Historic Shutdown Ends, Third Surgeon General Pick & Last-Place Runners - Friday, May 1, 2026 - The NewsWorthy

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[00:00]
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Today is Friday, May 1st. What to know about the bill that has finally ended the longest ever shutdown of the Homeland Security Department and the rare statement from Iran's new supreme leader. Also, why President Trump pulled his controversial surgeon general pick and who he decided to nominate instead. Plus, another wave of protests promised in all 50 states today an urgent warning about popular food and drink containers. And get ready for what's known as the most exciting two minutes in sports happening this weekend. Those stories and more news coming up. Welcome to the Newsworthy. All the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica Mandy, thanks so much for being here. Let's do this. Nearly 80 days into a record breaking government shutdown and the Homeland Security Department has finally reopened. Yesterday, the US House passed the same bill the Senate did back in March, and President Trump quickly signed it into law. This means agencies like fema, the Coast Guard, the TSA and the Secret Service are now fully funded through the end of September. This bill does not cover Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol, since lawmakers still cannot agree on how immigration laws should be enforced. But those agencies have had money anyway because they got enough extra funding from last year's so called Big Beautiful Bill Act. And Republicans plan to try in the coming weeks to keep them funded for the rest of Trump's term until under budget reconciliation rules. This way, they won't have to involve Democrats or make any policy changes. Dems, though, say their demands were not that extreme and they're upset they haven't been able to enact real change to ICE or Border Patrol. But lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they're happy to at least get everyone back to work, get everyone paid, restart disaster response and recovery work, process backlogs and more. To be continued. Many lawmakers and analysts say today is the deadline for President Trump to either end the war in Iran or make the case to Congress for extending it. Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the president can wage military action for only 60 days before ending it unless lawmakers declare war or authorize the use of force. But Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says that deadline does not apply here because of the current ceasefire, saying that stopped the countdown. Many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle disagree, especially since the US Military is still enforcing a blockade, which is considered an act of war. Now, even some members of Congress who have so far supported President Trump's actions in Iran are talking about their next move. Meanwhile, a peace agreement between the US And Iran does not seem to be coming anytime soon. Iran's supreme leader, who hasn't been seen in public since he was named to the role, issued a rare statement yesterday, and he promised to protect Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities. And he made it clear that Iran planned to keep managing the crucial Strait of Hormuz going forward. Or as he put it, the only place Americans belong in the Persian Gulf is at the bottom of its waters. Of course, the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program are the two biggest sticking points in negotiations right now. President Trump is still optimistic, though, saying Iran is actually desperate to make a deal since the war has devastated its economy. But the world economy is also under pressure. Yesterday, the global benchmark for oil traded as high as $126 a barrel, the highest price in four years. Here in the US the economy seems to be mostly resil despite rising gas prices. The Commerce Department put out new data this week showing the country's gross domestic product, or GDP, grew by 2% in the first three months of this year. So where is all that growth coming from? Well, the data shows Americans are still spending pretty freely in a wide range of areas. And businesses have done more investing, mostly because they're building out infrastructure for artificial intelligence. The government has started spending more too. But not everyone thinks that's a good thing, especially since separate government data came out yesterday showing the national debt has topped 100% of the GDP. In other words, America's debt is now worth more than the entire economy for the first time since World War II. And it's getting close to an all time record, likely by the end of the decade. Massive protests, rallies and celebrations are happening today all around the world. It's May Day, AKA International Workers Day. The US doesn't formally recognize it as a national holiday the way some other countries do, but you will still find many people who mark the occasion. In fact, a coalition of labor and civil rights groups is holding thousands of so called workers over billionaires rallies across all 50 states. Their mission is to go up against any policies that they say put billionaires needs above those of average workers. They encourage Americans to skip school, work and shopping in favor of a nationwide day of collective action. Mayday happens every May 1st as a way to celebrate the contributions of the working class and rally for better labor rights and more. Large protests are already happening around Europe this morning as well as celebrations in China. Much more news is still ahead. But first, this episode of THE Newsworthy is brought to you by Bull and Branch. When we moved into our house a couple of years ago I knew I wanted to give our bed an upgrade. It's one of those non negotiables when starting fresh since our bed is really the foundation of getting great sleep and it's the key to having a peaceful comfort space. Thankfully, I was already loving our Bolen Branch sheets at that point, so I knew I would turn to Bolan Branch again for a fresh set of white sheets and our duvet cover. And I'm still so happy with our bed. Since then we've added another set of sheets and a waffle blanket for texture and extra comfort. And when everything on your bed just works together, the room instantly feels more polished and inviting. And then even more importantly, my bed feels amazing the moment I get into it. The sheets are super soft and breathable. We now have three pairs because we could instantly tell the difference when we had any other sheets on there. So I want you to upgrade your sleeve with Boll and branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at bullandbranch.com Newsworthy with the code Newsworthy that's boleandbranch b o l l a n d branch.com Newsworthy with the Code Newsworthy to unlock 15% off exclusions apply. Now back to the news. President Trump has once again picked someone new for surgeon general. He decided to pull the nomination of Dr. Casey Means, who, remember, is a functional, holistic medicine doctor and wellness influencer. Means had been facing some pushback for a variety of reasons, including her credentials and her position on vaccines, especially since during her confirmation hearing, she would not promise to recommend measles shots for children. Ultimately, it did not look like she was going to get enough support to be confirmed. Remember, Means was actually Trump's second choice for surgeon general, since his first also failed to get enough support in the Senate. So this time, President Trump picked Dr. Nicole Safire. She's a radiologist and longtime Fox News contributor. Safire has questioned the vaccine schedule but is a big supporter of the measles shot and has publicly cited studies that show no link between the vaccine and autism. President Trump also called her a quote, incredible communicator who makes complicated health issues more easily understood by all Americans. The surgeon general position is known as the nation's doctor who focuses on educating and advising Americans on how to improve their health. In the wake of the Supreme Court's decision over election maps, Louisiana has suspended its upcoming primary and other states are rushing to decide how they want to respond. Remember, the high court weakened the Voting Rights act, so now states are no longer required to consider race when creating maps, even if it's to reflect the racial makeup of a state. For example, Louisiana had two majority black districts out of six because the state's population is one third black. Well, now that's not required. So Republican lawmakers who control politics in Louisiana are set to get rid of at least one of those majority black districts, which has traditionally voted for Democrats. But that will take time. So when people in Louisiana vote in two weeks, their votes for the US House won't count and they'll have to come back two months later on July 15 just to vote on congressional nominees. Meanwhile, President Trump posted on Truth Social that Tennessee is also looking to eliminate its one reliably Democratic district that includes Memphis, and other red states are reportedly facing pressure to do the same. So now House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says he's eyeing at least four blue states to potentially redraw their maps ahead of the 2028 elections. To be clear, this is on top of all the states that have already redrawn their boundaries ahead of the midterms. At this point, Republicans have drawn 13 districts in their favor. Democrats have secured 10. This week, the Trump administration released a nearly 200 page report accusing the Biden administration of having an anti Christian bias. You may remember the president set up a task force to start investigating more than a year ago, and now it says it's found evidence that Christians have been discriminated against. It cited things like former President Biden not allowing enough religious exemptions for COVID 19 vaccines, filing charges against Christian anti abortion activists who plan to storm clinics, and giving a harsher punishment to a Christian university for failing to report sexual assaults than it did to non Christian universities, just to name a few examples. While several advocacy groups are now challenging the report's findings, describing them as deceptive and contradictory, saying it wrongly reframes typical policy disagreements as persecution and ignores possible discrimination against other religions. Others accused the Trump administration of undermining the separation of church and state. It's also worth noting former President Biden is openly Catholic. Either way, the task force is still working on this, and next year it will put out another report with policy recommendations. President Trump's parting gift for King Charles and Queen Camilla is actually a policy change. No more whiskey tariffs. Trump specifically announced no more restrictions on Scotland's ability to work with Kentucky on whiskey and bourbon, but the UK Government confirmed it really applies to all whiskey tariffs, meaning Irish whiskey too. Industry representatives and distillers have said these tariffs have been costing millions of dollars a month and for many months, the Scottish and British governments had both lobbied for the tariff rate to be reduced or removed. But President Trump did not want to budge. Then yesterday, he said the king and queen, quote, got me to do something that nobody else was able to do without hardly even asking. This is seen as a big relief on both sides of the Atlantic. And Buckingham palace says the king was so grateful he would raise a glass of whiskey in the president's honor. Before you pack your lunch or drink this morning, listen up. Thermos is recalling 8.2 million containers in jars that could be dangerous. Apparently, some of the stoppers have forcefully popped out, leading to serious injuries. In fact, at least three people have permanently lost their vision because there's no pressure relief in the stoppers. The items were sold at Target, Walmart, Amazon and other retailers between 2008 and 2024. They came in a variety of colors and have the Thermos trademark printed on the side. If you have any of the recalled containers, you're being asked to stop using them and contact Thermos to request a replacement. To learn more about this recall and exact model numbers, we've added a link in today's episode notes on our website thenewsworthy.com America's longest running sporting event is happening tomorrow. We're talking about the Kentucky Derby. 20 of the world's fastest horses will gallop across the track for a chance to win a garland of roses and a record prize and the title of Kentucky Derby champion. And as always, there's expected to be a crowd packed in to watch the one and fourth mile race. The Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville can hold as many as 165,000 people, many of whom will be wearing big hats, drinking mint juleps and placing bets. But at this point, reports say there's not one dominant horse to beat. Renegade is the favorite, but not by a lot. You can watch the Kentucky Derby from home on NBC and Peacock tomorrow. That's it for the Maine News today. So now it's time for Feel Good Friday. We bring you one extra feel good or positive news story before the weekend. But first, let's take a quick break to talk about our sponsor. There are a lot of decisions to make as a parent, but one that's been super simple for me is giving my son Haya's children's vitamins and probiotics. While other products prioritize this candy like appeal, Haya's vitamins have zero sugar and zero gummy junk and are packed with essential vitamins and minerals to support my kids immune health, brain function, mood regulation, concentration, and the development of strong teeth and bones. And my son loves taking his Chaya vitamins and probiotics. It's one of the few things that even at four years old, I rarely have to remind him. In fact, he reminds me sometimes because he loves taking them. Oh, and if getting your kids to eat vegetables feels like an impossible daily battle, Haya's New Kids Daily Greens plus Superfoods can be a game changer. It's basically chocolate milk stuffed with veggies. It's a greens powder designed specifically for kids that's packed with whole food sourced ingredients. Just mix one scoop with milk or milk alternative and watch them actually enjoy something that's secretly fueling their growing bodies. And we've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin receive 50% off your first order to claim this deal you must go to hyahealth.com newsworthy this deal is not available on their regular website, so go to H I Y A H E-A-L-T-.com Newsworthy and get your kids the full body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. Okay, now back to Feel Good Friday Today we're talking about how determined marathon runners proved Grit can be just as inspiring as speed. We're actually talking about the people who finished last at the Boston Marathon last month. About six hours after the last wave started the race, the marathon stopped recording times, closed the finish line and reopened most roads. Top runners had no trouble finishing in that time frame, but this year, nearly 180 others completed the race even after it was all over. Some had gotten injured. Others knew they'd be behind since they didn't make qualifying times but were able to compete because they were raising money for charities and nonprofits. No matter what, they were determined to finish. About nine hours after the final wave of the marathon began, a group gathered near the course to celebrate the very last person to finish out of roughly 29,000 competitors. At that point it was dark, but just as exciting as ever. Spectators shook cowbells and cheered as that last runner clocked her 26.2 miles and got her gold medal. An Instagram video showing some of the last finishers has been viewed millions of times and has racked up nearly 2,000 messages, mostly of congratulations. Thank you so much for listening today. We'll be back tomorrow with our special Edition Saturday episode about how politics has divided Americans to the point of feeling threatened and how we can come back from it. Then we'll be back on Monday with the latest news. For now, have a great weekend.

Summary5 min read

Podcast Summary: The NewsWorthy with Erica Mandy
Episode: Historic Shutdown Ends, Third Surgeon General Pick & Last-Place Runners
Date: May 1, 2026
Host: Erica Mandy

Episode Overview

In this episode, Erica Mandy covers a whirlwind of significant news stories, from the end of a record-breaking Homeland Security shutdown and shifting U.S.-Iran relations, to major updates on America’s surgeon general nomination, controversial redistricting, noteworthy consumer safety recalls, and the upcoming Kentucky Derby. The episode wraps with a heartwarming “Feel Good Friday” segment spotlighting grit and perseverance at the Boston Marathon.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Homeland Security Shutdown Finally Ends

[00:30 – 02:35]

After nearly 80 days, the longest shutdown in the Homeland Security Department’s history is over.
The U.S. House passed a bill already cleared by the Senate, and President Trump signed it into law.
Agencies like FEMA, the Coast Guard, TSA, and Secret Service are funded through September.
Notably, ICE and Border Patrol remain excluded from this funding due to ongoing disagreements about immigration policy. However, these agencies continue to operate thanks to leftover funds.
Quote: “Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they're happy to at least get everyone back to work, get everyone paid, restart disaster response and recovery work, process backlogs and more. To be continued.” (Erica Mandy, 02:25)

2. Ongoing U.S. – Iran Tensions

[02:36 – 05:15]

Deadline under the War Powers Resolution to end or justify military action in Iran has arrived, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims the ceasefire pauses the clock—a view many lawmakers reject.
Iran’s new supreme leader issued a rare, defiant statement about protecting nuclear and missile capabilities and controlling the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices spiked to $126/barrel, the highest in four years, impacting global economics.
U.S. economic growth remains resilient, but national debt has passed 100% of GDP for the first time since WWII.
Quote: “The only place Americans belong in the Persian Gulf is at the bottom of its waters.” (Iran’s Supreme Leader, paraphrased by Erica Mandy, 04:30)

3. May Day and Nationwide Protests

[05:16 – 06:45]

May 1st is marked by labor-themed rallies and protests in the U.S. and worldwide.
A broad “workers over billionaires” movement leads rallies across all 50 states, calling for better labor rights.
Europe sees significant protests; China hosts formal celebrations.

4. Surgeon General Nomination Changes

[08:00 – 09:12]

President Trump has rescinded Dr. Casey Means’ nomination due to controversy over credentials and vaccine positions.
New nominee: Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and Fox News contributor, who supports the measles vaccine and is praised for clear communication.
Quote (by Trump): “An incredible communicator who makes complicated health issues more easily understood by all Americans.” (Erica Mandy quoting President Trump, 08:50)

5. Supreme Court Redistricting Fallout

[09:13 – 10:44]

Louisiana suspends its primary after a Supreme Court decision weakens the Voting Rights Act.
States no longer have to create racially reflective districts, leading Louisiana to eliminate at least one majority-Black district.
Tennessee and other red states may follow; Democrats eye their opportunities to redraw maps in blue states.
Republicans have netted 13 favorable districts, Democrats 10, with more changes anticipated.
Quote: “House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says he’s eyeing at least four blue states to potentially redraw their maps ahead of the 2028 elections.” (Erica Mandy, 10:22)

6. Trump Administration’s Report on Christian Discrimination

[10:45 – 11:48]

A new, lengthy report alleges anti-Christian bias in former President Biden’s policies (e.g., vaccine exemption handling, prosecution of anti-abortion activists).
Critics label the findings as deceptive and “reframing typical policy disagreements as persecution.”
The task force continues work for further policy recommendations.

7. End to Whiskey Tariffs: A 'Royal' Negotiation

[11:49 – 12:42]

President Trump lifts all whiskey tariffs relating to the UK and Ireland after conversations with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
This move is celebrated by industry and government representatives; King Charles is said to toast Trump.
Quote (Trump): “The king and queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do without hardly even asking.” (Erica Mandy quoting Trump, 12:20)

8. Massive Thermos Recall

[12:43 – 13:28]

Thermos recalls 8.2 million food and drink containers after incidents of pressure stoppers popping out, resulting in permanent injuries.
Models sold between 2008 – 2024 at major retailers are affected; consumers should request replacements.

9. Preview: The Kentucky Derby

[13:29 – 14:16]

The storied Kentucky Derby runs this weekend with 20 contenders, including favorite Renegade.
Churchill Downs expects a massive, enthusiastic crowd; the event is viewable on NBC and Peacock.

Feel Good Friday – Grit at the Boston Marathon

[15:45 – End]

The episode closes with an uplifting story about the last-place finishers at last month’s Boston Marathon.
Nearly 180 runners, many raising money for charity or overcoming injury, completed the race long after official times stopped.
Spectators gathered hours later in the dark, cheering for the final runner as she crossed the finish line more than 9 hours after the starting gun.
Memorable Moment: “Spectators shook cowbells and cheered as that last runner clocked her 26.2 miles and got her gold medal. An Instagram video showing some of the last finishers has been viewed millions of times and has racked up nearly 2,000 messages, mostly of congratulations.” (Erica Mandy, ~16:10)

