Featured Stories
Trump Reportedly Weighing Executive Order on Vaccines, Autism
FRANKLIN LAKES, New Jersey, Aug. 8 -- Children's Health Defense, an organization that says it restores and protects the health of children by eliminating exposures to environmental toxins, issued the following news:
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Trump Reportedly Weighing Executive Order on Vaccines, Autism
The White House is reportedly drafting an executive order addressing the childhood vaccine schedule, autism research, and parental choice. Unnamed sources told Reuters that the order could come as soon as next week. The report comes just weeks after sources told The Wall Street Journal that President Donald Trump
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FRANKLIN LAKES, New Jersey, Aug. 8 -- Children's Health Defense, an organization that says it restores and protects the health of children by eliminating exposures to environmental toxins, issued the following news:
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Trump Reportedly Weighing Executive Order on Vaccines, Autism
The White House is reportedly drafting an executive order addressing the childhood vaccine schedule, autism research, and parental choice. Unnamed sources told Reuters that the order could come as soon as next week. The report comes just weeks after sources told The Wall Street Journal that President Donald Trumpwas pushing U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to do more to investigate a possible link between vaccines and autism.
by Brenda Baletti, Ph.D.
White House officials are drafting an executive order that will address the childhood vaccine schedule and autism, according to unnamed sources who spoke with The Washington Post.
The order will reportedly focus on the schedule, autism research and parental choice. However, the timing and details of the order are unclear and subject to change, the unnamed sources said.
The executive order could be released as early as next week, the sources said.
Bloomberg cited sources who said the move to issue an executive order is driven by President Donald Trump's desire to see "additional action" taken on vaccines and that the order may include research initiatives.
The White House did not confirm or deny whether it is planning an executive order.
In a statement provided to The Defender, White House spokesman Kush Desai said:
"President Trump has been clear: America must have the best childhood vaccine schedule in the world. The Administration remains steadfastly committed to delivering on this presidential priority with Gold Standard Science for the countless parents whose questions and concerns about vaccinations have been ignored or mocked."
Last month, anonymous sources told The Wall Street Journal that the president has been pushing U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to do more to investigate a possible link between vaccines and autism.
Kennedy was reportedly taken aback, given that White House advisers had asked him to tone down his work around vaccine safety in advance of the midterm elections, the WSJ said.
Trump also reportedly told Kennedy he wanted him to do more to reduce the number of childhood vaccine recommendations, and that he wants to see autism rates go down, the WSJ said.
In an interview with investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson in May, Trump said, "I believe in vaccines, but I don't believe that, you know, you have to have a mandate for all of them," CNN reported.
"I really feel that vaccines, if they were given in smaller quantities -- they want to cut some out, and that's good, too. I agree with that," he said.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Changes to vaccine recommendations a political hot potato for Trump admin?
Controversy around vaccine recommendations has plagued the Trump administration since Kennedy took the helm at HHS.
In June 2025, in what he called "a major step in restoring public trust in vaccines," Kennedy dismissed all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine advisory committee, citing conflicts of interest related to their Big Pharma ties.
Two days later, Kennedy appointed his initial slate of eight new members to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). In August 2025, he ended participation by major medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Medical Association and others in ACIP's work groups, again citing conflicts of interest.
The new ACIP committee made several changes to the vaccine schedule, which reduced the number of diseases for which children would receive recommended routine vaccinations from 17 to 11.
The changes included moving shots for RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal vaccines into high-risk or shared clinical-decision-making categories.
The committee also recommended that thimerosal be eliminated from flu vaccines for children.
The changes prompted some states to part ways with the CDC and establish their own vaccine schedules, aligned with the CDC's previous recommendations, not the newer changes made under the Trump administration.
The AAP and other medical organizations sued Kennedy and HHS over the vaccine policy changes they allege were made unlawfully.
In March 2026, as part of that lawsuit, a federal judge blocked the schedule changes made by ACIP, and stayed the appointments of the new ACIP members appointed between June 2025 and January 2026.
HHS appealed the ruling, but the stay remains in effect. ACIP has not held a meeting since December 2025.
Trump previously ordered CDC to align schedule with those of peer nations
In May 2026, the administration issued an executive order directing public health agencies to align the childhood schedule with those of peer nations, which typically recommend fewer vaccines than the U.S.
However, the recommended childhood vaccine schedule remains the July 2025 version, which it reverted to after the stay was issued.
