By Nate Raymond
Aug 18 (Reuters) - A former adviser to infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci pleaded guilty on Tuesday to conspiring to evade public records laws and conceal government documents related ‌to grant research funding and the COVID-19 pandemic.
David Morens, who had worked under Fauci as a ‌senior official at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during the pandemic, entered his plea to a conspiracy charge during a hearing in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland.
The 78-year-old had been indicted in April on charges related to what prosecutors said was a scheme to thwart public records requests received by the agency beginning in April 2020 related to COVID-19 research grants.
He faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on November ‌12.

#fauci #infectious #records #Research

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A former senior adviser to infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci pleaded guilty Tuesday to plotting to conceal federal records related to research on the origins of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. David Morens is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 12 by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Greenbelt, Maryland. Morens pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government, a felony punishable by a maximum prison sentence of five years.
"By pleading guilty today, Dr. Morens has taken responsibility for what he did, and he will continue to do so," defense attorney Tim Belevetz said in a statement after the plea hearing.
Morens is accused of using his private email account to intentionally circumvent public records laws while employed at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The Justice Department alleges that he concealed or destroyed records of discussions related to COVID-19 research grants, including an effort to revive a controversial coronavirus grant.
The indictment follows a probe by House Republicans into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic that scrutinized Morens' email communications and accused him of intentionally concealing records. In congressional testimony, Morens denied attempting to evade federal transparency laws by using his personal email.

#records #guilty #infectious #pleaded

Becton, **** inson and Company (BDX) develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products. Valued at $50.5 billion by market cap, the company offers solutions that help advance medical research and genomics, enhance the diagnosis of infectious disease and cancer, improve medication management, and promote infection prevention.
Shares of this global medical technology giant have underperformed the broader market over the past year. BDX has gained 19.6% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied nearly 20.4%. However, in 2026, BDX stock is up 20.2%, surpassing the SPX's 13.7% rise on a YTD basis.
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#medical #billion

O.J. Brigance valiantly endured amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, for 19 years. On Monday, the Baltimore Ravens announced Brigance's death. He was 56 years old.
"We are devastated by the awful news that we have lost O.J. Brigance," Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in a statement, per ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "O.J. was a beloved legend, mentor, and man to everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. His infectious smile and the inspirational way he lived and played endeared him to everyone he touched, both inside our building and across this city. This is a tremendously sad day for Baltimore."
Brigance won the Grey Cup with the Baltimore Stallions in 1995 before beginning his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins in 1996. The linebacker only spent the 2000 season with the Ravens, but he made it count, winning Super Bowl ***** V.
Brigance finished his playing career with the then-St. Louis Rams and New England Patriots before retiring after the 2002 season. Upon retirement, Brigance joined the Ravens' front office. Even as a Super Bowl champion, his lasting impact on the Ravens came in the years he served in his player engagement role.
Brigance received his devastating ALS diagnosis in 2007. In 2013, having already outlived his prognosis, CBS Sunday Mornings featured Brigance and his life with ALS.

#Career

Dr. Anthony Fauci on Friday declined a request to appear voluntarily before a second Senate panel after majority Republicans on the Homeland Security Committee voted along partisan lines last week to hold the longtime infectious disease expert in contempt.
In a pointed letter to Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, a lawyer for the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said any effort to compel him to appear before a Senate subcommittee, after a contentious July 29 hearing, would be to "impermissibly harass or degrade Dr. Fauci for political purposes."
During the July hearing on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 100 times, prompting the Aug. 6 contempt vote and setting up a referral to the Justice Department for potential investigation over whether he had properly exercised his constitutional rights.
Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, the committee chairman who pressed for the contempt finding, said the constitutional protection did not apply because Democratic President Joe Biden had issued a preemptive pardon to Fauci, and he did not need to be concerned about potential prosecution.
Paul has long accused Fauci of misleading the public during the pandemic and the July hearing was the latest episode in his highly publicized confrontations with him. Paul has repeatedly called for Fauci to be prosecuted and imprisoned.

