AROUND THE NATION: Neil Young songs pulled from Spotify over Joe Rogan podcast
Neil Young's music removed from Spotify
Spotify, known for its streaming music and podcasts, announced it was working on removing rock legend Neil Young's music due to claims the platform spreads COVID-19 vaccine misinformation through popular podcaster Joe Rogan.
Young wrote an open letter to his manager Frank Gironda and Tom Corson, co-chairman and chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Records, demanding his songs be pulled due to what he called disinformation on the podcast.
“The Joe Rogan Experience,” based in Austin, Texas, was the most listened to podcast in the U.S. and worldwide in 2021. Rogan has an exclusive contract with Spotify.
Joni Mitchell stands with Neil Young
Singer Joni Mitchell announced Jan. 28 she would seek to remove all of her music from Spotify in solidarity with Young's protest.
Mitchell and Young both rose to fame as popular musicians in the 1970s.
“Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives,” Mitchell posted to her website. “I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.”
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer to retire
Liberal Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is retiring, according to numerous sources, giving President Joe Biden his first high court opening.
The president has said he plans to name the court’s first Black woman.
President touts health insurance additions
President Joe Biden said 14.5 million Americans signed up for private health insurance for the year under the health law from President Obama's era.
“Health care should be a right, not a privilege, for all Americans,” Biden said in a statement. “We are making that right a reality for a record number of people, bringing down costs and increasing access for families across the country.”
The Affordable Care Act offers health insurance to people who do not have employer coverage through a mix of subsidized private plans and expanded Medicaid.