‘Lacking Legitimacy’: Sen. Bill Cassidy Breaks With RFK Jr. After CDC Leadership Exodus  —  Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician and leading voice on public health in the chamber, called for a key government vaccine panel to postpone its upcoming meeting after the stunning exodus …

What to know about the Minneapolis Annunciation Catholic Church shooting  —  Hours after Wednesday's shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church and school left two children dead and 17 other people wounded, Minnesota officials identified the now-deceased gunman as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who has been identified as transgender.

Why Aren't Markets Freaking Out?  —  For those of us who follow economic policy in general and the Federal Reserve in particular, the past week has been shocking and terrifying.  Donald Trump's ongoing attempts to bully the Fed into large interest rate cuts have escalated into an attempt to fire Lisa Cook …

In Trump's Second Term, a Bolder President Charges Ahead Unchecked  —  Trump is frequently riffing on authoritarianism and ignoring caution from advisers  —  Some aides to Donald Trump warned the president that building a ballroom at the White House would force them to tear down part …

Jan. 6 Rioter Killed As She Stormed Capitol Will Receive Military Funeral Honors  —  The Babbitt family also received a settlement of $5 million earlier this year.  —  Despite the fact that Ashli Babbitt attempted to climb through a shattered glass door inside the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers fled …

The authoritarian checklist  —  There is so much happening that occasionally pausing to take stock is necessary.  So where are we?  In deep trouble.  America may not be fully authoritarian, but by no means can we consider it to be a functioning democracy.

Federal agents arrest firefighters working on WA wildfire  —  Two people fighting the Bear Gulch fire on the Olympic Peninsula were arrested by federal law enforcement Wednesday, in a confrontation described by firefighters and depicted in photos and video.  —  Why the two firefighters were arrested is unclear.

Transcript: Trump Erupts in Rage as Dem Gov's Harsh Takedown Hits Home  —  The following is a lightly edited transcript of the August 28 episode of the  —  Daily Blast podcast.  Listen to it here.  —  Greg Sargent: This is The Daily Blast from The New Republic, produced and presented by the DSR network.

Ron DeSantis Wasted $250 Million on Alligator Alcatraz as It Faces Closure  —  The state of Florida is committed to $245 million toward the construction of “Alligator Alcatraz,” the Everglades immigration detention facility which is due to close in days.  —  An email obtained …

Trump Tariffs Cause Chaos on Ebay as Every Hobby Becomes Logistical Minefield  —  The Trump administration is throwing various hobbies enjoyed by Americans into chaos and is harming small businesses domestically and abroad with its ever-changing tariff structure that is turning the United States into a hermit kingdom.

Tulsi Gabbard Blindsided CIA Over Revoking Clearance of Undercover Officer  —  The naming of an agency Russian hand on a list of officials has alarmed people inside the spy agency  —  Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence, surprised Central Intelligence Agency officials last week …

Trump administration plans to limit how long foreign students can study in the US … “For too long, past Administrations have allowed foreign students and other visa holders to remain in the U.S. virtually indefinitely, posing safety risks, costing untold amounts of taxpayer dollars …

Trump and Democrats Float Unusual Midterm Conventions  —  Both parties appear to be weighing gatherings that would gin up excitement for candidates in 2026 — and give a major platform for ambitious politicians hoping to lead the parties in 2028.  —  President Trump suggested on Thursday …

Democrats probe Trump administration's retreat from public corruption cases  —  Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Jerry Nadler and others are demanding answers from Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel in a new letter obtained by NBC News.  —  WASHINGTON — Attorney General Pam Bondi …

“The Most Transparent Administration In History” Refuses to Say Who's Behind Their Batshit Social Media  —  Government trolls spread cruel memes and “textbook propaganda” on behalf of Trump.  —  The way the U.S. government communicates online has shifted dramatically since Donald Trump returned to power on January 20.

Warnings From Weimar  —  Why Bargaining With Authoritarians Fails  —  On March 23, 1933, inside a dimly lit chamber filled with the stale scent of cigar smoke, Ludwig Kaas tried to convince himself he was making the right decision.  A Catholic priest and the leader of Germany's establishment Center Party, he stood at a crossroads.

FDA approves COVID-19 vaccines only for ‘high risk’ people  —  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday approved the updated version of Pfizer's and Moderna's COVID-19 vaccines for this upcoming respiratory viral season, but limited the approval to seniors and people at a high risk …

Medicare Will Require Prior Approval for Certain Procedures  —  A pilot program in six states will use a tactic employed by private insurers that has been heavily criticized for delaying and denying medical care.  —  Like millions of older adults, Frances L. Ayres faced a choice …

Atlanta Journal-Constitution to Quit Print Cold Turkey  —  The publication says the time is right to pour all of its resources into its online news operation and get its journalism “in front of the most people.”  —  When Andrew Morse joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution as its president …

Donald Trump Is a Threat to Capitalism  —  Perhaps we should have seen this coming.  —  In his first term, Donald Trump was not shy about using the bully pulpit of the presidency to attack any institution that interfered with his uniquely distorted economic philosophy.

MAGA's Newest Meltdown With Trump  —  Move over, Epstein files—the president's call for 600,000 Chinese student visas has his base irked.  —  ∙ Paid  —  Trump supporters flip out over Chinese student visas  —  MAGA world is in revolt over Donald Trump's promise to grant visas …