Takeaways From Pete Hegseth’s Confirmation Hearing

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the Trump administration violated the Impoundment Control Act by withholding congressionally appropriated funds for the Head Start program, significantly reducing fund disbursement between January and April 2025. Despite requests for information, the Department of Health and Human Services failed to respond, leading GAO to conclude that federal law was breached. Want More Context? 🔎

House Energy and Commerce Chairman Rep. Brett Guthrie discussed his personal experience with organ transplantation and the need for public confidence in the system during a hearing on alarming organ procurement practices, which were revealed by a HRSA investigation showing 29% of patients had signs of life before procurement. Guthrie, whose mother died awaiting a liver transplant, emphasized the importance of maintaining donor participation and addressing these issues as a bipartisan concern. Want More Context?...

Washington — French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have filed a defamation lawsuit against podcast host Candace Owens in Delaware, seeking damages for her claims that Brigitte was born a man and other false allegations. Despite multiple retraction requests, Owens continued to promote these unfounded theories, prompting the Macrons to pursue legal action to address the harm caused by her "campaign of defamation." Want More Context? 🔎

A patient at Prisma Health Children's Hospital-Midlands in South Carolina has died from primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a rare brain infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, likely contracted at Lake Murray. This marks the state's first case since 2016, with over 97% of such infections resulting in death, highlighting the need for precautions during recreational water activities. Want More Context? 🔎

Eight children experienced seizure-like symptoms during a concert by the French youth choir Chœur d’Enfants d’Île-de-France at St. Paul's Parish near Harvard University, prompting their transportation to hospitals; fortunately, the symptoms were not life-threatening. The Cambridge Fire Department conducted air quality tests, which returned negative results, and about 70 other attendees were unaffected. Want More Context? 🔎

Uber is launching a program that allows women passengers to choose female drivers or share rides with other women, starting in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit. The app will feature a "women drivers" option, although longer wait times may occur due to the low percentage of female drivers, with women also able to pre-book rides and set preferences for female drivers. Want More Context? 🔎