New Details: Gunman Targeted CDC Over COVID Vaccine; RFK Jr. Faces Criticism From Employees
Plus: Taylor Swift Announces 12th Album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’
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Good afternoon,
A massive meteor shower, nature’s fireworks, is peaking tonight ☄️
The Perseids cosmic spectacle has been active since July 17 and runs through Aug. 23, but it’s hitting its peak at 4 p.m. ET today — meaning once darkness falls (and if the skies cooperate), we’re in for a treat.
Expect up to 100 bright, colorful streaks an hour painting the sky. A bright moon might mean less visibility, though.
The best seats are in the Northern Hemisphere. I’ll be watching!
Lauren
Producer
🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING
Anti-Vaccine Gunman Fired 200 Rounds At CDC, Agency Employees Fearful Of Returning To Office
The gunman who opened fire at the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters Friday wrote about his “discontent” with the COVID-19 vaccine before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene, Chris Hosey of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Tuesday.
Thirty-year-old Patrick Joseph White, who killed responding officer David Rose and sprayed nearly 200 rounds into six CDC buildings, reportedly blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal.
President Trump has been quiet about the attack, and while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. condemned it, he has also reiterated his criticism of the agency’s handling of COVID. Some inside the CDC blame that type of rhetoric for inspiring the attack. They say they fear going back to work, citing a pattern of such behavior.
INSIDE THE ATTACK
Investigators recovered more than 500 shell casings and five firearms from the scene.Authorities say White took the guns from his father’s safe.
His family is reportedly cooperating with law enforcement.
On Tuesday, newly confirmed CDC Director Susan Monarez spoke to staff about the shooting and rebuilding Americans’ trust in the agency. Staff voiced frustration about a lack of safety measures. Here’s what a Mo News community member told us:
DOUBLING DOWN
In an interview Monday, Kennedy called the CDC a “shining star” and said staff “should not be the targets of this kind of violence from anybody.” At the same time, he doubled down on his criticism of the agency’s handling of COVID, accusing it of eroding public trust by promoting “noble lies” to encourage vaccination.
Critics, including former Trump Surgeon General Jerome Adams, described Kennedy’s remarks as “tepid” and warned they risk reinforcing distrust in public health.
Before joining the Trump administration, Kennedy called the coronavirus vaccine the “deadliest vaccine ever made” and promised on the campaign trail to “clean up the cesspool of corruption at CDC and force the public health agencies to come clean about Covid vaccines."
BY THE NUMBERS
In a recent poll, Health policy group KFF found that less than half of the U.S. public say they have confidence in the FDA and CDC to carry out their core responsibilities as of May 2025.
⏳ SPEED READ
🚨NATION
Suspect in Austin Target shooting that left 3 people dead was found naked and holding Bible (NBC)
White House announces 23 arrests following Trump’s takeover of D.C. police (MO NEWS)
White House says upcoming Trump-Putin meeting will be a 'listening exercise' (REUTERS)
Governor DeSantis appoints Jay Collins as Florida's new lieutenant governor at Tampa news conference (FOX)
Trump admin rips George Washington University in DC as 'deliberately indifferent' to antisemitism (FOX)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
Russian troops pierce Ukraine’s patchy defenses in Donetsk, days before Trump-Putin summit (CNN)
Israel says review shows Hamas inflating Gaza hunger data in ‘orchestrated campaign’(TIMES OF ISRAEL)
Philippines blames China for ship collision in disputed South China Sea (AP)
U.S. teen influencer still stranded in Antarctica weeks after landing plane without permission (CBS)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
White House touts latest inflation figures (MO NEWS)
AI upstart Perplexity makes $34.5B offer for Google's Chrome (AXIOS)
Spirit Airlines stock craters on warning it could go out of business (YAHOO)
Man poisons himself after taking ChatGPT’s dietary advice (THE HILL)
Meteorite that ripped through Georgia homeowner's roof is 20 million years older than Earth, scientist says (CBS)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
UFC to host first-ever White House fight next year for America’s 250th anniversary (POLITICO)
Trump touts ‘great’ nominees for ‘Kennedy Center Awards,’ teases name change (THE HILL)
'What's Happening!!' star Danielle Spencer dies at 60 (ABC)
Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel confirms Italian citizenship as Trump targets celebrity opponents (EURO NEWS)
ICYMI FROM THE 📲
In case you missed it… Taylor Swift announced her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” at 12:12 a.m. on Aug. 12 through her website and social media — and later in a teaser clip for an interview on the “New Heights” podcast with Travis (her boyfriend) and Jason Kelce.
The announcement followed a cryptic countdown and social media posts that had fans speculating. The album is now available for pre-order in throwback vinyl, CD, and cassette formats, with shipping expected before Oct. 13, but cautions: "this is not the release date." No track list nor album artwork have been released, but there are rumors that there could be a Sabrina Carpenter duet.