In what is being described as an unprecedented legal battle, some of the most respected medical associations in the United States have filed a federal lawsuit against key leaders in the Trump administration’s health team, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The lawsuit, filed on Monday in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, accuses the administration of restricting access to COVID-19 vaccines and undermining public confidence in vaccines nationwide.

The plaintiffs include the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America, American Public Health Association, Massachusetts Public Health Association, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, as well as a pregnant physician who fears being denied a vaccine under the new policies.

Our clients are not litigious organizations. They don’t want to be in court… but it’s necessary,” said Richard Hughes, lead counsel for the plaintiffs.
“This is a position no one wanted, but we’re watching the foundation of vaccine access erode in real time.

What Triggered the Lawsuit?

The lawsuit focuses on new policy decisions made by Kennedy and other administration officials that limit who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. The changes, plaintiffs argue, were made arbitrarily and without medical justification.

The named defendants in the case include:

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS Secretary
• Dr. Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner
• Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, NIH Director
• Matthew Buzzelli, Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

According to the complaint, Kennedy also fired 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replaced them with seven handpicked members, some of whom have publicly questioned vaccine safety and efficacy.

In their first meeting, the new committee reportedly said it would re-evaluate even well-established vaccine recommendations, including those for measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox—raising alarms among mainstream medical professionals.

Pediatricians cannot stay silent as the system we rely on to support lifesaving vaccines is chiseled away, piece by piece,” said Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, at Monday’s press conference.

A Blow to Pregnant Women and Children?

One of the most emotionally charged elements of the lawsuit is the story of a pregnant physician, included as an anonymous plaintiff, who now fears she will be unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to the administration’s eligibility changes.

The plaintiffs argue that denying vaccines to vulnerable groups—especially pregnant individuals and children—could lead to life-threatening consequences, increased hospitalizations, and a loss of public health protections won over decades.

If the Order is left in place,” attorneys for the ACLU noted, “children will face numerous obstacles… including stigma, ineligibility for federal programs, and potential arrest, detention, or deportation in the event of future mandates or border crossings.

What the Lawsuit Seeks

The plaintiffs are seeking both preliminary and permanent injunctions to block the implementation of the vaccine policy changes, and a declaratory judgment that labels the changes unlawful under administrative law standards.

The complaint claims Kennedy’s team acted “arbitrarily and capriciously,” failing to follow established scientific protocols and regulatory processes in altering vaccine recommendations.

Political Backlash and Public Concern

The White House has not issued an official response, but Kennedy’s allies argue the move is part of a broader effort to increase transparency and re-evaluate vaccine schedules with parental input and individual medical freedom in mind.

But critics, including a wide range of scientists and public health experts, warn that this approach is fueling vaccine hesitancy, reviving debunked conspiracy theories, and putting millions at risk.

As legal proceedings unfold, all eyes will be on the courts—and whether science or politics will ultimately guide the future of vaccine access in America.

In a raw and emotional video shared on Instagram, former UFC star and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren delivered a jaw-dropping update on his health following a double lung transplant and a terrifying battle with pneumonia.

I only died four times the ticker stopped for about 20 seconds each time. That’s not ideal the 40-year-old fighter said with unsettling calm.

Askren, known for his grit inside the cage and quirky persona outside it, was hospitalized in his home state of Wisconsin after developing pneumonia triggered by a staph infection. What followed was a brutal medical ordeal that nearly took his life—multiple times.

The former Bellator MMA and ONE Championship titleholder revealed that he had no memory from May 28 to July 2. “I just read through my wife’s journal. It’s like a movie. It’s ridiculous,” he said.

I was on a scale yesterday, 147 pounds. I haven’t been that since I was 15. I lost 50 pounds in 45 days.

Despite the grim circumstances, Askren’s sense of humor and fighting spirit remain intact. He shared that he’s slowly regaining strength and relearning how to use his body. For a man who once dominated opponents with relentless wrestling, this new battle is perhaps the toughest of his life.

“It Was Like I Had My Own Funeral

In a tear-jerking moment, Askren expressed deep gratitude to the wrestling and MMA communities, saying, “The outpouring of love was like I got to have my own funeral… while I was still here.

