JBS Greeley Workers End Strike After Negotiation Commitment
Workers at JBS' Greeley, Colorado meatpacking plant have agreed to end a three-week strike after the company committed to resuming negotiations. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, representing approximately 3,800 workers, stated that the plant, which accounts for about 7% of U.S. beef processing capacity, has been nearly idle since the strike began on March 16, as workers sought higher wages and changes to wage garnishments for personal protective gear.
Health Secretary Revises ACIP Membership Rules After Court Ruling
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has revised the membership rules for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), following a court ruling that deemed most of his previous selections unqualified. The new charter, published by the Department of Health and Human Services, broadens the criteria for membership to include specialists in areas such as biostatistics and toxicology, which may allow Kennedy to appoint members more aligned with his views on vaccines. This change comes after a judge found that Kennedy's earlier reconstitution of the panel violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Trump Administration Raises Medicare Advantage Payments by 2.48%
The Trump administration announced a 2.48% increase in Medicare Advantage payments to insurers for 2027, significantly higher than the previously proposed 0.09% hike, resulting in an estimated $13 billion boost in revenue for the industry. Following the announcement, shares of major insurers UnitedHealth Group, Humana, and CVS Health surged by over 8%, with Humana's stock rising approximately 12%. This payment adjustment is expected to enhance the profitability of Medicare Advantage plans, which cover nearly 60% of all beneficiaries.
Supreme Court Vacates Contempt Charges Against Steve Bannon
The US Supreme Court has vacated the contempt-of-Congress charges against former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who previously served a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The Court's decision allows a lower court to consider dismissing the case, following a move by the Trump administration to drop the indictment, which it deemed 'in the interests of justice.' Bannon was convicted in 2022 on two counts of contempt and fined $6,500.
DeSantis Signs Law Designating Groups as Terrorist Organizations
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law granting state officials the authority to designate groups as 'terrorist organizations' and expel university students who support them. The legislation allows the state's chief of domestic security, along with the governor and cabinet members, to label organizations as engaging in extremist acts, leading to potential dissolution and loss of state funding. Critics, including free speech advocates, argue that the law could infringe on free speech rights and impose undue pressure on individuals to avoid certain viewpoints.
