Parents of children with autism are speaking out against recent comments made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying his remarks about autism and vaccines reinforce harmful stereotypes and ignore the diversity and potential of people on the autism spectrum. “He’s spreading fear and misinformation,” said Beth Hoffman, a Maryland-based mom … Read more
Michigan is reporting the state’s first measles outbreak since 2019, defined as at least three or more related cases, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Three cases were confirmed in Montcalm County, according to a MDHHS statement. Almost 25% of children under 3 years of age in Montcalm County have … Read more
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said he was blocked Thursday from entering the El Salvador prison that is holding the Maryland resident who the courts say was erroneously deported from the United States last month. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen in a video posted to his YouTube account, April 17, 2025. Senator Chris Van Hollen/YouTube … Read more
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made headlines last week when he announced that the agency would “know what has caused the autism epidemic” by September of this year. At a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Kennedy said “hundreds of scientists” were looking into rising rates of autism diagnoses, adding that … Read more
Three passengers were injured after a U.S. citizen allegedly hijacked a small plane at knifepoint in Belize on Thursday, police said. Akinyela Sawa Taylor, a U.S. citizen, hijacked a plane with 13 other passengers on board, officials said. Police received information the plane was hijacked by a passenger on board shortly before takeoff. Taylor wanted … Read more
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence as a possible antisemitic hate crime. “While the local district attorney has not yet filed hate-crime charges, he acknowledged that Governor Shapiro’s religion appears to have factored into the suspect’s decisions,” Schumer wrote in … Read more
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. climbed to its highest level in eight weeks, a setback for home shoppers in the midst of the spring homebuying season. The rate rose to 6.83% from 6.62% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 7.1%. Borrowing costs … Read more
Longtime Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell will face constituents Thursday in his home state of Kentucky as Republican lawmakers continue to face hostile crowds raising issues with President Donald Trump’s policies. Party leadership has advised against holding in-person events after some lawmakers faced volatile crowds back home in their districts and questions about cuts to Medicaid … Read more
An active shooter has been reported at Florida State University in Tallahassee, according to an FSU Alert. Source link
More than 6 million people in multiple states across the Southwest and South Plains are under red flag warnings Thursday as strong winds and warm temperatures are forecast to increase wildfire threats. Firefighters in New Mexico, West Texas, Colorado, eastern Arizona, central Kansas and parts of Oklahoma are among the states bracing for critical to … Read more