There are now more than 120 confirmed measles cases linked to an outbreak in western Texas, the largest such outbreak the state has seen in over 30 years. It's raising questions about vaccine hesitancy in some communities and the growing challenge of these periodic outbreaks. William Brangham discussed more with Caitlin Rivers, author of "Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

One of the executive orders Trump signed this past week seeks policy recommendations to expand access to in vitro fertilization. According to a 2024 survey, 1 in 10 women of reproductive age say they received fertility assistance, including IVF, but insurance coverage for the procedure is limited. Ali Rogin speaks with Barbara Collura about how the order stacks up to Trump’s campaign pledge. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Trump administration plans to roll out a new strategy against the bird flu. There are few details, but to bring egg prices down, the plan is aimed at trying to minimize the slaughter of chickens when the flu strikes a flock. More than 150 million poultry have been affected since 2022 and 58 people have been sickened by it. Geoff Bennett discussed more with epidemiologist Dr. Katelyn Jetelina. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Last month’s wildfires in California destroyed thousands of homes, killed at least 29 people and will likely cost hundreds of billions of dollars. President Trump has claimed that state officials made the disaster worse by how they managed the state’s complex water system. William Brangham looks at those allegations and the realities of water management in the nation’s most populous state. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It’s the middle of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and while it might not feel like the season for jumping in the water, more and more people are finding an icy plunge invigorating. William Brangham takes a look at the world of winter swimming and both its potential benefits and risks.

PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Trump administration recently announced the National Institutes of Health will make big changes in the way it funds researchers. Scientists say the move will have a huge effect on their work. We hear from medical researchers about the cuts and Amna Nawaz discusses more with Dr. David Skorton of the Association of American Medical Colleges. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Worldwide, 1 in 10 women of reproductive age suffer from a condition known as endometriosis. It’s an illness where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows in places it’s not supposed to be, and can lead to infertility, debilitating pain and financial hardship. Ali Rogin spoke with gynecologic surgeon Dr. Laura Homewood for our ongoing series, “Unequal Treatment.” PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Caring for beloved pets as a veterinarian can be satisfying and rewarding, but it can also bring mental health challenges that some feel haven’t been adequately addressed. Now, some veterinary schools are trying to do something about it for the next generation of vets. John Yang reports. Warning: This story discusses suicide. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Trump and Republican candidates made rolling back federal protections for transgender people a big issue, spending hundreds of millions of dollars on TV ads, much of it focused on gender-affirming care for minors. Despite the attention, a new study finds that gender-affirming medications are very rarely prescribed to adolescents. John Yang speaks with KFF’s Lindsey Dawson to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Many medical centers use an AI-powered tool called Whisper to transcribe patients’ interactions with their doctors. But researchers have found that it sometimes invents text, a phenomenon known in the industry as hallucinations, raising the possibility of errors like misdiagnosis. John Yang speaks with Associated Press global investigative reporter Garance Burke to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders