American environmental lawyer, politician and activist with controversial vaccine views.
Measles cases have surged across several countries since March, stressing hospitals and vaccination programs. Bangladesh reports thousands of infections and hundreds of deaths; officials say vaccination campaigns are expanding, while UNICEF cautions about gaps in immunisation. In the United States, a multi-state outbreak has prompted emergency vaccination efforts and data reviews.
Zach Lahn has won the Republican gubernatorial primary in Iowa, challenging Trump’s pick Randy Feenstra. Democrat Rob Sand is seeking to flip the governorship, arguing for balanced government amid a Republican trifecta in Des Moines. The primary outcome also intersects with potential shifts in California and a Democratic Senate bid in Iowa.
Since 2025, measles outbreaks have spread in unvaccinated communities in the United States, prompting therapeutic research and policy debates. Outbreaks have climbed nationally, with California and other states reporting rising case counts and hospitalizations. Experts warn that misinformation compounds transmission, while high vaccination coverage remains vital for herd immunity.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has released its own maternal immunization schedule, diverging from the CDC’s guidance amid policy changes and vaccine misinformation. The plan endorses influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and Tdap vaccines during pregnancy, with additional vaccines for certain risk groups and postpartum/breastfeeding vaccination details. Health professionals say hesitancy remains a challenge as providers seek to align patient care with evidence-based guidance.
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The Kennedy administration has filed motions to expedite federal vaccine-advisory meetings ahead of the fall flu season. Courts have frozen previous immunization policy changes, while new appointees prepare to form a fresh advisory panel.
Perryman has remained in quarantine despite medical reviewers recommending a less restrictive alternative. Kennedy has signed a new order extending quarantine, citing public health concerns while Florida pushes for home-based monitoring. No symptoms have been reported five weeks after leaving the ship.
The administration has moved to transfer civil rights enforcement and special education duties to other federal agencies, framing the changes as reducing bureaucracy. Critics warn the shifts may delay justice for students with disabilities and minority students, while some families pursue discrimination cases elsewhere.
Moderna’s mFlusiva has secured an advisory committee vote in favor of approval for adults 50 and older. The decision follows earlier FDA scrutiny and a high-profile dispute over study design, with the committee citing robust efficacy and a solid safety profile.
The military has reinstated flu vaccination requirements for recruits after a localized outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas has sickened hundreds. Officials say exemptions were granted earlier in the year, but ongoing cases and a recruit death have prompted renewed vaccination efforts across basic training.
Mars is rolling out naturally dyed M&M’s in August via Amazon, replacing two classic colors in the initial launch due to color science hurdles. The move follows a wave of MAHA-inspired scrutiny of artificial dyes in food. By 2028, Mars aims to offer six colors in natural form, though blue and brown remain absent in the early packs.
The U.S. has concluded its hantavirus response tied to the MV Hondius outbreak. The 42‑day monitoring period for Americans is finished with no sustained transmission detected. Debates center on the use of strict federal quarantine orders and individual rights during public-health crises.
The new SNAP cost-sharing rules require states with high payment error rates to cover a portion of benefit costs starting in October 2027. Several states face bill totals in the billions, raising the possibility that some may withdraw from the program. The Trump-era changes aim to curb waste, while critics warn of deeper harm to vulnerable families.
A federal crackdown targets healthcare fraud across the United States. More than 450 defendants, including doctors, nurses and clinic owners, are charged in schemes that falsified records, billed for unrendered or unnecessary care, and laundered funds. Several defendants have faced seizures and high-value assets, with charges spanning Medicare and TRICARE programs.
A JAMA Network Open study finds the vaccine reduces COVID-19-related hospitalizations by about 55% and lowers visits to emergency departments by 50%. The paper has drawn attention because of past political interference in CDC publishing decisions. The study uses a test-negative design and is part of ongoing assessments of vaccine performance amid evolving viral strains.
The Supreme Court has ruled 7-2 that federal pesticide law bars state failure-to-warn lawsuits over Roundup, overturning a $1.25m jury verdict and imperilling thousands of similar claims against Bayer. The decision follows the EPAs position that glyphosate is unlikely to cause cancer and clears the way for dismissal of many pending suits.
