Trump caves to pressure on surgeon general nomination

Picks an actual doctor though there are new questions

Sarah Boden and Liz Szabo, MA

Donald Trump pulled the nomination of wellness influencer Casey Means, MD, for US surgeon general, and has tapped a physician and Fox News contributor to take her place.

In his announcement on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump called Means “a strong MAHA Warrior," in reference to the Make America Healthy Again movement fueled by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. 

The president also blamed Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana for Means’ failed nomination, calling the senator "a very disloyal person," and accusing him of "intransigence and political games."

Means proved too hard a pill to swallow 

Though a graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine, Means holds no medical license. She dropped out of her surgical residency program, citing disillusionment with traditional medicine, and pivoted to a career as a wellness influencer. 

Her brother, Calley Means, is a top Kennedy aide who has discussed taking psychedelics with his sister.

Means’ lack of clinical experience, coupled with her contested claims on nutrition, vaccines, contraception, and medical practice, raised eyebrows during her nomination hearing, including from Cassidy, a board-certified gastroenterologist who specialized in liver disease.

Cassidy grilled Means during her confirmation hearing, asking her how she wanted to change childhood vaccination recommendations.

Means testified that "vaccines save lives," but also falsely said that the science was not settled on the debunked link between vaccinations and autism, and that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been linked to deaths. 

"The measles vaccine has caused some adverse effects that have harmed children. There have been children who have died from the MMR vaccine,” Means said. 

The fact Means wouldn’t endorse the MMR vaccine showed that she was an inappropriate fit to be surgeon general, said Paul Offit, MD, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

“She would be serving as America's doctor who was unwilling to act like America's doctor,” Offit told CIDRAP News. 

Carb-heavy foods like bread and rice may trigger weight gain in unexpected ways.

Scientists discover why bread can cause weight gain without extra calories

Osaka Metropolitan University

Bread has long been a dietary cornerstone, sustaining societies for generations. It is deeply woven into everyday life. But with obesity rates continuing to climb, researchers are beginning to question whether this reliance on staple carbohydrates still makes sense in modern diets.

Obesity increases the risk of many lifestyle-related diseases, making prevention a major public health priority. Traditionally, research has focused on high fat consumption as the main driver of weight gain. This is why many animal studies rely on high fat diets.

However, carbohydrates such as bread, rice, and noodles are consumed daily around the world, yet their role in obesity and metabolism has not been explored as thoroughly. While many people believe that "bread makes you gain weight" or that "carbohydrates should be limited," it has been unclear whether the issue lies in the foods themselves or in how people choose and consume them.

Like Other Rural Towns, Hopkinton Mulls Zoning Changes to Spur Revenue Growth

Some residents worry about town's rural character

By Rob Smith / ecoRI News staff

"Rural Character" has been an obsession in Charlestown

How do you revitalize a town with an aging population and slim pickings for development?

That issue was the topic of a joint Town Council and Planning Board 3½-hour hearing at Ashaway Elementary School last week, as the town weighs changes to zoning regulations and its comprehensive plan sought by a trio of private companies.

Warwick-based energy developer Revity Energy LLC owns a number of properties along Main and Frontier streets, close to Exit 1 off Interstate 95. The parcels are currently zoned as RFR-80, rural farming residential, a zoning designation under the town’s ordinance.

Revity Energy is petitioning the town to change the zoning of the properties, which are mostly open space, seeking the creation of an “economic growth district” that would greatly expand the permitted uses of the properties.

Brown University researchers launch energy tracker to measure increased fuel costs tied to war in Iran

Donald Trump's war on Iran has already cost you $200 in fuel price increases alone

Brown University 

A Brown University research team is making it easier to track pain at the pump.

A new digital tracker aims to quantify in real time the financial impact of the war in Iran on energy costs for American consumers. As of mid-April, the average American household has spent more than $150 in increased energy costs from rising gasoline and diesel prices since the start of the conflict, according to the tracker.

The project, led by Brown University political scientist and energy researcher Jeff Colgan, highlights a growing U.S. consumer burden of about $20 billion (as of mid-April) in increased energy costs from gasoline and diesel since the start of the war with Iran on Feb. 28, 2026.

