Earth just had a freakishly short day, but the fastest day of the year is yet to come

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. abruptly called off a scheduled meeting with a major preventive health advisory group, leaving participants scrambling and raising questions about his campaign's engagement with public health experts. The panel included doctors and researchers focused on vaccine safety and chronic disease prevention—topics central to Kennedy's platform. No reason was given for the cancellation, which happened just hours before the event.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a scheduling snafu—it’s a bad look for a candidate who’s built his brand on challenging mainstream health policies. Skipping a meeting with experts in the exact field he claims to care about undermines his credibility and suggests disorganization at a critical moment in his campaign. For voters on the fence, it might fuel doubts about whether he’s serious about policy or just grandstanding.

A new report reveals that former President Donald Trump is pushing to slash funding for basic scientific research by about a third if he returns to office. This would impact studies across fields like medicine, climate, and technology—research that often lays the groundwork for future breakthroughs. Critics argue it could stifle innovation, while supporters might see it as trimming unnecessary spending.

Editor’s Note: Basic research doesn’t always make headlines, but it’s the backbone of progress—think vaccines, clean energy, or AI. Cutting it deeply could slow down discoveries that improve lives and keep the U.S. competitive. Whether you see this as fiscal discipline or short-sightedness depends on your priorities, but the stakes for long-term innovation are real.

The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly demanding private medical records from healthcare providers who treat transgender youth, sparking concerns over patient privacy and government overreach. The move appears tied to broader political battles over gender-affirming care, with critics calling it an intimidation tactic that could deter families and doctors from seeking or providing treatment.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about paperwork—it’s a high-stakes clash between privacy rights and government scrutiny. For trans youth and their families, already navigating a polarized landscape, this could mean fewer doctors willing to offer care out of fear of legal retaliation. It also raises bigger questions about how far authorities can go in probing sensitive health data, especially for marginalized groups.

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science, famous for its dinosaur exhibits, stumbled upon a fossil right beneath its own parking lot. The discovery happened accidentally while drilling a 750-foot-deep hole to explore geothermal heating options for the museum. Talk about finding treasure in your own backyard!

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a quirky coincidence—it’s a reminder that history (even prehistoric history) is often hiding in plain sight. For a museum dedicated to fossils, this is a fun twist of fate that could lead to new research or even a future exhibit. Plus, it’s a great story about how science sometimes surprises us when we least expect it.

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.