95.1 The Bee

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to ever lead the U.S. House of Representatives, announced Thursday that she will retire from Congress at the end of her current term. Pelosi’s announcement marks the end of a four-decade tenure in Congress, representing San Francisco since her first election in 1987. The 85-year-old Democrat’s term officially concludes on January 3, 2027.

Pelosi said in a nearly six-minute video posted on X: “I want you, my fellow San Franciscans, to be the first to know. I will not be seeking reelection to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative.”

In her message, Pelosi reflected on her deep ties to her district and her enduring optimism for its future. “As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power. We have made history. We have made progress. We have always led the way. And now we must continue to do so by remaining full participants in our democracy, and fighting for the American ideals we hold dear.”

Born Nancy Patricia D’Alesandro in Baltimore in 1940, Pelosi grew up immersed in politics. Her father, Thomas D’Alesandro Jr., served as both a congressman and mayor of Baltimore, while her brother later held the same mayoral office. After moving to California with her husband, Paul Pelosi, whom she met at Georgetown University, she became deeply involved in Democratic organizing, eventually chairing the state party before winning a special congressional election in 1987.

Pelosi became the first woman elected Speaker of the House in 2007,  and the first in 70 years to reclaim the gavel after losing it (returning to the post in 2019). Over 19 years as the Democratic leader, Pelosi guided her party through defining moments, and was known for her ability to unite fractious Democrats and steer landmark legislation through razor-thin margins. Colleagues often cited her unmatched political skill and relentless discipline.

Pelosi’s decision comes just days after the passage of Proposition 50, a California redistricting initiative she championed alongside Gov. Gavin Newsom. The measure, which passed with 63% of the vote, could yield Democrats additional congressional seats in future elections.

Pelosi has also remained an influential figure behind the scenes — advising younger lawmakers, fundraising for Democrats, and helping guide major political decisions. Last year, she played a pivotal role in persuading President Joe Biden to withdraw from his reelection campaign after a damaging debate performance, helping pave the way for Vice President Kamala Harris’s nomination.

Democrats across the country praised Pelosi’s service and influence. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called her an “iconic, legendary, transformational figure,” while President Joe Biden hailed her as the “best Speaker of the House in American history,” adding, “when I was President, we worked together to grow our economy, create millions of jobs, and make historic investments in our nation’s future. She has devoted much of her life to this country, and America will always be grateful.”

Former President Barack Obama credited Pelosi for her central role in passing the Affordable Care Act, calling her a “master legislator.” Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added, “There will be so many things to say about the legendary Nancy Pelosi’s transformational tenure in Congress—but for now, let’s start with ‘Thank you, Madam Speaker.’”  California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Pelosi “has inspired generations and set the standard for what public service should be.”

In her farewell message, Pelosi added that “American Democracy is majestic — but it is fragile. Many of us here have witnessed its fragility firsthand — tragically, in this chamber. And so, Democracy must be forever defended from forces that wish it harm.”

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The Trump administration announced Thursday a sweeping agreement with pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk aimed at dramatically lowering the cost of popular GLP-1 drugs used to treat obesity, diabetes, and other related health conditions. The deal is set to benefit millions of Americans, including Medicare and Medicaid patients, through the upcoming TrumpRx prescription program.

With GLP-1 drugs currently revolutionizing treatment for obesity and metabolic diseases, the Trump administration’s deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk marks one of the most significant public-private healthcare agreements in recent years — one that could reshape how millions of Americans access life-changing medications.

Speaking from the Oval Office, President Donald Trump hailed the announcement as a landmark moment for U.S. healthcare. “This is a triumph for American patients that will save lives and improve the health of millions and millions of Americans,” Trump said, thanking the drugmakers for reaching the agreement after months of negotiations.

Under the new plan, patients who purchase GLP-1 injectables such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro through the TrumpRx platform will pay about $350 per month starting in January, with the price expected to fall to around $250 over the next two years for those paying fully out-of-pocket. For patients covered under Medicare, the monthly co-pay will be $50, with the new pricing expected to take effect by mid-2026. Officials said the TrumpRx platform will allow Americans to buy medications directly from manufacturers, bypassing traditional insurance systems. Daily pill versions of the GLP-1 drugs — pending FDA approval — are projected to start at $149 per month for initial doses.

The Trump administration expects TrumpRx to launch by the end of the year, giving consumers access to lower-cost medications directly from manufacturers. Medicaid participation will depend on state opt-in timelines, but federal officials expect most states to join.

The new pricing model could make the drugs accessible to a broader range of patients, particularly those with severe obesity or obesity-related complications. Currently, most Medicare and Medicaid plans do not cover weight-loss drugs unless linked to other health conditions, leaving many patients paying more than $1,000 a month out-of-pocket.

Under the new structure, lower prices will initially be available to Medicare patients who meet certain medical criteria, including:

• A BMI over 27 with prediabetes, heart attack, or stroke history;
• A BMI over 30 with kidney disease or other chronic conditions;
• A BMI over 35, which classifies as severe obesity.

Administration officials estimate roughly 10% of Medicare patients will qualify at first. The program could save the government an estimated $170 billion over time through reduced obesity-related healthcare costs.

“This is not about losing weight — this is about making America healthy again,” one senior official said. “We’re talking about preventing strokes, kidney disease, and other deadly complications.”

The deal marks another step in the Trump administration’s “most-favored-nations” initiative, which seeks to ensure Americans pay drug prices comparable to those in other developed countries. The agreement follows an executive order signed earlier this year directing federal agencies to pursue such deals to lower medication costs.

Eli Lilly CEO David A. Ricks called the announcement “a pivotal moment in U.S. health care policy and a defining milestone for Lilly,” adding that the company remains committed to expanding obesity treatment access. Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said the agreement will “bring semaglutide medicines to more American patients at a lower cost,” noting that the drug’s FDA-approved uses already span obesity, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, and cardiovascular risk.  Both companies are preparing to release new GLP-1 pill versions next year, pending regulatory approval.

Negotiations between the Trump administration and the drugmakers reportedly took months to finalize. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed that the discussions were “intense but productive,” emphasizing that the new pricing framework was built to be sustainable for both taxpayers and the private sector. Health experts note that roughly 40% of Americans are considered obese, making access to affordable treatments a major public health priority. The administration has also signaled plans to complement the initiative with efforts to promote healthier diets and increase physical activity in schools and the military. “There is nothing more important we can do than lower this price,” Kennedy said.

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The death toll has risen to 12, with dozens others injured, after a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening, igniting a massive fire and leaving widespread destruction in a nearby industrial area.

According to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, the plane’s three crew members, in addition to nine others who have not yet been identified, are among the deceased.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, said at a press conference that one of the victims is believed to be a young child,  and the Jefferson County Coroner is at the scene attempting to determine the identities of the victims, but said that will be “a little more difficult” due to the condition of the bodies. Two individuals who were hospitalized still remain in critical condition.

Officials said Wednesday that the left engine of the plane caught fire during takeoff and immediately detached.  National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman said that investigators have recovered the cockpit flight recorder and the flight data recorder, in hopes of finding out more about the accident.  Inman said that “the plane lifted off and gained enough altitude to clear the fence at the end of runway 17 R. Shortly after clearing that fence, it made impact with structures and the terrain off of the airport property.”

The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter carrying about 38,000 gallons of fuel, went down around 5:15 p.m. local time shortly after takeoff, bound for Honolulu. Video footage showed one of the plane’s engines on fire moments before it crashed, triggering multiple explosions and a blaze that took more than six hours and 100 firefighters to extinguish.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, three crew members were aboard UPS Flight 2976, with the crash tearing through two nearby businesses — Grade A Auto Parts and Kentucky Petroleum Recycling — both located just beyond the airport’s perimeter. The recycling facility’s petroleum products may have fueled the explosion.

Sean Garber, who owns Grade A Auto Parts & Recycling, said four of his company’s 18 buildings were destroyed and that about 20 people were inside when the plane hit. “There was a huge ball of fire and massive multiple explosions occurring all around and obviously people running and screaming,” Garber said, adding that some employees “had to jump out windows” to escape.

Officials said at least 15 people were taken to hospitals across the city. University of Louisville Health reported that two remain in critical condition with burns and blast injuries. “As of this morning, 13 of those patients have been discharged,” spokesperson Heather Fountaine said.

Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency to speed aid and recovery efforts, noting that roughly 200 law enforcement officers and 18 fire departments responded to what he described as a “blazing inferno.” “There is a significant amount of resources in the search and rescue and, ultimately, what is probably by now the recovery effort that is occurring,” he said.

A temporary shelter-in-place order was issued within a five-mile radius of the crash but was later reduced to a quarter mile. About 135 homes and businesses in the area lost power. One nearby restaurant, Stooges Bar and Grill, narrowly escaped damage and has been assisting recovery crews.

Operations at the airport were halted Tuesday evening but resumed Wednesday morning with delays. “TSA screening remains ongoing this morning for departing passengers,” the airport said, advising travelers to monitor flight updates. Airport CEO Dan Mann reported that about 12% of flights were canceled.

Rep. Morgan McGarvey, who represents Louisville, said, “I’m heartbroken that we’ve now lost at least nine people in last night’s tragic plane crash. Please join me in lifting up their loved ones and all who are still waiting on news.” He described the aftermath as “apocalyptic,” with debris, fire, and smoke engulfing parts of the city.

UPS, headquartered in Louisville, said in a statement: “We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers.”

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration plan to continue the investigation into the crash.

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The Supreme Court appeared skeptical Wednesday of President Donald Trump’s sweeping use of emergency powers to impose global tariffs, questioning whether the president overstepped constitutional limits by bypassing Congress.

The justices heard nearly three hours of arguments over Trump’s reliance on the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a law meant to address national crises, to levy tariffs on a wide range of imports. The outcome could carry major implications for American consumers, businesses, and presidential authority for decades to come.

Under the Constitution, Congress holds the exclusive power to set taxes and duties. Trump, however, used IEEPA— which allows presidents to “regulate” imports during an emergency — to justify tariffs of up to 34% on China and 25% on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, citing the flow of fentanyl as an “extraordinary threat.” Lower courts ruled against him, saying the law does not grant such tariff powers.

Chief Justice John Roberts, a pivotal conservative voice, questioned whether Trump’s actions crossed into congressional territory. “The imposition of taxes on Americans has always been the core power of Congress,” he said, later noting that tariffs “reach into the pockets of the American people” much like taxes. Justice Elena Kagan added, “It has a lot of actions that can be taken under this statute. It just doesn’t have the one you want.”

Solicitor General D. John Sauer, arguing for the administration, insisted the levies were “regulatory tariffs, not taxes,” and that any revenue collected was incidental. Still, several justices — including conservatives — pressed him on whether such an interpretation gave the executive branch unchecked control.

Justice Neil Gorsuch voiced concern about “the gradual but continual accretion of power in the executive branch and away from the people’s elected representatives.” He even asked whether a future president could use the same logic to impose tariffs under a climate change emergency. “It’s very likely that can be done,” Sauer replied, prompting Gorsuch to quip, “I am sure you would.”

Some conservatives, including Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, and Samuel Alito, stated that Trump’s view that emergency statutes must be broad enough to let presidents respond swiftly. “Isn’t it the very nature of an emergency?” Alito asked. Barrett, however, also questioned the potential chaos if the court were to strike down the tariffs, asking how refunds — possibly tens of billions of dollars — would be handled.

For Trump, the stakes are immense. “If a President was not able to quickly and nimbly use the power of Tariffs, we would be defenseless, leading perhaps even to the ruination of our Nation,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Economists warn that the tariffs have raised costs for consumers — with some estimates suggesting U.S. families are paying about $1,700 more annually — and small businesses say they’ve been disproportionately burdened. An NBC News poll recently found that 63% of voters think Trump is falling short on his economic promises, many of which centered on lowering prices through tariffs.

If the Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s IEEPA-based tariffs, the government could face massive refund claims from companies that paid them. However, other tariffs imposed under separate trade laws would remain intact.

The case, brought by small businesses and a coalition of states, is being fast-tracked, and a decision could come within weeks. However the justices rule, the verdict will redefine the balance of power between Congress and the presidency — and determine how far future leaders can go in wielding emergency authority to shape the U.S. economy.

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