Vaccine Panel, Voting to Change Hepatitis B Shot for Newborns, Shares Misleading Information

Upending decades-old guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee voted to no longer issue a blanket recommendation that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Throughout the meeting, many panelists made misleading claims about the vaccine.

Here, we address claims about the vaccine’s effectiveness and safety, as well as other countries’ vaccination policies.

The hepatitis B vaccine, typically given in a three-dose series, is highly effective at preventing disease and has a strong safety record. As the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia explains, there are no known serious side effects other than anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that is very rare and can be treated.

A universal birth dose was first recommended in 1991, after risk-based approaches failed to reduce cases. Young children are the most likely to develop a chronic infection that can lead to liver cancer and other problems. In the decades since, rates of hepatitis B in children have fallen by 99%.

In an 8-to-3 vote on Dec. 5, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices decided to end that policy. If accepted by the CDC director, parents of babies born to mothers who test negative for the virus will now be advised to discuss vaccination with a doctor to decide “when or if” to give the vaccine. For those who opt to forgo a birth dose, the panel “suggested” waiting at least two months to vaccinate.

Pentagon Inspector General Report Not ‘Total Exoneration’ for Hegseth

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that he received “total exoneration” in an investigative report by the Defense Department’s Office of Inspector General regarding a Signal group chat about a military attack in Yemen. But the report contradicts that assessment, concluding that Hegseth’s messages “created a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed U.S. mission objectives and potential harm to U.S. pilots.”

The inspector general report, issued Dec. 2 and publicly released two days later, also faulted Hegseth for using a personal cell phone to relay sensitive DoD information and for not retaining Signal conversations as official records, as required by federal law and Pentagon policy.

The chat between top administration national security officials on Signal, a private encrypted messaging app, came to light because Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was inadvertently added to the group chat by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, who was later removed from his job. In one of the messages, Hegseth appeared to provide a timeline for impending U.S. military strikes in Yemen on March 15.

Examining Trump’s Pardon of Former Honduran President Convicted of Trafficking Drugs to U.S.

President Donald Trump pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, on Dec. 1, claiming without evidence that his prosecution had been a “setup” by the Biden administration and that Hernández was targeted because he was president of a country where drug cartels operated.

“If somebody sells drugs in that country, that doesn’t mean you arrest the president and put him in jail for the rest of his life,” Trump said in explaining the pardon.

But Hernández had been found guilty by a jury after a three-week trial. He was sentenced by a U.S. District judge last year to 45 years in prison for using his position to help drug traffickers import more than 400 tons of cocaine into the United States, while accepting bribes to fuel his political career and protecting violent drug cartel leaders from prosecution in return.

Unpacking the FDA’s Black Friday Vaccine Memo

The head of the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine division claimed in a leaked email that “at least 10 children” died from COVID-19 vaccination, using that to justify significant vaccine regulatory changes. Experts, however, say too little information was provided to verify the claim.

Studies and safety assessments in the U.S. and other countries have repeatedly shown that the COVID-19 vaccines are remarkably safe, including for children, and do not increase mortality risk. While serious side effects can occur, they are rare.

Dr. Vinay Prasad, the official who penned the memo, used the alleged deaths to announce a variety of ways in which the agency would be more stringent in approving future vaccines, which some experts say are unnecessary and impractical and could reduce access to shots.

In a perspective published Dec. 3 in the New England Journal of Medicine, a dozen former FDA commissioners assailed the memo, saying Prasad’s proposals would “impede the ability to update vaccines” and “suppress innovation and competition,” ultimately “disadvantag[ing]” the American people. They added that deaths reported to the CDC and FDA previously “had been carefully reviewed by FDA staff, who drew different conclusions.”

Q&A on Vetting of Accused National Guard Shooter

In the aftermath of the deadly ambush shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump and others in his administration immediately blamed Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, for failing to vet the Afghan national accused of the attack. Here, we’ll answer some questions about what we know so far about the suspect and the vetting process.

The suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is alleged to have driven across the country from his home in Washington state and then shooting West Virginia National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, an Army specialist, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24. Beckstrom died later from her injuries, and Wolfe remains in critical condition. They were serving as part of what Trump has called a crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital.

Despite Trump’s claims that Lakanwal and other Afghans were “unvetted” and “unchecked,” there are reports that Lakanwal was vetted several times, in Afghanistan and in the U.S., most recently as part of obtaining asylum status earlier this year. Trump officials say Lakanwal may have become radicalized while living in the U.S.

Details about the shooter’s history and possible motivations are still emerging.

Georgia Dominates No. 9 Alabama 28–7, Claims Second Straight SEC Championship and Playoff Return

No. 3 Bulldogs overwhelm No. 9 Crimson Tide with suffocating defense, clutch quarterback play, and major special teams momentum to secure back-to-back SEC titles and a Playoff berth.

