Breaking News: Read three top CDC officials' resignation emails.  —  The end of an era. … UPDATE: I've added a second, longer letter from Dr. Daskalakis, posted on X/Twitter. … Moments ago, Inside Medicine broke news that three top career CDC officials have resigned from the agency …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Vance defends thoughts and prayers after school shootings  —  Vice President Vance is criticizing anyone who would mock the idea of offering thoughts and prayers after a school shooting following the killings of two children at a Catholic school Wednesday in Minneapolis.

“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.

Fed Governor Lisa Cook Sues Trump Over Dismissal  —  Lisa Cook, who has not been charged with a crime, sought to retain her position, arguing her firing was “unprecedented and illegal.”  —  Lisa Cook, a governor on the Federal Reserve Board, sued President Trump on Thursday over his decision …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

Trump Ally Pelted With Rocks in Campaign Stunt Disaster  —  ROCK AND HARD PLACE  —  Argentina's president was whisked away by bodyguards as things turned nasty on the campaign trail.  —  Argentina's Trump-loving president was whisked away from a rally by his security goons when protesters started lobbing rocks and bottles at him.

Former Major League Baseball player Mark Teixeira announces Texas congressional bid  —  The 45-year-old former professional athlete echoed much of President Donald Trump's “America First” agenda in his campaign launch.  —  Former Major League Baseball All-Star Mark Teixeira …

2 Weeks After Trump Talks, Russia Bombards Kyiv, Killing at Least 18 … Emergency responders at a residential building that was hit by a Russian strike in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, on Thursday.  —  Visuals by Finbarr O'Reilly  —  An hourslong barrage of Russian missiles and drones killed …

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.

Judge blocks Kari Lake, tasked to dismantle VOA, from firing its director  —  Michael Abramowitz was given an ultimatum: Relinquish his post or be fired.  A judge ruled the Trump administration lacks the authority to remove him.  —  just now  —  A federal judge in Washington blocked …

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 …

Intel has received the $5.7 billion under Trump investment deal, CFO says  —  Intel (INTC.O) received the $5.7 billion in cash on Wednesday night as part of the deal U.S. President Donald Trump negotiated for a 10% stake in the struggling chipmaker, finance chief David Zinsner said at an investor conference on Thursday.

Trump administration asks military base near Chicago for support on immigration operations  —  But data shows most U.S. violent crime has been in a steady decline in recent years (AP video: Mike Householder)  —  The Trump administration asked a military base outside of Chicago for support …