Kennedy and HHS updated ACIP's charter in June, expanding membership criteria to achieve a "balanced range of scientific, clinical, and public health expertise relevant to the Committee's mission," a broader umbrella than the previous charter.
In April 2025, RFK Jr. also announced a "massive testing and research effort" to determine what causes autism. The National Institutes of Health said it was launching the autism research program.
Previously, in March 2025, the CDC confirmed it planned to study the possible link between vaccines and autism.
HHS reportedly sought access to state medical records in June to investigate the causes of the autism epidemic.
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Brenda Baletti, Ph.D., is a senior reporter for The Defender. She wrote and taught about capitalism and politics for 10 years in the writing program at Duke University. She holds a Ph.D. in human geography from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master's from the University of Texas at Austin.
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Original text here: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/trump-admin-weighing-executive-order-vaccines-autism-hhs/
[Category: Health Care]
Reward Reaches $10,000 in Deadly Seattle Cat-Dumping Case: PETA Seeks Answers
NORFOLK, Virginia, Aug. 8 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release:
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Reward Reaches $10,000 in Deadly Seattle Cat-Dumping Case: PETA Seeks Answers
Seattle - PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction on cruelty-to-animals charges of the person(s) responsible for reportedly abducting and killing a cat on June 30. According to reports, the cat's body was found inside a dumpster near Northeast 59th Street and Roosevelt Way Northeast. Security cameras captured an unidentified white man with a beard wearing
... Show Full Article
NORFOLK, Virginia, Aug. 8 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release:
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Reward Reaches $10,000 in Deadly Seattle Cat-Dumping Case: PETA Seeks Answers
Seattle - PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction on cruelty-to-animals charges of the person(s) responsible for reportedly abducting and killing a cat on June 30. According to reports, the cat's body was found inside a dumpster near Northeast 59th Street and Roosevelt Way Northeast. Security cameras captured an unidentified white man with a beard wearinga gray baseball cap, dark jacket, and brown cargo pants carrying who was believed to be the cat in the University District during the early morning hours. The condition of the cat's body has reportedly led authorities to believe the animal was tortured before being killed. PETA's reward, combined with those offered by two local shelters, brings the total reward now up to $10,000.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Seattle Animal Control at 206-386-7387 and reference case 9600346.
"Someone knows the man in the surveillance footage and may know something that could help find the person responsible for what may have been a terrifying, painful experience for this cat," says PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk. "PETA is urging anyone with information about this case to come forward immediately and reminding everyone that the safest place for cats is indoors."
In addition to enduring violence and abuse at the hands of cruel and intolerant people, cats allowed to roam or live outdoors are at risk of contracting parasites or potentially fatal diseases, being attacked by predators or run over by cars, and encountering other hazards. PETA notes that cats kept indoors need to be physically and mentally stimulated with a view of the outdoors, toys, climbing structures, scratching posts, cat TV, and other enrichment. PETA offers a catio-building guide as well as a "cat guardian's bible" written by PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk that's full of tips and available for purchase here.
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PETA--whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way"--points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
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Original text here: https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/reward-reaches-10000-in-deadly-seattle-cat-dumping-case-peta-seeks-answers/
[Category: Animals]
ICYMI: Win It Back PAC Clocks 'Crooked' Collins for Insider Trading Indictment
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Club for Growth Action, an arm of the Club for Growth, issued the following news release on Aug. 7, 2026:
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ICYMI: Win It Back PAC Clocks 'Crooked' Collins for Insider Trading Indictment
In case you missed it, Club for Growth Action's affiliated Win It Back PAC launched a new ad in Florida's 19th Congressional District hitting Chris Collins over his past insider trading indictment and guilty plea. The ad is the latest in Win It Back PACs $1.1 million spend against Collins and will air across the district. Kimberly Leonard covered the release in an exclusive report for
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Club for Growth Action, an arm of the Club for Growth, issued the following news release on Aug. 7, 2026:
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ICYMI: Win It Back PAC Clocks 'Crooked' Collins for Insider Trading Indictment
In case you missed it, Club for Growth Action's affiliated Win It Back PAC launched a new ad in Florida's 19th Congressional District hitting Chris Collins over his past insider trading indictment and guilty plea. The ad is the latest in Win It Back PACs $1.1 million spend against Collins and will air across the district. Kimberly Leonard covered the release in an exclusive report forPolitico's Florida Playbook.
