As of Friday, over 700 measles cases have been reported in the U.S., exceeding 2024’s total and marking a significant surge. Texas accounts for the majority of cases (541), including three deaths, two of which were unvaccinated children. Outbreaks have also been confirmed in six other states, fueled by low vaccination rates in affected communities. The spread is linked to both domestic and international transmission, underscoring the urgency of vaccination.
Read More
Montgomery Police Department investigated five separate shootings within two hours on Thursday night, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. A 25-year-old man, Samuel Giles, was fatally shot on Manley Drive in a double shooting; the other victim sustained life-threatening injuries. Other incidents included shootings on Troy Highway (life-threatening injuries), North Pass Road (non-life-threatening), and Larkin Lane (non-life-threatening). Police are actively seeking information from the public regarding these crimes.
Read More
Taiwan has filed charges against a Chinese ship captain, Wang, for allegedly damaging an undersea cable off its southwestern coast in February. This marks the first prosecution of its kind in Taiwan, following a recent increase in cable malfunctions. Prosecutors in Tainan charged Captain Wang, who maintains his innocence but refused to cooperate fully with the investigation. While seven other Chinese crew members were released, the incident is raising concerns about potential “grey zone” tactics by China to pressure Taiwan.
Read More
This message updates guidance on reciprocal tariffs imposed by Executive Order 14257, as amended, excluding specific products from these duties. Products classified under HTSUS headings 8471, 8473.30, 8486, and others listed in the April 11, 2025 Presidential Memorandum are exempt, effective April 5, 2025. Importers should use heading 9903.01.32 to claim this exclusion and correct entries accordingly within ten days of cargo release. Further guidance will be provided via future CSMS messages.
Read More
Seventeen-year-old Victor Perez, who has cerebral palsy and autism, will be taken off life support at 10 a.m. Saturday after being declared clinically braindead following a police shooting. The shooting, which left Perez with a lost leg and nine gunshot wounds, has sparked community outrage and protests against the Pocatello Police Department. A candlelight vigil will precede the removal of life support, followed by an afternoon protest in front of City Hall. The incident remains under investigation by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force.
Read More
The CDC rejected Milwaukee’s request for assistance in investigating widespread lead hazards in its schools due to the elimination of its lead program by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This decision leaves Milwaukee’s health department to manage the crisis independently, highlighting the challenges faced by local health authorities without federal support. The eliminated CDC team previously provided crucial expertise in environmental health emergencies, including lead poisoning investigations and responses to other toxic substance incidents. This loss of federal expertise is deeply concerning, particularly given the difficulty in recruiting specialized personnel.
Read More
Texas reported 36 new measles cases, bringing the total to a number exceeding 100 since January, with 56 hospitalizations and two unvaccinated child deaths. The outbreak is concentrated in Gaines County, and while only 5% of cases are currently infectious, health officials stress the importance of MMR vaccination to prevent further spread. Simultaneously, San Antonio’s Metro Health will end some childhood vaccination services on June 30th due to federal grant funding cuts, exacerbating concerns during this severe measles outbreak. This reduction in vaccination services impacts the community during the worst measles outbreak in 30 years.
Read More
Ahmonique Miller, a 28-year-old mother, died at an unlicensed post-surgical recovery house in Miami after undergoing cosmetic procedures at Avana Plastic Surgery Clinic. Her sister reported that Miller received medication at the house before her death, though the medical examiner has yet to determine the cause. The incident has prompted calls for stricter regulations on such facilities following previous reports on similar unregulated operations in South Florida. Miller’s death remains under investigation by Miami Police.
Read More
A Louisiana immigration judge ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, can be deported, upholding Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s determination that Khalil’s activities threaten U.S. foreign policy goals. Rubio cited the McCarran-Walter Act, which allows the secretary of state to deport non-citizens whose presence undermines national interests, in making his decision. While the judge lacked authority to question Rubio’s assessment, Khalil’s attorneys plan to appeal the ruling and request a stay of deportation. Deportation could send Khalil to either Syria or Algeria.
Read More
Facing a deportation order, the federal government, instead of providing evidence against Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, submitted a memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The memo argues Khalil’s expulsion is justified because his lawful activism, while not criminal, undermines U.S. foreign policy objectives by combating antisemitism. Khalil’s lawyers contend this demonstrates the administration is targeting his free speech rights. The government’s failure to provide additional evidence despite a court order further supports this claim, as does the memo’s mention of a second, unnamed individual facing similar deportation.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker