The new season kicked off Tuesday night with new contestants and new executive producers. But the real star of the Phoenix auditions was the new judge, songwriter Kara DioGuardi.
A decade after the $246 billion settlement with the tobacco industry, many states – notably, Kentucky – have failed to seize this historic opportunity to reduce smoking. Fortunately, the money will flow for 15 more years, giving such laggards a chance to get with the program.