CDC in Crisis? RFK Jr. Grilled in Senate as Colleges Try Pet Therapy

U.S. Senator Rand Paul sharply questioned presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about turmoil inside a key health agency during a Senate hearing Tuesday. The hearing before the Homeland Security Committee focused on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Kennedy, a longtime critic of the agency, was invited as a witness. Senator Paul pressed Kennedy to provide evidence for his past claims of a "purge" and low morale at the CDC. Kennedy acknowledged he could not cite specific employee turnover data. In unrelated news, some U.S. universities are now allowing students to keep pets in dormitories. School officials say the policy aims to reduce student stress and anxiety. Proponents argue that pets provide companionship and improve mental well-being. Critics cite potential issues like allergies, property damage, and distractions from studies. The two stories highlight different approaches to addressing public and student wellness in current American society.