Today’s briefing highlights new sleep research suggesting ancestral patterns may reshape our ideas of "good sleep," and flags fragile prospects for budget airlines as the summer travel peak approaches. Other top items include a dramatic roller-coaster rescue in Galveston, breakthroughs in inflammation research sparked by a tragic case, bipartisan reforms to clear old criminal records, and Hennessy’s strategy to revive Cognac sales. We also summarize revelations about Scalia’s influence in a Cheney-related Supreme Court matter and concerns about FEMA’s readiness ahead of storm season.
Daily Briefing: Budget Airlines Face a Bumpy Summer, New Sleep Findings, Roller-Coaster Rescue and More
RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post/Getty Images
Welcome to 5 Things PM. New research suggests we may be overcomplicating what counts as “good sleep,” and some scientists say lessons from ancestral sleep patterns could help reset expectations. Below are the day’s most important stories, summarized for a quick read.
Frontier, Spirit and the Budget-Airline Shakeup
No carrier stands to gain more from a potential Spirit collapse than Frontier — but low-cost airlines are collectively exposed as the summer travel season gets underway. Analysts warn the sector faces a turbulent few months as demand, costs and competition collide.
How a Tragic Moment Shaped Inflammation Research
A young neurosurgeon in training was deeply affected when baby Janice died in his arms. That moment changed Dr. Kevin Tracey’s career trajectory and helped spur major advances in our understanding of inflammation.
Bipartisan Push To Clear Old Criminal Records
New laws and nonprofit efforts are simplifying the process to seal and clear old criminal records. The bipartisan initiative is making measurable progress across both red and blue states, easing reentry barriers for many people.
Iron Gate Dam in California. - Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Cognac’s Comeback Plan
After a pandemic-driven boom receded, demand for Cognac has softened. Hennessy — a 261-year-old brand and one of the category’s best-known names — is pursuing strategies to revive sales and adapt to changing consumer tastes.
Life Abroad: One Family’s Move To Germany
Molly Williams says she couldn’t afford the life she wanted for her son in the U.S., so the family relocated to Germany 15 years ago. She calls the move the best decision they ever made, highlighting broader conversations about cost of living and quality of life.
Roller-Coaster Rescue In Galveston
Eight students on a field trip were rescued after a roller coaster stalled about 100 feet above Pleasure Pier in Galveston, Texas. Authorities reported no injuries; the cause of the malfunction is under investigation.
Politics, Courts and Government Preparedness
Former President Trump said talks with Iran were proceeding at a “rapid pace,” despite Iranian state media reports to the contrary. Senate GOP leadership called on the White House to end an “anti-weaponization” fund. Meanwhile, confidential documents reveal Justice Antonin Scalia persuaded colleagues to change course in a case related to Dick Cheney.
Christian Pulisic of the USMNT. - John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images
Inside FEMA and Environmental Wins
An exclusive report details internal power struggles and operational paralysis inside FEMA as the storm season approaches, raising concerns about disaster readiness. On a brighter note, European nations removed hundreds of dams last year, reconnecting thousands of river miles; the U.S. has completed some restorations but faces complex trade-offs.
Sports Brief
The U.S. men’s national soccer team beat Senegal in a World Cup tuneup. Team USA will open the tournament against Paraguay on June 12; Australia and Turkey are also in their group.
We’ll see you tomorrow with more news highlights.
Today’s edition of 5 Things PM was edited and produced by CNN’s Kimberly Richardson and Toni Odejimi. For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com.
Help us improve.
