The Roy Blunt Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Research, dedicated in 2022, received bipartisan support due to its cost-effective approach to combating Alzheimer’s. However, the Trump administration recently slashed funding for the center, resulting in layoffs, including the incoming director. This decision is contrary to the previously expressed support from Republicans, including its namesake, and experts warn of significant setbacks to Alzheimer’s research. The cuts have drawn criticism for their lack of apparent support and potential for widespread opposition.
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Elon Musk again publicly endorsed Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on X, just before the country’s general election. This support, including a pinned post declaring “AfD!”, follows previous endorsements and a virtual rally appearance where Musk praised German culture and criticized “multiculturalism.” The AfD, polling at approximately 20%, is expected to perform strongly, while Chancellor Scholz condemned Musk’s actions as “disgusting” and detrimental to democracy. Musk’s support has fueled an ongoing feud between him and Scholz.
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Michigan Republicans elected State Senator Jim Runestad as their new chair, defeating candidates including Meshawn Maddock, a Trump ally facing charges related to the 2020 election. Runestad’s platform focused on fundraising and party unity, contrasting with Maddock’s more confrontational style. The 2026 midterms are crucial for Michigan Republicans, with key races including a U.S. Senate seat and gubernatorial election. Runestad aims to lead the party through these critical races while addressing internal divisions and financial challenges.
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A federal judge partially blocked President Trump’s executive order aiming to eliminate government diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, deeming the order’s claims of illegality unfounded. The order, alleging DEI initiatives violate civil rights laws, sought to halt related awards and contracts. A coalition of academic institutions successfully challenged the order, arguing the resulting uncertainty harmed educators, students, and communities reliant on federal funding. Judge Adam B. Abelson’s ruling prevents the administration from terminating DEI-related obligations, emphasizing the decades-long legality of such programs. This decision provides relief to plaintiffs facing potential funding disruptions.
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Many Americans don’t trust the media’s coverage of Donald Trump, according to a recent survey indicating only a small percentage have great confidence in the press’s handling of the former president. This widespread distrust isn’t surprising, given the highly polarized political climate. The perception of bias, whether leaning left or right, colors how people interpret media reports. Some believe liberal media outlets actively work against Trump, while others feel the media excessively sanitizes his actions and downplays his rhetoric, even when it veers into dangerous territory. This creates a sense of unreliability across the political spectrum, undermining the public’s faith in objective reporting.… Continue reading
Senator Bernie Sanders’s “National Tour to Fight Oligarchy” commenced in Omaha and Iowa City, targeting Republican districts and aiming to pressure Representatives Don Bacon and Mariannette Miller-Meeks to oppose GOP budget cuts. The tour directly challenges the influence of billionaires, both Republican and Democrat, on the political system and criticizes the Democratic Party’s perceived inaction against Trump’s policies and Musk’s actions within the government. Sanders argues that combating “Trumpism” requires a grassroots movement rejecting oligarchy and advocating for working-class Americans, a message resonating strongly with attendees despite the prevailing political climate. The tour’s success suggests a significant base of support for Sanders’ anti-oligarchy message within the Democratic party, contrasting with the perceived passivity of Democratic leadership.
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Following President Trump’s urging for more aggressive action, Elon Musk initiated a sweeping measure targeting federal employees. An email, seemingly originating from the Office of Personnel Management, demanded a list of accomplishments from the previous week, threatening resignation for non-compliance by a Monday deadline. This action, coupled with prior controversial administrative orders, has sparked widespread anxiety and uncertainty within the federal workforce. Union leaders strongly condemned the move, vowing legal action against potential unlawful terminations. The legality of Musk’s actions remains unclear.
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Missouri Representative Gerard Harms’s “Save MO Babies Act” proposes creating registries for pregnant individuals deemed “at risk” of abortion and prospective adoptive parents, aiming to facilitate adoptions and reduce abortions. The bill lacks a definition of “at risk,” raising concerns about potential government overreach and privacy violations. This legislation follows broader conservative efforts to expand state surveillance of pregnant individuals and restrict abortion access, mirroring national trends and legal challenges regarding patient data privacy. While Harms claims the program would be voluntary, the bill’s implications for reproductive rights and personal privacy remain significant.
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A gunman, Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, took hostages at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, resulting in a shootout with police that left one officer dead and several others injured, including three hospital staff members. Archangel-Ortiz, who had prior contact with the hospital, was killed by police. The incident highlights the escalating violence against healthcare workers, mirroring a national trend of gun violence in medical facilities. The deceased officer, Andrew Duarte, was a veteran law enforcement officer.
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H5N1 avian flu has been detected in black rats in California, marking the first such case. This discovery follows previous confirmations of the virus in mice on affected farms and expands the list of infected mammals, which now includes a harbor seal, fox, bobcat, and domestic cat. The USDA is actively managing the ongoing outbreak, despite recent cost-cutting measures that led to the temporary dismissal of some bird flu experts, and continues to prioritize the response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This widespread infection has resulted in the culling of approximately 148 million birds and has contributed to rising egg prices and several human cases, including one fatality.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood