A panel chosen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voted to recommend ending the CDC’s long-standing guidance that called for routine hepatitis B vaccination for newborns. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 8–3 to advise postponing hepatitis B shots for infants assessed as low risk until at least two months of age, while keeping immediate vaccination for infants born to mothers who test positive for the virus or whose status is unknown. The recommendation follows recent changes at HHS that replaced many ACIP members and has renewed scrutiny of childhood vaccine policy. Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, criticized the proposal, saying delaying the birth dose could put children at risk. Since the CDC began recommending the newborn hepatitis B dose in 1991, pediatric cases have dropped sharply. The acting CDC director will now review the committee’s advice and decide whether to adopt it.
A powerful Arctic blast set record-low temperatures across parts of the Midwest and Northeast, with forecasters reporting at least 10 new record lows as frigid air pushed east. Wind chills fell into the single digits or below zero in some communities. Washington, D.C., and other cities experienced unusually cold conditions and early-season snow, disrupting travel and leading to school closures. Meteorologists warned additional waves of Arctic air could follow and prolong dangerous conditions.
Newly released 911 recordings from the deadly July 4 floods in Texas Hill Country capture frantic calls for help as waters rose before dawn. The tapes include pleas from residents and counselors trapped by rapidly rising water along the Guadalupe River; some survivors described breaking through interior walls and climbing onto roofs to escape. The recordings and local reporting have prompted questions about warnings, preparedness, and emergency communications that morning. Texas has launched investigative committees to examine the response and whether officials and systems could have done more.
U.S. forces struck another suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific, and officials say four people aboard were killed. The operation comes amid controversy over a September strike in which a second engagement reportedly killed two survivors. Lawmakers and human rights observers have offered differing accounts of a video shown to Congress by a Navy admiral—some officials say it showed survivors trying to reboard the boat and recover contraband, while others say the men were clinging to debris and signaling for help. Pentagon lawyers reviewed the operation, and senior leaders supported the action, but questions about rules of engagement and the handling of survivors remain.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a legal challenge to former President Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment for children born in the United States to parents without legal permanent residency. Lower courts have ruled the proposed policy unconstitutional; the high court is expected to issue a decision by early summer.
In business news, Netflix reportedly emerged as the leading bidder in a potential acquisition of Warner Bros., a transaction that would merge major film and television libraries—including HBO and HBO Max—with Netflix’s streaming platform. The reported offer exceeded $80 billion. The sale, if pursued, would face regulatory review and objections from unions and competitors, and Warner is separately weighing a plan to spin off its cable channels, including CNN. Any deal would significantly reshape the media and streaming landscape.
From São Paulo, passengers evacuated a plane after a baggage conveyor belt caught fire during loading; the aircraft’s emergency slide was deployed and there were no reported injuries. In industry news, renowned architect Frank Gehry has died. Gehry was celebrated for landmark projects such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
A lighter human-interest story: employees at a Lowe’s in Richmond, Virginia, mounted an extensive search to rescue a beloved store cat named Francine after she vanished and was believed to have boarded a freight truck bound for a distribution center. Warehouse staff used bait, drones and cameras; a grainy image eventually revealed Francine’s location and employees brought her home for a joyful reunion. She has since returned to greeting customers in the garden department.
Other headlines tonight included release of additional Supreme Court calendar details, a preview of a 60 Minutes interview with Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, and a follow-up on help given to retired auto worker Ed Bambas, who received donations and a check to fund his retirement after being forced back to work.
Reporters and correspondents on these stories included Meg Oliver on the hepatitis B panel; Tom Hanson and Lonnie Quinn on the Arctic cold; Jason Allen on the Texas flood 911 calls; Charlie D’Agata on the eastern Pacific ship strikes; Elaine Quijano on the Netflix-Warner reports; and Steve Hartman on the Lowe’s story about Francine the cat. The broadcast was anchored by Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson.