At least 95 people have died in central Texas due to flash floods, with Kerr County reporting 75 fatalities. Search efforts are ongoing for missing individuals, including 27 girls and staff from Camp Mystic. More storms are expected in the region, prompting President Trump to declare a major disaster and plan a visit. Concerns have been raised about the National Weather Service’s effectiveness. (Story URL)
Emergency rooms nationwide are experiencing a surge in tick bite cases, with July marking the highest number of tick-related ER visits since 2017. The Northeast region has reported the most cases, according to data from the CDC. Children under 10 and adults over 70 are at the highest risk, with the Fordham Tick Index rating the bite risk in the New York tristate area as “very high.” (Story URL)
A Justice Department and FBI review of the Jeffrey Epstein case revealed no “client list” or evidence of blackmailing prominent figures. The review also confirmed Epstein’s death by suicide in a Manhattan correctional facility in 2019. Video footage showed Epstein alone in his cell at the time of his death, with no unauthorized entry. No new information was found in declassified files related to Epstein. (Story URL)
President Trump has notified Japan and South Korea of a 25% tariff on most goods sent to the United States, effective August 1st. Following the announcement, American stocks declined, with the Dow Jones down 1.2% and the S&P 500 down 0.87%. Trump had set a deadline for nations to negotiate better trade deals and warned of higher tariffs for nations supporting BRICS countries. (Story URL)
Several major medical organizations have filed a lawsuit against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services, citing concerns over recent anti-vaccine actions. The plaintiffs are seeking to reinstate immunization recommendations, particularly for children and pregnant women, that were removed by Kennedy, a leading anti-vaccine activist. (Story URL)