Good Morning!

It's Friday, June 27, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• SCOTUS allows states to cut off planned parenthood from Medicaid funds.

• Anna Wintour steps down as Vogue’s editor-in-chief after 37 years.

• Quick feel-good fix of oxytocin is possible (even without hugs).

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SCOTUS Allows States To Defund Planned Parenthood From Medicaid

In a 6–3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that Planned Parenthood and one of its patients cannot sue South Carolina for cutting off Medicaid funds to the group. The court held that the federal Medicaid statute doesn’t authorize such private lawsuits. The ruling stemmed from a 2018 directive by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who sought to defund abortion providers, stating: “Payment of taxpayer funds to abortion clinics, for any purpose, results in the subsidy of abortion and the denial of the right to life.”

The plaintiff in this case was seeking contraception, not an abortion, but the justices focused on legal standing — not abortion access. Critics argue the decision undermines Medicaid’s guarantee that patients can choose any qualified provider who accepts it. The decision, though specific to South Carolina (where abortion is already banned after six weeks), sets a precedent for GOP-led states like Texas and Arkansas. A similar national proposal is now advancing in Congress.

The case centered on whether the Medicaid Act’s “free choice of provider” clause lets beneficiaries sue states for blocking access to preferred, qualified providers. Planned Parenthood, which says it has served over 50,000 South Carolina Medicaid patients this year, vowed to keep two clinics open.

RFK Jr’s CDC Panel Sets Vaccination Tone

A new advisory panel appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voted to scale back recommendations for flu vaccines containing thimerosal — a preservative long and falsely linked to autism. The vote marks a major shift in U.S. vaccine policy, aligning with Kennedy’s anti-vaccine stance. Kennedy had ousted all 17 previous members and installed eight new ones, many with vaccine-skeptical views. “We came to this meeting with no predetermined ideas,” the panel stated. What is Thimerosal?

Experts say the change undermines decades of public health work. “This meeting has been devastating to watch,” said Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, who resigned from the CDC. Dr. Cody Meissner, the lone dissenter, warned: “The risk from influenza is so much greater than the nonexistent risk... from thimerosal.” Why are millions of children at risk as uptake in vaccination stalls?

The committee still endorsed flu vaccines for all over 6 months. Most no longer contain thimerosal. Several panelists questioned FDA-approved vaccines, appeared unaware of CDC programs, and possibly violated public meeting rules. RSV antibody clesrovimab was narrowly approved, despite unverified concerns raised by panelist Retsef Levi. Some panelists also downplayed the season’s 250 pediatric flu deaths. Experts called that number high and likely underreported. Is Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism having it’s full-circle moment?

Related Read: U.S. pulls out of global vaccines group.

U.S. Economy Shrunk Faster Than Expected

First-quarter GDP was revised down to a 0.5% annualized contraction — the first economic shrinkage in three years — surprising economists. The decline was driven primarily by a 37.9% surge in imports, the fastest since 2020, as businesses and households rushed to buy foreign goods ahead of potential Trump-imposed tariffs. Imports alone dragged GDP down by nearly 4.7 percentage points.

The Commerce Department had previously estimated a 0.2% decline. Core GDP, which excludes exports, inventories, and government spending, rose 1.9%, down from 2.9% in Q4 2024 and below the earlier 2.5% estimate.

Thursday’s revision also reflected weaker consumer spending, especially in recreation and transportation, along with lower private investment — together shaving 0.6 percentage points off GDP. Economists expect a rebound in Q2, projecting 3% growth. The first April–June estimate is due July 30. The Fed has lowered its 2025 growth forecast to 1.4%, in line with the World Bank’s latest outlook.

Click-Worthy

🚫 Thailand set to recriminalize cannabis, shaking $1 billion weed industry.

🧠 Turns out, you don’t always need hugs for feel-good fix of oxytocin.

💉 UK probes pancreas risks after hundreds report weight loss jab issues.

🏙️ Are cities really not meant for mothers?

🚀 Elon Musk might be removing hashtags from this X feature.

🌞 Why does Summer without booze feel long, sweaty – and exhausting?

🔥 Watch: Fireball seen shooting across U.S.

👵 Older adults now outnumber children in almost half US counties.

🇮🇷 Khamenei says U.S. didn’t do “anything important” nuclear sites; Iran dismisses nuclear talks resumption.

💰 Americans slashed debt by 24% but what about generational gaps?

The Style Edit

🧶 Crochet is having a hot-girl summer moment — flirty, breathable, and anything but granny-coded in today’s fashion spotlight.

👗 Summer skirts are thriving: playful ruching, bold prints, and unexpected textures that transform a simple outfit into vibrant style statements.

The Fame Frame

🛑 Brad Pitt’s LA home ransacked by burglars.

👋 Anna Wintour exits Vogue as editor-in-chief but will retain (some) control.

🎶 Sabrina Carpenter releases new ‘approved by god’ album cover amid backlash.

⚖️ Diddy trial: Closing arguments set in.

🚨 Syrian teen charged in foiled ISIS-inspired plot at Taylor Swift concert.

The POV Club

“The online ‘manosphere’ poses a real threat to society.”

“How Trump upended 60 years of civil rights in two months.”

Go. See. Do.

📺 Watch | Best TV shows of 2025 so far.

✈️ Tips | From finding best deals to getting over jet lag — everything you need to travel.

🧖‍♀️ Learn | How to tighten your neck skin.

🍤 Cook | Smoky shrimp salad with chorizo for a weeknight win.

"You’re allowed to outgrow versions of yourself that no longer fit."

— Cleo Wade