Science, Policy, and Other News that Caught my Eye
Or blew my mind for the week of February 9-15, 2025.
Greetings, SciLight readers. This past week has brought another tsunami of troubling news. Below are just a few news items that caught my attention. And it’s only Sunday morning, so many more hours for another shoe to drop. Add what caught your attention in the comments. And don’t despair; there are good news stories as well.
· The Senate confirmed vaccine-skeptic RFK, Jr to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Scientists up in arms.
· The Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, despite her lack of experience in the intelligence world and amid concern that she’s amplified Russian propaganda (here).
· Trump Administration fired thousands across all our federal agencies (here, here).
· OOPS! Trump officials fired nuclear staff not realizing they oversee the country’s nuclear stockpile. More here, here
· Federal workers rise up against Musk, Trump, and the drastic cuts
· Ordered back to the office but with nowhere to work! That’s efficiency for you….
· White House bans the Associated Press journalists from the Oval Office over continued Guld dispute.
· Vance in Europe…. Honestly don’t know how to shorthand this. See here, here
· Lots of commentary and discussion about a constitutional crisis. For example, here, here, here, here
· And more on the growing power and authority of Co-President Musk – here, here, here (That title must really rankle Mr. Trump.)
· CDC cuts devastate its Epidemic Intelligence Service – a crown jewel of public health. Read more about CDC cuts here and here
· Republicans in Mississippi and Missouri give new meaning to bounty hunting: prospective laws in each state would allow residents to receive $1,000 a pop, to be paid if a tip on someone in the country illegally leads to an arrest. And in Florida, the Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy Act—yes, the TRUMP Act—became Florida law yesterday. It also provides a $1000 bonus to any law enforcement officer who assists in the arrest of a person in the state illegally. Read more here, here
· Louisiana will no longer promote vaccination. This one really blew my mind.
· We’re in the midst of a historic flu season. Be careful out there!
· Not science but still mind-blowing, Trump fired the Kennedy Center Director and made himself the Director.
· This week, I felt the need to check the definition of coup d'état. According to Merriam Webster, it is a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics especially : the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group
Also, Some Good News
· Judge ordered restoration of webpages and content from government health sites.
· Lawsuits challenging DOGE and Musk himself
· Girl Scout learns CPR and saves her father’s life.
· Like Yogurt? Good, because it may help lower your risk of colon cancer.
· Scientists see a striking and rare phenomenon in space. Take a look.
· Clean energy continues to be the dominant form of new electricity generation in the U.S.
· A win for social housing in Seattle
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