Groups sue over West Virginia governor's order on religious exemptions for school vaccines
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two groups filed a lawsuit Friday over an executive order by West Virginia Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey granting religious exemptions from required school vaccinations.
The American Civil Liberties Union's West Virginia chapter and Mountain State Justice filed the lawsuit against the state Department of Health, its Bureau for Public Health and agency leaders on behalf of two parents in Kanawha County Circuit Court.
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Forbes
31 minutes ago
- Forbes
Musk Follows Harvard In Biting The Hand That Feeds
Elon Musk and Harvard Both Bite the Governmental Hand that Feeds Them From an early age, children are taught essential lessons: do not play with fire, do not pet strange dogs, and if one cannot swim, stay out of the deep end. Another timeless rule—often forgotten by those in positions of immense wealth and influence—is this: do not bite the hand that feeds you. This lesson, while simple, has profound implications in the real world. It applies just as readily to billionaires and institutions as it does to children on a playground. Yet recent actions by both Elon Musk and prominent academic institutions—most notably Harvard, but also Columbia, MIT, and others—suggest that even the most successful individuals and organizations are capable of ignoring foundational wisdom. Harvard set the tone. Amid growing political scrutiny and a shifting cultural landscape, the university has drawn intense criticism over its handling of campus protests, particularly those involving slogans such as 'from the river to the sea.' The administration's decision to defend even the most controversial speech—widely viewed by many as antisemitic—has triggered investigations and jeopardized billions in tax-exempt status and government research funding. This raises a critical question: is this truly the hill worth dying on? Is preserving the right to controversial protest slogans worth risking Harvard's institutional future? It is doubtful that most students and faculty would knowingly trade funding, grants, and prestige for this fight. Elon Musk, the world's richest man, has now followed suit—this time turning his attention toward President Donald Trump, with whom he has launched a high-profile and personal feud. What makes this move especially striking is that President Trump is not a distant figure or a fading influence. He is once again sitting in the White House, wielding executive authority over regulatory agencies, defense contracting, and infrastructure initiatives—all areas that directly affect Musk's companies. Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI have flourished in part because of government partnership. SpaceX alone holds multibillion-dollar contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. Tesla has benefitted from years of energy subsidies and EV tax incentives. Picking a fight with the sitting president—regardless of personal conviction—puts this entire ecosystem at risk. And again the question must be asked: is this battle worth the damage? Whatever principle Musk may be defending, the consequences extend far beyond himself. Shareholders, employees, and retail investors—many of whom placed their trust and savings in his leadership—are the ones left exposed. The parallel between Harvard and Musk is striking: both have been immensely successful, aided in large part by government funding, favorable regulation, and public goodwill. And both have, for different reasons, chosen to confront the very institutions and leaders that have helped sustain their growth. There is precedent for how this ends. Jack Ma, once the most powerful entrepreneur in China, famously criticized the Chinese government. The backlash was immediate and absolute. His companies were dismantled. His IPO was cancelled. His wealth and influence evaporated almost overnight. Even in less authoritarian systems, the lesson holds: those who antagonize the systems that support them may not survive the consequences. While Musk's personal net worth has dropped from nearly $450 billion to approximately $300 billion, the impact is more symbolic than practical for him. But for millions of investors, employees, and stakeholders, these battles matter. Market volatility, regulatory backlash, and reputational risk all come with tangible financial costs—costs borne not just by Musk himself, but by those who have trusted and invested in his vision. The same applies to Harvard and peer institutions. Their leadership may believe they are standing on principle, but the price of alienating government agencies and key financial backers could reshape the long-term trajectory of these universities. The erosion of public trust, the loss of bipartisan support, and the potential withdrawal of federal funding pose existential threats. Leadership—whether in business or academia—requires more than conviction. It requires judgment, timing, and the discipline to separate personal ideology from institutional responsibility. Founder-led companies often outperform when leaders are focused, visionary, and measured. But when ego replaces strategy, the consequences can be swift and severe. No one is demanding absolute political alignment or silence in the face of controversy. No one is asking Elon Musk to wear a MAGA hat. But his recent actions have been so volatile, so self-destructive, that investors may soon be tempted to hand him something else entirely—a MEGA hat: Make Elon Great Again. In today's polarized environment, the margin for error has narrowed. And for those who owe much of their success to public support—whether in Silicon Valley or the Ivy League—biting the hand that feeds is not just unwise. It is unsustainable. ---------------------------------- Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Please refer to the following link for additional disclosures: Additional Disclosure Note: The author has an affiliation with ERShares and the XOVR ETF. The intent of this article is to provide objective information; however, readers should be aware that the author may have a financial interest in the subject matter discussed. As with all equity investments, investors should carefully evaluate all options with a qualified investment professional before making any investment decision. Private equity investments, such as those held in XOVR, may carry additional risks—including limited liquidity—compared to traditional publicly traded securities. It is important to consider these factors and consult a trained professional when assessing suitability and risk tolerance.
Associated Press
42 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Video shows dolphin calf birth and first breath at Chicago zoo. Mom's friend helped
CHICAGO (AP) — A bottlenose dolphin at a Chicago zoo gave birth to a calf early Saturday morning with the help of a fellow mom, in a successful birth recorded on video by zoo staff. The dolphin calf was born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago early Saturday morning as a team of veterinarians monitored and cheered on the mom, a 38-year-old bottlenose dolphin named Allie. 'Push, push, push,' one observer can be heard shouting in video released by the zoo Saturday, as Allie swims around the tank, the calf's little tail fins poking out below her own. Then the calf wriggles free and instinctively darts to the surface of the pool for its first breath. Also in the tank was an experienced mother dolphin named Tapeko, 43, who stayed close to Allie through her more than one hour of labor. In the video, she can be seen following the calf as it heads to the surface, and staying with it as it takes that first breath. It is natural for dolphins to look out for each other during a birth, zoo staff said. 'That's very common both in free-ranging settings but also in aquaria,' said Brookfield Zoo Chicago Senior Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Langan in a video statement. 'It provides the mom extra protection and a little bit of extra help to help get the calf to the surface to help it breath in those couple minutes where she's still having really strong contractions.' In a written statement, zoo officials said early signs indicate that the calf is in good health. They estimate it weighs around 35 pounds (16 kilograms) and stretches nearly four feet in length (115-120 centimeters). That is about the weight and length of an adult golden retriever dog. The zoo's Seven Seas exhibit will be closed as the calf bonds with its mother and acclimates with other dolphins in its group. As part of that bonding, the calf has already learned to slipstream, or draft alongside its mother so that it doesn't have to work as hard to move. Veterinarians will monitor progress in nursing, swimming and other milestones particularly closely over the next 30 days. The calf will eventually take a paternity test to see which of the male dolphins at the zoo is its father. Zoo officials say they will name the calf later this summer.
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
The Secret to Staying Strong as You Age May be This Type of Workout
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. Essentrics/CNET I've been covering wellness topics for many years, and during that time, I've tested just about every workout that promises better energy, stronger muscles and a "balanced" body". Lately, my attention has shifted from short-term gains to long-term sustainability (how I want to feel and move decades from now). So when I learned about Essentrics, a low-impact workout that promises to build strength, support graceful aging and improve mobility, I was intrigued and wanted to try it out. I took a class with Sahra Esmonde-White, co-founder of Essentrics, at the Free People Movement studio in SoHo, curious about the science behind it and how it can help my body move in the long run. What I found was a rhythmic practice that felt equal parts tai chi, ballet and physical therapy. I left the studio feeling looser and more energized, not depleted or sore like I typically do after traditional workouts. What is the Essentrics workout? Essentrics was created by former professional dancer Miranda Esmonde-White, who developed the method to help people increase their mobility and feel better as they age. Unlike traditional strength training methods that focus on shortening the muscles (known as concentric), Essentrics focuses on eccentric contractions, which lengthen the muscles while under tension. The results are long, lean muscles and increased mobility during everyday movement. "Movement is one of the most powerful tools for aging with strength and longevity. Essentrics blends science with a deep understanding of the body to deliver age prevention in a workout, helping people stay vibrant, pain-free, and empowered to take on any sport or activity at any age," said Sahra Esmonde-White, co-founder of Essentrics. The longevity science of Essentrics One of the benefits of Essentrics is supporting physical longevity. When you practice Essentrics consistently, it activates your muscular system, improves joint health by engaging the connective tissue around them and helps with your balance, all key