Click here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U9333_8Tys) to watch the full ad, Crooked, from Win It Back PAC.
Click here (https://www.politico.com/newsletters/florida-playbook/2026/08/07/democrats-revive-hope-florida-attacks-01028533#:~:text=NEW%20AD%20%E2%80%94,the%20ad.)) to read the full coverage in Florida Playbook.
AD TRANSCRIPT:
Crooked Chris Collins
Indicted on insider trading charges as a New York Congressman.
Resigned, plead guilty, sentenced to 26 months in federal prison.
No pardon can paper over corruption that deep.
But don't tell that to crooked Chris Collins.
He thinks he's qualified to represent Florida in DC.
Just because he served time in a Pensacola prison.
Chris Collins: too crooked for Congress.
STORY EXCERPTS:
NEW AD -- Club for Growth PAC is continuing to run ads opposing former GOP Rep. CHRIS COLLINS for Florida's 19th District. The primary for that seat is crowded and Collins is a former House member from New York who resigned his seat after pleading guilty to insider trading. He was later pardoned by Trump. The new ad, which highlights Collins' criminal history, will begin running Sunday and is part of the PAC's $1.1 million ad buy.
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Original text here: https://www.clubforgrowth.org/icymi-win-it-back-pac-clocks-crooked-collins-for-insider-trading-indictment/
[Category: Political]
Human Rights Watch Issues Commentary: Ethiopia's Growing Assault on Independent Media
NEW YORK, Aug. 8 [Category: International] -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary by Mausi Segun, executive director in the Africa Division:
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Ethiopia's Growing Assault on Independent Media
Addis Standard Editor Detained, Newsroom Raided
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Ethiopian authorities are intensifying their assault on media freedom in the country.
On August 1, unidentified security personnel detained Yonas Kedir, the editor-in-chief of Addis Standard, and questioned him for 24 hours about the independent news outlet's reporting before releasing him, according to a statement by the outlet. The
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Aug. 8 [Category: International] -- Human Rights Watch issued the following commentary by Mausi Segun, executive director in the Africa Division:
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Ethiopia's Growing Assault on Independent Media
Addis Standard Editor Detained, Newsroom Raided
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Ethiopian authorities are intensifying their assault on media freedom in the country.
On August 1, unidentified security personnel detained Yonas Kedir, the editor-in-chief of Addis Standard, and questioned him for 24 hours about the independent news outlet's reporting before releasing him, according to a statement by the outlet. Thefollowing day, security and intelligence officials raided the outlet's offices, damaging and confiscating equipment.
Addis Standard has been through this before. Four months ago, men in plainclothes seized the outlet's managing editor, Million Beyene, and held him incommunicado for nearly two weeks before releasing him without charge. The authorities have yet to publicly explain his detention.
In February, the government's media regulatory body, the Ethiopian Media Authority, revoked Addis Standard's operating license for alleged repeated violations of the media laws. The outlet is challenging the decision in court.
The government's harassment of Addis Standard reflects a broader campaign by Ethiopian authorities to silence independent media and deter reporting it deems too critical or sensitive. In the past year, authorities have arbitrarily arrested scores of journalists, holding some incommunicado, while media outlets and journalists have had their accreditation or licenses revoked. The Ethiopian Media Authority has also alleged repeated violations of media laws by independent broadcasters Arts TV and Ahadu FM, and on July 31 issued "final written warnings," threatening that further action could include suspension or revocation of their licenses.
The repeated targeting of Addis Standard, together with regulatory threats against other independent broadcasters, often on vague national security or national interest grounds, points to an increasingly hostile environment for independent media in Ethiopia that had worsened prior to the country's June elections and has continued to deteriorate.
Earlier concerns that the Ethiopian government might use the elections as a pretext to further restrict independent media proved to be well-founded. It seems the government has now set in motion a machinery of repression that it has little inclination to stop.
Despite the shrinking space for independent media, Ethiopia's international partners have so far remained silent. They should publicly condemn the government's latest attacks and press the authorities to respect media freedom and ensure journalists can report without fear of arbitrary detention, intimidation, or reprisals.
