Tylenol Safety Debate: RFK Jr. May Link Meds To Autism In Upcoming Report
Plus: Ukrainian Refugee Fatally Stabbed On Charlotte Train Sparks Crime Debate
Good evening,
A little early morning whiplash this AM when legendary radio host Howard Stern pranked fans and the media — including the Mo News editorial team. He faked his departure from SiriusXM on Monday after months of rumors that he might not renew his contract with the network.
Andy Cohen briefly took over his time slot, announcing the new “Andy 100" channel. Ten minutes later, Stern returned, confirming that “The Howard Stern Show” is alive and well.
Outlets like CNBC and the AP promptly reported that Stern was leaving, followed by another breaking news alert that he was back.
In our team Slack channel, Mosh sent the original breaking news to us — and a little while later, an “oh, that was a prank...”
Stern, 71, mocked the media coverage and joked, “Now I can’t retire.” His SiriusXM contract was renewed for five years for $500 million in 2020. Now, he says talks with executives about a new deal have been “fantastic.”
Mo News Team
🚨 ONE IMPORTANT THING
Ukrainian Refugee Fatally Stabbed In Charlotte, Sparking Crime Debate As Police Say Attack Was Random
A deadly stabbing in Charlotte has ignited concerns about public safety and gaps in the mental health system.
Surveillance video shows 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, being stabbed to death without provocation on Aug. 22 as she rode on a Charlotte light rail train. Police identified Decarlos Brown Jr., a man in his 30s sitting behind Zarutska on the train, as the suspect in the stabbing.
Brown pulls out a knife and stabs her in the neck without any prior interaction. He then drops the knife and calmly walks off the train, where police arrest him on the platform. Brown’s mother told CNN he struggled with his mental health in the past and had been homeless.
Zarutska fled Ukraine in 2022 with her mother, sister, and brother to escape Russia’s war. She was attending community college, working to become a veterinary assistant.
The case has become a flashpoint in Charlotte and around the country, raising debate over crime, mental health oversight, and how to prevent future tragedies.
ZOOMING IN
Brown has been charged with first-degree murder, and his attorney has filed a motion for a mental competency evaluation.
He has 14 prior arrests, including prison time for robbery and burglary, and a January arrest for misusing 911. Local reports say he was known by authorities to have schizophrenia.
There was no security in the car when the stabbing occurred, and Brown boarded the train without a ticket. Reportedly, security was stationed in another car.
The murder comes as Trump plans to expand the use of federal troops in cities to fight crime. Conservative influencers shared the Charlotte story on social media over the weekend as justification for federal action, saying national media was ignoring the story due to the suspect’s race.
Many pointed to the coverage disparities compared to the Daniel Penny case — a white man who put a Black homeless man in a fatal chokehold on the NYC subway in 2023.
We’re hearing from members of the Mo News community — on both sides of the political divide — who say unprovoked violence in their cities has left them fearful, and many say they would welcome help from the National Guard.
To note: Polling from CBS shows that overall, the majority (58%) of Americans do not agree with deploying the National Guard to cities. However, a strong majority of Republicans (85%) support Trump’s moves — that’s compared to just 7% of Democrats.
From Mo News Community Member
NUMBERS VS FEELINGS
Through the first half of 2025, overall crime is down nationally compared to the same period last year — with homicides falling 17%. Still, many people say they don’t feel safer.
Charlotte saw a 25% drop in violent crime in the first half of 2025 — including homicides, rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, and shootings. Property crime — including burglaries, car theft, and larceny — is down 5%.
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🚨 ONE THING WE’RE FOLLOWING
RFK Jr. May Renew Tylenol Safety Debate With Autism Report
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is set to release a report this month that may suggest that taking Tylenol during pregnancy could cause autism, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Following the story, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said that the HHS report has yet to be finalized: “We’re still in our discussions.”
In the U.S., autism affects about 1 in 31 children aged 8 years old, according to recent CDC data, with an increase from 1 in 36 in 2020, attributed in part to increased screenings and better diagnoses.
AUTISM REPORT
Finding the cause of autism has long been one of RFK Jr.’s priorities. He has previously linked autism to vaccines, but numerous studies have proven that to be false.
An analysis published by Harvard in August – which surveyed data from over 40 studies with 100,000 participants total – found an association between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and higher risk of autism and ADHD in the child. But their research did not prove causation, just correlation.
A separate study out of Sweden in 2024 – which surveyed more than two million children – found no link between prenatal Tylenol usage and autism.
Instead, they found that genetics and environment may be factors.
The Autism Science Foundation put out a statement, saying, "Any association between acetaminophen and autism is based on limited, conflicting, and inconsistent science and is premature given the current science." The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists still says that Tylenol is safe to use during pregnancy – especially for fevers, as those can be harmful to babies in the womb – but recommends pregnant people consult with their doctors first before taking any medication.
TRUMP AND VACCINES
The news comes after RFK Jr. was grilled by both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill Thursday over his vaccine policies and the ongoing turmoil at the CDC. Last week, Florida also moved to eliminate all vaccine mandates — including for schoolchildren.
President Trump poured cold water on Florida’s plan Friday, saying vaccines “pure and simple work” and warning: “You have to be very careful when you say that some people don't have to be vaccinated... I think those vaccines should be used, otherwise some people are going to catch it and they endanger other people.”
⏳ THE SPEED READ
🚨NATION
Supreme Court allows Trump ICE raids to resume in California (FOX) allows Trump to fire FTC commissioner (NBC)
Man accused of Trump assassination attempt heads to trial (AXIOS)
Decades-long peace vigil near White House is dismantled after Trump’s order (POLITICO)
Epstein birthday letter with Trump’s signature revealed (WSJ)
🌎 AROUND THE WORLD
France's government collapses after the prime minister loses a confidence vote (NPR)
Palestinian gunmen kill 6 people in attack on Jerusalem bus stop (AP)
At least 19 dead in Nepal after Gen Z protests at corruption and social media ban (BBC)
Russia hits Ukraine with biggest air attack of war, sets government building ablaze (REUTERS)
📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH
EchoStar offloads satellite spectrum to SpaceX for $17 billion (VERGE)
Winning tickets sold in two states for massive Powerball jackpot of nearly $1.8 billion (CNN)
The supply and demand seesaw sending mixed signals about the economy (AXIOS)
The U.S. is losing travelers. Here are the countries that stand to benefit (CNBC)
🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Bills and Ravens had a score that’s never been done before in the NFL (BUFFALO RUMBLINGS)
New Banksy mural appears at Royal Courts of Justice (BBC)
Questions hang over Prince Harry's trip back to the U.K. (NBC)
‘SNL’ finalizes season 51 cast: Bowen Yang, Chloe Fineman and more return; Colin Jost and Michael Che back for ‘Weekend Update’ (VARIETY)
ICYMI FROM THE 📲
In case you missed it… Denzel Washington is setting the record straight — the 70-year-old actor says people have been mispronouncing his name for decades.
He said the confusion started with his mother, who didn’t want to call both him and his father the same “Denzel.” To distinguish them, she began stressing his name differently. Watch the clip to find out the real pronunciation!