SUMMARY: Hiro Industries, co-founded by Tero Isokauppila and Miki Agrawal, seeks to tackle the plastic waste crisis using dirty diapers as a surprising resource. With billions of pounds of baby poop available, the company aims to develop fungi that can consume plastic found in these diapers. Diapers, which take about 500 years to decompose and contribute significantly to landfill waste, can serve as breeding grounds for these fungi. Hiro Industries has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund this project, offering an at-home science kit to demonstrate how fungi break down plastic. The biodegradable diaper is set to launch in February 2025.

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SUMMARY: Tony Earls, charged with the murder of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez, will appear in court today. His defense attorney seeks the removal of the special prosecutor, arguing for the case to be dismissed on grounds of justified shooting. Arlene was killed on Valentine’s Day 2022 while riding in her family’s car, as Earls shot at a robbery suspect. Initially charged with aggravated assault, he was released after a grand jury declined to indict him in July 2022. New evidence led to murder charges in April 2023, and his bond was recently lowered to $75,000. The Alvarez family will confront Earls in court.

Earlier this year, Earls was charged with murder in the girl’s death. His defense attorney is calling for the special prosecutor in this case to be removed.

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SUMMARY: Faramarz Lahijani is suing the California Lottery, claiming he bought both winning tickets for a $394 million Mega Millions jackpot but lost one before it expired. He claimed half the prize from one ticket in June 2023, insisting he was the purchaser of both tickets from a gas station in Encino. Lahijani’s suit seeks the remaining $197 million, based on evidence he bought both tickets. A California Lottery spokesperson declined to comment on the active lawsuit. If he cannot prove ownership of the second ticket, or if the claim is dismissed, the prize money will go to California’s public education funding.

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