Understanding mRNA vaccines and a meteor shower peaks soon

Each week Hot off the Wire looks at a variety of stories in business, science, health and more. This week's headlines include:

• FACT FOCUS: RFK Jr.'s reasons for cutting mRNA vaccine not supported by evidence.
• Harvard scientists say research could be set back years after funding freeze.
• What to know about past meetings between Putin and his American counterparts.
• How Americans' views of racial discrimination have shifted since 2021, according to AP-NORC polling.
• July was Earth's third-warmest on record, EU scientists say.
• Americans get more than half their calories from ultra-processed foods, CDC report says.
• Young adults are less likely to follow politics or say voting is important AP-NORC poll.
• Summer's best meteor shower peaks soon. But the moon will interfere with viewing the Perseids.
• Millionaires multiply across the US, but most find it’s not all mansions and champagne.
• Vice President Vance is not thinking about being the GOP nominee in three years..
• Emmylou Harris and Brad Paisley are headed for Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
• Kamala Harris will release '107 Days,' a behind-the-scenes look at her historic presidential run.
• MLB is calling up its first female umpire, promoting Jen Pawol for Saturday's Marlins-Braves game.
• Hot dog spill shuts down highway in Pennsylvania commuters' wurst nightmare.
• A Mississippi monkey sanctuary helps veterans with PTSD find peace.
• At this summer camp run by grandmas, kids learn cooking skills and life advice.
• 'Fire clouds' over Arizona and Utah wildfires are creating their own erratic climate.
• Fireflies are lighting up summer skies. But the glowing bugs are still on the decline.
• 'Gas station heroin' is technically illegal and widely available. Here are the facts.
• Scientists say they have solved the mystery of what killed more than 5 billion sea stars.
• Scientists in South Africa are making rhino horns radioactive to fight poaching.
• As Trump's sweeping new tariffs take effect, US trading partners scramble worldwide.
• A new immigrant detention partnership nicknamed after Indiana's iconic racetrack inspires backlash.
• A Tunisian musician was detained in LA after living in US for a decade. His doctor wife speaks out.
• New lawsuit on Epstein case seeks records of Trump administration communications.
• California could slash 5 GOP US House seats to counter Texas' move to pad Republican margin.
• Construction on $200 million White House ballroom to begin in September.
• Intel CEO responds after Trump calls for his resignation.
• The reverse migration African Americans relocating to Kenya cite heritage and restoration.
• US is auctioning a seized $325M Russian superyacht with 8 state rooms, a helipad, a gym and a spa.
• Australia bans YouTube accounts for children under 16 in reversal of previous stance.
• Britain's Royal Mail celebrates Monty Python with stamps featuring iconic sketches and characters.
• Denmark zoo asks people to donate their small pets as food for captive predators.
• Why are scientists dressing pigs in clothes and burying them in Mexico.
• Vietnam automaker VinFast opens factory in India, eyeing growth in Asia.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.

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