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Original text here: https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/08/06/ethiopias-growing-assault-on-independent-media
FFRF Action Fund: Unapologetic Christian Nationalist Gubernatorial Candidates are Named 'Theocrats'
MADISON, Wisconsin, Aug. 8 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news on Aug. 7, 2026:
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Unapologetic Christian nationalist gubernatorial candidates are named 'Theocrats'
The FFRF Action Fund's "Theocrats of the Week" are two self-proclaimed Christian nationalist gubernatorial candidates.
James Fishback, a former CEO of an investment firm, is vying for Florida governor while state Rep. Monty Fritts
... Show Full Article
MADISON, Wisconsin, Aug. 8 -- FFRF Action Fund, an organization that says it develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, posted the following news on Aug. 7, 2026:
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Unapologetic Christian nationalist gubernatorial candidates are named 'Theocrats'
The FFRF Action Fund's "Theocrats of the Week" are two self-proclaimed Christian nationalist gubernatorial candidates.
James Fishback, a former CEO of an investment firm, is vying for Florida governor while state Rep. Monty Frittswas seeking the gubernatorial seat in Tennessee.
Fishback has overtly centered Christian nationalism in his gubernatorial campaign, claiming he would have a duty to promote Christianity if elected governor.
"And by God's grace and the trust of the voters, we will pull off a historic upset in this election," Fishback said last week while appearing on "The NXR Podcast," a conservative Christian show. "It is time to say the truth, and I don't care if it offends anyone. None of our Founding Fathers were Jewish. None of our Founding Fathers were Hindu. None of our Founding Fathers were Muslim. This country was built on Christian values, Christian principles. It needs to remain a safe place for Christians, and that's only possible if we put Jesus Christ at the center of our politics once again."
During another recent far-right podcast appearance with self-proclaimed Christian nationalist Joshua Haymes, a Doug Wilson-aligned pastor at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's church, Fishback agreed that the United States was founded "by Christians and for Christians" and that public servants have a responsibility to "promote true religion."
"We are called to fully obey our Lord and Savior," he said. "Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, the life. Not one way of many, not one truth of many, he is the only singular path to redemption and salvation. Now, how do you actually form a government based around that? Well, this is actually not something new, Joshua. This is something to restore ... I call myself a restorationist. You have to, one, change the laws where possible. And two, you have to unapologetically profess and obey your faith, publicly and privately."
"The Constitution is as true today as it was in 1787 when it was drafted in Philadelphia," Fishback continued. "But what has changed is our people have become more secular. ... I don't think we can revive the United States as we know it if we're not willing to unequivocally and singularly commit to Christianity."
Fishback is deeply entrenched in dangerous far-right online circles, including the "Groyper" movement, comprised of followers of the violent white nationalist and antisemitic streamer Nick Fuentes. Fishback has routinely used dangerous dog whistles and other Fuentes-aligned language during his campaigning, and Fuentes has endorsed Fishback (though Fishback has downplayed their connection).
Fishback, who has never held political office, faces 10 opponents on the Republican ballot in the Aug. 18 Republican primary, including frontrunner U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds. Fishback is a long shot to win, but he has made significant gains since he announced his gubernatorial bid last year. He has more than doubled his polling standing over the past several months, pointing to the growing number of supporters extremists like Fishback are garnering.
In February, Fishback was first named "Theocrat of the Week" for saying that former CNN anchor and independent journalist Don Lemon was lucky for not being publicly executed following his coverage of anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis.
Tennessee state Rep. Monty Fritts, in office since 2022, was on the ballot in this week's Republican primary. Fritts ran against two opponents, including the just-declared winner U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn.
While appearing on "The Todd Starnes Show," Fritts claimed that he was "called" by God to run for governor and said that his campaign delivers a "chance to uplift Christ as King everywhere I go."
"Some people are offended by that," Fritts said. "Better to be offended and repent than spend eternity in hell."
He also indicated while speaking with Starnes that he would discriminate against Muslims, declaring that he doesn't see Islam as a religion and, as governor, would name "enemies of the United States," Muslim civil rights groups, as "foreign terrorist organizations."
"I think that Islam is not a religion. It's a political movement, and it's a movement by force at the point of a spear or a weapon," Fritts said. "And I think it's incongruent with our U.S. and Tennessee Constitutions, and I think we have [to] first assert that fact."
