Manufacturing a conspiracy: The timeline of how the White House embraced the fringe claim that scientists are being mysteriously murdered T.M. Brown | CNN | May 7, 2026

Manufacturing a conspiracy: The timeline of how the White House embraced the fringe claim that scientists are being mysteriously murdered T.M. Brown | CNN | May 7, 2026 https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/05/07/manufacturing-a-conspiracy-the-timeline-of-how-the-white-house-embraced-the-fringe-claim-that-scientists-are-being-mysteriously-murdered/ On April 20, the House Oversight Committee announced that it was planning an investigation of its own. “If the reports are accurate, these deaths and disappearances may represent a grave threat to U.S. national security and to U.S. personnel with access to scientific secrets,” Republican lawmakers James Comer of Kentucky and Eric Burlison of Missouri wrote in a statement. Immortal dragons: The quest to ‘make death optional’ Karen Fischer | New York Post | May 7, 2026 https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/05/07/immortal-dragons-the-quest-to-make-death-optional/ …[I]n recent years, finding the secret to longer life has transitioned from mythical fiction to actual science with the help of over $5 billion in investments from the likes of Peter Thiel, Jeff Bezos and Sam Altman. How RFK, Jr.’s false vaccine claims are holding up $600 million to fight diseases in poor countries Carmen Paun | Politico | May 5, 2026 https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/05/05/how-rfk-jr-s-false-vaccine-claims-are-holding-up-600-million-to-fight-diseases-in-poor-countries/ Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to remake the U.S. vaccination schedule is on hold following a federal judge’s decision last month, but the health secretary is still using his power to affect which shots children in poor countries receive.

‘Protecting the integrity of science’: Kennedy’s FDA blocks release of taxpayer-funded studies finding COVID and shingles vaccines safe Lois Collins | Deseret News | May 7, 2026

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/05/07/protecting-the-integrity-of-science-kennedys-fda-blocks-release-of-taxpayer-funded-studies-finding-covid-and-shingles-vaccines-safe/ Although large studies of the COVID-19 and shingles vaccines found few risks and overall safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has blocked their publication, even as millions of dollars in taxpayer money was spent on them.

Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs ++

Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/research-roundup-the-latest-science-discoveries-and-breakthroughs-67/a> Viewpoints: Maternity Deserts Are Failing US Families; Are Abortion Pill Reversal Claims Free Speech Or Medical Misinformation? https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-maternity-deserts-are-failing-us-families-abortion-pill-reversal-claims-free-speech-or-medical-misinformation/

Many Kids Hurt By Tear Gas, Pepper Spray During ICE Raids: Report +++

Many Kids Hurt By Tear Gas, Pepper Spray During ICE Raids: Report ProPublica reports on how officers have escalated the use of the chemicals throughout recent anti-immigration initiatives, causing harm to at least 79 children across the country in the process. The Department of Homeland Security says parents are to blame for any harm caused. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/top-3-trump-admin-2/ California Hospital Sees Several Cases Of Legionella, As Search For Source Continues The Santa Clara Medical Center and medical office building are operating normally as additional water treatment measures are implemented. More news is on potential hospital closures in Minnesota and Pennsylvania; AI integration into healthcare; and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/health-industry-9/ Georgia Knew About PFAS In Water Near Carpet Mills But Didn't Warn Residents, Investigation Finds People who live in and around Calhoun, Georgia, say the levels of "forever chemicals" in their bodies are higher than what national health guidelines consider safe. Some have been diagnosed with liver and thyroid conditions or cancer. Scientists have warned for decades about the risks, but Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division did little to confront the problem, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, AP, and FRONTLINE (PBS) found. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/states-116/

Cruise Passengers From 3 States Monitored For Hantavirus Exposure +++

Cruise Passengers From 3 States Monitored For Hantavirus Exposure As of Wednesday, at least three states — Georgia, California, and Arizona — are monitoring residents who previously disembarked from the MV Hondius cruise ship. At this time, none of the former passengers are showing signs of illness. https://kffhealthnews.org/latest-morning-briefing/ New ALS Drug Shows Promise In Helping Some Patients Improve Tofersen targets a small subset of patients with a specific genetic form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease. The New York Times reports that new study results— in which some patients improved and others did not get worse — are generating hope for the usually fatal disease. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/maybe-top-3-pharma1/ Mounjaro Topples Keytruda As The World's Best-Selling Medication Eli Lilly's diabetes drug Mounjaro brought in nearly $9 billion in the first quarter of 2026, surpassing the nearly $8 billion in sales for Merck's Keytruda, a cancer therapy. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/mounjaro-topples-keytruda-as-the-worlds-best-selling-medication/

That Discount at the Pharmacy Counter May Pack Hidden Costs By Rachel Spears May 7, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/pharmacy-discount-coupons-hidden-costs/ Next time you go to the pharmacy, you might be offered a coupon on your prescription drugs. While it may sound like a great deal — with the prospect of saving hundreds of dollars — the decision to accept it is complicated, especially for people with insurance.

Trump Promised Cheaper Drugs. Some Prices Dropped. Many Others Shot Up. By Elisabeth Rosenthal and Arthur Allen May 7, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/trumprx-reality-check-drugs-not-always-cheaper/ Since his second term started, President Donald Trump has announced, negotiated, or floated a flurry of initiatives aimed at taming the excesses of the pharmaceutical industry.