pillars for healthy aging. Eccentric movements (the foundation that Essentrics is built on) improve muscle strength and may offset the wear and tear on joints. This kind of training can help improve range of motion, prevent injury, and preserve muscle mass and coordination into later years. Nash Addarich Martínez/CNET Another great benefit you get from this type of movement is maintaining your fascia health. Your fascia is the connective tissue that wraps around your muscles and organs. "Healthy fascia is key to a youthful and flexible body. Essentrics is a vital tool in keeping your fascia hydrated and elastic, so you feel stronger, more fluid, and supported as you age," Esmonde-White said. As you age, this connective tissue can become stiff and less elastic. Eccentric movement encourages gentle, dynamic stretching that hydrates your fascia and keeps it nimble, which can result in more fluid body movements as you get older. What is an Essentrics class like? I have three words to describe this class: grounding, graceful and energizing. The class itself is unlike any other workout I've tried. Esmonde-White led me through a series of standing flows, arms sweeps, spinal twists and leg extensions. We didn't use any weights or props, there was no blasting music or high knees. Just a soft-spoken instructor guiding me to "reach," "lengthen" and "reconnect" with parts of our body we often ignore. While it has some movements similar to yoga, the practice in reality feels more like an active stretch while holding tension in different muscles. During the class, there were moments when it felt like dancing underwater, while other times it felt like rhythmic physical therapy. At times, I caught myself effortlessly adjusting my posture and stacking my spine. By the end of it, I didn't feel spent or breathless. I felt gently energized and had a sense of lightness in my limbs. It is one of the few fitness classes I've taken where I didn't feel sore and sweaty afterward. Nasha Addarich Martínez/CNET Who this workout is for Essentrics is the kind of mobility workout that's great for anyone. Whether you're easing back into exercise or looking for something to complement a more rigorous workout. I think this type of movement is best for: Anyone who wants to prioritize longevity : Essentrics is built with long-term joint health, posture and mobility in mind. : Essentrics is built with long-term joint health, posture and mobility in mind. Those who want to build strength without strain : This method builds strength through gentle lengthening movements. It does not include muscle failure or burnout. : This method builds strength through gentle lengthening movements. It does not include muscle failure or burnout. Those recovering from injury : Essentrics is a great option for those rebuilding strength but aren't ready for high-intensity workouts yet. : Essentrics is a great option for those rebuilding strength but aren't ready for high-intensity workouts yet. Older adults or beginners: This type of workout offers modifications and is gentle enough that it doesn't require experience. Where can I take an Essentrics class? If you're curious about Essentrics, you can try it for yourself on the Essentrics TV app. Here, you'll find hundreds of on-demand classes, ranging by different skill levels, from beginner to advanced. You can also find programs tailored to specific goals, like posture and pain relief, and even by age (since you need to prioritize different movements based on your age). A membership with Essentrics costs $14.95 a month or $142.99 a year (the yearly membership will save you around 20%). If you don't want to commit without first trying it out, you can sign up for a 14-day trial. Why I'll keep taking Essentrics classes After just one class, I knew I wanted to keep coming back to this. Not because longevity has become trendy, but because this type of movement feels like a gift to my future self. Whether you're stiff from sitting all day in front of your computer or you're starting to notice subtle shifts in your movement that come with getting older, I think Essentrics is something worth looking into. I'll keep taking these types of classes because they remind me that strength doesn't have to come from strain, and mobility is something you can cultivate with care and kindness to your body. Feeling lighter, more upright and aware of how I move in my day-to-day is something I want to preserve for as long as possible. For me, longevity isn't just about living longer. I's about living better, and this type of movement feels like a practice that truly supports that.
