The economy takes center stage this week in more ways than one. President Donald Trump heads to northeastern Pennsylvania on Tuesday to tout his economic policy, even as nearly two-thirds of respondents in a recent NBC survey say he hasn’t delivered on his promise to bring down costs. Back in DC, the Federal Reserve will announce its final interest-rate decision of 2025 on Wednesday. Economists expect a Christmas cut after the government’s latest jobs report. And here in Brooklyn, I’m digging into this viral holiday gift rule as we roll into gift-giving season. Now, let’s get to the news…
— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY
What's Happening
US News
A Shot in the Dark
What’s going on: One of the first things your newborn gets — besides a name and a swaddle — may see a major change. A CDC advisory panel voted to reverse a 30-year recommendation that all newborns receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. The new guidance says pregnant women who test negative for hepatitis B should consult with their doctor about the timing of their child’s first shot, suggesting they wait until the baby is at least two months old (when routine infant vaccination begins) if they skip the birth dose. The panel, appointed by Health Secretary (and vaccine skeptic) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted 8-3 on Friday. The decision still needs sign-off from the CDC’s acting director, who usually follows the panel’s recommendation. Experts warn the move could leave some babies vulnerable and note 90% of infants who catch hep B develop chronic infection.
What it means: This recommendation could shape doctor guidance and insurance coverage. Right now, many major plans say they’ll keep covering the vaccine through 2026. Hep B can spread during childbirth or through contact with infected blood or fluids (like saliva), and 70% of people who have it don’t know. That means your baby could catch it from anyone in their orbit — whether it’s people holding them, feeding them, or dropping off a casserole in those messy, sleep-deprived early days. If you’re pregnant, ask your OB or midwife whether you’ve been screened. If you haven’t, the shot’s quick, and the CDC has recommended it for little ones for decades. And if coverage shifts, talk to your doctor to figure out the best way to keep your baby protected.
