Mar 17, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Former Rep. Duncan Hunter sentenced to 11 months in prison

Duncan Hunter. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images

Former California GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter was sentenced on Tuesday by a federal judge to 11 months in prison for stealing and misspending campaign funds, AP reports.

The state of play: Hunter also received three years of supervised probation. His attorney had requested home confinement for his client, citing his prior service as a Marine.

Hunter resigned from his congressional post earlier this year after pleading guilty to the charges. Hunter changed his original not guilty plea six months after his wife, Margaret Hunter, pleaded guilty to the couple's co-indictment on federal corruption charges and agreed to testify against him.

The big picture: The congressman and his wife were indicted on more than 60 charges concerning allegations they used $250,000 in campaign money for personal expenses and for falsifying campaign finance records.

Go deeper: GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter submits letter of resignation

Go deeper

Ben Geman, author of Generate
18 mins ago - Politics & Policy

The new politics of global warming

Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Getty Images photos: Ethan Miller and Chip Somodevilla

The 2020 election is both very different and very familiar when it comes to the politics of global warming and the stakes of the outcome.

What's new: Democratic voters are more concerned than in prior presidential cycles, polling shows.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Bryan Walsh, author of Future
23 mins ago - Energy & Environment

Pinpointing climate change's role in extreme weather

Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Getty Images photos: David McNew and George Rose

Climate scientists are increasingly able to use computer models to determine how climate change makes some extreme weather more likely.

Why it matters: Climate change's effects are arguably felt most directly through extreme events. Being able to directly attribute the role climate plays in natural catastrophes can help us better prepare for disasters to come, while driving home the need to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Amy Harder, author of Generate
28 mins ago - Energy & Environment
Column / Harder Line

Big Tech takes the climate change lead

Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Getty Images photo: Jit Chattopadhyay/Pacific Press/LightRocket

The tech industry is playing a growing role in fighting climate change, from zero-carbon commitments to investments in startups and pushing for the use of data to encourage energy efficiency.

Why it matters: Big Tech is already dominating our economy, politics and culture. Its leadership in helping to address climate change — and reckon with its role in contributing to it — could have similarly transformative impacts.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow