What's Happening

Politics

It's Officially Official: Trump Picks Sen. JD Vance To Be His VP

What's going on: After months of speculation, former President Trump tapped Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) to be his running mate. The news came on the first day of the Republican National Convention, where Trump made his first appearance — bandaged ear and all — since surviving an attempted assassination. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said the Ohio senator is “best suited” for the VP role. Vance, who’s worked as a venture capitalist and is the author of the best-selling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, hasn’t always been a fan of Trump. In 2016, Vance told NPR that he “can’t stomach Trump” and had described himself as a “Never Trump” conservative. But in 2021, he had a change of heart as he launched his Senate campaign and later received the former president’s endorsement.

What it means: Vance will be a key figure in Trump’s campaign for reelection, with Election Day less than four months away. Supporters say the 39-year-old could help the former president appeal to white working-class voters, especially in battleground states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Vance has already leveraged his Silicon Valley ties to help fundraise on behalf of the Trump campaign, which is receiving the support from billionaires like Bill Ackman and Elon Musk. If the Trump-Vance ticket wins in November, then Vance will be one of the youngest vice presidents in history. Meanwhile, some political analysts say the Ohio senator — who aligns with Trump on major issues like abortion, immigration, and trade — won’t do much to appeal to moderate or independent voters who aren’t sold on the former president.

Related: VP Kamala Harris Says She’s "Prepared" to Debate Sen. JD Vance (Axios)

Politics

A Federal Judge Dismissed Trump's Classified Documents Case

What's going on: Former President Trump got another legal win on Monday when a judge tossed the classified documents case against him. In her 93-page ruling, Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon focused on the “unlawful appointment” of special counsel Jack Smith. In 2022, Attorney General Merrick Garland tapped Smith to oversee the classified documents case against the former president. Cannon said that appointing Smith without Senate confirmation violates the Constitution’s appointment clause and “effectively usurps” Congress’ power. This is the latest in a series of rulings from Cannon favoring 45.

What it means: Many experts believed that the classified documents case was one of the strongest legal challenges against Trump. Cannon’s decision ensures that the former president will not face any trials until after the November election. The Justice Department is already appealing the decision. Additionally, Cannon’s legal reasoning could undo nearly 30 years of precedent. The DOJ has been appointing special counsels to oversee cases (including Hunter Biden’s criminal cases) since the Clinton administration. As for Trump, he said the dismissal of the case “should be just the first step” in tossing out other legal challenges against him.

Related: A Look at Judge Cannon’s Unorthodox Legal Rulings (CNN)

Health

Saving Your Child’s Umbilical Cord Blood Might Not Be Worth It

What's going on: An investigation by the New York Times found that leading cord blood banks in the US have misled customers and doctors about the true benefits of freezing newborns’ umbilical cord blood. The top banks, including Cord Blood Registry and ViaCord, have sold the service to parents by promising that the stem cells could one day treat conditions like cancer, diabetes, or autism. There are over two million cord samples stored in suburban warehouses nationwide, but the report found that the cells are rarely useful. Some customers, who pay hundreds to thousands of dollars to store the cells, have found that their samples are often too small or contaminated when they try to use them.

What it means: The investigation could cause parents to think twice about investing into a cord blood bank. It also raises even more questions about the multibillion-dollar industry and practice that celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Drew Barrymore have touted. Since 2020, only 19 stem-cell transplants using a child’s own cord blood have been reported, according to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research. The New York Times report said doctors rarely use cord blood and rely on adult stem cells instead.

Related: The Top 50 Products That Parents Recommend for Pregnant Women (Glamour)