Jul 31, 2017 - Politics & Policy

Sanders briefs reporters following Scaramucci's ouster

Alex Brandon / AP

Sarah Sanders, who will soon replace Sean Spicer as Press Secretary, stated Monday that White House Communications Director, Anthony Scaramucci, "does not have a role [at the White House] at this time." She later added that President Trump "certainly thought Anthony's comments [to The New Yorker] were inappropriate for a person in that position." Other highlights from Monday's press briefing:

Is new Chief of Staff John Kelly responsible for Scaramucci's ouster? "We all serve at the pleasure of the president," but in this instance it was a "mutual agreement."
Hierarchy of reporting to Kelly: "Gen. Kelly has the full authority to operate in the White House and all staff will report to him."
What will happen to Spicer now? "I am not aware of any changes on that front."
On Attorney General Sessions: "The president has 100 percent confidence in every member of his Cabinet."

Earlier, Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and National Security Advisor McMaster announced new sanctions on Venezuela.

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Axios

25 mins ago - Health

The winter from hell

Photo: Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The hope and promise of May is gone, replaced by the realization that America is in for another miserable year of COVID-19.

Why it matters: Another winter — and another flu season — is on the way as the U.S. engages in a whack-a-mole strategy that slows down the virus in one region, but sees it flaring up in another.

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Axios

Updated 36 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 4:30 p.m. ET: 19,947,467 — Total deaths: 732,650 — Total recoveries — 12,150,055 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 4:30 p.m. ET: 5,071,306 — Total deaths: 163,252 — Total recoveries: 1,656,864 — Total tests: 61,792,571 — Map.
Politics: House will not hold votes until Sept. 14 unless stimulus deal is reached.
Business: Richer Americans are more comfortable eating out.
Public health: How America can do smarter testing — At least 48 local public health leaders have quit or been fired during pandemic.
Sports: The cost of kids losing gym class — College football is on the brink.
World: Europe's CDC recommends new restrictions amid "true resurgence in cases."

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Orion Rummler

1 hour ago - Health

At least 48 local public health leaders have quit or been fired during pandemic

Former California public health director Dr. Sonia Angell on Feb. 27 in Sacramento, California. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

At least 48 local and state-level public health leaders have retired, resigned or been fired across 23 states since April, according to a review by the AP and Kaiser Health News.

Driving the news: California public health director Dr. Sonia Angell resigned on Sunday without explanation, a few days after the state fixed a delay in reporting coronavirus test results that had affected reopenings for schools and businesses, AP reports.