U.S. and world news for August 6

Trump Administration officials to meet on Epstein situation

Top Trump officials will meet at Vice President JD Vance’s residence tonight, three sources told CNN. These officials reportedly will discuss a response to the Trump Administration’s handling of the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein matter. The meeting comes as they weigh whether to publish an audio recording and transcript of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s recent interviews of Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. The House Oversight Committee has issued nearly a dozen subpoenas for information related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. One subpoena that was sent to the Department of Justice asks that all Epstein files in its possession. Subpoenas were also sent to 10 high-profile Democratic and Republican figures seeking closed-door depositions.

Trump Administration to cut $500 million from vaccine research

The Department of Health and Human Services has decided to slash about $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development. Developed to counter the Covid-19 pandemic mRNA vaccines proved to be both safe and highly effective at preventing severe disease — and they could be developed and manufactured quickly. Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine scientist and adviser to the FDA, criticized Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for making a policy decision that contradicts scientific data. “He has said things like the mRNA vaccines are unnecessarily dangerous,” Offit said. “It’s just wrong. I mean it’s actually remarkably safe and it’s effective.”

Texas Democrats resist Republican threats over redistricting

Democratic members of the Texas House say that despite Republican threats they will not return to the state to allow new gerrymandered redistricting to move ahead in the legislature. Republicans want to redraw congressional district lines so the Republicans can pick up five sets in the U.S. House of Representatives. Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the state Supreme Court to remove Democratic Rep. Gene Wu from office. Wu is one of more than 50 Democratic House members who left the state last weekend so the Texas House would not have enough members on hand to have legal meetings. President Trump has threatened to have the FBI force the Democrats to return.

California’s largest wildfire of the year rages out of control

California’s Gifford Fire became the state’s largest wildfire of the year on Tuesday. It has already consumed nearly 84,000 acres of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties since igniting on Friday. Despite efforts by almost 2,000 firefighters, only 9% of the blaze has been contained as of Tuesday evening. Faced with more warm, dry air and gusty winds, authorities have issued evacuation orders for portions of both counties. Smoke from the Gifford Fire has also spread south and east into other parts of Southern California, and has even reached as far as Las Vegas.

National Weather Service receives okay for rehiring

Since the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term, the National Weather Service (NWS) has lost more than 550 workers due to firings and employees threatened with being fired opting to take early retirement instead. But now, in a flip-flop, the Trump Administration has given the NWS the go-ahead to hire 450 meteorologists, hydrologists and radar technicians. With the Trump Administration having gotten rid of so many experienced people, experts worried that the NWS would be unable to provide accurate reports and timely life-saving warnings. For months, the remaining employees at NWS have been working additional hours and taking on more responsibilities in an effort to counteract the administration’s moves to gut the agency.

Legionnaire’s disease grows in Harlem

At least 67 people in New York City’s Harlem have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, and three have died. Authorities suspect that the bacteria, Legionella, is growing in some of the cooling towers on buildings in Harlem. Legionnaires’ disease causes flu-like symptoms and is treatable with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, it can result in shock and multi-organ failure. Health experts describe Legionnaires’ disease as a type of pneumonia that can be contracted by breathing contaminated water vapor.