News for February 18, 2026

Jay Bhattacharya will serve as acting CDC director while staying on as NIH director until President Trump names a permanent replacement.

Kevin Hassett, the White House’s top economist, called for discipline against Federal Reserve economists after a study found U.S. consumers and businesses are paying almost all of Trump’s new tariffs.

FDA leaders Dr. Marty Makary and Dr. Vinay Prasad say the agency will usually require only one strong study to approve new drugs, replacing its long-standing two-study standard.

A U.S. immigration judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi after ruling its evidence was not properly authenticated.

President Donald Trump’s administration is being sued over its rollback of a major climate rule that had linked greenhouse gas emissions to harm to human health.

Miami is drawing tech money and famous founders, but the article says it is becoming more of a rich-person hub and control center than a true Silicon Valley rival.

The U.S. military said it struck three alleged drug boats in Latin American waters, killing 11 people, as President Donald Trump’s anti-cartel campaign expanded.