Fritts claimed that he doesn't see his attacks on Muslims as a threat to religious liberty, saying, "Most take that from this bitter lie that has been told about a separation of church and state. ... [George Washington], Thomas Jefferson, those weren't perfect people, but they did have a Christian worldview, and if we allow that to be dissipated, if we allow ourselves to be silenced by the cancel culture, then what we're doing to our posterity is unacceptable." In a May interview, Fritts also said that he would like to, if possible, wholly ban Islam alongside Buddhism, Hinduism and "other pagan religions."
Even though Fritts lost his primary and Fitzgerald is not expected to win his, both have garnered dedicated cult followings in their states. Their rising political influence points to a dangerous trend where overt, unapologetic Christian nationalists are emerging as mainstream contenders in high-profile elections.
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FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues.
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Original text here: https://ffrfaction.org/unapologetic-christian-nationalist-gubernatorial-candidates-are-named-theocrats/
[Category: Sociological]
Court Sides With Coalition Challenging Latest Efforts to Politicize Homelessness Funding Grants
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, posted the following news release on Aug. 7, 2026:
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Court Sides With Coalition Challenging Latest Efforts to Politicize Homelessness Funding Grants
Court Blocks Latest Unlawful Homelessness Funding Announcement
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Providence, R.I. - A broad coalition of local governments and nonprofit organizations has triumphed in its challenge to the Trump-Vance administration's most recent attempt to disrupt federal funding
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, posted the following news release on Aug. 7, 2026:
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Court Sides With Coalition Challenging Latest Efforts to Politicize Homelessness Funding Grants
Court Blocks Latest Unlawful Homelessness Funding Announcement
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Providence, R.I. - A broad coalition of local governments and nonprofit organizations has triumphed in its challenge to the Trump-Vance administration's most recent attempt to disrupt federal fundingfor people trying to exit homelessness. Although a court had already halted unlawful restrictions on federal homelessness funding, the administration once again attempted to make changes that will kick people out of permanent housing and back onto the streets. The court today ordered the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) to vacate the issuance of its 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), effectively blocking the unlawful weaponization of government funding.
In a filing, in National Alliance to End Homelessness et al v. HUD et al, the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), Crossroads Rhode Island, Youth Pride, Inc., as well as the County of Santa Clara, Calif., King County, Wash., Boston, Mass., Cambridge, Mass., Nashville, Tenn., and Tucson, Ariz. asked the court to stop the implementation of the HUD NOFO for FY 2026 Continuum of Care (CoC) grants - the nation's more than $4 billion program to support efforts to end homelessness.
The court granted the request today, writing, "The Court's review of the record and the parties' arguments reveal that HUD's issuance of the 2026 NOFO violates the [Administrative Procedure Act] based on HUD's failure to engage in the notice-and-comment process required by the [law]."
Today's decision continues a saga that has seen nonprofit organizations triumph repeatedly as they have challenged Trump-Vance administration efforts to unlawfully weaponize federal funding. For years and through multiple presidential administrations, the CoC Program has helped provide the necessary resources for local governments and organizations to fund permanent housing projects for veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals and families with children experiencing homelessness. It has always been HUD's obligation to release these resources in a timely manner through a lawful CoC Program competition NOFO. However, HUD attempted to radically upend this critical program with a FY 2025 NOFO that threatened to push nearly 200,000 Americans into homelessness.
The coalition behind today's successful judicial intervention took legal action to stop the NOFO issued in 2025, and in December 2025, a federal judge granted preliminary relief, which temporarily blocked the administration's attempts to implement the unlawful and unreasonable restrictions that sought to shift funding away from proven solutions to homelessness. Eventually, Congress stepped in and required HUD to renew all existing grants for FY 2025. HUD still has not finalized all of those FY 2025 awards that by now are long overdue, leaving projects without funding and further disrupting the nation's flagship homelessness response program. The court ultimately issued a final decision concluding that last year's NOFOs were invalid.
The 2026 NOFO bears many similarities to the versions the court already determined were unlawful. Without authorization, the FY 2026 NOFO set aside a whopping $1.3 billion - nearly one-third of available funds - for new projects only, despite Congress's command that appropriated funds be available to renew existing projects, and despite the fact that this set-aside guarantees that significant numbers of existing projects will be ineligible for renewal, no matter how effective. Worse, this massive set-aside is earmarked principally for unproven strategies, to the detriment of permanent housing that Congress directed HUD to prioritize. The NOFO additionally attempted to force grantees to agree to comply with requirements that have little to nothing to do with the CoC program - including by committing to adhere to executive orders that, among other things, seek to eradicate lawful diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; reject transgender and nonbinary individuals' identities; and coerce jurisdictions to help with federal immigration enforcement.