#contempt #senate #republican

The Chiefs return to action on Saturday, with their first preseason game of 2026. They have a long way to go to get back to where they were, not all that long ago.
One key difference between last year and this year is the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
After being away from camp for two weeks following the shooting of his wife, Mia, Bieniemy is back — and tight end Travis Kelce thinks the Chiefs will be better for it.
"Intensity is the first thing," Kelce told reporters this week. "And that intensity is infectious. Makes you want to scream 'motherfuck' at everybody doing the wrong thing. And I love that ****** . That's one of my favorite things about him. I don't think there's enough of that in the world, let alone in this building, and I think E.B.'s one of those guys where his accountability is gonna ****** you off. But if you treat it the right way and you act the right way, respond the right way with it, you're gonna become better of it, and it's gonna make the team a better team because of it. And it's one of those things that I think we really missed here in Kansas City."
Bieniemy's return could be the kick in the ****** the Chiefs need, in order to get them back to the top of the division, the top of the conference, and perhaps the top of the league.

#think

WASHINGTON (AP) — Public health experts have been quick to condemn an executive order from President Donald Trump aimed at upending childhood vaccinations in the U.S., but the biggest obstacles may be the unprecedented financial and logistical challenges it would impose on parents, health providers and drugmakers.
Monday's announcement by the Republican president calls for separating combination shots — including the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine — into separate injections. Appointments for that and other vaccinations should be ****** ed out whenever possible, the order states.
To accomplish that, drugmakers would need to revive a slate of individual vaccines that have not been widely used in the U.S. for decades. They would also have to build new manufacturing plants capable of producing millions more vaccine doses than the nation currently uses.
For parents, unbundling the MMR vaccine and ****** ing out the shots would mean returning to the doctor's office many more times than is currently needed. Those appointments could also strain pediatricians who typically administer the shots, while driving up costs tied to syringes and other medical supplies.
Studies in the U.S. and other countries have shown that combination vaccines increase the likelihood that children will be fully protected from infectious diseases before starting school.

#shots #Health #order #vaccinations

As the death toll from the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) surpasses 2,000 people, infectious disease experts say Americans should remain aware of the humanitarian crisis overseas while understanding the reality of domestic risk.
The virus has spread rapidly across parts of eastern and northeastern DRC, with earlier cross-border cases in Uganda. Published government data shows a total of 4,381 confirmed cases.
"There's a lot of people who live there. So this is not breaking out in a town of 50, but in rural cities of hundreds of thousands," David Wohl, M.D., a professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told Fox News Digital.
Fauci Texts Suggest Officials Were 'Too Slow To Pivot' Amid Pandemic, Says Dr Marc Siegel
"Compared to previous outbreaks, the pace at which this is moving is unprecedented," he went on.

#infectious #ebola #congo

Josh Harrison Retires as a Pirate: Why Former All-Star Remains Fan Favorite in Pittsburgh originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For nearly a decade, Josh Harrison was not only one the most reliable, versatile players for the Pirates, but also a true fan favorite in Pittsburgh.
Known for his infectious energy and smile, Harrison was a key piece of the group that was able to snap the Pirates' streak of 20 consecutive losing seasons and reach the playoffs. He will be honored for his contributions when he officially retires as a member of the organization on Aug. 7.
And that's not all. Harrison will throw out the first pitch on Aug. 8 before the Pirates face the Mets. There will also be a Harrison T-shirt giveaway to the first 20,000 fans at PNC Park.
"Throughout his career, Josh Harrison embodied what it means to be a Pittsburgh Pirate: a gritty, hardworking player, a great teammate and a kind person who was always gracious with his time," Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said. "He was and remains a cherished member of our organization.

