I’m handing out pro-democracy grades to the media The Guardian gets an A, the NY Times gets a C, CBS gets an F

If we write off all news media, we’re playing into Trump’s hands. Some outlets are doing well while others stink.
In this installment of my free Stop the Presses newsletter, I give letter grades to major media outlets. See if you agree.

Former CDC Director Tom Frieden on Countering a Public Health Assault Podcast Episode · KQED's Forum · 09/30/2025 · 56m

🎧 Listen to the podcast!

Former CDC director @drtomfrieden.bsky.social joined Forum to talk about how he thinks science can prevail over falsehood. His new book is "The Formula For Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives, Including Your Own."

🔗:

Sad

At least 3 injured after shooting at a Denver-area high school, officials say | CNN At least three students are in critical condition after a shooting at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado, where more than 100 law enforcement officers are working to clear the school “room b...

Trump has tweeted about Charlie Kirk’s shooting but not about the school shooting today www.cnn.com/2025/09/10/u...

I hear ya. I am an educated healthcare worker and when I had long covid- I tried everything! I even tried frequency vibrations on my feet! I was desperate. Now that I am better- I do chuckle at what I had tried.

Colorado, you in danger, girl.

Today: CDC said ENOUGH.
We stand with them and for America.
#USAnotRFK Read & share this letter. Images or newsletter version below.

techingitapart.substack.com/cp/172217963

@niniandthebrain.bsky.social @enirenberg.bsky.social @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social @matthewfacciani.bsky.social

Thank you for all you have done for public health!

BREAKING: Big moment as CDC staff stage a mass walkout.

They have lined the street outside its HQ to greet and salute the four top officials who have resigned in protest at RFK Jr’s attack on the agency’s science base.

(🎥 AP)

Accompanying editorial
"The..study makes the case that Covid has aged our arteries, especially for females"
—accelerated aging not proportional to Covid severity
—graph of underlying mechanisms (below)
—association with #LongCovid
academic.oup.com/eurheartj/ad...

Which is so sad. I had been so hopeful and following the progress of this type of vaccine 😢

Exclusive | RFK Jr. to Oust Advisory Panel on Cancer Screenings, HIV Prevention Drugs The task force determines which preventive services insurers must cover at no cost to patients.

RFK Jr. has now officially stated that he will dismantle the United States Preventive ServicesTask Force (USPSTF).

This is an independent body of expert scientists who volunteer their time to review data and provide guidance to Americans on important things like cancer screenings.

Donald Trump gives people permission to be their worst selves. His politics are not just representative, they are generative. His words seep into people’s souls and slowly corrode whatever potential for human decency ever resided there.

IDF opens inquiry into possible war crimes after deaths near Gaza aid sites Israel Defense Forces to examine growing evidence of shootings of Palestinians trying to obtain food The Israeli military has launched an investigation into possible war crimes following growing evidence that troops have deliberately fired at Palestinian civilians gathering to receive aid in Gaza. Hundreds of people have been killed in recent weeks after being subjected to air attacks, shootings and bombardments by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) while waiting for food to be distributed or while making their way to distribution sites. Continue reading...

IDF opens inquiry into possible war crimes after deaths near Gaza aid sites

Maintaining Hope: States and Cities Can Lead the Way on Health Science and public health face unprecedented headwinds, with a federal government that has undermined many principles and programs that have protected health for decades. From wholesale cuts to CDC ch...

Science and public health face unprecedented headwinds. In the face of these challenges, it’s easy to become discouraged. But there are still opportunities to drive progress—especially at the state and local level.

Over 4.8 million and counting and many events haven’t even kicked off yet. We’re aiming for over 10 million today to hit the 3.5% rule. The crowds are massive and still growing. We are so proud of all of you. Huge shoutout to Texas you showed up!

in print

Wow!

This is so horrifying

If this leads to vaccines not being recommended, millions of people could lose access, pay more for vaccines and for preventable illnesses, and children will be at greater risk of diseases we haven’t faced in decades.

As someone in healthcare and public health- this is so so devastating. If I had tears left- I would be bawling-

This is dangerous and devastating

As a healthcare worker under 65yo who had long covid and wish to protect myself- if the ACIP doesn’t step in to change recommendations- no idea how I will protect myself except mask everywhere- which I do when rates are high

Really?! WTF

"We further estimate that the removal of [school mask] mandates during this time contributed to 21800 COVID deaths through the rest of 2022, 9% of the U.S. total that year...the bulk of these deaths were from spillovers to residents in the wider community."

Local Officials Brace for Loss of Disaster Preparedness Funding

The C.D.C. delivered $750 million annually to state and local health departments for emergency work. The program was eliminated in the Trump administration’s budget blueprint.

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/h...

This is not ok

Proposed Cuts to Federal Disaster Assistance Will Hit States Just as Hurricane Season Ramps Up In the lead up to hurricane season, the Trump administration has proposed changes to federal disaster assistance, which would result in fewer disasters qualifying for federal aid and state and local g...

Late last week we learned that FEMA is considering major changes to the thresholds for federal disaster declarations and restraining federal cost share for public assistance projects. What would that mean for states and local governments? We ran the numbers to find out: www.urban.org/urban-wire/p...

Update: the Trump administration has proposed cutting the National Park System by $900 million, about one third of its budget.