Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,038 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Trump administration will work to cut drug prices

• Israel shark attack

• The world’s longest legs

First-time reader? Sign up here!

Big Story

State Department Reorg

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a reorganization plan for the State Department.

• Rubio’s plan reduces US-based staff by 15% and consolidates more than 100 bureaus worldwide. It will streamline operations by combining 734 bureaus and offices down to 602 while relocating 137 offices within the department to "increase efficiency."

• Several key offices will be eliminated, including the Office of Global Women's Issues and diversity initiatives (cut government-wide under Trump). Bureaus focused on human rights will be scaled back or merged with other sections, while an office that provides expertise during crises will be eliminated.

• The plan has received support from Republicans, while Democrats have promised scrutiny, saying they "welcome reforms where needed, but they must be done with care."

Big Story

Goodbye Food Dye

The FDA will phase out all petroleum-based synthetic food dyes by the end of next year, affecting products like Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Mountain Dew Baja Blast, and Skittles.

• FDA Commissioner Marty Makary cited research linking artificial colors to increased hyperactivity in children during the announcement. The change will impact major food companies, including PepsiCo, General Mills, Mars, and WK Kellogg, who have historically used these dyes to make their products visually appealing to consumers.

• A 2021 California state report confirmed that synthetic food dyes can cause hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral problems in some children. The study found that current FDA safety guidelines are based on outdated research from 35-70 years ago that wasn't designed to detect behavioral effects in children.

• Some companies had already begun reformulating products before government intervention - Kraft Heinz switched its mac and cheese to natural colors in 2015, while General Mills tried but reversed course with naturally-colored Trix cereal after customer rejection.

Big Story

Trump Looks to Cut Drug Prices

Trump officials could cut US medicine prices to the lower rates paid in other developed countries.

• The policy would likely be implemented through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Sources indicated the administration is considering launching a pilot program through this channel first.

• The US currently pays the highest drug prices globally — nearly triple what other developed nations pay. Trump previously attempted a similar pricing program during his first term, which was projected to save taxpayers $85 billion over seven years, but it was blocked by courts.

• The price gap is significant: blood thinner Eliquis costs $606 list price in the US, and while Biden's Medicare negotiations reduced it to $295 (effective 2026), it sells for just $114 in Sweden and $20 in Japan.

• Making the changes would be difficult. The Medicare agency faces staffing shortages after layoffs, and policy execution would be complicated by thousands of approved drugs, some unavailable in reference countries. Drugmakers might also respond by renegotiating contracts abroad to raise international prices.

Quick Stories

US News

• An Arizona jury convicted Lori Vallow Daybell of conspiring to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in 2019. This adds to her previous convictions for killing her two youngest children and conspiring to kill her husband's first wife. (More)

• Texas Lottery Commission's executive director Ryan Mindell resigned after just one year, amid investigations into questionable jackpots worth $200 million and online ticket sales practices. (More)

• Over 150 college presidents signed a letter condemning the Trump administration's efforts to control private higher education policies through federal funding. All Ivy League schools signed except Dartmouth. (More)

World

• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy offered to hold peace talks with Russia "in any format" after a ceasefire is established. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports that Putin proposed halting the invasion at the current front lines. (More)

• Israeli police are searching the Mediterranean coast for a missing swimmer, feared attacked by a shark near Hadera. Conservation groups warned for years about sharks in the area, but crowds still approach the predators. (More)

• At least two dozen tourists were killed when gunmen opened fire at Pahalgam, a Himalayan beauty spot in Indian-administered Kashmir. Many wounded remain in critical condition. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed higher on Tuesday (S&P +2.51%, Nasdaq +2.71%, Dow +2.66%). Major averages spiked after Treasury Secretary Bessent said there “will be de-escalation” in the trade war with China. (More)

• The US Commerce Department will impose tariffs up to 3,521% on solar panels from Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam following an investigation requested by US producers against Chinese-subsidized products undercutting the market. (More)

• Tesla reported earnings misses in Q1 as automotive revenue plunged 20% to $14 billion from $17.4 billion last year. Total revenue declined 9% from $21.3 billion to $19.4 billion. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• Payton Pritchard won Sixth Man of the Year for the Celtics this season. He scored over 1,000 points without starting, broke the NBA backup three-pointer record, and changed games with his energetic bench play. (More)

• TCU and North Carolina will play their 2026 opener in Ireland on August 29 at Aviva Stadium. It will be the first overseas game for both schools. (More)

• The Athletics are calling up top prospect Nick Kurtz just nine months after drafting him fourth overall. The 6-foot-5 first baseman hit 11 home runs with a .336 average across three levels in only 32 professional games. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• Researchers discovered a 2016 bird flu variant needed just one mutation to bind to human cells. The results highlight the pandemic potential of avian flu strains. (More)

• Cedars-Sinai researchers developed mBiota Elemental, a diet that reduces gut microbiome taxa. The formula improves symptoms in patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth conditions. (More)

• Scientists created detailed 3D models of cattle blood vessels to study how a deadly livestock parasite sticks to vessel walls. This sticking behavior helps the parasite hide from the immune system, causing serious disease in farm animals across Africa. (More)

Extra Credit

👮 Thief caught trying to steal a watch from two undercover UK policemen.

🚢 Meet the family on a 7-year voyage around the world aboard their yacht.

🦵 …and the owner of the world’s longest legs. (Video)

🎨 Mapping every US state’s favorite color.