FEMA rejects call by Newsom’s office to test soil in fire areas for toxic contaminants

Cuts to federal Medicaid spending could jeopardize 338 rural hospitals in states with Republican senators, according to Senate Democrats, who highlighted the potential loss of health coverage for millions. The House budget bill, which proposes over $800 billion in Medicaid cuts, poses a significant risk to rural hospitals, particularly in states like Louisiana, where many serve a high percentage of Medicaid patients. More Context

The CIA has declassified 54 documents, totaling 1,450 pages, related to the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, following an executive order from President Trump aimed at increasing transparency regarding high-profile assassinations. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the release, highlighting its importance in restoring trust in the government. More Context

Harvey Weinstein accuser Kaja Sokola expressed mixed feelings about a jury's recent verdict, which found Weinstein guilty of assaulting Miriam Haley but deadlocked on a charge involving Jessica Mann; she emphasized the importance of fighting against sexual predators. Sokola, who testified that Weinstein assaulted her at 16 and 19, urged other victims to come forward, stating that the fight for justice continues. More Context

A controversy arose during Sean Combs' sex trafficking trial as U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian considered removing a juror accused of lacking honesty, prompting defense attorneys to claim this was an attempt to dismiss a Black juror. Testimony continued from "Jane," a woman alleging coercion in a sexual relationship with Combs, while defense lawyers sought to portray her as a willing participant. More Context

A skier, Nicholas Vizzini, died in an avalanche on Mount McKinley, Alaska, while descending with his snowboarding partner, who triggered the avalanche. This incident follows the recent death of another climber, Alex Chiu, who fell 3,000 feet, marking a troubling climbing season with 13 avalanche-related deaths recorded in the park's history. More Context

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren urged President Trump to abandon the Department of Government Efficiency's spending cuts and instead adopt her proposals, which could save over $2 trillion. This follows a public feud with Elon Musk regarding the effectiveness of DOGE's initiatives, which claimed to have saved around $170 billion amid controversy over their accuracy. More Context