Notable Quotes

“Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they're happy to at least get everyone back to work…” – Erica Mandy (02:25)
“The only place Americans belong in the Persian Gulf is at the bottom of its waters.” – Iran’s Supreme Leader, paraphrased (04:30)
“An incredible communicator who makes complicated health issues more easily understood…” – President Trump on Dr. Nicole Saphier (08:50)
“The king and queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do without hardly even asking.” – President Trump on ending whiskey tariffs (12:20)
“Spectators shook cowbells and cheered as that last runner clocked her 26.2 miles and got her gold medal.” – Erica Mandy (16:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Homeland Security Shutdown Ends: 00:30 – 02:35
U.S.–Iran Tensions: 02:36 – 05:15
May Day Protests: 05:16 – 06:45
Surgeon General Nominee: 08:00 – 09:12
Redistricting Updates: 09:13 – 10:44
Christian Discrimination Report: 10:45 – 11:48
Whiskey Tariff Change: 11:49 – 12:42
Thermos Recall: 12:43 – 13:28
Kentucky Derby Preview: 13:29 – 14:16
Boston Marathon Feel Good Story: 15:45 – End

This fast-paced yet comprehensive episode keeps listeners informed with a balanced and personable approach, packing breaking news, context, and positive energy into just 15 minutes.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
Today is Friday, May 1st. What to know about the bill that has finally ended the longest ever shutdown of the Homeland Security Department and the rare statement from Iran's new supreme leader. Also, why President Trump pulled his controversial surgeon general pick and who he decided to nominate instead. Plus, another wave of protests promised in all 50 states today an urgent warning about popular food and drink containers. And get ready for what's known as the most exciting two minutes in sports happening this weekend. Those stories and more news coming up. Welcome to the Newsworthy. All the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica Mandy, thanks so much for being here. Let's do this. Nearly 80 days into a record breaking government shutdown and the Homeland Security Department has finally reopened. Yesterday, the US House passed the same bill the Senate did back in March, and President Trump quickly signed it into law. This means agencies like fema, the Coast Guard, the TSA and the Secret Service are now fully funded through the end of September. This bill does not cover Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol, since lawmakers still cannot agree on how immigration laws should be enforced. But those agencies have had money anyway because they got enough extra funding from last year's so called Big Beautiful Bill Act. And Republicans plan to try in the coming weeks to keep them funded for the rest of Trump's term until under budget reconciliation rules. This way, they won't have to involve Democrats or make any policy changes. Dems, though, say their demands were not that extreme and they're upset they haven't been able to enact real change to ICE or Border Patrol. But lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they're happy to at least get everyone back to work, get everyone paid, restart disaster response and recovery work, process backlogs and more. To be continued. Many lawmakers and analysts say today is the deadline for President Trump to either end the war in Iran or make the case to Congress for extending it. Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the president can wage military action for only 60 days before ending it unless lawmakers declare war or authorize the use of force. But Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says that deadline does not apply here because of the current ceasefire, saying that stopped the countdown. Many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle disagree, especially since the US Military is still enforcing a blockade, which is considered an act of war. Now, even some members of Congress who have so far supported President Trump's actions in Iran are talking about their next move. Meanwhile, a peace agreement between the US And Iran does not seem to be coming anytime soon. Iran's supreme leader, who hasn't been seen in public since he was named to the role, issued a rare statement yesterday, and he promised to protect Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities. And he made it clear that Iran planned to keep managing the crucial Strait of Hormuz going forward. Or as he put it, the only place Americans belong in the Persian Gulf is at the bottom of its waters. Of course, the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program are the two biggest sticking points in negotiations right now. President Trump is still optimistic, though, saying Iran is actually desperate to make a deal since the war has devastated its economy. But the world economy is also under pressure. Yesterday, the global benchmark for oil traded as high as $126 a barrel, the highest price in four years. Here in the US the economy seems to be mostly resil despite rising gas prices. The Commerce Department put out new data this week showing the country's gross domestic product, or GDP, grew by 2% in the first three months of this year. So where is all that growth coming from? Well, the data shows Americans are still spending pretty freely in a wide range of areas. And businesses have done more investing, mostly because they're building out infrastructure for artificial intelligence. The government has started spending more too. But not everyone thinks that's a good thing, especially since separate government data came out yesterday showing the national debt has topped 100% of the GDP. In other words, America's debt is now worth more than the entire economy for the first time since World War II. And it's getting close to an all time