Ground beef sold at Whole Foods may be tainted with E. coli, USDA says

Food companies are rolling out products with shorter ingredient lists, pitching them as healthier options. But here's the catch—just because something has fewer ingredients doesn’t automatically make it better for you. Experts say it depends on what those ingredients actually are. A snack with three additives might still be packed with sugar or unhealthy fats, while a longer list could include wholesome, nutrient-rich items. The key? Don’t just skim the label—dig deeper.

Editor’s Note: We’re all trying to make smarter food choices, and shorter ingredient lists sound like a win. But this story reminds us that marketing isn’t the same as science. It’s a heads-up to look beyond the hype and ask: What’s really in my food? Because sometimes, less isn’t more—it’s just less transparent.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known skeptic of vaccines, has brought on David Geier—an antivaccine activist with a controversial track record—to dig through federal health data. Geier is pushing for access to a government database he was previously blocked from, claiming it holds hidden proof linking vaccines to autism. Critics argue this move could undermine public trust in vaccines, while supporters see it as a challenge to mainstream science.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just bureaucratic drama—it's a high-stakes clash over vaccine safety that could ripple through public health policy. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to empower a figure like Geier signals a willingness to challenge established science, which might fuel more vaccine hesitancy. For everyday folks, it raises questions: Who gets to shape the narrative around vaccines, and what happens when politics and activism collide with public health?

Newly uncovered handwritten notes reveal Winston Churchill's growing frustration with the sluggish production of penicillin in the lead-up to D-Day. The wartime leader was deeply concerned about having enough of the "miracle drug" to treat wounded Allied soldiers during the invasion—a detail that adds a fresh, human layer to our understanding of the logistical pressures behind the historic operation.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a footnote about medical supplies—it’s a glimpse into the high-stakes decisions leaders faced during WWII. Churchill knew penicillin could mean the difference between life and death for thousands, and his agitation underscores how even the smallest logistical hurdles weighed heavily on those planning the war’s turning point. It’s a reminder that history isn’t just about grand strategies but also the urgent, messy realities behind them.

A new podcast launching June 5 dives into the controversial world of medical care for transgender youth—how it started, why it works for some families, and how it became a political lightning rod that might ban it altogether in the U.S. Over six episodes, "The Protocol" unpacks the science, the stories, and the high-stakes battle over who gets to make these deeply personal health decisions.

A family's frustrating experience highlights a widespread issue in healthcare: "ghost networks" of providers listed by insurers who aren't actually available. The Mazzolas spent months trying to get autism care for their toddler, hitting dead ends with supposedly in-network specialists—a problem that leaves countless patients stranded despite paying for coverage.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just one family's struggle—it's a systemic failure. When insurers can't deliver on their provider lists, people delay critical care or pay out-of-pocket, turning insurance into a broken promise. With mental health and specialty care already stretched thin, ghost networks make the problem worse.