“This is an expense coming directly out of the pockets of American consumers, and consumers can use the tracker to help plan for the extra costs that might come with road trips or summer vacations,” said Colgan, director of the Climate Solutions Lab at Brown’s Watson School of International and Public Affairs.

What was that he said about Joe Biden?

What agriculture contributes to the Rhode Island economy

2500 union workers at Rhode Island Hospital ratify new contract

Let's see more of this at Rhode Island's other hospitals

More than 2,500 members of Teamsters Local 251 at Rhode Island Hospital have voted to ratify a three-year agreement that protects their Teamsters health care and includes higher wages and stronger seniority protections. The bargaining unit consists of clinical support, non-clinical, and skilled maintenance staff in nearly every department.

“Local 251 has proudly represented workers at Rhode Island Hospital for more than 30 years,” said Matt Taibi, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 251 and Teamsters Eastern Region International Vice President. “This agreement shows that solidarity has the power to win strong successor contracts.”

The new agreement maintains strong Teamsters health care, layoff protections, and adds access to FSA benefits. Rhode Island Hospital Teamsters resisted many concessionary demands, instead making improvements on job transfers, seniority rights, unused paid time payouts, tuition assistance, shift differentials, and a new pay step for over two thirds of the bargaining unit.

Get Fresh, Buy Local at RI Grown Farmers Markets

Love those fresh veggies!

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) kicks off the weekly 2026 RI Grown Farmers Market Season this weekend, running through early autumn. 

Starting this weekend, shoppers can visit the RI Grown farmers market at Goddard Memorial State Park, held every Friday from 9 AM – 1 PM through Oct. 9, or the RI Grown farmers market at Fishermen’s Memorial State Park, every Sunday from 8:30 AM to 12 PM through Oct. 11, for locally grown, fresh food. 

Early season offerings include plants, flowers, RI Seafood, spring vegetables, honey, and maple syrup. More vendors and summer crops will be added as the season progresses. 

Keep a lookout for the RI Grown label, which certifies that a product was grown right here in the Ocean State. Local is closer than you think – follow RI Grown on Facebook, on Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter to find locally caught, grown, and made foods from RI farmers, fishers, and food producers.

China now outspends the US on scientific research

The consequences extend far beyond scientific ranking and clout

Caroline Wagner, The Ohio State University

The cause condemns the effect

China’s rapid rise in science has hit a milestone. The country’s investment in research and development has reached parity with – and by purchasing power measures has surpassed – that of the United States, according to a March 2026 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Both nations have crossed the US$1 trillion threshold on research spending.

For 80 years, the U.S. operated the most productive scientific and technological enterprise in human history. Breakthroughs and advances that came from American labs included the internet; the mRNA vaccine; the transistor and its children, semiconductors and microprocessors; the Global Positioning System; and many more.

U.S. scientific and technological leadership was nurtured by sustained public investment in research universities and federal laboratories, as well as a culture of open inquiry. These investments turned scientific discovery into economic strength – accounting for more than 20% of all U.S. productivity growth since World War II.

In contrast, China had previously spent little to nothing on research and development. Some estimates show that China was among the lowest research spenders worldwide in 1980.

As a policy analyst and public affairs researcher, I study international collaboration in science and technology and its implications for public and foreign policy. I have tracked China’s rise across every major database for more than a decade.

The most recent reports showing that China is now outspending the U.S. on scientific and technological research is a turning point worth understanding clearly because, historically, global leadership in one sector – including technology and warfare – feeds into others. U.S. dominance is in question.

Here’s ‘What’s Next’ According to ‘No Kings’ Organizers

Starts May 1

By Joe Maniscalco

This story is from our friends at Work-Bites

Organizers of the latest round of “No Kings” demonstrations held nationwide, in late March, concluded their post-game wrap-up, on March 31, to be promising, “tonight is the night when we move from talking about what’s next—to doing what’s next.”

“What’s next?” is a question “No Kings” organizers could hardly avoid this week after an estimated 8 million people across the country turned out on Saturday March 28, to once again oppose the Trump administration’s deepening march into post-Constitutional authoritarianism.

So, what does “doing what’s next” look like according to “No Kings” organizers?

In the most concrete terms, it looks like working class people nationwide taking the “No School. No Work. No Shopping.” pledge on May 1—International Workers’ Day, as well as continuing to march, rally, and organize.

