The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear arguments in a pivotal transgender discrimination case surrounding whether Tennessee unconstitutionally banned gender-affirming care for minors.
Why it matters: 26 states have passed bans on gender-affirming care, and a ruling in Tennessee's favor could persuade more to do so, with major implications for trans youths.
Raw Farm's distribution of raw milk products has been suspended due to the detection of the H5N1 bird flu virus, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced.
Why it matters: "H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers," per the CDC, which notes 31 of the 57 human cases in the U.S. were in California. All but one of California's cases were traced back to cattle as the exposure source.
California lawmakers are gearing up for a legal battle against the incoming Trump administration by proposing to allocate $25 million to help the state protect its progressive laws that could be challenged.
Why it matters:California often leads the nation in setting progressive policies on immigration, reproductive rights, climate, and health care, which could yet again be at the center of a costly legal fight between the state's Democrats and President-elect Trump.
President-elect Trump is turning to a Tampa-area sheriff to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration's efforts to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs across the southern border.
Why it matters: If confirmed, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister would be the point person for containing a highly addictive man-made opioid that's a leading cause of death and frequently disguised in unexpected forms.
The sluggish federal response to the H5N1 bird flu outbreakcould become even more disjointed and ineffective in the second Trump administration — if it isn't abandoned altogether, some public health officials warn.
Why it matters: Trump's nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has called for a break in infectious disease research that could leave the nation unprepared for a host of pandemic threats by discouraging vaccines and shortchanging surveillance.
Unflattering stories about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s personal life and influential criticisms of his public health stances are already starting to pile up — more than a month and a half before President-elect Trump takes office and can even officially nominate him to lead Health and Human Services.
Why it matters: Kennedy can only afford to lose three Republican senators' votes, assuming all Senate Democrats vote against him. The question is how much the handful of wavering members will accept.
