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By Michael Williams, CNN

(CNN) — The Justice Department’s release of thousands of documents and pictures related to investigations into Jeffrey Epstein on Friday was highly anticipated and provided a glimpse into the life of the late sex offender and his associations with some of the richest and most powerful people in the world.

But while the partial release — DOJ has said it will continue to release more files — included some never-before-seen pictures, it revealed little that had not already been known.

Extensive redactions and files presented without context have raised further questions. And the fact that DOJ has not yet released all of the materials in its possession sparked bipartisan pushback from lawmakers, who have threatened consequences if the agency does not abide by the law signed by President Donald Trump last month forcing the release of the files.

Here is what the release revealed, and what questions remain:

Early accuser vindicated

Friday’s partial release represented a major triumph for one of Epstein’s earliest accusers. Maria Farmer approached law enforcement about Epstein roughly 30 years ago, and has long accused the government of ignoring her accusations.

The release included an FBI document that described a 1996 criminal complaint against Epstein related to allegations of child pornography. The complainant’s name is redacted in the document, but Farmer’s lawyer confirmed to CNN that the complaint was made by her client.

The release indicates that law enforcement was aware of allegations against Epstein a decade before he was first arrested in 2006.

The “facts of complaint” part of the document says that the woman — who describes herself as a professional artist — had taken photos of her underage sisters for her own personal artwork.

“Epstein stole the photos and negatives and is believed to have sold the pictures to potential buyers,” the document reads. “Epstein at one time requested (redacted) to take pictures of young girls at swimming pools.” It continued: “Epstein is now threatening (redacted) that if she tells anyone about the photos he will burn her house down.”

Maria Farmer said in a statement that the FBI had “failed” her and other victims over the years.

Her sister Annie told CNN: “Just to see it in writing and to know that they had this document this entire time — and how many people were harmed after that date? We’ve been saying it over and over, but to see it in black and white that way has been very emotional.”

Lots of new pictures, few major revelations

Epstein was known to have traveled and associated with some of the most high-profile names in politics and show business in the late 1990s and early 2000s, before he was first arrested in 2006. Images released Friday, some of which had never been seen before, showed just how extensive his connections were.

Former President Bill Clinton was prominently featured in Friday’s release. One of the most publicized images was a picture of Clinton Read more

By Scottie Andrew, CNN

(CNN) — When audiences first met Jinkx Monsoon on the fifth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in 2013, she already seemed fully formed: eccentric and witchy in that Pacific Northwestern way, heartbreakingly earnest, and dripping with the tipsy wit and affect of a 20th-century character actress.

In 2025, Monsoon finally became a leading lady. In the spring, the two-time “Drag Race” winner starred on Broadway in “Pirates!”, a rework of Gilbert and Sullivan. But it was her turn as a demented Mary Todd Lincoln in the hit play “Oh, Mary!” that turned Monsoon into a stage supernova. Taking over the role after Cole Escola, the original star and playwright, moved on, Monsoon made Mary seem like a new creation while maintaining the show as must-see comedy. Monsoon’s tempestuous first lady bellowed like a bear in a trap, bounded across the stage like a rogue boomerang and raised hell.

“Oh, Mary!” is a broad farce, but Monsoon played the deranged heroine with touching sincerity. In perhaps her only moment of real vulnerability, Mary reflects on the promise and anguish of a “great day.” All great days end, she says, so she protects herself from having any more of them by drinking and throwing epic tantrums and marrying a bore like Abe Lincoln. Just a few scenes earlier, Mary vomited into a bucket, then drank her own mess. Monsoon as Mary breaks your heart.

Watching Monsoon ascend as a star actress was a great day that hasn’t ended: Next year, she’s reviving her legendary “Drag Race” Snatch Game character Judy Garland in “End of the Rainbow” in London’s West End.

What was the most memorable moment of the year?

Cole Escola accepting their Tony. I’ll never forget that. I had just stepped offstage, I had just finished performing. And I said, “Cole, you got this!” And then they did! So besides that, there’s nothing really in my mind. I can’t really remember anything except for “Wicked Witch!”

Which of your dreams came true?

I recorded an album of my sold-out “one night only” at Carnegie Hall concert, and that feels like one hell of a dream come true. It’s coming in 2026!

What do you already regret?

Nothing. I live in the now!… I already regret saying that.

What vices are you giving up or carrying with you into next year?

I’m giving up eating fistfuls of candy before bed. One fist’s-worth only.

Who do you think made the biggest splash this year (if not yourself)?

Young Cardamom [CNN: That was New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s rap alter ego.]

How did you survive the hard parts?

Having a stage to be on and an audience to perform for.

What’s the biggest existential threat to human life?

Apathy.

What’s a dream role you haven’t played yet?

Mame.

What did you learn about yourself this year that surprised you?

Apparently my sense of smell is top notch!

What were some of your favorite movies, music, memes or other pieces of pop culture this year?

“Weapons” is my favorite film of the year. My favorite musicians this year are Big Sis, Laufey,

Por Ella Nilsen, CNN

Los residentes de estados del Atlántico Medio como Maryland, Nueva Jersey y Pensilvania, que llevan años sufriendo los altos precios de la electricidad, acaban de recibir malas noticias: la ayuda no está a la vuelta de la esquina.

Como informó recientemente CNN, los clientes de servicios públicos en Maryland y la ciudad de Washington se encuentran entre los primeros del país en ver los efectos del auge de los centros de datos en sus facturas de electricidad residenciales. Gran parte de ese aumento de precios se debe a la anticipación de la demanda futura. La industria energética prevé que los centros de datos y otros clientes consumirán mucha más energía en tan solo unos años. Actualmente no hay suministro suficiente para satisfacer esa demanda, por lo que el acceso a la electricidad adicional que se necesitará pronto debe asegurarse con antelación.

En el Atlántico Medio, esas compras se realizan mediante subastas regionales. En una subasta reciente, los precios alcanzaron un máximo histórico, y habrían subido aún más de no ser por un límite de precios establecido a raíz de una demanda interpuesta por el gobernador de Pensilvania, Josh Shapiro.

Tanto los precios de la subasta como la demanda reflejan una dinámica creciente en la región, que alberga el mayor grupo de centros de datos del mundo —en Virginia— y se están añadiendo más en otros estados, como Ohio y Maryland. Los centros de datos consumen mucha más energía de la que existe actualmente en la red, lo que impulsa los precios al alza en medio de una pugna por los derechos de energía futura.

Las subastas están a cargo de PJM Interconnection, una organización sin fines de lucro poco conocida cuyo objetivo es garantizar que haya suficiente electricidad para satisfacer la demanda y distribuirla donde se necesite en la región. Otros estados bajo la jurisdicción de PJM, como Nueva Jersey, también están experimentando un aumento repentino en las facturas de servicios públicos. Los demócratas de Nueva Jersey se centraron en este tema en las elecciones a gobernador de este año. La gobernadora electa demócrata Mikie Sherrill hizo una intensa campaña sobre la asequibilidad de la energía.

Esta dinámica continuará en el futuro próximo, según los expertos.

“Preveo que la escasez de suministro durará algunos años más y que la mayoría de los 65 millones de personas de la región pagarán facturas más altas durante ese tiempo”, declaró Rob Gramlich, CEO de la consultora Grid Strategies LLC. “Es una pena que los estados y PJM no hayan logrado proteger a los consumidores de la volatilidad de los mercados eléctricos”.

PJM reconoció el drástico desequilibrio entre la oferta y la demanda de electricidad. En los últimos dos años, los precios han aumentado más de un 1.000 %.

“Esta subasta deja claro que la demanda de electricidad de los centros de datos sigue superando con creces la nueva oferta”, declaró Stu Bresler, nuevo director de operaciones de PJM, y añadió que “la solución requerirá una acción concertada entre PJM, sus accionistas, socios estatales y federales, y la propia industria de los centros de datos”.

El problema para los consumidores es que los precios se mantendrán altos hasta que se genere más electricidad, y el costO de construir nuevas centrales eléctricas y la infraestructura para transportar la electricidad también será elevado.

En los últimos dos años, PJM ha propuesto más de US$ 11.000 millones en mejoras de infraestructura eléctrica en la región, principalmente para atender el crecimiento de la carga de los nuevos centros de datos. El próximo año podrían necesitarse otros US$ 12.000 millones, según David Lapp, asesor del pueblo de Maryland y principal funcionario del estado especializado en la defensa de los consumidores en materia de facturas de servicios públicos.

“La mayoría de esos costos serán cubiertos por todos los clientes, aunque c