In the last months of 2024, mysterious drone sightings in the northeast dominated headlines. Well, along with election news, of course.
Reports of unusual drone activity peaked in November 2024, particularly in New Jersey. The FAA issued temporary flight restrictions in some parts of that state. To ascertain whether the drones were friends (innocent domestic drone hobbyists) or foes (be it a foreign country or UAPs), the FBI and Department of Homeland Security were called in to investigate.
These days, it seems that being outraged, panicked, and paranoid is in vogue. Social media’s instant access often amplifies such emotions, as does the news media, which hopped on the headlines.
Amidst the sensationalism were statements from government officials trying to assuage fears. For example, the AP reported that “Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said it’s unlikely the drones are engaged in intelligence gathering, given how loud and bright they are.”
In January 2025, after Donald Trump’s swearing-in, newly minted White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s first press briefing addressed the mystery drones.
Officially, the White House’s stance was that “many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones,” Leavitt said. “In time, it got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy.”
Still, it’s too sensational not to stoke conspiracy theories or inspire movies or TV shows. I haven’t heard about it influencing the creation of any sci-fi or horror movies or series. (Yet. It wouldn’t surprise me if it did. What about you?)
But there is a new investigative podcast coming out on February 11 that sort of deals with the subject. Let’s check it out.
OBSCURUM: Invasion of the Drones
“OBSCURUM” promises to provide “a fresh perspective on the UFO/UAP conversation” via “immersive storytelling with meticulous investigative reporting.”
Here’s the show’s synopsis:
Hosted by Gabe Lenners (Radio Disney, CMT, ABC News) and executive produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, OBSCURUM unpacks one of the most chilling and unexplained phenomena in recent years: mysterious drone sightings across rural America. Season one dives into the eerily similar wave of drone activity that first emerged in Nebraska and Colorado in late 2019, drawing fascinating parallels to recent sightings in New Jersey, New York, and beyond that recently dominated major news headlines.
For More Info
“OBSCURUM: Invasion of the Drones” launches February 11 in partnership with Imagine Entertainment, iHeartMedia, and Lenners Entertainment. To learn more, visit https://www.obscurumseries.com.
Check-In
When was the last time you saw a drone?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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The last time I saw a drone it was operated by a man who was taking pictures for a real estate listing. The real estate agent kindly notified those in the area that the drone would be there, so I really appreciated that.