CDC Panel to Reconsider Newborn Hepatitis B Shot as GOP Holds Deep-Red Seat; Tensions Rise Over Migrant Remarks

What to know today: A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee is preparing to vote on whether to rescind a decades‑old recommendation that newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. Separately, Republicans held a reliably red Tennessee congressional seat in a special election, and President Trump drew sharp criticism for derogatory remarks about Minnesota's Somali community and Rep. Ilhan Omar amid planned ICE activity in the Twin Cities.

CDC vaccine review and the birth dose debate

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the CDC director, will meet this week to consider whether to change long‑standing guidance that has recommended a hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns within 24 hours of delivery. While ACIP guidance is not legally binding and a vote against the birth dose would not ban clinicians from administering it, the committee's recommendations strongly influence insurance coverage and clinical practice.

The birth dose is widely credited with driving a roughly 99% decline in acute hepatitis B infections among children since the early 1990s. Hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth and can cause chronic liver disease or premature death; there is no cure.

A recent analysis by the Vaccine Integrity Project—an independent group convened by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota—reviewed more than 400 studies and reported no evidence that the birth dose causes short‑ or long‑term health problems. That analysis estimated neonatal vaccination has prevented more than 6 million infections and nearly 1 million hospitalizations. The review was not published in a peer‑reviewed journal, and public health officials and outside experts may weigh its conclusions alongside other evidence during the ACIP deliberations.

Separate large reviews also continue to support routine adolescent immunization against human papillomavirus (HPV), finding the HPV vaccine to be very safe and highly effective at preventing cervical cancer.

Politics and elections

In Tennessee, Republican Matt Van Epps was projected the winner of a hard‑fought special election in a district that strongly favored Donald Trump in 2024. Republican groups spent heavily to defend the seat, while Democrats poured resources into an effort to flip it after gains in other states earlier this year. Van Epps, an Army veteran and former state official, ran on conservative themes and pledged continuity with the district's previous representative.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers face a looming deadline before health insurance premiums are set for millions of Americans. Negotiations to blunt premium increases appear to be losing momentum as time runs short.

Immigration, enforcement and presidential remarks

A senior law enforcement official said Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans operations in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area this week; officials said the operation is not explicitly targeting the Somali community but acknowledged some Somali residents who are in violation of immigration laws could be affected.

President Trump made disparaging remarks about Minnesota's Somali community and Representative Ilhan Omar, calling Omar "garbage" and urging Somalis to "go back to where they came from," comments that drew condemnation from local leaders and civil‑rights advocates. The remarks come amid heightened sensitivity around immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities.

Legal, regulatory and other national headlines

• The Justice Department is reported to be weighing whether to seek new indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

• The Trump administration indicated it may withhold SNAP benefits from some states that have refused to provide recipient data requested by the Agriculture Department.

• San Francisco sued 10 major food companies, alleging they marketed and sold ultra‑processed foods while downplaying health risks.

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended a follow‑up military strike on an alleged drug boat by citing "the fog of war." He also received the final report examining his sharing of sensitive military information in a private messaging group earlier this year.

• Illinois state officials warned national rental car companies that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents should not swap assigned license plates to disguise vehicles.

• In Washington, a man accused of fatally shooting a National Guardsman pleaded not guilty to murder and related charges in a virtual appearance.

• In Massachusetts, prosecutors highlighted disturbing internet searches recovered from a suspect's laptop in the case of a missing woman whose body has not been found; the searches were presented as part of the prosecution's evidence.

Culture, safety and consumer news

• A four‑part documentary about music executive Sean "Diddy" Combs highlighted notable moments from his career.

• Pop star Sabrina Carpenter criticized the White House after a video used her song without prior approval.

• Camp Mystic announced plans to reopen next summer with updated safety measures after deadly floods at an all‑girls Texas summer camp earlier this year.

• Philanthropic donors announced significant education and child‑focused commitments; details and implementation plans are being finalized.

• A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and an envoy associated with former President Trump ended without clear progress toward ending the war in Ukraine.

• With the holiday season underway, several shopping guides are available highlighting top gift picks, ongoing Cyber Monday deals, and seasonal recommendations like travel‑friendly lip balms.

Newsletter: Curated by Christian Orozco.