Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently sparked controversy with claims that former Pres. Donald Trump has promised him "control" of public health agencies if Trump regains the presidency, has been privately advising the Trump transition team on prospects for cabinet positions — including recommending a fellow vaccine skeptic to lead the federal agency responsible for public health protection, according to sources. #vaccine #rfkjr #health #news #abcnews

A New York man who turned a rescued squirrel into a social media star is pleading with state wildlife officials to return his beloved pet. Multiple anonymous complaints about Peanut — also spelled P'Nut or PNUT — brought at least six officers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation to Mark Longo's home near the Pennsylvania border in rural Pine City on Wednesday. The officers left with Peanut, who amassed hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms during his seven years with Longo. They also took Fred the raccoon, a more recent addition to the family. A spokesperson for the DEC said in a statement that the agency started an investigation after receiving “multiple reports from the public about the potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pets.” Longo, who runs an animal refuge inspired by his squirrel buddy called P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, took to Instagram to mourn Peanut's loss. #news #newyork

Former congresswoman Liz Cheney hit back at former Pres. Trump's violent rhetoric suggesting that "nine barrels" shoot at her when he spoke at a campaign event speaking with Tucker Carlson. "This is how dictators destroy free nations," Cheney said on X. "They threaten those who speak against them with death." Trump's campaign sought to spin the comments, saying that his remarks were being taken out of context. #lizcheney #trump #politics #news #abcnews

In a bloody and seemingly random assault, a man attacked a sleeping passenger on a United Airlines flight on Monday, according to court documents. The injured man was treated by a doctor for "abrasions to the face and head." The FAA noted that the rate of unruly passenger incidents has "dropped by over 80 percent since record-highs in early 2021 but unacceptable behavior continues to occur." #news #unitedairlines

The LA County district attorney announced that he supports Lyle and Erik Menendez's bid for clemency, sending a letter of support overnight to California Gov. Gavin Newsom. This opens a third track to potential freedom for the brothers. Besides the new clemency route, the brothers have two other possible tracks to freedom. One path is through resentencing. The second possible track for release is the habeas corpus petition filed last year for a review of new evidence not presented at trial. Lyle and Erik Menendez have spent nearly 35 years in prison for the 1989 murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. They were sentenced in 1996 to two consecutive terms of life without parole. #news #menendezbrothers