Hegseth faces more grilling from Congress as Iran-Israel conflict escalates

The Trump administration, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine contracts worth nearly $500 million, including projects aimed at developing vaccines for H5N1. This move has drawn criticism from experts who warn it undermines public health preparedness, as mRNA technology is vital for rapid vaccine development against emerging viruses, despite Kennedy's claims of associated risks. Want More Context? 🔎

Gov. Greg Abbott filed an emergency petition with the Texas Supreme Court to remove state Rep. Gene Wu from office after Wu and other Democrats left Texas to deny Republicans the quorum needed for redistricting efforts. Abbott's lawsuit claims Wu's absence violates the state Constitution, while Wu argues his actions are a fulfillment of his duty to oppose what he calls a racist gerrymandered map. Want More Context? 🔎

Authorities in Florida arrested Michael Rodrigues, 41, at Palm Beach International Airport after finding a loaded AR-15 rifle and multiple knives in a rental vehicle parked in a restricted area. The investigation is ongoing, with no formal charges yet, and officials are working to obtain a search warrant for further examination of the vehicle. Want More Context? 🔎

Four people were killed when a Beechcraft 300 medical transport plane crashed and caught fire while landing at Chinle Municipal Airport in Arizona. The aircraft, owned by CSI Aviation, was en route to pick up a patient, and the cause of the crash is under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board. Want More Context? 🔎

The U.S. government is auctioning the luxurious 348-foot superyacht Amadea, seized from Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, featuring a helipad, infinity pool, and eight staterooms. Bidders must place a $10 million deposit for the September 10 sealed-bid auction, while the government seeks to recover $32 million in maintenance costs from another oligarch, Eduard Khudainatov. Want More Context? 🔎

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed an executive order to allocate more resources for the ongoing search for Michael Paul Brown, a former U.S. soldier suspected of fatally shooting four people at The Owl Bar in Anaconda. As the search enters its fifth day, authorities are utilizing various law enforcement agencies, drones, and canine units, while offering a $10,000 reward for information on Brown, who remains armed and dangerous. Want More Context? 🔎