Turning Lead into Gold Is Now Real

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called off a meeting of a major preventive health panel that decides which screenings and preventive care services insurance must cover. This comes on the heels of his recent decision to dismiss 17 members of a CDC vaccine advisory committee—a move he claims will rebuild public confidence in vaccines, though critics argue it undermines expert oversight.

A new report reveals that former President Donald Trump is pushing to slash funding for basic scientific research by about 33% if he returns to office. This would significantly impact federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), which fund everything from medical breakthroughs to climate studies. Critics argue this could stall innovation and hurt long-term U.S. competitiveness, while supporters might see it as trimming "wasteful" spending.

The Justice Department is demanding confidential medical records from doctors and hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to transgender minors. This comes as part of the Trump administration's broader push to restrict these treatments, with Attorney General Pam Bondi accusing providers of harming children under a "warped ideology."

Donald Trump’s push to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) programs isn’t just affecting marginalized groups—it’s also hitting rural, white Americans harder than expected. Many of these communities rely on federal grants and initiatives tied to D.E.I. for things like job training, healthcare access, and small-business support. Without those resources, they’re feeling the pinch, too.

NASA and SpaceX are gearing up to launch the Crew-11 mission on July 31, sending a team of four astronauts—some newbies, some seasoned pros—to the International Space Station. It’s another milestone in their ongoing partnership to keep the ISS crewed and science humming along in orbit.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another rocket launch—it’s a sign of how routine crewed spaceflight is becoming, thanks to NASA and SpaceX’s collaboration. With a mix of fresh faces and experienced astronauts, the mission keeps the ISS fully staffed for critical research while giving newer spacefarers a chance to cut their teeth. For space nerds, it’s a reminder that the era of commercial space travel is here to stay.