Fertility Clinic Bombing Investigated as Terrorism

Good morning.

Before we get to today's other headlines, an important story we're following: Former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer, his personal office announced Sunday. Here’s what we know:

• Biden, 82, was evaluated earlier this month after doctors found a prostate nodule during a recent exam. 

• His cancer has spread to the bone, but it’s hormone-sensitive — which doctors say typically makes it easier to treat.

• A spokesperson said Biden and his family are consulting with physicians and weighing several treatment paths, including hormone therapy. 

We’ll continue to monitor the latest developments. For now, let’s get to the rest of the news...

— Marina Carver / Senior Editor / Brooklyn, NY

What's Happening

US News

Fertility Clinic Bombing Investigated as Terrorism

What's going on: A car bomb exploded outside a Palm Springs fertility clinic Saturday morning in what authorities are now calling an act of terrorism. The blast injured four people and killed the suspect. Investigators said 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus specifically targeted American Reproductive Centers and attempted to livestream the attack. No patients or staff were injured, and while the blast destroyed much of the facility, embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) are unharmed. The fertility center website says it helped many in the LGBTQIA+ community create families. The FBI says it has launched “one of the largest bombing investigations” in Southern California history.

Tell me more: This wasn’t just a violent act — it appears to be an ideologically motivated attack targeting a fertility clinic amid an increasingly tense political landscape for reproductive care in America. Investigators are reviewing social media posts by the suspect, including a 30-minute audio clip, that appear to support anti-natalist views (the belief that people shouldn’t have children). Though anti-natalism isn’t typically associated with violence, the FBI said it’s taking these views into account as it determines the suspect’s motive. Attorney General Pam Bondi said: “Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable.”

Related: How 10 Louisiana Inmates Escaped From a New Orleans Jail (CNN)

Immigration

DHS Weighs Reality Show Where Immigrants Compete for Citizenship

What's going on: Will you accept this Certificate of Naturalization? It sounds like a dystopian Bachelor parody, but it could be the plot of a new reality show in which immigrants compete for American citizenship — and yes, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed it’s considering the idea. Behind the pitch? Rob Worsoff, a producer who’s worked on Duck Dynasty and The Millionaire Matchmaker. He wants to make a show where immigrants compete in “challenges” based on American traditions. That could mean working an assembly line in Detroit or panning for gold in California, according to a pitch deck reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Worsoff claims no one will be penalized or deported if they do the show.

What it means: The proposal sparked bipartisan backlash, with critics calling the concept exploitative and cruel. The show idea surfaces as President Donald Trump enforces a tougher immigration agenda and the Supreme Court weighs the future of birthright citizenship. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has embraced publicity tactics for hard-line policies, from memes and videos depicting real deportations to touring El Salvador’s controversial mega-prison. Worsoff, for his part, says he’s not minimizing the stakes for immigrants, adding the show is “not The Hunger Games,” and that “we need to be reminded of how proud and how much of an honor it is to be American.”

Related: Some Dem Governors Eye Health Cuts for Undocumented Immigrants (NPR)

Health

Blood Test for Alzheimer's Gets FDA Clearance

What's going on: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a promising advancement in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease: it has cleared the first blood test that would help diagnose the deadly neurological condition. The test, developed by Fujirebio, is for adults 55 and older who are showing signs of cognitive decline, and detects amyloid plaques in the brain — a key indicator of Alzheimer’s. Clinical trials showed it matched the results of PET scans and spinal taps with over 90% accuracy. The test isn't meant to work on its own — doctors say they'll still need to look at it alongside memory tests and other neurological exams.

What it means: The test is faster, cheaper, and far less invasive than current options, which often require scans or spinal taps. That could help more doctors catch the disease early, especially in underserved communities. The Alzheimer’s Association says the test will also help focus care on prevention and earlier intervention for patients at risk. Many providers already use blood testing. But now, with FDA clearance, it’s likely to become more widely available. It comes at a critical time — more than 7 million Americans over age 65 have Alzheimer’s, according to a new study, and that number is expected to nearly double by 2050.

Related: FDA Approves Novavax COVID Vaccination for Some (CNN)

Tell Us

With prices up and economic uncertainty still lingering, many Americans are rethinking their summer vacation. Are you adjusting yours?

Extra Credit

Watch

Do you need another celebrity food show? Probably not. But if it’s Stanley Tucci eating his way through Italy, we’ll allow it. In Tucci in Italy, the five-part National Geographic series (now streaming on Hulu and Disney+), the actor explores five stunning regions, meeting locals, chefs, artisans — and even cowboys — along the way. Come for the pasta, stay for the soul-searching.

Game Time

Wake your brain up this Monday with a game of Flipart. Just rotate the pieces to fit within the frame and get ready to feel the rush when they all fall into place. Get into it.