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EPA sets national limits for ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

What’s happening: The Biden administration set the first-ever national limits for toxic and pervasive “forever chemicals” in drinking water. Full report >

Administration’s goal: The administration’s action seeks to reduce the amount of chemicals belonging to a class known as PFAS in drinking water. See if your tap water is affected >

What are PFAS? PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are known for their ability to linger in the environment and the human body instead of breaking down. These “forever chemicals” have been linked to kidney cancer, thyroid disease and other illnesses. Learn more >

Norfolk Southern settlement not meant to ‘make people whole’: Lawyer

What happened: Norfolk Southern has agreed to a $600 million settlement in a class action lawsuit relating to the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment in February 2023. The lead lawyer on the deal called it a “great result” and said while some residents may believe it doesn’t go far enough, the settlement isn’t intended to “make people whole.”  Read more >

‘Not enough’: Environmental activist Erin Brockovich says the settlement is not enough to truly hold the company accountable. Brockovich expressed skepticism in an interview on NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” about the payout, which works out to approximately $6,000 per person affected by the disaster. Watch now >

Measles cases in triple figures as vaccination numbers drop

Measles outbreak: U.S. measles cases have spiked to triple digits for the second time in five years, provoking federal health officials to sound the alarm about the need for vaccinations to help limit the spread of the contagious disease. What to know >

CDC data: The 113 U.S. cases reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention so far this year are the highest since 2022, when 121 cases were confirmed. It’s a 50% jump from 2023 just four months into the year.

The problem: CDC data shows measles vaccination levels have dropped each year since 2019, when 95% of school children who were required to be vaccinated were up to date on their shots. By the 2022-2023 school year, that figure had dropped to 93.1%, below the 95% level needed to obtain herd immunity. 

Triple-murder trial of Chad Daybell begins

On trial: Chad Daybell, a self-published doomsday fiction author, is on trial in Idaho in the deaths of his ex-wife and two stepchildren. Read more >
 
Complex triple-murder trial: Chad Daybell faces three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of conspiracy to commit murder, grand theft and insurance fraud. He’s pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Investigators say the case involves unusual claims that the victims were possessed by evil spirits — and more typical claims related to life insurance and social security benefits.

‘Doomsday mother’: Daybell’s current wife Lori Vallow was sentenced to life in prison last year for the murder of her two youngest children and Daybell’s first wife. She is currently in Arizona awaiting trial on additional charges of conspiring to kill her estranged husband Charles Vallow and her niece’s ex-husband Brandon Boudreaux. Full story >

Special edition of ‘CUOMO’ with Mike Rowe spotlights trade jobs

Trending: Put off by student debt and white-collar job insecurity, members of Gen Z are opting for skilled trade work over cubicles and corporate ladders.

What is trade school? Trade schools are programs with courses that prepare students directly for their intended job without a bachelor’s or more advanced degree from a four-year university. Learn more >

Costs and earnings: Many trades offer on-the-job training or shorter, less expensive programs and have more jobs available. These occupations may also be more difficult to replace with automation or AI than office jobs. How it stacks up >

Tune in: Is college really worth it? Meet the blue-collar millionaires who have a different perspective. Join Chris Cuomo and “Dirty Jobs” host Mike Rowe for a special hour on trade jobs. “CUOMO Special Edition: Trading Up with Mike Rowe” will air tonight at 8 p.m. ET, only on NewsNation. Find your channel here >

 WHAT WE’RE WATCHING 👀

We’re keeping an eye on these topics today. Make sure you tune in to our latest coverage and share your thoughts with us on social media!

• Muslims around the world celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of the Islamic holy month with family reunions, new clothes and sweet treats.

• President Joe Biden is set to host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for talks on the delicate security situation in the Pacific and a glitzy state dinner.

• Jill Biden will host a spousal program event on education and literature with the Japanese prime minister’s wife Yuko Kishida.

• The judge in the case against accused Idaho college killer Bryan Kohberger will hold a hearing to determine how to fix a possible jury contamination problem.

• Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is set to testify before Congress as the House delays sending his impeachment articles to the Senate.

• A Wisconsin woman will ask for early release from a psychiatric institute nearly a decade after she and another woman stabbed their classmate in an attempt to please the fictional character Slender Man.

NEWS ACROSS AMERICA

A New Mexico county will help the federal government in the prosecution of state offenses committed by criminals associated with smuggling organizations. Here’s why >

Arizona’s supreme court upheld a law passed in 1864 that outlaws nearly all forms of abortion. The legislation >   

The parents of a Michigan school shooter were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for their role in an attack that killed four students and injured seven others in 2021. Full story >

Ohio will become the first state to acquire mobile homes for indoor training to assist armed employees in responding to active shooter situations. Learn more >

An Idaho 18-year-old was arrested after he allegedly made plans to carry out attacks targeting local churches in the name of ISIS. Investigation >

Details of what led up to the brutal murder of a man at a Charlotte group home last January are now being released in a report by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Full story >

New court documents revealed that a 3-year-old girl who was slain during a California church exorcism fought for her life and tried to escape. Read more >

A Florida woman heard her front door rattle and thought someone was trying to enter her home, but it turned out to be a massive alligator. Video >

New Mexico family learns of father’s service during WWII

When Joseph Radosevich died 40 years ago, his children and his wife did not know much about his time in the service. After doing some research, Radosevich’s family was shocked by what they learned about the veteran. Full story >    

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