Powers Leaving Times

POWERS OUTAGE: L.A. Times pop music critic Ann Powers, who came in when Robert Hilburn left five years ago, will be leaving the newspaper staff, though she will continue to contribute. She's been living in Alabama the last year, where her husband is a professor, and will go to work for NPR Music online. Said Assistant Managing Editor Sallie Hofmeister, "Since becoming our pop music critic in 2006, Ann has distinguished herself writing about Prince, Lady Gaga, Cee Lo Green, Eminem, Glee and, perhaps most notably, American Idol, where she was an outspoken champion two seasons ago of runner up, Adam Lambert." Ex-L.A. Weekly editor Randall Roberts is the current music chief at the paper. (2/18p)