Extra, Extra

Medicare-less: “The White House unveiled the fruits of months of negotiations between the government and pharmaceutical companies: new, lower Medicare prices for 10 blockbuster drugs.” From Biden: “I thank God that in the last three months I’m president of the United States, I was able to finally get done what I tried to get done when I was a young senator.” The deal was announced by Biden and Harris at their first joint public event since the torch was passed.

+ Ketamine Streets: “Three of the defendants, including a doctor, have already pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in connection with this death, while two others — including a second doctor and a woman known as ‘The Ketamine Queen’ who is accused of selling Perry the batch of ketamine that killed him, were arrested on Thursday, according to the Department of Justice.” 5 charged in drug investigation into Matthew Perry’s ketamine death. (These cases seem to move with a very different pace and intensity when the victim is famous.)

+ College Dropout: “Columbia University President Nemat Shafik announced in an email Wednesday that she is stepping down. Shafik is the third Ivy League university president to leave her job following criticism over how she has handled campus protests regarding the Israel-Hamas war.”

+ Poking (or Punching) the Bear: Putin’s regime is built on an appearance of strength. The entry of Ukrainian forces into fortress Russia calls that into question. Ukraine says troops advancing further in Russia, as BBC told UK tanks used in incursion. Meanwhile, Putin’s habit of taking hostages continues. US-Russian woman jailed for 12 years for $51 charity gift.

+ Hush Mush: Trump asks that sentencing in hush money case be postponed until after election. (SCOTUS is like, “Send it up here, we got this…”) And JD Vance and Tim Walz agree to Oct. 1 vice presidential debate. (Millions will be watching from their couches. Maybe that gives Vance a home field advantage?)

+ Meta-stasized: “Meta has been bombarded by academics, researchers, politicians and regulators about a tool called CrowdTangle, which most people probably haven’t heard of. It’s been used to investigate the spread of violence, political disinformation and false narratives on Facebook and Instagram. On Wednesday, less than three months before the U.S. election, Meta is shutting CrowdTangle down.”

+ Give Raygun a Break: “Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn said the backlash she has received since competing at the Paris Olympics has been devastating and asked for privacy for herself and her family and friends.” Some enjoyed it. Others thought it was pretty hilarious. Why does everything need to lead to hate and harassment…