Superior HealthPlan CEO Mark Sanders was fired after admitting under oath that the company hired private investigators to surveil customers, journalists, and lawmakers. This action, revealed during a Texas House Committee hearing, involved using taxpayer funds to gather personal information, potentially for leverage in securing contracts or avoiding claims. Centene Corporation, Superior HealthPlan’s parent company, condemned Sanders’ actions and confirmed his dismissal. The Texas Attorney General’s office has launched an investigation into the matter, exploring potential violations of the law.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s restructuring plan will eliminate the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP), impacting approximately 60 employees, as part of a broader reduction of 20,000 HHS positions. This restructuring also includes the dissolution of the Office of Minority Health and merges several OASH offices into a new Administration for a Health America (AHA). OIDP oversaw crucial initiatives including childhood vaccination campaigns and the Ending the HIV Epidemic program, leaving their future uncertain. The rapid implementation timeline, targeting completion within 10 days, raises concerns about the transition’s effectiveness.
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Former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby admitted to failing to adequately address abuse allegations within the Church of England, citing the overwhelming scale of the problem as a contributing factor, not an excuse. An independent review found that Welby, aware of abuse allegations against John Smyth in 2013, should have reported the case to authorities. Welby’s failure to act contributed to a decades-long cover-up of Smyth’s abuse of over 100 children and young men. He ultimately resigned in November 2024, taking personal responsibility for his actions, despite initially resisting calls to step down. The Church of England has since reiterated its commitment to improving its safeguarding practices.
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On March 29, 2025, a kite struck United Airlines Flight 654 approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, causing no damage to the aircraft. Authorities seized the kite from Gravelly Point, a park where kite flying is prohibited due to its proximity to the airport’s runways. The incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns surrounding unauthorized aerial activity near airports, particularly given recent aviation accidents. Enforcement of FAA regulations restricting kites near airports will continue to prevent similar occurrences.
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A University of Minnesota graduate business student was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without prior notice to the university. State and local officials, including Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Governor Tim Walz, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, are demanding answers from federal authorities regarding the student’s detention. The university is providing legal aid and support to the student, whose name and nationality remain undisclosed. The detention is viewed by some as part of a broader crackdown on international students, prompting protests and raising concerns about due process violations.
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The Department of Homeland Security proposes expanding social media data collection for immigration applicants, encompassing those already in the U.S. seeking benefits like green cards or citizenship. This expands upon existing practices, initiated during the Obama administration and intensified under Trump, aiming to enhance fraud detection and national security vetting. The proposal, open for public comment until May 5th, has raised concerns from advocates regarding free speech implications and the potential for biased interpretations of social media content. An estimated 3.6 million individuals could be affected by this policy change.
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A nine-year-old girl died hours after undergoing dental surgery involving anesthesia at Dreamtime Dentistry. The child was discharged seemingly stable but later found unresponsive at home and pronounced dead at a hospital; the cause of death remains undetermined pending a medical examiner’s investigation. The dentist, Dr. Ryan Watkins, issued a statement expressing sadness and cooperating with authorities, while noting the child was monitored during the procedure and discharged in stable condition. However, Dr. Watkins has a prior history, having been placed on probation in 2020 after a patient nearly died during a procedure in his office.
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Four U.S. Army soldiers remain missing after their 70-ton M88 Hercules recovery vehicle submerged in a Lithuanian bog during a training mission. Despite challenging conditions, including saturated ground and slow drainage, rescue efforts continue with heavy equipment and expert assistance from Lithuania, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Poland. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed hope for a miracle, while U.S. Army officials emphasized their commitment to recovering the soldiers. The recovery operation is expected to be lengthy and complex.
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A powerful magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck 100 kilometers northeast of Tonga, prompting a tsunami warning for the island nation. The US Tsunami Warning Center later canceled the advisory after detecting only minor wave fluctuations. Tonga’s Meteorological Service advised residents to evacuate to higher ground or reinforced structures. While some buoys recorded brief increases in water height, no tsunami threat exists for Australia.
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Following a planned Black Mass inside the Kansas Statehouse, Michael Stewart, leader of the Satanic Grotto, and three others were arrested. The event, intended as a protest for religious freedom and against perceived state favoritism towards Christianity, sparked a large counter-protest from Christian groups. A scuffle ensued when attendees attempted to stop the ceremony, resulting in arrests for disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly on both sides. Governor Kelly’s temporary ban on indoor protests, enacted following pressure from Catholic groups, was in effect at the time of the incident. Stewart was released on bond, while the status of other arrestees varied.
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John Q. Hosedrinker