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Following Trump’s lead, some GOP states seek to limit environmental regulations

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Some Republican legislators are looking to restrict their states’ ability to set environmental regulations, a move that comes as President Donald Trump ‘s administration pushes to roll back environmental rules on power plants, water and greenhouse gases. The Alabama Legislature on Tuesday approved legislation backed by business groups that would prevent state agencies from setting restrictions on pollutants and hazardous substances exceeding those set by the federal government. In areas where no federal standard exists, the state could adopt new rules only ...

Warner Bros reopens talks with Paramount after receiving a waiver from Netflix

NEW YORK (AP) — Warner Bros. Discovery is briefly reopening takeover talks with Skydance-owned Paramount to hear the company’s “best and final” offer, while the Hollywood giant continues to back the studio and streaming deal it struck with Netflix. In a Tuesday regulatory filing, Warner said that Netflix had granted it a waiver to open discussions with Paramount for seven days. Paramount now has until Feb. 23 to negotiate a possible transaction. But in the meantime, Warner’s board is still recommending shareholders support of its proposed merger with Netflix.

Hints From Heloise

Using dry-erase markers on mirrors Dear Heloise: A lot of people use white boards to make lists and notes. But did you know that you can use dry-erase markers on your bathroom mirror? It’s easy to jot notes on the mirror while you’re getting ready for the day, and more than likely, you will be back in that same bathroom throughout the day to see your notes. Additionally, you can write inspirational notes to yourself on the shower wall above where the water hits. — Karen McV., via email SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise@Heloise.com ANTI-DAMPNESS PACKETS Dear Heloise: I read Erika ...

Getting phased out of my friend group

Dear Annie: I am 52 and I have a good life on paper. I am married, I work full-time, and I have two teenagers who keep me busy. But lately I have felt oddly lonely, and I am not sure if I am being overly sensitive or finally noticing something I have ignored for years. I have a close group of friends from our kids’ elementary school days. We still do birthdays, group texts and the occasional dinner. Here is the issue: They have started doing a lot more without me, and I usually find out after the fact. It is never one big, obvious exclusion. It is the little things. A photo pops up ...

Horoscope

These first days of Pisces season in the Year of the Fire Horse call to mind the seahorse — one of nature’s most improbable creatures. Neither fish nor horse, it lives between worlds, upright in the tide. Sacred to Poseidon, whose sea chariots were drawn by hippocampi, the seahorse carries ancient knowledge of how to move through the depths without being undone by them. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Each group of people has its own little culture. Families, neighborhoods, workplaces, classrooms — all have rules worth learning, habits worth noticing, so you can decide to follow, bend ...

Eileen Gu’s terrible Olympics choice

It isn’t easy being Eileen Gu. The champion freestyle skier said the other day, after she had to settle for a silver medal in an event at the Olympics, that “sometimes it feels like I’m carrying the weight of two countries on my shoulders.” Gu would be carrying the weight of only one country if she had chosen to represent her native USA at the games, rather than a hostile totalitarian state. Gu skis for China, a choice that is a little like deciding to represent a fascist country during the 1930s. China is bent on undermining U.S. power and supplanting Western values. It ...