Brownsville, Texas – November 19, 2024 – Former President Donald Trump attended the sixth launch of SpaceX’s Starship, the largest rocket ever constructed, near Brownsville, Texas. This unmanned launch marks a significant milestone in space exploration. SpaceX was awarded a $2.89 billion contract to design the Starship lander back in 2021, beating out Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.

The massive 30-foot-wide, 397-foot-tall rocket blasted off from SpaceX’s Boca Chica facility on the Gulf Coast at 5 p.m. EST, marking the opening of a 30-minute launch window. Powered by its 33 Raptor engines, the Super Heavy-Starship consumed 40,000 pounds of liquid oxygen and methane fuel per second as it soared over the Gulf of Mexico.

Two-and-a-half minutes after liftoff, the Starship’s six Raptor engines ignited to continue the climb to space while the Super Heavy booster separated and began its return to the launch site. However, due to an issue with the rocket or the capture mechanism, flight controllers diverted the booster to splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. The final descent was controlled, with the rocket restarting three Raptors to slow its fall before a low-speed splashdown just off the shore of Boca Chica, while the Starship upper stage continued into space.

Shortly after winning the presidential election, Trump announced that Musk and one-time presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy would lead a new agency known as the Department of Government Efficiency. The goal, Trump said in a statement, is to “dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulation, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure federal agencies.”

Musk said in the same statement: “This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in government waste, which is a lot of people.”

Musk has been vocal about the lengthy process for obtaining launch licenses from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He has called for the resignation of FAA head Michael Whitaker, citing delays tied to concerns over sonic booms from SpaceX launches. Experts have noted that these sonic booms could potentially cause structural damage to homes in densely populated areas near the launch sites.

Musk’s influence in the Trump administration has left many in the space industry to wonder if launch regulations would ease for SpaceX. We may already be seeing the effect.

SpaceX already holds billions in government contracts and is building a variant of the Starship to serve as the initial lunar lander in NASA’s Artemis moon program. It remains to be seen how Musk’s role in the new administration might advance SpaceX’s plans or how questions about conflicts of interest might be resolved.

November 17, 2024 –

As of November 17, 2024, 39 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from 18 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from September 6, 2024, to October 28, 2024. Of 38 people with information available, 15 have been hospitalized and none developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death has been reported from California.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

The multistate outbreak of E. coli O121 infections linked to multiple brands of recalled organic whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms. Carrots on store shelves right now are likely not affected but may be in people’s homes. If you have any recalled carrots in your home, throw them out or return them to the store.

On November 16, 2024, Grimmway Farms recalled multiples sizes and brands of bagged organic baby and whole carrots. These products are likely no longer in stores for sale but may still be in your home.

Baby Organic Carrots

• Best-if-used-by dates ranging from 9/11/2024 to 11/12/2024
• Brands: 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, Compliments, Full Circle, Good & Gather, GreenWise, Grimmway Farms, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, O-Organic, President’s Choice, Raley’s, Simple Truth, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry

Whole Organic Carrots

• Were available for purchase in stores approximately from 8/14/2024 through 10/23/2024
• No best-if-used-by-dates are on the bags of organic whole carrots.