The love was widespread. Fighters, fans, and Olympians across the world sent messages of support, making it clear how deeply Ben Askren is respected in and out of the octagon.

From Olympic Mats to Global Cages

Askren represented Team USA in wrestling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before transitioning to MMA. His rise was meteoric—he won the Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament, defended his title four times, then moved to ONE Championship, where he also claimed welterweight gold.

Askren entered the UFC in a historic trade deal involving Demetrious Johnson, winning his debut against Robbie Lawler before retiring in 2019 after losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia.

What’s Next for Funky

Now, Askren isn’t thinking about comebacks—but about community. “I’m more motivated than ever to get back and help where I can… I love you guys. This has been tough—not just for me, but for my whole family.

He hinted at the possibility of sharing a detailed story later with his wife Amy. For now, fans are just grateful he’s still here.

North Carolina consumers are being urged to check their produce as a major Class I recall has been issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over a potentially deadly listeria contamination in a massive shipment of organic blueberries.

According to the FDA, 12,000 pounds of blueberries produced by Alma Pak International, a Georgia-based packaging company, have been pulled from distribution after routine testing revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen that poses a grave threat to public health — particularly to pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system.

A Dangerous Discovery

The blueberries in question were packed in 400 30-pound boxes and shipped to a single unnamed distributor in North Carolina, though the precise identity of the distributor remains undisclosed by the FDA. This has raised concern among consumers and grocers across the state as it remains unclear how many retail stores or supermarkets may have received the potentially contaminated fruit.

The recall was initiated on June 9, after Alma Pak received positive listeria test results from finished products during a routine inspection.

In a statement posted on its website, the FDA classified this as a “Class I recall,” the most serious category, indicating “a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

What Is Listeria and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a potentially fatal infection. While healthy individuals may experience only short-term symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, and diarrhea, listeria can result in miscarriages, stillbirths, or life-threatening infections in newborns. Invasive listeriosis has a mortality rate of around 20-30%, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In an outbreak scenario, it can take weeks or months for symptoms to emerge, making early detection and product tracking crucial. Because listeria survives at refrigerator temperatures, even washing or freezing the berries does not neutralize the risk.

Who Is at Risk in North Carolina?

The recall affects one customer in North Carolina, but with no details about how the blueberries were redistributed, the potential reach is wider than initially assumed. Local markets, health food stores, and even online retailers could be unknowingly selling these berries to consumers right now.

FDA has not disclosed whether any illnesses or deaths have been reported so far, but given the severity of the classification, the agency is urging consumers, wholesalers, and retailers to stay vigilant.

If you suspect you purchased the affected blueberries, you are advised to:

• Check the label for packaging origin (look for Alma Pak, Alma, Georgia).
• Dispose of the product immediately if suspected.
• Sanitize all surfaces and storage containers that came in contact with the fruit.
• Contact the store or vendor from which the blueberries were bought.

Alma Pak Responds

Alma Pak International, a family-owned business known for its organic fruit packaging, has yet to release a public statement addressing the recall. Founded in Alma, Georgia, the company supplies berries to various national chains and independent distributors.

Despite the company’s silence, industry experts believe the contamination may have occurred during the final packaging phase — a point where bacteria can thrive in moisture-rich environments if not handled with strict food safety protocols.

Recalls Are Rising: A National Food Safety Wake-Up Call

This blueberry recall comes amid a growing concern about food safety standards in the U.S. Just in the last few months, the FDA and USDA have reported numerous recalls involving everything from bagged salads to deli meats, many of which were linked to the same bacteria — listeria.

“This isn’t just a random incident,” said Dr. Elaine Porter, a microbiologist and food safety expert at UNC Chapel Hill. “We’re seeing a pattern. Facilities handling raw, organic produce must elevate their cleanliness and inspection standards. The cost of complacency is literally lives.”

What Happens Next?

The FDA continues to investigate the extent of the contamination. Meanwhile, food safety advocates are calling for greater transparency from distributors, improved tracking technology for produce, and mandatory recall notifications in stores and online platforms.

For now, consumers are advised to stay updated through the FDA Recall Portal and to report any symptoms of listeriosis to their healthcare provider immediately.