Democracy Forward and the ACLU Foundation of Rhode Island represent the coalition of nonprofit organizations in the matter; the National Homelessness Law Center represents NAEH and NLIHC; Public Rights Project represents the cities of Boston and Cambridge, King County, Nashville, and Tucson; and Santa Clara County represents itself. The Lawyers' Committee for Rhode Island represents all plaintiffs. The legal team at Democracy Forward on this matter includes Kristin Bateman, Madeline Gitomer, Christine Coogle, Carrie Flaxman, and Robin Thurston.
Plaintiff and co-counsel quotes regarding today's decision are available here (https://democracyforward.org/news/press-releases/statements-court-sides-with-coalition-challenging-latest-efforts-to-politicize-homelessness-funding-grants/).
Read today's decision here (https://democracyforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NAEH-v-HUD-II-MSJ-Opinion-8.7.26.pdf).
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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.
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Original text here: https://democracyforward.org/news/press-releases/court-sides-with-coalition-challenging-latest-efforts-to-politicize-homelessness-funding-grants/
[Category: Political]
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: Reporting Reveals Big Tobacco Threatened Spain With Multibillion-Dollar Suit to Block Lifesaving Plain Packaging for Cigarettes
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids issued the following statement on Aug. 7, 2026, by Smita Baruah, executive vice president of global tobacco control:
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New Reporting Reveals Big Tobacco Threatened Spain with Multibillion-Dollar Suit to Block Lifesaving Plain Packaging for Cigarettes
Investigative reporting from Spain has revealed that the world's largest tobacco companies including Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco threatened the Spanish government with a multibillion-dollar lawsuit if the country moved forward with plans to require plain packaging
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 -- The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids issued the following statement on Aug. 7, 2026, by Smita Baruah, executive vice president of global tobacco control:
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New Reporting Reveals Big Tobacco Threatened Spain with Multibillion-Dollar Suit to Block Lifesaving Plain Packaging for Cigarettes
Investigative reporting from Spain has revealed that the world's largest tobacco companies including Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco threatened the Spanish government with a multibillion-dollar lawsuit if the country moved forward with plans to require plain packagingon cigarettes. The alarming report reveals once again that tobacco companies will stop at nothing to protect cigarette sales and derail measures that save lives.
According to El Pais, Mesa Del Tabaco, a tobacco association formed in part by Philip Morris and comprised of the world's leading tobacco companies, was behind the threats to the Spanish government. The Spanish government has since backed down on plans to implement standardized packaging for cigarettes.
Pioneered more than a decade ago by Australia, plain packaging requires that cigarettes be sold in packs of uniform size, color and shape and prohibits any branding or content used by the tobacco industry to make cigarettes look appealing. Nearly 30 countries have since followed Australia's lead and require plain packs. Evidence shows that the measure is highly effective and is recommended as part of effective implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco packaging and increase the noticeability of health warnings.
Tobacco giants like Philip Morris claim to be "moving away" from cigarettes, yet the latest news from Spain shows this couldn't be further from the truth. The reality is that tobacco companies leave no stone unturned in efforts to protect and drive cigarette sales. The news from Spain also follows reporting from The Guardian which found Philip Morris has launched a new global ad campaign to boost sales for Marlboro cigarettes - a far cry from a company concerned with health.
For years, tobacco companies have tried to have it both ways - they claim to be concerned with health, while working tirelessly to sell a product that kills up to half of all its users and is responsible for more than 7 million deaths each year.
Spain should not only move forward with its plans for plain packaging, but should do so knowing that tobacco companies have lost every single court challenge they have mounted against this measure. In the face of such blatant tobacco industry interference, governments must stand strong and continue implementing measures that reduce tobacco use and create a healthier future for all.
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Report link: https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-08-04/las-tabacaleras-amenazaron-al-gobierno-con-pedir-indemnizaciones-multimillonarias-si-aprobaba-el-empaquetado-generico.html
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Original text here: https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/press-releases/2026_08_07_new-reporting-reveals-big-tobacco-threatened-spain-with-multibillion-dollar-suit-to-block-lifesaving-plain-packaging-for-cigarettes
[Category: Political]