Upcoming

Tea with Tina postponed for another event

 

APRIL 2026

Tea with Tina Rescheduled

YOU'RE INVITED   On Saturday May 2, the Rhode Island State House will be open for special Saturday hours from 10 AM - 1 PM. The RI Department of State will offer abbreviated State House tours and State Archives staff will have the Act of Renunciation on display. Rhode Island 250-themed exhibits will be on display, and free raffles and giveaways will be available while supplies last. See more here.   So we can all attend, I will be postponing my next Tea with Tina until one week later, May 9th (details below.)   Hope to see you there!

"As we commemorate our nation's semiquincentennial year, Rhode Islanders should be proud to first recognize Rhode Island Independence Day – when our small state was the first to renounce its allegiance to the Crown. I hope Rhode Islanders and visitors alike will join us at the State House to learn more about Rhode Island's role in the Revolution and see our history up close." — Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore

Our next Tea with Tina will be May 9, 2026. 10-12 noon @ Caf Bar in The Venue, 5153 Old Post Road, Charlestown   Tina will be giving an update from the State House. Don't miss it! No RSVP necessary, all are welcome.

If you'd like to donate to Tina's re-eelction campaign, please make personal checks payable to: The Friends of Tina Spears 82 Hillside Drive Charlestown, RI 02813   Or click HERE to contribute online or scan the QR code

Want to volunteer on Tina's re-election campaign? Contact us here. We have lots of fun and we'll keep Tina in the State House!

Get our latest updates!

Salty drinking water could be increasing your blood pressure – people living in coastal areas are most at risk

Some Charlestown well water already affected by sea level rise

Rajiv Chowdhury, Florida International University

When people consider what causes high blood pressure, they often think of lifestyle factors, such as eating salty foods, lack of exercise or smoking. However, an unexpected source of salt might also be raising blood pressure for millions of people: the water they drink.

As sea levels rise, more and more salt water tends to infiltrate global freshwater sources. I’m a public health researcher, and this raised a question for my team: Could saltwater intrusion be increasing the risk of high blood pressure worldwide?

In our analysis of existing research, we found that people exposed to saltier drinking water tend to have significantly higher blood pressure and a greater risk of hypertension. This link, as expected, appears strongest in coastal areas where seawater is increasingly contaminating freshwater supplies.

Our findings highlight an often overlooked environmental factor in cardiovascular disease that could become more problematic as climate change accelerates.

Rotavirus cases in children are rising

Parents should know there is a highly effective vaccine cut hospitalizations from the virus by 80% in 2 decades

Annette Regan, University of California, Los Angeles

Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily and can make babies and young children very sick. This year, doctors have been seeing more cases earlier in the season than usual.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that almost 8 in 100 people tested for rotavirus have the virus. This is only a little higher than last year at this time, when about 7 in 100 tests were positive. However, doctors are concerned because rotavirus cases started rising earlier than usual – in January – which means more children are getting sick over a longer period of time.

Often referred to as a stomach flu or stomach bug, rotavirus infection can cause extreme diarrhea, leading to severe dehydration and hospitalization. Just like measles and whooping cough, infectious diseases that are also on the rise, rotavirus can be prevented with a safe and highly effective vaccine. But vaccination rates in the U.S. have fallen since 2018.

The Conversation asked epidemiologist Annette Regan to explain why this virus is on the rise and what families can do to protect themselves from the illness.

What is rotavirus and why is it dangerous?

Rotavirus, first identified in 1973, affects the gastrointestinal system – that is, the stomach and the intestines.

Rotavirus spreads from person to person, often when germs from poop get on hands or surfaces and then into the mouth. But a person can also become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their mouth, or by drinking or eating contaminated food or water.

Rotavirus causes sudden diarrhea, vomiting and fever that can cause rapid dehydration, which can lead to death if left untreated. There is no medicine to cure the virus. Doctors can only help by giving fluids and watching closely for dehydration. Babies who lose too much fluid may need care in the hospital.

Rotavirus most often affects infants and young children. Without vaccination, nearly all children have a rotavirus infection by age 5.

The virus causes most instances of hospitalization due to severe diarrhea and is the leading cause of death due to diarrhea in children under 5. Older children and adults typically experience more mild infections, but the virus can cause severe illness in people with weakened immune systems and those over 65.