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Today’s top stories
Epstein documents released to Congress
The House Oversight Committee made public more than 20,000 documents from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate. The newly released emails mention Donald Trump repeatedly and often express contempt for him and his presidency. Many messages tracked Trump’s rise from 2015 to 2018; one note Epstein sent to former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said there isn’t “one decent cell” in Trump’s body. Democrats say the records shed light on Epstein’s contacts and attitudes; Republicans say the material proves little. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the release changes nothing. House Speaker Mike Johnson has resisted broader demands for unclassified Justice Department files about Epstein, who died by suicide while awaiting trial in 2019. Arizona Rep. Adelita Grijalva’s recent swearing-in gave bipartisan supporters enough votes to force a House floor vote on a bill to release additional Epstein files.
Government funding bill ends shutdown, leaves ACA aid unresolved
President Trump signed legislation last night to fund the government, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The bill reverses shutdown-era layoffs, provides back pay to federal workers and finances some agencies through next September. It does not extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at year’s end.
Lawmakers are already preparing for a possible December Senate fight over extending those subsidies. Democrats are weighing proposals that could attract some Republican votes; if they succeed, it would be an early policy win in the new year. If Republicans block an extension, Democrats plan to highlight rising health-care costs in their campaigns. Some leaders say a one-year continuation of the subsidies might be possible, but no concrete compromise has been reached. Republicans argue the pandemic-era subsidies were temporary and don’t address broader cost trends; Democrats want to keep the more generous subsidies that have lowered monthly premiums for many people.
Israel deports 154 Palestinian prisoners
As part of the exchange for Hamas releasing its final group of Israeli hostages, Israel deported 154 Palestinian prisoners last month. The detainees were exiled to Cairo and barred from returning to the Palestinian territories. Israeli security officials say the deportations are intended to prevent released prisoners from rejoining militant activity; analysts warn that past deportations have produced unintended long-term security consequences.
Living better
The FDA plans to remove long-standing warning labels from estrogen-based hormone therapy used to treat menopause symptoms. Those warnings were rooted in an early-2000s Women’s Health Initiative study that found increased risks of heart attack, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer in an older group of study participants (average age about 63). Current experts say more is known about timing and safer, effective regimens when hormone therapy is started earlier in the menopause transition.
Things to discuss with your health care provider:
– Consider starting hormone therapy before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset when appropriate.
– Talk about how long to stay on therapy; many people use it for three to five years, but decisions should be individualized.
– If you prefer non-hormonal options, there are alternatives: the FDA has approved two non-hormonal drugs for severe hot flashes.
Picture show
Strong geomagnetic storms painted the night sky with vivid green and pink northern lights Tuesday. The aurora was visible across many states — from New York and Tennessee to New Mexico and Idaho — and as far south as parts of Florida and Alabama. The displays reflect increasing solar activity as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year cycle; similar shows are likely for several months. Check out photos and tips for photographing the aurora if you missed this week’s display.
3 things to know before you go
1. The U.S. Mint struck its final penny in Philadelphia yesterday. The one-cent coin, introduced 232 years ago, is being phased out after the cost to make each penny rose to nearly 4 cents.
2. NPR’s Word of the Week is “nostalgia,” a term that began as a medical diagnosis and has evolved into a layered emotion that can be marketed and monetized.
3. When Stacia was 21 she left a hospital struggling with severe depression. Hitchhiking home, a stranger stopped, asked a simple question and helped set her on a path to rebuild her life.
This newsletter was edited by Obed Manuel.