Nova Newsletter
February 12, 2025
☕ Good morning. 1,672 words for you today - 8 minute read.
The Spotlight
1. Deadly School Shooting Shocks Northern British Columbia
This grab from video shows students exiting the Tumbler Ridge school after deadly shootings, in British Columbia, Canada, Tuesday Feb. 10, 2026. (Jordon Kosik via AP)
A mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia left nine people dead and more than 25 injured, Canadian authorities said Tuesday.
Takeaways
Eight victims died at the school, including a woman police believe was the shooter.
Two additional people were found dead at a nearby home believed to be connected to the attack.
More than 25 people were wounded, with two airlifted in life-threatening condition.
Police reached the school within two minutes, according to provincial officials.
Tumbler Ridge is a remote community of about 2,700 residents, located more than 1,000 kilometers northeast of Vancouver. The secondary school serves roughly 175 students in grades 7–12.
Authorities say the suspected shooter died from a self-inflicted injury, and the motive remains unclear. Investigators are still determining the connection between the suspect and victims.
The shooting is Canada’s deadliest since 2020, reigniting scrutiny around public safety despite strict gun laws. Read More
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2. FDA Rejects Moderna’s mRNA Flu Vaccine Filing
The FDA refused to consider Moderna’s application for a new mRNA-based flu vaccine, escalating scrutiny of novel vaccines in the U.S.
Takeaways
The agency issued a rare “refusal-to-file” letter, blocking review of the application.
FDA said Moderna’s 40,000-person trial did not compare the shot to the best available U.S. standard of care.
Moderna says FDA raised no safety or efficacy concerns about the vaccine itself.
The decision reflects tighter vaccine oversight under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
FDA vaccine chief Dr. Vinay Prasad said the trial design failed to meet requirements for an “adequate and well-controlled” study. Moderna argues FDA previously allowed the study to proceed as designed.
The company reported its vaccine showed better protection in adults 50 and older than a standard flu shot and shared additional senior-focused data.
Moderna has requested an urgent FDA meeting and is pursuing approvals in Europe, Canada, and Australia.
The standoff could reshape how future flu vaccines reach the U.S. market. Read More
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3. FAA Lifts El Paso Flight Halt After Drone Scare
Federal Aviation Administration's Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center Brian Snyder/Reuters
The FAA temporarily halted and then lifted flights over El Paso, Texas, citing special security reasons tied to potential military drone activity, officials said.
Takeaways
Flight restrictions were imposed as a preemptive measure amid possible military drone operations, a source said.
An administration official claimed Mexican cartel drones breached U.S. airspace and were disabled.
The FAA said there is no threat to commercial aviation and flights have resumed normally.
Local officials criticized the move as unprecedented and poorly communicated.
The FAA initially barred all aircraft within a 10-nautical-mile radius of El Paso International Airport, up to 17,999 feet, labeling the zone national defense airspace.
The closure raised concerns due to El Paso’s role as a major border cargo hub, though officials say no lasting disruption is expected.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico is seeking clarity on the incident.
The episode highlights rising airspace security tensions along the U.S.-Mexico border. Read More
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Quick Headlines
The Trump administration plans to withhold over $1.5 billion in public health and transportation grants from Democratic-led states, citing fraud and policy disagreements, though states say they haven’t been notified and courts have previously blocked similar cuts. Read More
A person was detained Tuesday for questioning in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance after FBI released surveillance of a masked individual outside her Arizona home. Investigators are conducting searches, but no suspects have been formally identified yet. Read More
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri will testify Wednesday in a landmark Los Angeles trial alleging Meta and YouTube designed apps to be addictive for minors, causing anxiety, depression, and body image issues. Companies deny the claims and cite safety measures. Read More
At least 20 dead and 33 injured as Tropical Cyclone Gezani hit Madagascar, damaging 75% of Toamasina’s infrastructure. Thousands evacuated, 15 missing, and power cut. The storm weakened inland but may regain strength over the Indian Ocean. Read More
Starting January 2027, new Medicaid work rules could force 20 million low-income Americans, especially middle-aged women and caregivers, to meet activity requirements or risk losing coverage, threatening health care access and worsening chronic conditions before Medicare eligibility. Read More
Kraft Heinz is pausing its planned company split as new CEO Steve Cahillane vows a $600M U.S. turnaround, calling current issues “fixable.” The focus shifts to marketing, R&D, and product quality to drive profitable growth before revisiting separation plans. Read More
Deep Dive
4. Governors’ Annual Meeting Falters After Trump Excludes Democrats
President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The National Governors Association will not hold a formal session with President Donald Trump after the White House decided to invite only Republican governors, prompting Democrats to boycott related events.
