Fed Holds Rates, Gut Memories, & Baseball Squirrel

News without the noise

Adam Rogers
July 30, 2026

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The Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged yesterday for a seventh straight month. Three policymakers voted to raise rates—the largest dissent over a policy decision since 2016 and a sign of growing concern that inflation remains too high.
The split underscores a growing debate within the central bank over whether current interest rates are high enough to bring inflation back to the Fed's 2% target. Markets increased the odds of a September rate hike following the announcement.
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh reiterated the central bank's commitment to lowering inflation despite mounting pressure from higher energy prices, tariffs, and geopolitical tensions. While higher rates can help slow inflation, they also increase borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, keeping mortgages, auto loans, and other financing expensive.

The Trump administration will end a federal subsidy program that helped keep Medicare Part D prescription drug premiums low, with changes taking effect in 2027. Administration officials say about half of enrollees could see monthly premium increases, while others may pay less.
The subsidy currently helps hold average monthly premiums around $36. The independent health policy group KFF estimates that some beneficiaries could see premiums rise by as much as $20 per month after the program expires.
The administration argues the subsidies amounted to a bailout for insurance companies under the Inflation Reduction Act and says lower prescription drug prices will help offset higher premiums.

New research suggests the gut may play a larger role in memory than previously understood. In a study of rats, scientists found that signals traveling from the digestive system to the brain helped strengthen memories tied to nutritious foods.
Researchers found the gut communicates with the brain through the vagus nerve, triggering the release of acetylcholine—a neurotransmitter essential for learning and memory. The response was driven by nutrients rather than sweet taste alone, suggesting the brain remembers foods that provide real nutritional value.
The study also found that prolonged exposure to high-fat, high-sugar diets weakened this gut-brain communication and impaired memory, even after the animals returned to healthier eating. While researchers caution the findings have yet to be confirmed in humans, they could eventually help guide treatments for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

Sen. John Cornyn (R) threatened to block Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche over concerns about the Justice Department's settlement with President Trump. (More)

Washington Dulles International Airport will undergo a $22 billion renovation, replacing its decades-old "people movers" with a new passenger train. (More)

Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right and declined to answer questions at a Senate hearing on the origins of Covid and the pandemic response. (More)

Kenyan officials are investigating the deaths of 15 elephants after preliminary tests detected a potential toxic substance in several animals. (More)

A Moscow court sentenced Russian journalist Darya Shipacheva to 12 years in prison after convicting her of treason in a closed-door trial. (More)

The death toll from Tuesday’s powerful earthquake in southwestern Japan rose to at least 18 as crews searched collapsed buildings for survivors. (More)

US stock markets closed lower on Wednesday (S&P -1.52%, Nasdaq -1.74%, Dow -2.19%) after rising bond yields fueled concerns the Federal Reserve may need to keep interest rates higher for longer. (More)

Meta shares fell more than 10% after the company issued weaker-than-expected revenue guidance despite topping Wall Street's quarterly revenue estimates. (More)

Oil prices surged after President Trump said the U.S. would retaliate against Iran following an attempted attack on American forces in the Middle East. (More)

Sharks star Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million extension that will make him the NHL's highest-paid player (More)

Four women alleged actor Jared Leto engaged in sexual misconduct when they were teenagers, according to a BBC investigation. (More)

Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard died in a motorcycle crash near Dublin at the age of 56. (More)

DoorDash unveiled an in-house drone delivery business after receiving FAA approval to operate a commercial drone service in the United States. (More)

Researchers found silver diamine fluoride safely slowed tooth decay in young children, offering an alternative to drilling for many cavities. (More)

A study of the 1629 Batavia shipwreck found building stone came from multiple European quarries, revealing complex 17th-century global supply networks. (More)

Comparing cheaper food prices at Trader Joe’s vs Costco.

Are ticks more attracted to select people?

…and a squirrel takes over an MLB game.

Charting crime rates across the US.

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