EPA Backtracks on Chlorpyrifos Pesticide Ban

The EPA is backtracking on a ban put forward by the Obama administration on a common pesticide, chlorpyrifos, that research suggests can hinder the development of children’s brains. The administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, called the decision late Wednesday night. Pruitt framed the reversal as a form of “regulatory certainty” which would



“Toxic Tush Doctor” Sentenced To 10 Years After Butt Enhancement Death

A Florida woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in a bizarre case involving botched cosmetic butt injections, tire sealant, rubber cement and superglue. Wondering how all of those things go together? Well, apparently Oneal Ron Morris, recently dubbed the “Toxic Tush Doctor,” actually used a mixture of tire sealant, rubber cement, and superglue during a cosmetic butt procedure that ultimately lead to the death of 31-year-old Shatarka Nuby. In fact, according to investigators, “a witness to the procedure claimed to have seen Morris superglue cotton balls to Nuby’s injection sites.”


Seattle Sues Over Trump Order to Defund ‘Sanctuary Cities’

Seattle launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Wednesday, deriding the President’s executive order to defund ‘sanctuary cities’ as a form of unconstitutional federal coercion. The mayor of Seattle, Ed Murray, told reporters the Constitution of the United States forbids Washington from putting pressure on cities. “They cannot punish cities, and they cannot force



Texas Judge Shifts Exxon Mobil Lawsuit to New York

A federal judge in Texas ordered a lawsuit being pursued by oil giant Exxon Mobil to a Manhattan court, saying New York would be a more appropriate venue for the dispute. Exxon Mobil had been suing the Attorneys General of the states of New York and Massachusetts over allegations that the company had misled investors





John Deere Tractors, Farmers, and Soil

What drive through America’s rural heartland would be complete without catching a glimpse of the iconic green and yellow of a John Deere tractor tilling the soil or a combine harvesting rows of corn? Tractors are more complex than ever now, with Wi-Fi and GPS. John Deere is following the lead of other tech giants and preventing end users (like grandpa) from mucking around with the tractor software. Right-to-repair advocates are asking the usual question: if you buy a tractor, is it not yours to do with as you wish? A more important question might be: why are we tilling the soil at all?