record, likely by the end of the decade. Massive protests, rallies and celebrations are happening today all around the world. It's May Day, AKA International Workers Day. The US doesn't formally recognize it as a national holiday the way some other countries do, but you will still find many people who mark the occasion. In fact, a coalition of labor and civil rights groups is holding thousands of so called workers over billionaires rallies across all 50 states. Their mission is to go up against any policies that they say put billionaires needs above those of average workers. They encourage Americans to skip school, work and shopping in favor of a nationwide day of collective action. Mayday happens every May 1st as a way to celebrate the contributions of the working class and rally for better labor rights and more. Large protests are already happening around Europe this morning as well as celebrations in China. Much more news is still ahead. But first, this episode of THE Newsworthy is brought to you by Bull and Branch. When we moved into our house a couple of years ago I knew I wanted to give our bed an upgrade. It's one of those non negotiables when starting fresh since our bed is really the foundation of getting great sleep and it's the key to having a peaceful comfort space. Thankfully, I was already loving our Bolen Branch sheets at that point, so I knew I would turn to Bolan Branch again for a fresh set of white sheets and our duvet cover. And I'm still so happy with our bed. Since then we've added another set of sheets and a waffle blanket for texture and extra comfort. And when everything on your bed just works together, the room instantly feels more polished and inviting. And then even more importantly, my bed feels amazing the moment I get into it. The sheets are super soft and breathable. We now have three pairs because we could instantly tell the difference when we had any other sheets on there. So I want you to upgrade your sleeve with Boll and branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at bullandbranch.com Newsworthy with the code Newsworthy that's boleandbranch b o l l a n d branch.com Newsworthy with the Code Newsworthy to unlock 15% off exclusions apply. Now back to the news. President Trump has once again picked someone new for surgeon general. He decided to pull the nomination of Dr. Casey Means, who, remember, is a functional, holistic medicine doctor and wellness influencer. Means had been facing some pushback for a variety of reasons, including her credentials and her position on vaccines, especially since during her confirmation hearing, she would not promise to recommend measles shots for children. Ultimately, it did not look like she was going to get enough support to be confirmed. Remember, Means was actually Trump's second choice for surgeon general, since his first also failed to get enough support in the Senate. So this time, President Trump picked Dr. Nicole Safire. She's a radiologist and longtime Fox News contributor. Safire has questioned the vaccine schedule but is a big supporter of the measles shot and has publicly cited studies that show no link between the vaccine and autism. President Trump also called her a quote, incredible communicator who makes complicated health issues more easily understood by all Americans. The surgeon general position is known as the nation's doctor who focuses on educating and advising Americans on how to improve their health. In the wake of the Supreme Court's decision over election maps, Louisiana has suspended its upcoming primary and other states are rushing to decide how they want to respond. Remember, the high court weakened the Voting Rights act, so now states are no longer required to consider race when creating maps, even if it's to reflect the racial makeup of a state. For example, Louisiana had two majority black districts out of six because the state's population is one third black. Well, now that's not required. So Republican lawmakers who control politics in Louisiana are set to get rid of at least one of those majority black districts, which has traditionally voted for Democrats. But that will take time. So when people in Louisiana vote in two weeks, their votes for the US House won't count and they'll have to come back two months later on July 15 just to vote on congressional nominees. Meanwhile, President Trump posted on Truth Social that Tennessee is also looking to eliminate its one reliably Democratic district that includes Memphis, and other red states are reportedly facing pressure to do the same. So now House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says he's eyeing at least four blue states to potentially redraw their maps ahead of the 2028 elections. To be clear, this is on top of all the states that have already redrawn their boundaries ahead of the midterms. At this point, Republicans have drawn 13 districts in their favor. Democrats have secured 10. This week, the Trump administration released a nearly 200 page report accusing the Biden administration of having an anti Christian bias. You may remember the president set up a task force to start investigating more than a year ago, and now it says it's found evidence that Christians have been discriminated against. It cited things like former President Biden not allowing enough religious exemptions for COVID 19 vaccines, filing charges against Christian anti abortion activists who plan to storm clinics, and giving a harsher punishment to a Christian university for failing to report sexual assaults than it did to non Christian universities, just to name a few examples. While several advocacy groups are now challenging the report's findings, describing them as deceptive and contradictory, saying it wrongly reframes typical policy disagreements as persecution and ignores possible discrimination against other