Kennedy has led a push to pull government flu-vaccine advertising amid a broader shift at HHS, with emails showing internal debate and political direction shaping public-health messaging during a severe flu season. The disclosures show tension between Kennedy’s policy moves and CDC leadership as a new administration implements its agenda.
A federal judge blocks the Trump administration's rule redefining qualifying employers for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, while another judge rules the rule is contrary to law. The ruling preserves PSLF benefits for workers in government and nonprofits and prompts Education Department review. The litigation spans multiple states and advocacy groups.
Since the Reflecting Pool renovation, officials have faced scrutiny over costs, management and transparency as algae blooms and peeling coating prompt questions about planning and oversight.
The Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial has faced algae blooms, peeling paint and security concerns after a multi‑million renovation. Officials say vandalism claims are under investigation while critics demand transparency. New proposals call for nature‑based algae control as the administration faces questions over maintenance and costs.
A coalition of more than 20 states and the District of Columbia has filed suit against CMS over an interim final rule that tightens Medicaid eligibility by redefining medical frailty and enforcing work or community-engagement requirements for expansion enrollees. The suit argues the rule exceeds the agency’s authority, risks disenfranchising patients with serious illnesses, and forces costly system changes as states prepare for a January 2027 rollout.
President Trump has named Keith Sonderling, acting labor secretary, to take the role permanently. The nomination awaits Senate confirmation as concerns over past actions at the Labor Department surface. Reports outline Sonderling’s prior roles, including deputy labor secretary and EEOC member, and note challenges tied to Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s resignation.
British American Tobacco is cutting about 5,500 jobs and outsourcing 3,500 more as it shifts toward vaping, nicotine pouches and digital operations. The company says the savings target is about 600 million pounds annually by 2028, with the US not affected. The cuts come as it faces slower cigarette sales and rising regulatory and tax pressures in various markets.
A new weight‑loss pill version of semaglutide has launched in the UK for private prescriptions, offering an alternative to injections. The tablet requires strict dosing and a fasting routine and is not yet NHS‑funded. Several outlets warn about counterfeit pills as access broadens.
Advocates warn that a shift of special education oversight from Education to Health and Human Services and a DOJ memo on Olmstead interpretation signal a broader push to roll back rights for people with disabilities. Critics describe the moves as a return to a medical model and a threat to integrated living and schooling.
Andrea Shaw, 23, has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her 18-month-old twins, Dallas and Tyson, found dead in their Payette, Idaho, home in May 2025. Prosecutors allege willful suffocation; defense links the deaths to vaccines. Shaw remains held on a $2 million bond as her case moves toward trial.
A U.S. appeals court has revived private lawsuits alleging a link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and autism/ADHD, reversing a district court that had excluded expert testimony. The panel says the doctors’ methodologies reflect scientific disagreement and are admissible, returning the case to ongoing proceedings.
Chipotle has removed jalapeños from some Minnesota restaurants after state health officials tied a salmonella outbreak to jalapeños eaten at multiple Mexican-style quick-service restaurants. The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating 110 cases; interviews show many sickened people ate at Chipotle between mid-June and mid-July. The FDA is conducting traceback work.
The U.S. outbreak of cyclosporiasis has expanded across multiple states, with Michigan reporting the highest counts. Officials say the source remains unidentified, but lettuce and leafy greens are under investigation amid recalls and ongoing traceback work as case counts rise through summer.
President Trump has delivered a primetime address releasing declassified intelligence he says shows China acquired large volumes of U.S. voter data and that officials hid reports about foreign efforts to target U.S. elections. Journalists, former intelligence officials and state authorities have said the documents do not prove foreign actors altered 2020 vote counts and many of the administration's claims have been disputed.
The Senate has held a confirmation hearing for Dr. Erica Schwartz, the nominee to lead the CDC, amid questions about how she would balance scientific independence with pressure from the administration on vaccine policy. Her background spans the Coast Guard and the surgeon general’s office, with the agency facing staffing turmoil and political scrutiny.
The Pentagon has rolled out annual testosterone screenings for service members aged 30 and older, with younger troops able to volunteer. Officials describe the measure as part of maintaining a “strong, resilient and capable” fighting force, while experts warn on possible health risks and ethical concerns about medical oversight.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a testosterone screening program for service members, extending annual checks to those 30 and older while offering voluntary testing for those under 30. Treatment remains voluntary, framed as restoring natural health rather than artificial enhancement. The move follows broader debates around testosterone policy in the administration.
