After a nearly three-month absence due to shingles, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is set to return to the Senate this week. Her presence is essential to the passage of important legislation, and her return is welcomed by both Democrats and Republicans alike. Feinstein has served in the Senate since 1992 and is the first woman to serve as the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee.
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A Louisiana man was arrested on Monday after allegedly shooting and wounding a 14-year-old girl who was playing hide-and-seek on his property. The incident has sparked a conversation about the impact of gun violence on children and the need for stricter gun control laws and better education on gun safety. It has also raised questions about the need for better mental health resources in the community to help address the underlying issues of potential violence.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended biennial breast cancer screenings for women starting at age 40, earlier than the previous recommendation of age 50. This is due to an increase in breast cancer rates among women in their 40s, and the new recommendation will help save lives and prevent more women from dying due to breast cancer. Women in their 40s should talk to their doctor about getting screened, particularly if they have a family history of breast cancer.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have announced the death of Nicolas “Nick” Gilbert, the son of owner Dan Gilbert, due to complications related to neurofibromatosis 1. Nick was diagnosed with NF1 as a child and was best known for his role as the Cavs’ good luck charm during several NBA Draft Lotteries. The Cavaliers organization expressed their condolences to the Gilbert family and thanked Nick for his “unrelenting spirit” that was a “driving force” behind the team.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has announced her resignation, effective June 30. President Biden praised her work, saying she has saved lives with her focus on the health of every American. Walensky has been a key figure in the administration's pandemic response, helping to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States. It is unclear who will take over the role and what the future of the agency will be.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as a global public health emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating pandemic that has caused lockdowns, upended economies, and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged people to continue to practice safety measures and get vaccinated, as the virus is still a threat.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has defended her absence from the Senate due to shingles, stating that there has been no slowdown in confirming President Joe Biden's judicial nominees. She has blamed Republicans for blocking a few nominees from moving forward in the Senate judiciary committee, and expressed confidence that when she returns, the remaining qualified nominees will be able to move quickly to the Senate floor for a vote. Despite her absence, the Senate has confirmed over 100 judicial nominees since Biden took office in January.
North Carolina lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban nearly all abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, sparking debate among both pro-choice and pro-life advocates. The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper and is likely to face legal challenges in the coming months.