EPA Dismantles Protections for Mercury and Air Toxics From Power Plants

Advocates warn of more toxic pollution, asthma attacks, and premature deaths, especially in communities living near coal plants
February 20, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. " The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today finalized a repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) - a move that will allow coal- and oil-fired power plants to emit more brain-damaging mercury, other harmful heavy metals, and dangerous soot. Those emissions put the public at greater risk of heart and lung disease, cancer, and premature death.

When Pres Trump says the US obliterated every military target on Iran's Kharg Island, should we take that statement with a grain of salt, because Pres Trump lies?

#3 | Posted by LampLighter

He was either lying when he said we'd destroyed their nuclear enrichment capabilities or he's lying now.

Impossible for both to be true.

... make another album for Motown

Also, the back story behind some of the recording sessions for the album is full of "what?!" anecdotes. Waking musicians up in the middle of the night to record, song choices and how they came about.

The back story behind the release of What's Going On is interesting ...

You might have to do a lot of Googling to find the whole story, but Gaye reached a point during the battle with Gordy over releasing the album that he told Gordy he'd never make another album if Gordy didn't release it.

Back in the day, when I noticed that I was starting to listen to an album many times, I would put it on tape (7 1/2 ips, Teac tape deck), and I listened to the album from tape.

I was a teenager with no tape deck

But I also want to note, I listened to the album, not individual songs, but the album.

Same here. Most bands made albums full of good songs. Those were good times! We'd get a new album, read the liner notes, listen front and back, then listen again. The corporate takeover of the music biz led to too many cases of one good song and a bunch of crap to fill the rest of the grooves.

The legendary "music guys" who used to run labels (Mo Ostin of Warner Bros, Ahmet Erteun of Atlantic, others) started having to account to the bean counters for last quarter's profits. Those guys (also Clive Davis) would stick with many now legendary artists/bands if the first or second album didn't meet sales expectations. They cared about the music. And it would usually pay off in the long run.

Now Trump's threatening to hit Iran's oil infrastructure:

@#27 ... Steve Winwood ...

Yeah, he entered the Hall of Fame a while ago for his work in Traffic.

I wore out a couple copies of The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

#34 | Posted by LampLighter

It was impressive how well Orbison's voice held out late into his life. He could still hit the high notes clear as a bell.

#32 | Posted by LampLighter

No problem at all :-) A matter of personal taste. I like pre-Michael Doobies just as much. The band didn't have much choice. New singer or bust due to Tom Johnson's personal demons. Since he was the lead singer, not much to do but have someone else take that role ... Kinda worked out for them.

About the time in '76 when Joni was getting jazzy with Pat Metheny

CORKY

Remember the Joni album "Mingus" featuring her lyrics and melodies by Charles Mingus?

IIRC, also Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jaco (of course), and (?)