HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced sharp questioning Thursday before the Senate Finance Committee. Lawmakers challenged his vaccine policies, recent firings at the CDC, and his handling of public health. Kennedy defended dismissing CDC Director Susan Monarez and four others, along with replacing the 17-member vaccine advisory board, insisting the agency needed restructuring. (Story URL)
The Powerball jackpot has climbed to $1.7 billion after no ticket matched all numbers in Wednesday night’s drawing. The prize now carries an estimated cash value of $770.3 million, ranking as the third-largest in U.S. lottery history. The winning numbers were 3, 16, 29, 61 and 69, with Powerball 22 and a Power Play multiplier of 2. Eleven tickets nationwide matched all five white balls, each earning $1 million. (Story URL)
Spirit Airlines will stop service in 12 U.S. cities on October 2nd, following its second bankruptcy filing this year. The airline confirmed it will leave Albuquerque, Birmingham, Boise, Chattanooga, Oakland, Columbia, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, and San Jose. Rival carriers United and Frontier quickly announced new routes to capture Spirit’s departing market share. (Story URL)
The District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against President Trump over his decision to deploy National Guard troops in the city. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced the suit Thursday, calling the move an “unprecedented assault on the District’s sovereignty.” He argued the deployment undermines public safety, damages the local economy, and violates the Home Rule Act. (Story URL)
Northwestern University President Michael Schill announced Thursday that he will resign after nearly three years in office. His tenure was shaped by clashes with the Trump administration, which froze $790 million in federal funding in April. That freeze, combined with financial uncertainty, led Northwestern to cut about 200 jobs over the summer. Schill will remain until an interim leader is named. (Story URL)
