Investigation Begins Into Connecticut Gas Explosion

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Federal officials begin their investigation today into yesterday’s gas explosion that killed at least five people. We get the latest from Craig Lemoult, reporter with public radio, WSHU in Connecticut.

Sifting Through New Credit Card Rules

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Credit card companies are making final changes before new regulations that tamp down on abusive practices take effect February 22nd. We speak with Chicago Tribune personal finance columnist, Gail MarksJarvis, who says Americans should read their mail carefully and look out for new fees and interest rate hikes.  If customers aren’t happy with changes, Gail recommends shopping around at bankrate.com, credit.com, and fatwallet.com.

Alaskan Village Sues Oil Companies Over Climate Change

Waves pounded against the sandbagged seawall in Kivalina, Alaska, Sept. 13, 2007. (AP)

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The Alaskan village of Kivalina is suing Exxon-Mobil, Shell Oil and several other big emitters of greenhouse gases for their role in climate change. The Inupiat villagers say global warming is eroding the shores of their island, and they want the energy producers to pay $400 million to relocate the 400 villagers a few miles away to the mainland. This is one of several climate change lawsuits on the horizon. We speak to Matt Pawa, a lawyer representing Kivalina, about why the villagers brought the lawsuit.

Do Calories Count?

(Nirja Parekh/Here & Now)

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If menu boards hanging in restaurants were required to list the calories, alongside the food items, would that change the way you ordered? Stanford University recently studied what happened when that information was available to customers. Professor Alan Sorenson is our guest.

Can Aerosmith Exist Without Steven Tyler?

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Rumors are circulating that the rock band Aerosmith will is considering replacing lead singer Steven Tyler.We talk with Here and Now pop culture critic Renee Graham about Aerosmith’s tribulations and other attempts by bands to replace their lead singers.

Music From The Show

• Air, “Mike Mils”
• Paul Simon, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”
• Charles Mingus, “Boogie Stop Shuffle”
• Fred Hersch, “Desafinado”
• The Lickets, “Meat City”
• Ridrigo and Gabriela, “Logos”
• Aerosmith “Dude Looks Like a Lady”
• Aersosmith “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
• Sammy Hagar “I Can’t Drive 55”
• Van Halen “Jump”
• Van Halen “Why Can’t this Be Love”
• Journey “Lights” (with Steve Perry)
• Journey “Lights” (with Arnel Pineda)
• INXS “Need You Tonight”
• INXS “Pretty Vegas”
• AC/DC “Highway to Hell”
• AC/DC “Back in Black”
• Aerosmith “Walk this Way (Live)”