#josh #favorite

It's a special day for Marcus Thuram, who celebrates his 29th birthday today. The French forward, who joined Inter in the summer of 2023, marks his fourth birthday as a Nerazzurri player.
Pace and power, technique, flair and an eye for goal – Marcus possesses all the attributes of a complete forward, capable of adapting seamlessly to the team's needs. From holding up the ball to stretching defences, from intricate link-up play to aerial prowess, long-range strikes and instinctive finishes inside the box, Tikus can do it all. His qualities have made him one of the cornerstones of Inter's attack, a key figure in the dressing room and one of the Club's most popular players, combining his infectious smile with a relentless competitive spirit.
In his first season in Nerazzurri colours, he was one of the driving forces behind Inter's march to the Second Star, famously finding the net in the Scudetto-clinching Derby. Last season, he played a pivotal role in the Club's Double-winning campaign, scoring 13 Serie A goals, including a number of crucial strikes during the decisive stages of the ***** le race. Year after year, Thuram has continued to grow into one of the defining figures of the Nerazzurri. He has made 140 appearances for the Club, scoring 51 goals and providing 32 ***** ists, while lifting two Serie A ***** les, one Coppa Italia and one Supercoppa Italiana.
Born in Parma on 6 August 1997, Marcus celebrates his 29th birthday today. Happy Birthday, Marcus, from everyone at Inter!

#marcus #thuram #Inter #celebrates

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers' explosive ESPN appearance on the Pat McAfee show has led to a strong response from Dr. Anthony Fauci's lawyer.
The prime of the COVID-19 pandemic is over half-a-decade behind the world now, but the fractures in social discourse from that traumatic time remain.
Sports stars like Aaron Rodgers embraced controversial stances such as doubting the vaccine advocated by the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Rodgers criticising Dr. Fauci again in 2026 has ruffled some feathers.
After Rodgers' recent appearance on ESPN's 'The Pat McAfee Show,' where he called Dr. Fauci a 'coward,' David Schertler, the doctor's attorney, responded with a simple but blunt message.

#mcafee #anthony

President Donald Trump's war against Iran could sure use a shot in the arm, so "Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon riffed thusly on Monday:
"Trump held a Cabinet meeting over the weekend at Camp David to discuss the situation in Iran. I'm not saying they're out of ideas, but the best option they came up with was pinning the war on Dr. Fauci."
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Fauci, the former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director who guided America through the COVID-19 pandemic, was subjected to GOP attacks during a hearing last week that "Morning Joe" star Joe Scarborough dismissed as "sheer political theater."
Earlier, Fallon cracked wise on the Justice Department's admission that the Reflecting Pool's damage wasn't caused by vandalism, as Trump has claimed, but by shoddy work.

#fallon #fauci #donald #show

Hollywood is no stranger to meteoric rises and quiet retreats. Over the decades, certain stars have become household names only to vanish from the limelight, leaving fans wondering where they've gone. Take a look at these 11 iconic actors who captivated audiences, made unforgettable marks on the industry, and then faded, whether for a break or a bold new chapter.
MEGA
Julia Stiles, once the face of smart teen romances and dramatic favorites, turned heads on the red carpet, showing she still has the poise and style that made her famous. After unforgettable roles in classics like 10 Things I Hate About You, she embraced quieter projects and TV work, stepping back from mainstream blockbusters. In the 1999 film, a Seattle-set teen retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, Stiles played the sharp-tongued Kat Stratford opposite Heath Ledger, according to HuffPost. Her recent appearances rekindled nostalgia and underscored her ability to enchant in any era.
Mike T / AFF-USA.com / MEGA
Dana Carvey, beloved for his stint on Saturday Night Live and his comedic chops in Wayne's World, brought joy to audiences for decades. He spent seven seasons on the sketch show between 1986 and 1993, crafting some of its most memorable characters, including the Church Lady and Hans, as reported by Deadline. He later pulled back from the spotlight after undergoing a series of heart operations, choosing instead to focus on family and stand-up work, per TV Insider. Fans cherish his appearances, which always come with a dose of humor and infectious positivity.

#mega #fans #unforgettable

"The Pat McAfee Show" aired live from Pittsburgh Steelers training camp on Monday with regular guest Aaron Rodgers joining the host for an interview. The Steelers quarterback is entering what he has said will be his final season before he retires from the NFL. With that in mind, McAfee began the interview by asking Rodgers, "Is everything better? Is everything funner? is everything more awesome?"
Rodgers responded to that question by saying, "I'm pleading the fifth." As McAfee laughed, Rodgers then launched into a personal attack on Anthony Faucci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who was the subject of a contentious congressional hearing last week.
MORE: Aaron Rodgers says he battled flu-like illness before Steelers' wild-card loss to Texans
"Like that absolute coward Tony Faucci," said Rodgers. "Absolute coward. Are you kidding me? You got a pardon and your in front of the and you pleaded over 100 times? At the White House? What are you scared of Tony? I thought you were the science. I thought you… I am science? And how much did the network spend on that? How much time did they spend on my responses every week? On my vaccination status? On Taylor and Travis's wedding? Did they do even a minute? Did they do even a minute on Tony Faucci? No, I bet they didn't."
Rodgers also questioned McAfee about ESPN's coverage of the Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel story. McAfee's responses varied from laughter to "my network?" All-in-all, a great couple minutes of content to appear on ESPN if you're writing about sports media.

#everything

He was the president of the Immortals, the Invincibles and the Amazing Ones. He oversaw **** les, Ballon d'Or wins and records. He was a president full of life, with AC Milan at heart. The Rossoneri fans loved him, his sporting opponents respected him. Silvio Berlusconi and his helicopter, Silvio Berlusconi and his vision.
He planned and brought together squads with a wealth of options so as to compete on all fronts, he desired and dreamed of playing attacking football at home and away, and he always held to the idea that one's opponent is an integral part of sport. He never made himself an enemy of anybody but was a fierce competitor, who required his opponents to be at the top of their game. He was not to be beaten with clenched fists. His vision of football was a game pleasing to the eye and soul, not dedicated to madness and violence. He always showed others that this was the way. He was the Presidentissimo of Italian football.
"Silvio, Milano loves you". That was the welcome from the fans that greeted him 37 years ago, when AC Milan were suffering, languishing, at risk of a worse fate. And he responded with that courageous, infectious smile. He made a lot of significant and very brave investments. He smiled in victory and in defeat. He brought first-place and podium finishes to AC Milan, though he was always gracious when the **** le went elsewhere.
Now, it's time for the great, unforgettable Cavaliere to take his final journey. On either side of the path, there will be a guard of honour from fans and directors, from coaches and players. His father Luigi will be waiting up there for him, as will Rosa, his mother. They will already be receiving him with a warm embrace and telling him how football fans are applauding him. No ifs, no buts, no maybes. Everyone united in applause, just as he would have wanted. Silvio, you are still loved here.

#silvio #Milan #fans #berlusconi

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith said Thursday that former White House chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci should have answered lawmakers' questions during the hostile Senate hearing earlier this week instead of invoking his Fifth Amendment rights.
Smith argued that Fauci owed the public an explanation after serving as the face of the nation's COVID-19 response.
"As it strictly pertains to the coronavirus pandemic, my attitude is, with you being the face that you have been, you can't show up on Capitol Hill and plead the Fifth 111 times," he told NewsNation's Chris Cuomo. "You just can't do that. That's not right. You've got to answer some questions."
During a three-hour hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Fauci pleaded the Fifth 111 times as Republicans blasted him over his handling of the pandemic and accused the doctor of covering up the U.S.'s involvement in gain-of-function research that could have caused the spread of the virus.
Smith acknowledged that Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly 40 years, may have had a legitimate legal reason to remain silent — pointing to a pardon he received from former President Biden on his final day in office for potential offenses between Jan. 1, 2014, and Jan. 19, 2025.

#smith

Charlamagne Tha God said Dr. Anthony Fauci came across as "suspicious" and only made "conspiracy theorists" happy with his Senate hearing, where he invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times.
On Thursday's The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne found himself a little less supportive of Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, than his co-hosts.
"Y'all don't think it's fishy that he got a pardon? Why did he need a pardon?" Charlamagne asked at one point.
The radio host said Fauci's refusal to answer any questions was "suspicious" and he dismissed the idea that the longtime health official could be "trapped" if he didn't do anything wrong.
Charlamagne said:

#pardon

TMZ founder Harvey Levin defended Dr. Anthony Fauci against a right-wing "witch hunt" after congressional Republicans grilled him about private diary entries from the COVID era that were leaked by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Monday.
Opening his nearly five-minute statement saying he rarely uses TMZ to "vent personal feelings," Levin told viewers, "Watching Anthony Fauci before a congressional hearing taking the Fifth Amendment is just one of the most heartbreaking things I have seen in government in my lifetime."
While Levin said he did have problems with the way that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "handled COVID," he added that he didn't think it was done "maliciously" but out of an abundance of caution.
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He went on to call Fauci, who served as the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022 before stepping into the role of chief medical adviser to the president in 2021, an "amazing public servant" for decades, noting how the work he did during the AIDS crisis of the late 80s and early 90s "really saved lives."

#fauci #covid #republicans

A 4,000-year-old disease often ******* ociated with biblical times is making a slow but steady comeback in one U.S. state.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is an illness many often relegate to the history books. Florida, however, has recorded 17 infections this year as of July 18, according to state health data. Of the 174 cases recorded nationwide in 2025, 36 occurred in the state, including 27 that were contracted locally rather than abroad.
Hansen's disease affects up to 225 people in the United States and 250,000 globally every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While most cases are contracted abroad, the agency notes that Southern states have reported illnesses not linked to travel that were "likely contracted from armadillos."
In the past decade, roughly 223 cases were recorded in Florida, the majority of which occurred in Brevard County. Central Florida, specifically, appears to be a recurring hotspot, accounting for 81% of state cases and almost one-fifth of nationally reported cases, according to research published in the CDC's journal Emerging Infectious Diseases in 2023.
While it appears a pattern has emerged, scientists aren't entirely sure why. The same 2023 report concluded that an increase in leprosy infections in non-foreign-born residents that "lacked traditional risk factors" indicated that the disease is probably now endemic in parts of the United States, with one cited case in a landscaper raising questions about environmental exposure.

#disease #states #year #according

Dr. Anthony Fauci ran point as the COVID-19 explainer-in-chief under two different administrations, steering policy and messaging on the virus that rattled the country and world for years.
But there is one thing in all of his media appearances, profiles, interviews and congressional hearings that Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., contended Fauci never said that he was sorry.
"I mean, I'd like to hear him say he's sorry," Paul said. "Can he say he is sorry for funding — the research was dangerous research in China? Almost everybody agrees with that."
Exclusive: Biden Pardon Won't Shield Fauci If He Lies To Congress, Comer Says
Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, arrives to testify before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic at the Rayburn House Office Building on June 3, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

#sorry #China

TMZ
Sen. Rand Paul's (R-KY) attacks against Dr. Anthony Fauci are a "heartbreaking" callback to McCarthyism, TMZ's Harvey Levin said Wednesday after Paul chaired a highly contentious Senate hearing with Fauci.
Fauci's hearing was marked by dozens of instances of the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases pleading the Fifth Amendment, something Levin immediately referenced.
"Anthony Fauci before a congressional hearing taking the Fifth Amendment is just one of the most heartbreaking things I have seen in government in my lifetime, and this is something we need to reckon with," he said. Levin also said he has "problems with how the CDC handled COVID," but that doesn't justify what's happening.
Fauci's years as a "dedicated public servant" go back decades, he added.

#fauci #heartbreaking

Some actresses are known not just for their talent but also for their unforgettable smiles. Whether they're on the red carpet, in a hit movie, or giving an interview, their smiles have become part of what makes them so recognizable.
Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / MEGA
Gina Rodriguez's vibrant smile is the heart of her magnetic presence, both on-screen and off. Whether stealing scenes or winning awards, the Jane the Virgin alum radiates infectious joy and positivity that have made her a fan favorite.
Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / MEGA
Julia Roberts became a Hollywood icon with starring roles in Pretty Woman, My Best Friend's Wedding, Notting Hill, and Erin Brockovich. Her bright smile has been one of her signature features for decades and is just as recognizable as many of the characters she's played.

