U.S. on verge of losing measles-free status and Democrats brace for Stephen Miller clashes: Morning Rundown

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An NBC News investigation reveals childhood vaccination rates are dropping as measles cases surge. Democrats skeptical about working with new White House chief of staff Stephen Miller. And Russia’s top independent newspaper shuts down after more than two decades.

Should the U.S. lose its measles elimination status? That’s what public health experts expect will be the outcome of a meeting this week of an independent commission of the Pan American Health Organization. The group of eight people is made up of epidemiologists, infectious disease and vaccine experts from countries in the Americas.

If the U.S. loses elimination status, it will join Canada as the only other country in the region to have lost control of the virus, paving the way for illnesses and deaths. The milestone would also mark a stunning reversal of efforts to stop the spread of the world’s most contagious disease.

In 2000, there were only about 100 confirmed cases in the entire country. This year, there have been more than 5,000 confirmed cases and 43 new outbreaks across the country. Eight people, including four babies too young to be vaccinated, have died.

An updated NBC News/Stanford University analysis reveals an alarming drop in childhood vaccination rates, particularly in the country’s most vulnerable areas. In hard-hit Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the share of kindergarteners who got MMR vaccines in 2025-26 was 87.6%, compared to 95.5% before the pandemic.

An immunization rate of 95% is needed to prevent the spread of measles.

The country’s immunity was eroded by decades of scientifically dubious claims about the dangers of childhood vaccines, and misinformation then exploded during the pandemic.

President Donald Trump signaled he might be willing to work with Democrats on his priorities after last week’s election results. But his decision to oust Susie Wiles and install Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff has left some Democratic lawmakers pessimistic.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who is…

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