Good Morning! Today’s edition is 965 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• Bacteria are hiding in at-home washers

• World’s oldest person passes

• The richest person in every state

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Big Story

NSA Adviser Waltz Ouster

Trump's National Security Adviser Michael Waltz is out of one job and in for another.

• President Trump confirmed a report early Thursday that Waltz is out as National Security Adviser while simultaneously announcing that Waltz is his nominee for the US ambassador to the United Nations.

• Waltz’s NSA exit is due to the continued fallout from accidentally inviting a journalist into a Signal chat between top national security officials discussing plans for Yemen airstrikes. Deputy National Security Adviser Alex Wong is also departing.

• Trump had publicly supported Waltz after the incident, calling it a "mistake" and saying "he's not getting fired." However, the mishap, which Trump dubbed "Signalgate," damaged their relationship behind the scenes.

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be the interim National Security Advisor while continuing to lead the State Department

Big Story

May Day

Activists worldwide launched May Day demonstrations on Thursday.

• US rallies were largely focused on opposing President Trump's immigration policies. Lower immigrant turnout was seen due to the administration's enforcement crackdown, especially in sanctuary cities like Chicago.

• May Day's roots stretch back to the 1880s when labor unions advocated for an eight-hour workday. The holiday commemorates Chicago labor activists (mostly immigrants) who were convicted and some hanged after a rally turned deadly in 1886.

• While historically centered on workers' rights, US May Day demonstrations shifted focus to immigration in 2006 when nearly a million people protested legislation that would have made living in the US without legal permission a felony.

• In other countries, May Day is celebrated as a public holiday honoring workers. It's also observed as a traditional spring celebration in some places, like Hawaii's Lei Day and Annapolis' floral basket competition.

Big Story

Harmful Bacteria Hang Around in Washing Machines

Some at-home washing machines don’t kill all the bugs from healthcare workers' uniforms, according to new research from De Montfort University.

• Half of the washing machines tested failed to disinfect clothing of hospital bacteria during quick cycles, while one-third couldn't properly clean during standard cycles.

• Researchers discovered potentially harmful bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes hiding in biofilms inside washing machines. Even more concerning, bacteria can develop resistance to household detergents, which increases their resistance to certain antibiotics, too.

• The findings suggest that many home washing machines could be potentially contributing to the spread of dangerous hospital infections. Researchers recommend either revising laundering guidelines or having healthcare facilities wash uniforms in industrial machines.

Quick Stories

US News

• Cops are hunting a hit-and-run suspect in a South Carolina beach town who struck three pedestrians (two kids and an adult) near Charleston, then fled on foot with a knife. (More)

• The House voted to block California's plan to end gas-only car sales by 2035, which required 80% EVs by then. Automakers supported the vote, saying the rules aren't feasible, while California claims it's illegal. (More)

• In a razor-thin 49-49 tie vote, Senate Republicans defeated a Democratic resolution aimed at blocking the sweeping global tariffs announced by President Trump earlier this month. (More)

World

• Brazilian nun Sister Inah, the world's oldest person, died at 116. England's 115-year-old Ethel Caterham now holds the oldest person title. (More)

• India is adding caste (an ancient system of social hierarchy in India) details to its next census, potentially shaking up socio-economic policies. This might fuel demands to increase job and education quotas for lower castes. (More)

• South Korean acting president Han Duck-soo quit as prime minister to likely run in June's presidential election. The off-cycle election will replace President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office for trying and failing to impose martial law. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed higher on Thursday (S&P +0.63%, Nasdaq +1.52%, Dow +0.21%). Strong quarterly reports from two Big Tech companies helped push stocks higher. (More)

• McDonald's reported mixed quarterly results, with US same-store sales falling 3.6% - the worst domestic decline since COVID lockdowns in 2020. Bad weather and cautious consumers contributed to the drop. (More)

• Kohl's fired CEO Ashley Buchanan after just four months for directing vendor deals with undisclosed conflicts of interest. The struggling department store has had three CEOs in as many years. (More)

Sports & Entertainment

• Swimming phenom Katie Ledecky clocked her best 400m freestyle time in nine years (3:56.81) at the Tyr Pro Series, overtaking rising Canadian star Summer McIntosh on the final lap in her first post-Paris Olympics appearance. (More)

• St. John's is replacing UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic, joining Kentucky for a December 20 matchup. The four-team event will be held at Atlanta's State Farm Arena in 2025. (More)

• "Buena Vista Social Club," "Death Becomes Her," and "Maybe Happy Ending" each scored 10 Tony nominations, while Hollywood stars George Clooney, Sarah Snook, and Bob Odenkirk were also recognized for their Broadway debuts. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• A chunk of the Soviet Kosmos 482 spacecraft, designed for Venus but stranded in Earth orbit since 1972, is expected to crash back to Earth around May 10, with its landing spot unknown. (More)

• Ronan, a 15-year-old sea lion, outperformed humans at keeping rhythm in a new study, challenging the idea that only vocal learners recognize beats. (More)

• A judge ruled Apple cannot charge commissions on purchases via third-party apps nor make it hard to buy from other apps. (More)

Extra Credit

💰️ Forbes list of the richest person in every state in 2025.

⛪️ What happens to the Sistine Chapel during a Conclave?

🐊 Animal trapper wrestles with an alligator on a Florida highway.

🦍 Clickbait: Who would win: 100 men vs. 1 gorilla?