religions. Others accused the Trump administration of undermining the separation of church and state. It's also worth noting former President Biden is openly Catholic. Either way, the task force is still working on this, and next year it will put out another report with policy recommendations. President Trump's parting gift for King Charles and Queen Camilla is actually a policy change. No more whiskey tariffs. Trump specifically announced no more restrictions on Scotland's ability to work with Kentucky on whiskey and bourbon, but the UK Government confirmed it really applies to all whiskey tariffs, meaning Irish whiskey too. Industry representatives and distillers have said these tariffs have been costing millions of dollars a month and for many months, the Scottish and British governments had both lobbied for the tariff rate to be reduced or removed. But President Trump did not want to budge. Then yesterday, he said the king and queen, quote, got me to do something that nobody else was able to do without hardly even asking. This is seen as a big relief on both sides of the Atlantic. And Buckingham palace says the king was so grateful he would raise a glass of whiskey in the president's honor. Before you pack your lunch or drink this morning, listen up. Thermos is recalling 8.2 million containers in jars that could be dangerous. Apparently, some of the stoppers have forcefully popped out, leading to serious injuries. In fact, at least three people have permanently lost their vision because there's no pressure relief in the stoppers. The items were sold at Target, Walmart, Amazon and other retailers between 2008 and 2024. They came in a variety of colors and have the Thermos trademark printed on the side. If you have any of the recalled containers, you're being asked to stop using them and contact Thermos to request a replacement. To learn more about this recall and exact model numbers, we've added a link in today's episode notes on our website thenewsworthy.com America's longest running sporting event is happening tomorrow. We're talking about the Kentucky Derby. 20 of the world's fastest horses will gallop across the track for a chance to win a garland of roses and a record prize and the title of Kentucky Derby champion. And as always, there's expected to be a crowd packed in to watch the one and fourth mile race. The Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville can hold as many as 165,000 people, many of whom will be wearing big hats, drinking mint juleps and placing bets. But at this point, reports say there's not one dominant horse to beat. Renegade is the favorite, but not by a lot. You can watch the Kentucky Derby from home on NBC and Peacock tomorrow. That's it for the Maine News today. So now it's time for Feel Good Friday. We bring you one extra feel good or positive news story before the weekend. But first, let's take a quick break to talk about our sponsor. There are a lot of decisions to make as a parent, but one that's been super simple for me is giving my son Haya's children's vitamins and probiotics. While other products prioritize this candy like appeal, Haya's vitamins have zero sugar and zero gummy junk and are packed with essential vitamins and minerals to support my kids immune health, brain function, mood regulation, concentration, and the development of strong teeth and bones. And my son loves taking his Chaya vitamins and probiotics. It's one of the few things that even at four years old, I rarely have to remind him. In fact, he reminds me sometimes because he loves taking them. Oh, and if getting your kids to eat vegetables feels like an impossible daily battle, Haya's New Kids Daily Greens plus Superfoods can be a game changer. It's basically chocolate milk stuffed with veggies. It's a greens powder designed specifically for kids that's packed with whole food sourced ingredients. Just mix one scoop with milk or milk alternative and watch them actually enjoy something that's secretly fueling their growing bodies. And we've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin receive 50% off your first order to claim this deal you must go to hyahealth.com newsworthy this deal is not available on their regular website, so go to H I Y A H E-A-L-T-.com Newsworthy and get your kids the full body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. Okay, now back to Feel Good Friday Today we're talking about how determined marathon runners proved Grit can be just as inspiring as speed. We're actually talking about the people who finished last at the Boston Marathon last month. About six hours after the last wave started the race, the marathon stopped recording times, closed the finish line and reopened most roads. Top runners had no trouble finishing in that time frame, but this year, nearly 180 others completed the race even after it was all over. Some had gotten injured. Others knew they'd be behind since they didn't make qualifying times but were able to compete because they were raising money for charities and nonprofits. No matter what, they were determined to finish. About nine hours after the final wave of the marathon began, a group gathered near the course to celebrate the very last person to finish out of roughly 29,000 competitors. At that point it was dark, but just as exciting as ever. Spectators shook cowbells and cheered as that last runner clocked her 26.2 miles and got her gold medal. An Instagram video showing some of the last finishers has been viewed millions of times and has racked up nearly 2,000 messages, mostly of congratulations. Thank you so much for listening today. We'll be back tomorrow with our special Edition Saturday episode about how politics has divided Americans to the point of feeling threatened and how we can come back from it. Then we'll be back on Monday with the latest news. For now, have a great weekend.