and unbearable heartbreak of a loss like this all gets a seat at the table.”