What's Happening

US News

Deadly New Year's Day Attack Shakes New Orleans

What's going on: In the early hours of New Year’s Day, a 42-year-old man deliberately drove his truck at a high speed into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, LA. The attack killed at least 15 people, according to the New Orleans coroner. More than 35 others were injured. The FBI is investigating the incident as an “act of terrorism.” The suspect was killed following a shootout with local officers, and the FBI has since identified him as a US citizen from Texas who served in the army for a decade. Officials said they found an Islamic State flag and “potential” homemade explosives in the suspect's truck. Federal authorities added that they do not believe the suspect was “solely responsible,” and are working to identify his possible associates.

Tell me more: The New Orleans Police Department superintendent said it’s unclear how many victims were tourists, but “it seems the majority are locals.” Some of the victims include a former Princeton football star, an aspiring nurse, and a single mother. This incident is raising concerns over the city’s safety measures, especially with the Super Bowl set to bring tens of thousands of fans next month. The NFL said it’s “deeply saddened by the news,” but is confident in its security measures. New Orleans was in the middle of repairing its bollards (vertical posts made of concrete or steel to protect pedestrians) ahead of the football game. In anticipation of the New Year’s Eve crowds, the city put patrol cars and other barriers in place, but the attacker was able to drive around them.

Related: One Dead and Several Injured After Cybertruck Explodes Outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas (CNN)

Health

How Harmful Is Alcohol Consumption, Really?

What's going on: As officials around the globe warn about the dangers of drinking alcohol, even in small amounts, a new scientific review is challenging that consensus by suggesting alcohol could actually be good for us in moderation. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's latest findings brought back a theory that was once popular: moderate drinking is linked to lower rates of stroke, heart attack deaths, and overall mortality, compared to not drinking at all. But if you’re breathing a sigh of relief as you continue to recover from your New Year’s Eve festivities, maybe hold that thought. Some experts claim the alcohol industry may have influenced the results, according to The New York Times. One doctor noted: “There are hundreds of studies finding increased risks of cancers at low levels of drinking. They’re saying there’s no evidence, but they excluded the relevant evidence.”

What it means: The review is expected to help shape the next edition of the US Dietary Guidelines, which are revised once every five years. The current US guidelines say that women can safely have up to one drink a day and men up to two. However, they also acknowledge that “emerging evidence suggests that even drinking within the recommended limits may increase the overall risk of death from various causes...” Now, some scientists are raising concerns that the updated guidelines may fail to adequately address these health concerns. The review does acknowledge an increased risk of breast cancer associated with moderate drinking (it said there wasn’t enough evidence to link moderate drinking to other cancers, though The National Cancer Institute disagrees). As one expert noted: “This report is a thinly veiled effort to undo the growing evidence that alcohol causes cancer and is increasingly associated with serious health outcomes.” 

Related: How To Break Up With Alcohol (Self)

Politics

Crunchy Moms Went For Trump — Will They Get What They Want?

What's going on: Ah, “crunchy moms” — some say they’re the new Tradwives, taking over our FYPs and maybe even our politics. At their most cliché, they can be kombucha-drinking, essential oil-peddling helicopter parents who crusade against food dyes and bring bananas to a child’s birthday party because their kids aren’t allowed to have cake. Crunchy moms aren’t a monolith, but many believe they’re simply embracing a holistic, natural, eco-friendly way of living and raising children. However, in recent years, some of these parents have also become associated with the anti-vaccine movement, “health freedom,” and #MAHA, shifting to the right. This particular brand of crunchy mom tends to support RFK Jr. In fact, some say their allegiance to him played a role in securing President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. 

What it means: RFK Jr. has been lobbying the Senate, and most pundits believe he’ll be confirmed to run the Department of Health and Human Services. Does that mean the crunchy moms pulled off a coup this election cycle? Not exactly. Some crunchy types posted about how they felt betrayed by a picture of Trump, RFK Jr., and other prominent Republicans feasting on McDonald’s on a private plane. RFK Jr.’s views also appear to be at odds with some of Trump’s other Cabinet picks and those in his inner circle. For instance, Elon Musk and RFK Jr. are on opposing sides of the ongoing “Ozempic Wars.” Similarly, those in the administration representing the interests of farmers may be able to outbid RFK Jr. and his army of concerned parents in debates over topics like corn syrup. In other words, some say the crunchy moms who went all in on Trump thanks to the #MAHA movement might have counted their chickens before their pasture-raised, organic eggs hatched.

Related: Well, We Finally Got Data on the Possible Link Between Microplastics and Cancer (WaPo Gift Link)