ATLANTA | One of college football’s fiercest rivalries added a new chapter Saturday night — and this time it belonged entirely to the Bulldogs. In front of 77,247 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, No. 3 Georgia (12–1) dominated long stretches of the game and overwhelmed No. 9 Alabama (10–3), powering to a 28–7 victory to capture the 2024 SEC Championship and avenge a heartbreaking September loss.

With the win, Georgia claimed its 16th SEC title, secured its second straight conference crown, and locked in a spot in the College Football Playoff for the fourth time in five years.

Texas Tech Forces Four 2nd-Half Turnovers, Secures AP-Era Record 12th 20-Point Win and Big 12 Title in 34–7 Rout of BYU

No. 5 Red Raiders dominate in Arlington, capturing their first-ever Big 12 championship, locking up a likely College Football Playoff first-round bye, and setting an AP-era milestone with 12 wins by 20+ points.

ARLINGTON, Texas | The most dominant season in Texas Tech history just found its exclamation point. Fueled by a relentless 2nd-half defensive takeover, No. 5 Texas Tech forced four turnovers—all after halftime—to storm past No. 11 BYU, 34–7, winning the Big 12 Championship and securing what appears to be their first-ever College Football Playoff first-round bye.

The victory also delivered an unprecedented historical feat: an AP-era record 12th win by 20+ points (since 1936), cementing the Red Raiders’ campaign as one of the most statistically commanding in modern college football.

Red Raiders Make History in a Breakout Season

Texas Tech (12–1, No. 4 CFP) came into 2025 having invested millions in the transfer portal—and the return on investment has been seismic. After 30 years as a Big 12 member, the Red Raiders finally hoisted their first conference championship trophy, ending decades of near misses and heartbreak.

Quarterback Behren Morton delivered a poised championship performance, throwing two touchdowns to Cody Eakin, while kicker Stone Harrington—already a BYU killer this season—added four field goals. But the night belonged to a defense that tightened its grip as the stakes rose.

Troy Falls Late as No. 19 James Madison Pulls Away 31–14 to Claim Sun Belt Championship in Snowy Harrisonburg

Dukes use explosive ground game, clutch fourth-quarter surge, and defensive knockout score to fend off upset-minded Troy and secure another SBC title in blizzard-like conditions.

HARRISONBURG, Va. | In a Sun Belt Championship Game defined by frigid weather, flying snowballs, and relentless defensive pressure, No. 19 James Madison (12–1) survived a determined challenge from Troy (8–5) to earn a 31–14 victory Friday night at Bridgeforth Stadium. The Dukes, fueled by late-game rushing dominance and a defensive touchdown, claimed their latest SBC title in front of a rowdy, snow-packed crowd.

Fourth-Quarter Surge Breaks Open Tight Contest

Leading only 17–14 with just over six minutes to play, James Madison seized control with a game-changing drive. Running back Wayne Knight, the star of the evening, ripped off a crucial 40-yard burst, setting up a 26-yard touchdown run by Alonza Barnett II that pushed the lead to 24–14 with 4:11 remaining.

On the next series, JMU’s defense—already smelling blood—delivered the knockout blow. Down starting quarterback Goose Crowder and left tackle Eli Russ due to injuries, Troy backup Tucker Kilcrease was sacked twice, including a devastating 4th-and-19 hit that jarred the ball loose. The Dukes scooped it up and returned it for a touchdown, sealing the championship.

Defense Carries Troy, But Missed Chances Prove Costly

Troy, making its third SBC Championship Game appearance in four seasons, played with grit, holding JMU to just 93 passing yards—the Dukes’ third-lowest FBS output ever. Defensive leader Justin Powe posted a career-high 11 tackles, and Jaquez White intercepted Barnett in the third quarter to set up a prime scoring chance.

But missed opportunities haunted the Trojans. A short field after White’s interception resulted in a missed field goal. Powe’s forced fumble and recovery on the next possession also fizzled into a three-and-out, leaving Troy unable to capitalize despite stealing momentum twice in the span of minutes.

Tulane Overpowers North Texas 34–21, Secures Second Straight American Conference Title at Yulman Stadium

No. 20 Green Wave ride dominant defense, record-setting special teams performance, and Jake Retzlaff’s dual-threat leadership to clinch back-to-back AAC championships and await playoff seeding.

NEW ORLEANS | The Tulane Green Wave proved once again why they’ve become one of the nation's most resilient and ascending programs. Behind a decisive defensive surge, timely quarterback play from Jake Retzlaff, and a historic night from kicker Patrick Durkin, No. 20 Tulane (11–2) defeated No. 24 North Texas (11–2), 34–21, on Friday night at Yulman Stadium to capture its second consecutive American Conference Championship.

The win secured Tulane’s place among the nation’s most consistent programs and positioned the Green Wave for a strong showing when College Football Playoff first-round seedings are revealed on Sunday.