Capping the cost of insulin
A drugmaker has capped the cost of its insulin after pressure from the government. Rescue crews were at work after a head-on train collision in Greece. And the U.S. attorney general faced questions from lawmakers about what the Justice Department is doing to fight the fentanyl crisis.
👋 Hello! It's Laura Davis. The week is halfway over! And it's time for Wednesday's news.
But first, a historically buggy discovery. During a routine trip to Walmart, a university scientist picked a giant bug off the side of the building and took it home. Little did he know, nearly a decade later, he'd learn the giant flying bug was a "super-rare" Jurassic-era insect.
The Short List is a snappy Paste BN news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here.
Eli Lilly slashes prices on insulin
Eli Lilly and Co. said it will cut prices of its most commonly prescribed insulins up to 70% and expand a program that limits out-of-pocket costs for some consumers. The move comes as lawmakers and advocates have pressured drugmakers and insurers to improve affordability of the lifesaving medication. A study last year found more than 1.3 million American adults skipped, delayed buying or rationed doses of insulin because of the cost. Keep reading for more details.
38 dead, rail worker arrested after head-on train crash in Greece
As rescue crews worked to untangle the wreckage, the death toll rose to at least 38 and a railroad worker was arrested Wednesday after a fiery head-on collision of two trains in northern Greece. A passenger train was carrying more than 300 people, including many university students, when it hit an oncoming freight train at a high speed. A survivor described chaos amid dangling cables, broken windows and flames – "people screaming, people trapped." More than 80 people were injured, and the Greek government declared three days of national mourning. Keep reading.
- How did Greece train crash happen? See aerial photos and a map of the fiery collision.
What everyone's talking about
- With COVID on the wane, Congress is back to global travel – on your dime.
- 'Today' explains why Hoda Kotb has been missing from the show.
- More pets, fewer vets bring strain on veterinary profession.
- Under 18 and on TikTok? Your account will soon have a daily screen time limit.
- Planes hit birds more than you'd think. How safe are you when flying?
The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a Paste BN digital subscriber today.
Attorney general: Fentanyl 'unleashed' by Mexican cartels
During a sometimes-contentious hearing, Attorney General Merrick Garland acknowledged Wednesday that current anti-drug policies have been unable to halt the flow of fentanyl that has contributed to record overdose deaths. Garland told the Senate Judiciary Committee the drug problem is a "horrible epidemic unleashed on purpose" by criminal cartels based in Mexico. He pushed back on criticism of the federal response and said the Justice Department is treating the problem with "enormous urgency." More from the hearing.
- 'No family is immune': As Congress debates fentanyl, mothers share their grief at hearings.
Closing arguments begin in Murdaugh murder trial
After listening to more than five weeks of testimony from over 70 witnesses – including the suspect himself – attorneys began closing arguments Wednesday in the double murder trial of former South Carolina attorney Richard “Alex” Murdaugh. Murdaugh, part of a South Carolina legal dynasty, was charged with murdering his wife, Maggie, and son Paul. He has pleaded not guilty. After the shootings in June 2021, police launched investigations into two other deaths connected to Murdaugh and suspected crimes dating back more than a decade. Read our latest coverage from the trial.
🌤 What's the weather up to in your area? Check your local forecast.
A break from the news
- It's almost tornado season. Here's how to prepare your home.
- Need some extra rest? Here are 10 tech gadgets that can help improve your sleep.
- He officiated at J.Lo and Ben Affleck's wedding. Now, Jay Shetty is sharing love advice with the rest of us.
Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at Paste BN. Send her an email at laura@usatoday.com or follow along with her adventures – and misadventures – on Twitter. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to Paste BN here.
This is a compilation of stories from across the Paste BN Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Subscribe to the newsletter here.