Presented by

Today’s Big Story

An Unsettling EPA Update

The agency plans to calculate only the cost to industry when setting pollution limits

Like out of a dystopian film, the Environmental Protection Agency said it will stop considering lives saved when setting rules on air pollution. Instead, the agency plans to calculate only the cost to industry when setting pollution limits, and not the monetary value of saving human lives.

For decades, the EPA has calculated the health benefits of reducing air pollution, using the cost estimates of avoided asthma attacks and premature deaths to justify clean-air rules. Not anymore. And it’s a seismic shift that runs counter to the EPA’s mission statement, which says the agency’s core responsibility is to protect human health and the environment, environmental law experts said.

The change will no doubt make it easier to repeal limits on these pollutants from coal-burning power plants, oil refineries, steel mills and other industrial facilities across the country, newly filed emails and documents show. That will, of course, likely lower costs for companies but at what costs for the rest of us?

Health experts worry that the move could lead to rollbacks of air pollution rules, which could result in rising pollution levels, leading to more health risks for millions of Americans. EPA press secretary Brigit Hirsch clarified that the agency is still considering health benefits. But it will not assign a dollar amount to those benefits until further notice, as it reconsiders the way it assesses those numbers.

Under the Biden administration, the EPA tightened the amount of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) that could be emitted by industrial facilities. It estimated that the rule would prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays in 2032 alone. Over the past four decades, different administrations have used different estimates of the monetary value of a human life in cost-benefit analyses. But until now, no administration has counted it as zero.

Top Prosecutors Leave Amid Turmoil Over Shooting Probe

And clashes between agents and protesters continue blocks from where an ICE officer shot Renée Good

From high school students to elected officials, residents in Minnesota are pushing back against the growing deployment of federal immigration officers in their neighborhoods, leading to days of confrontations and protests. Residents and witnesses told NBC News they came out with whistles to alert others about the operation and act as observers while others began protesting.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department does not believe there is currently any basis to open a criminal civil rights investigation into the killing of Renée Good by an ICE agent, a top department official said Tuesday. The decision to keep the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division out of the investigation into the fatal shooting marks a sharp departure from past administrations, which have moved quickly to probe shootings of civilians by law enforcement officials for potential civil rights offenses.

Now, multiple senior prosecutors in Washington and Minnesota are leaving their jobs amid the turmoil. The departures include at least five prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office in Minneapolis, including the office’s second-in-command, according to emails obtained by the Washington Post. The Minnesota resignations followed demands by Justice Department leaders to investigate Good’s widow. Prosecutors also were dismayed over the decision by federal officials to exclude state and local authorities from the investigation.

Taco Bell Bets Cheap Can Still Win

Taco Bell Rewards Members will get early access to the value menu on Friday

As most American struggle with raising prices, Taco Bell is rolling out one of the year’s boldest $3-or-less value menus. It’s a (fairly smart) bet that cheap can still win in fast food. Restaurant prices rose 4.1% over the past year, outpacing grocery inflation, according to new federal data—keeping pressure on chains to prove value as cash-strapped consumers remain price-sensitive.

Taco Bell announced Tuesday that its new Luxe Value Menu launches nationwide Jan. 22, with rewards members getting early access starting on Friday. It features 10 items, mixing five returning items with five new offerings. The lineup includes a new mini taco salad—Taco Bell's first national, permanent salad offering since it discontinued the Fiesta Taco Salad five years ago—along with an Avocado Ranch Chicken Stacker and Salted Caramel Churros.

According to Axios, Fast food leaned heavily into value deals last year often through bundles and limited-time offers. More recently, menu headlines have skewed toward protein and premium upgrades—making Taco Bell’s decision to center on price again to stand out all that more unique.

Support Your New Years Resolutions With CBD

Support Your New Years Resolutions with CBD

Setting a New Years resolution is a lot easier than keeping it. But CBDistillery’s CBD products can make sticking with your resolutions easier. High-quality CBD can ease pain and inflammation after workouts, help you stress less, and promote quality sleep. If you’re doing Dry January, try their Delta-9 THC gummies, formulated with 5mg of naturally-occurring, hemp-derived THC for a mellow buzz without the alcohol.

CBDistillery’s expert botanist thoughtfully formulated gummies, tinctures, topical balms and softgels so you can experience all the benefits of CBD and keep your New Years resolutions on track. And now you can get 25% off your first purchase with code HNY25 (and add saving money to your New Years resolutions).

Support your Resolutions

Celebrate small wins.