Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Two Measles Cases Emerge In South Carolina After Outbreak Ends
WYFF: Measles Cases Reported In Saluda, South Carolina, After State Outbreak Ends
Two cases of the measles have been reported in Saluda County, South Carolina, about a week after the state's outbreak was declared over. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) said the first case was the result of international travel, and the second case was a known exposure of that case, who had been in quarantine since April 17. (Moore, 5/4)
Yellowstone Public Radio: Wyoming's First Measles Case Of 2026 Confirmed In Fremont County
Wyoming is reporting its first measles case of 2026. A news release from the Wyoming Department of Health on Friday reported a confirmed case of measles in an adult from Fremont County with an unconfirmed vaccination status. (Erickson, 5/4)
More health news from across the U.S. —
CBS News: More Minnesota Farmers Seeking Help To Navigate Mental Health Challenges
The past couple years have been challenging for Minnesota farmers, prompting many to seek help navigating their mental health. When Denise Reeser isn't surrounded by horses at her New Prague farm, she's surrounded by numbers and finances. That's because so much of what she does these days involves helping farmers with cash flow problems. (Lauritsen, 5/4)
CBS News: Michigan Pharmacy Tech Pleads Guilty In $5.6 Million Healthcare Fraud Scheme
A former pharmacy technician working in Metro Detroit pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a $5.6 million scheme to defraud health care insurance programs. Ali Naserdean, 32, of Dearborn Heights, entered his plea on Thursday to one charge each of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and possession with intent to illegally distribute oxycodone, according to the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of Michigan. He will be sentenced on Sept. 1 and faces up to 20 years in prison. (Wethington, 5/4)
North Carolina Health News: Inside Guilford County's Health Care Safety Net For The Uninsured
In Guilford County, having an orange card means an uninsured dad who breaks his hand working around the house can get medical care. It means a self-employed mom who no longer qualifies for Medicaid and can’t afford other insurance can get a mammogram. Having one of those orange cards means that someone who’s living in a tent can see a dentist about an abscessed tooth. (Fernandez, 5/5)
The Baltimore Sun: Mount Airy Targets 2029 Deadline For PFAS Treatment
Mount Airy officials are moving forward with an estimated $8 million plan to remove “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS, from the town’s drinking water system after several wells exceeded federal and state limits. (Yelenik, 5/4)
San Antonio Report: 'Classic Unfunded Mandate': San Antonio School Districts Reveal Costs Of New Seat Belt Requirements
Local school districts say it’s not “financially feasible” to install three-point seat belts on all school buses, even though the state expects them to by the 2029-30 school year. (Garcia, 5/4)
Health news from California —
San Francisco Chronicle: Trump Slashed Scientific Research Funds. A Massive California Bond Could Offset The Cuts
Scientists, doctors, students and patients from across California rallied in Sacramento Monday, calling on state lawmakers to support a $23 billion bond — the largest ever of its kind — to fund life-saving research facing insurmountable instability during the Trump administration. The $23 billion general obligation bond introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco has a long road to approval: It must be OK’d by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in order to appear on the ballot this November, where it would then need a majority of voters’ support. (DiNatale, 5/4)
Politico: Xavier Becerra Unveils His AI Vision For California
Democrat Xavier Becerra is getting serious about tech policy after catapulting into the upper echelon of California’s gubernatorial field. The former Health and Human Services secretary on Monday unveiled an 11-point plan, shared first with POLITICO, that calls for harnessing artificial intelligence in education and government, while implementing guardrails for workers and kids. (Katzenberger and Mui, 5/4)
The Wall Street Journal: One Of California’s Ritziest Beach Towns Has A Problem: A Tsunami Of Raw Sewage
Coronado was "heaven on earth." Then as much as 30 million gallons a day of Tijuana waste turned its legendary beaches into a no-go zone. (Carlton, 5/4)
Los Angeles Times: Suspected Arsonist Behind Palisades Fire Looked Up To Luigi Mangione As Hero, Prosecutors Say
The man accused of starting the Palisades fire, one of the costliest disasters in U.S. history, was motivated by a resentment for the rich and viewed Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive, as a Robin Hood-like figure, according to court documents detailing evidence gathered by federal prosecutors. (Winton, 5/4)
