NATIONAL HEADLINES

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Click here to read about how a Massachusetts judge ruled on Monday in favor of medical organizations in their litigation against Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over several of his changes to federal vaccine policy.  District Judge Brian Murphy temporarily blocked changes to the childhood vaccine schedule that were made at the beginning of this year, in which Kennedy reduced the number of recommended shots from 17 to 11. 

While still battling Iran, President Donald Trump on Monday said he thinks he will have the “honor” of “taking Cuba,” speaking during an executive order signing at the White House.  “Whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office with Vice President JD Vance standing behind him. “They’re a very weakened nation right now.”  Click here for the full story.  

Ten days into the U.S. war with Iran, Americans are starting to feel the economic fallout as oil and gas prices soar.  Gas prices skyrocketed to a national average of $3.47 on Monday, up nearly 50 cents from last week, according to data from AAA. Plus, oil prices on Monday surpassed $100 a barrel for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 before falling lower later in the day.  President Donald Trump has dismissed the higher cost, telling ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce it's "a little glitch."  Click here for more on this story.  

Click here to read about how the spotlight is now on Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin as the Oklahoma lawmaker is poised to take over the Department of Homeland Security following Kristi Noem's controversial tenure and firing on Thursday.  Mullin, 48, has no law enforcement experience but has been a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump's policies on immigration and law enforcement.

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales dropped his reelection bid for his Texas congressional district on Thursday, after admitting to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.  "After deep reflection and with the support of my loving family, I have decided not to seek reelection while serving out the rest of this Congress with the same commitment I've always had to my district," Gonzales said in a statement on X that did not directly mention the scandal that has dogged the three-term congressman in recent weeks.  Click here for the full story.  

2/1/26 was the deadline for all US Citizens to have a "Real ID" seal on their drivers license.  Now, if you don't have it, you will have to pay an extra fee when you travel by air.  Click here for full details.