The military is screening for low testosterone and offering therapy to qualified troops. Experts warn against overprescribing and emphasize that treatment targets those with clinically diagnosed deficiencies.
Eli Lilly has announced an all-cash deal to acquire AtaiBeckley for up to $2.8 billion upfront, with potential milestone payments. AtaiBeckley’s lead drug, a DMT-related nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression, is in Phase 3, with initial results expected in 2029. The deal signals growing pharma interest in psychedelic therapies amid regulatory momentum.
The cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell has cited thousands of cases across multiple states, with Ohio and Michigan at the forefront as lawsuits and recalls unfold. Authorities have warned against lettuce from Taylor Farms while investigations determine the outbreak’s precise source.
The military is implementing mandatory testosterone screening for troops aged 30 and older, aiming to optimize performance and longevity. Experts warn the policy lacks solid evidence and could pose health risks, particularly for women. Reports from multiple outlets highlight concerns about timing, medical guidelines, and potential overreach.
Federal officials have def rined hundreds of millions in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota while reviewing alleged in-home care fraud. Governors Newsom and Walz say the move is political theater; federal reviewers cite rising in-home services spending and questions about program integrity.
Multiple sources report a rebound in measles cases across the U.S., with 2,260 confirmed cases now documented in 44 states and D.C. Public health officials say vaccination coverage below 95% threatens herd immunity and risks losing measles elimination status. A review in November will decide on that status.
Uganda and Africa CDC have formally urged the United States to remove travel restrictions tied to the Ebola outbreak. Uganda reports no new cases since July 16, with the last patient discharged, while the DRC faces a worsening Bundibugyo outbreak. Regional partners warn that border controls complicate trade and health work, as WHO warns the outbreak could be larger than detected.
A string of developments around testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has sparked a national conversation. The US military is considering testing service members’ testosterone levels and expanding access to TRT where clinically appropriate, while lawmakers and experts weigh safety, ethics and performance implications. Reports from AP News, CNBC, CNBC and other outlets indicate a widening trend in how TRT is discussed and regulated.
A U.S. FDA advisory panel is evaluating seven peptide injections for potential compounding by licensed pharmacies. The panel's votes and the FDA's stance reflect ongoing debates about safety, efficacy, and industry influence amid rising wellness interest in peptides.
The Department of Justice has withdrawn grand jury subpoenas that sought New York Times reporters' testimony and phone records after a federal judge sharply questioned the government's handling of the leak probe into reporting about President Trump's new Air Force One. The DOJ has said the investigation remains ongoing.
The CDC reports 2,318 measles cases in 2026, making it the worst year in decades. Outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah and Arizona have prompted renewed concern over vaccination coverage as officials weigh loss of measles-free status.
FDA-confirmed cases linked to Midwest Poultry Services shell eggs have prompted recalls across several brands and stores. About 98 illnesses have been reported since Nov. 21, with 26 hospitalizations. Authorities say eggs from Texas farms are a likely source, though not all cases are accounted for. A separate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce remains under monitoring.
Trump has attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after a postponement due to a gun attack outside the Washington Hilton. He uses the stage to critique the media, tout his resilience, and tease opponents, while noting heightened security and a smaller guest list.
President Trump has attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, praised some journalists, mocked others and repeatedly attacked news organisations and named reporters. The event has followed the April shooting that forced the original dinner to be abandoned and featured tighter security and awards for reporters, including a Wall Street Journal team.
Since July, U.S. measles cases have surged to 2,371, the highest in years, with outbreaks intensifying in several states. Health officials warn that vaccination alone may not curb spread, while political debates and vaccine skepticism complicate public health responses.
Dr Anthony Fauci has invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly while testifying before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, refusing to answer questions about pandemic-era decisions, the origins of COVID-19 and alleged NIH-funded research in Wuhan. Chairman Sen. Rand Paul has said the committee will vote next week to hold Fauci in contempt and to refer the matter to prosecutors.
The Cyclospora outbreak has expanded, with Michigan reporting rising case totals and southeastern counties remaining the epicenter. Ohio reports more than 500 cases across several counties. Health authorities are urging caution with certain produce while investigations continue to identify the sources.