This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. As California leaders and advocates enter prime budget negotiations, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised proposal may soon provide clarity, revealing an expected shortfall and a lot of uncertainty driven by federal leaders. At the...
Nitrous Oxide Recreational Use Risks: Brain Damage, Death, and Easy Access
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning Americans about the ever-increasing and potentially deadly recreational use of nitrous oxide products, particularly among young people. Marketed with names like "Galaxy Gas" and "Miami Magic," and often sold in steel cartridges known as "whippets," these products are cheap and readily available...
Federal Cuts Threaten Science, Ethics, and Public Health
As the Trump administration continues to make significant cuts to NIH budgets and personnel and to freeze billions of dollars of funding to major research universities – citing ideological concerns – there's more being threatened than just progress in science and medicine. Something valuable but often overlooked is also being...
Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, a Republican Who Became a Liberal Darling, Dies at 85
WASHINGTON — Retired Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter, the ascetic bachelor and New Hampshire Republican who became a darling of liberals during his nearly 20 years on the bench, has died. He was 85. Souter died Thursday at his home in New Hampshire, the court said in a statement...
Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass as Pope and Calls His Election Both a Cross and a Blessing
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV, history's first U.S.-born pontiff, said Friday that his election was both a cross to bear and a blessing as he celebrated his first Mass as the head of the Catholic Church. Leo spoke off-the-cuff in English in the Sistine Chapel to the cardinals who...
Texas Measles Cases Rise to 709, State Health Department Says
(Reuters) - The Texas health department on Friday reported 709 cases of measles in the state, an increase of 7 cases since May 6, as the U.S. battles one of its worst outbreaks of the childhood disease. Cases in Gaines County, the center of the outbreak, were unchanged at 403...
The Latest: Trump Floats Cutting China Tariffs to 80% Ahead of Weekend Meeting
President Donald Trump on Friday floated cutting tariffs on China to 80% ahead of a weekend meeting as he looks to de-escalate the trade war. Top U.S. officials are set to meet with a high-level Chinese delegation this weekend in Switzerland in the first major talks between the two nations...
Wall Street Drifts as It Waits for a Highly Anticipated US-China Meeting on Trade
NEW YORK — U.S. stocks are drifting Friday as Wall Street heads toward the end of an unusually quiet week. The S&P 500 was up 0.4% in morning trading and on track to erase what had been a small loss for the week. This may be the first week in...
Israel Won’t Be Involved in New Gaza Aid Plan, Only in Security, US Envoy Says
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A U.S.-backed mechanism for getting aid into Gaza should take effect soon, Washington's envoy to Israel said on Friday ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East, without detailing how this would work with no ceasefire in place. Gaza's residents face possible famine, the U.N....
National Hummus Day Highlights New Ways to Enjoy an Old Favorite
Once a regional dish and now a beloved party dip, hummus has a lot to celebrate on National Hummus Day on May 13. Nationally, sales of this creamy chickpea dip are expected to break $1 billion annually by 2031. Bold new flavors, exciting pairings and recipe hacks reignite cravings for...