mRNA Flu Vaccine, Fauci Held in Contempt, & a Fire Rainbow

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Adam Rogers
August 07, 2026

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The Food and Drug Administration approved Moderna's first mRNA-based seasonal flu vaccine for adults 50 and older, making it the first flu shot in the U.S. to use the same messenger RNA technology that was widely deployed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a clinical trial, the vaccine reduced confirmed flu cases by 27% compared with the current standard vaccine among adults ages 50 to 64. Moderna said the shot produced mostly mild side effects lasting two days or less and plans additional studies comparing it with the high-dose flu vaccine recommended for adults 65 and older.
The approval comes months after the FDA initially declined to review the vaccine before reversing course when Moderna agreed to conduct a post-approval study. The vaccine is expected to be available for the 2026-27 flu season.

Senate Republicans voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a hearing last week on the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The committee approved the resolution in an 8-5 party-line vote.
Committee Chairman Rand Paul said the panel will refer the matter to the Justice Department, arguing Fauci could not invoke the Fifth Amendment after receiving a preemptive pardon from former President Joe Biden and that his opening statement waived that constitutional protection.
The resolution does not itself carry criminal penalties, and any prosecution would require action by the Justice Department, where legal experts say Republicans' legal arguments would likely face scrutiny.

The Federal Communications Commission voted to eliminate a long-standing rule limiting how much of the U.S. television audience a single company can reach, a move expected to make it easier for media companies to buy additional local television stations.
The 2-1 vote ends a 39% audience cap that had been in place since 2004 and replaces it with a case-by-case review process. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the rule was outdated and prevented local broadcasters from competing with streaming platforms and other digital media companies that face no similar restrictions.
Supporters say the change will help traditional broadcasters compete in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Critics argue it could accelerate media consolidation and reduce independent local ownership. It could also face legal challenges because Congress established the limit.

President Trump signed two executive orders targeting birthright citizenship, including measures addressing birth tourism after the Supreme Court blocked his previous order on the issue. (More)

The NYPD warned seniors about a nationwide scam in which fraudsters pose as government officials and steal millions by convincing victims to buy gold bars. (More)

The U.S. paused inspections of new avocado shipments from Mexico's Michoacán state after a security alert involving American agricultural inspectors in the region. (More)

Iran's parliament is reviewing a proposal to restrict U.S. and Israeli-linked ships in the Strait of Hormuz and impose cargo fees, though no measure has been approved. (More)

The U.S. partnered with 18 countries across the Americas to create a regional task force to target organized crime and improve military coordination. (More)

Jason Arday, who became the University of Cambridge's youngest Black professor in 2023, resigned after the university opened an investigation into his academic qualifications. (More)

US stock markets closed lower on Thursday (S&P -0.18%, Nasdaq -0.06%, Dow -0.85%) as rising oil prices pressured stocks. (More)

The U.K. approved Paramount Skydance's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. after the company strengthened commitments on programming and news in Britain. (More)

Ford announced its new Fathom midsize electric truck will start at $28,350 before destination charges, delivering on its promise of a roughly $30,000 EV pickup. (More)

Chelsea Gray hit two buzzer-beating 3-pointers, including the game-winner, to lift the Aces past the Fever 86-84. (More)

The Lions signed Jahmyr Gibbs to a record three-year extension worth up to $75.75 million, making him the NFL's highest-paid running back days after Bijan Robinson. (More)

Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston earned their first Women's World Cup selections, joining veterans A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart on Team USA. (More)

Scientists modified lettuce to produce myoglobin, a protein found in animal muscle, offering a potential new ingredient for more realistic plant-based meat alternatives. (More)

A Stanford study found aging allows immune cells from the body to enter the brain, challenging long-held assumptions and offering potential new targets for neurological disease research. (More)

Paleontologists discovered a new species of bird-like dinosaur with an unusually large brain in New Mexico. (More)

Only 16% of people scored perfectly on this tricky lawn game.

West Virginia gets a spectacular visit from a fire rainbow.

Man dressed as Grim Reaper arrested for staring at hospital patients from a roof.

41 cheap tropical vacations that feel expensive.

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