#whether #xavier #agency #recognizable

Former Charlotte Hornets big man Kai Jones has gained some social media traction this week for his off-court actions, and not for the first time. On this occasion, though, it is not for anything controversial. Not unless you are easily offended by footwear choices and excessive amounts of ****** ons.
A clip shared on social media showed Jones celebrating at his own wedding reception, enthusiastically throwing himself with his new wife into a choreographed dance routine that seems both cheesy and kind of heartwarming. Complete with synchronised moves, exaggerated arm swings, a sharp white suit and an infectious smile throughout, Jones looked like he was having the time of his life. Which, when at your own wedding, you probably should.
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The Hornets are Finally Fun Again
Offseasons can drag, even the good ones. And with the bulk of the offseason movement now done, things in and around basketball will slow down for the next two months. There are only so many workout montages, over-analysis of cryptic captions, discussions about LeBron James's purported love of helicopters and reminiscing about the likes of James Michael McAdoo and Flip Murray that anyone can stomach before a full-blooded slightly corny wedding dance feels like genuine entertainment.

#Media #dance #like #former

Entries from early 2020 in a now-exposed personal diary kept by Dr. Anthony Fauci during the COVID-19 pandemic show that he privately estimated the death rate from the illness was significantly lower than what he told Congress under oath only weeks later.
Fauci, 85, has come under intense scrutiny for years regarding his approach leading the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic, and his alleged links to the Chinese lab where the virus originated. He will return to Capitol Hill on Wednesday before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to speak about his newly publicized personal records.
"The stated mortality over all of this when you look at all the data including China is about three percent. It first started off as two and three," Fauci said in testimony before the House Oversight Committee on March 11, 2020, according to a transcript of the hearing.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci prepares to testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on November 4, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Senators questioned Fauci and other witnesses about the approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for children between 5 and 11 years old this week.
Legacy Media Ignores Massive Anthony Fauci Document Release Alleging He Misled Congress On Covid Origins

#senate #capitol

Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman had plenty of praise for one of his new hires to the staff.
In a recent interview with On3 (subscription required), Freeman was very vocal about the instant impact that Aaron Henry has made since he was brought onto campus at South Bend as the new defensive backs coach. He called Henry's presence "infectious" and pointed towards the easy fit he has had alongside defensive coordinator Chris Ash.
Aaron Henry was the defensive coordinator at the University of Illinois but even then he fit the type of profile that Freeman looked for in a coach: High-energy, a great recruiter and someone who was proven on the defensive side of the football.
At Illinois, he built his reputation as one of the best developers of defensive backs in the country. Players like Devon Witherspoon, Kerby Joseph, Quan Martin, and Sydney Brown can all be credited at least in part with being developed by Henry. It seems like it is just a matter of time before Witherspoon will sign a new contract with the Seattle Seahawks and become the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. He started as a defensive backs coach at Illinois before eventually being promoted to defensive coordinator when Ryan Walters was hired as the head coach at Purdue.
Henry did not decide to come to Notre Dame blindly. He has a long-established relationship with Chris Ash. He previously played for Ash at Wisconsin and then coached under him at Rutgers. The familiarity with Ash prompted Henry to say the Notre Dame opportunity was a "natural fit."

#freeman

Becton, **** inson and Company (BDX) develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products. Valued at $42.6 billion by market cap, the company offers solutions that help advance medical research and genomics, enhance the diagnosis of infectious disease and cancer, improve medication management, and promote infection prevention. The global medical technology giant is expected to announce its fiscal third-quarter earnings for 2026 before the market opens on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Ahead of the event, **** ysts expect BDX to report a profit of $3.14 per share on a diluted basis, down 14.7% from $3.68 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company has consistently surpassed Wall Street's EPS estimates in its last four quarterly reports.
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#ahead

It has been a strange year for the U.S. stock market. The S&P 500 ($SPX) is up about 10% so far, but most of that gain has come from just 23 stocks, mainly in AI and energy. The rest of the market has barely moved. When gains are this concentrated, it often makes investors cautious and pushes them toward safer, dividend-paying stocks.
One name standing out in that shift is Merck & Co. (MRK). The stock is up 19% year-to-date (YTD), beating the S&P 500's 10% return over the same period. Moreover, Merck pays a steady quarterly dividend of $0.85 per share, which works out to a yield of about 2.68% at current prices.
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So if investors are rotating into safer names and Merck is already ahead, what is driving this performance, and can it last? Let's take a closer look.
Merck & Co. is one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world, focused on developing medicines, vaccines, and biologics, with strong positions in cancer treatment, infectious diseases, and animal health.

Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) is one of the 10 Best Performing American Stocks in June 2026.
On July 7, 2026, RBC Capital raised the firm's price target on Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) to $45 from $38 and kept a Sector Perform rating on the shares as part of a broader Q2 earnings preview for biotech. RBC said the biotech sector has gained considerable momentum, helped by strong data expanding innovative ***** es and perceptions of improving FDA flexibility and stability. The firm added that Q2 earnings are shaping up to be seasonally strong, with multiple opportunities for beats and continued M&A activity.
On June 26, Piper Sandler raised the firm's price target on Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) to $77 from $69 previously and kept an Overweight rating on the shares.
Copyright: nexusplexus / 123RF Stock Photo
On June 25, Moderna announced research and early development updates at its Science Day event. The company said it is balancing near-term growth with long-term innovation, supported by its four approved products, infectious disease launches, geographic expansion, and late-stage pipeline opportunities, including investigational intismeran autogene therapy and propionic acidemia therapeutic. Moderna also said its Scientific Intelligence Engine uses data, AI, and machine learning, automation, and robotics to accelerate discovery and improve operations.

Vaxcyte Inc. (NASDAQ:PCVX) is one of the 8 Hidden Multibagger Stocks to Buy Now. On June 18, Mizuho Securities ******* yst Salim Syed reiterated a Buy rating on Vaxcyte Inc. (NASDAQ:PCVX) with a price target of $163. The firm's price target reflects a significant 180% upside from current levels.
Earlier on June 16, PCVX announced an update regarding its ongoing clinical study. The company is conducting an early-stage clinical trial of VAX-A1, a vaccine designed to protect against Group A strep infections. The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of VAX-A1 in healthy young adults. The trial is testing three different dose levels of the vaccine against a placebo. It is administered via muscle injection and is designed to support the immune system.
If the trial shows positive results, the vaccine could allow the company to enter a new market for preventing Group A strep infections. This could boost investor confidence in the company and support the stock's valuation. However, disappointing results could increase concerns about the program and shift attention toward larger vaccine competitors such as Pfizer and GSK.
Vaxcyte Inc. (NASDAQ:PCVX) is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company that develops conjugate and novel protein vaccines to prevent or treat bacterial infectious diseases. The company develops a variety of vaccines, and its major candidate is VAX-24. The company was formerly known as SutroVax, Inc. and changed its name to Vaxcyte, Inc. in May 2020. It was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in San Carlos, California.
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Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is one of billionaire Cliff Asness' top 10 healthcare stock picks. On June 25, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) announced the commercial launch of the Dual Energy THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF (DE STSF) Platform in Europe. That means the platform is now commercially available to electrophysiologists across the EMEA region for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation.
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The company said that the platform is the first of its kind to combine two distinct energy sources in a single catheter-based solution. It combines radiofrequency (RF) and pulsed field (PF) energy to allow physicians to switch between the two during the same procedure without having to change equipment. This is clinically significant because RF and PF ablation each have different tissue effects and safety profiles, said Nicolas Derval, M.D., a consultant for Johnson & Johnson based in Bordeaux, France. Derval added that the ability to use both gives doctors more flexibility to tailor treatment to individual patient anatomy and disease patterns.
Johnson & Johnson explained that the platform consists of the DE STSF Catheter, which is an irrigated, contact-force sensing catheter that physically delivers energy to heart tissue. The other half consists of the TRUPULSE Generator, which controls and powers the delivery of both RF and PF energy. The company said the system is fully integrated with its CARTO 3 System, which is an electro-anatomical mapping platform. This combination enables real-time 3D visualization, contact-force feedback, and index-guided ablation during live procedures.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is a healthcare conglomerate. It operates through two segments: Innovative Medicine, which develops and markets prescription drugs in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and infectious disease, and MedTech, which manufactures medical devices for surgery, orthopedics, and interventional solutions.