Takeaways
Bipartisan tradition disrupted as Democratic governors withdraw from White House dinner and official NGA programming.
NGA Chair Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said limiting invitations violates the group’s mission to represent all 55 governors.
White House defends exclusion, asserting the president has discretion to invite anyone to events.
Democrats vow to remain united and focused on state priorities despite partisan tensions.
The split reflects growing polarization in national political gatherings, even among state leaders.
The NGA, scheduled to meet Feb. 19–21 in Washington, has long served as a rare venue for cross-party dialogue on national issues. Trump’s decision to limit invitations drew immediate pushback, including an 18-governor Democratic boycott of the traditional White House dinner.
Stitt framed the exclusion as a threat to unity but urged governors to rise above partisan politics. “America’s governors have always been models of pragmatic leadership,” he wrote, emphasizing shared duties to constituents.
Tensions are not new. Last year, Trump clashed publicly with Maine Gov. Janet Mills over transgender athlete policies, threatening to withhold federal funding. The episode heightened distrust among Democrats and contributed to a fractured NGA environment.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the action, noting the president’s personal discretion over invitations, calling the White House both the people’s house and the president’s home.
The disruption highlights the erosion of bipartisan traditions in Washington, signaling that even ceremonial gatherings may no longer escape partisan division. Read More
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On Our Radar
5. Chappell Roan Leaves Wasserman Agency Over Epstein File Links
Chappell Roan arrives at the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Grammy-winning singer Chappell Roan has left the talent agency led by Casey Wasserman, who appears in recently released Justice Department files connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
Takeaways
Roan cited a duty to protect her team and uphold moral values, saying artists deserve representation that aligns with their safety and dignity.
Wasserman has not been accused of wrongdoing, though 2003 emails with Ghislaine Maxwell were included in the released files.
Other artists, including Beach Bunny, Sylvan Esso, and Best Coast, have also cut ties or called for Wasserman’s resignation.
Wasserman remains chair of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics amid scrutiny from lawmakers and media.
Roan emphasized her decision reflects a belief that industry accountability and leadership must earn trust.
Wasserman stated he regrets the correspondence with Maxwell and denied ever having a personal or business relationship with Epstein.
The departures highlight growing artist pressure on talent agencies linked to controversial figures. Read More
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6. Seattle Seahawks Hold Super Bowl 60 Victory Parade
The Seattle Seahawks are celebrating their 29-13 Super Bowl 60 win over the New England Patriots with a citywide parade Wednesday.
Takeaways
This marks the second Super Bowl victory parade in the Seahawks’ 50-year history.
The celebration kicks off with a trophy presentation at Lumen Field at 10 a.m., followed by a parade at 11 a.m.
Seattle expects 750,000 to 1 million fans along the parade route.
The parade is projected to last approximately two hours.
The Seahawks previously won Super Bowl 48 against the Denver Broncos in 2014.
City officials are coordinating safety and crowd management to accommodate the large turnout.
The victory parade cements the Seahawks’ place in Seattle sports history. Read More
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8. 🎉 This day in history
The Scream by Edvard Munch
On This Day — February 12
The Scream Stolen, 1994 – Edvard Munch’s iconic 1893 pastel The Scream is stolen from a museum in Oslo, sparking an international manhunt before the artwork is later recovered.
Intel Enters Graphics Market, 1998 – Intel unveils its first dedicated graphics chip, the i740, marking an early push into consumer graphics and PC multimedia performance.
El Chapo Convicted, 2019 – Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán is found guilty on all federal charges in New York, concluding a blockbuster trial after more than 200 hours of testimony.
9. Poll
Do you think the federal government should be allowed to withhold grant money from states based on their political leadership?
Life Hack of the day
🍉 🧂 Sprinkle Salt on Watermelon to Enhance Sweetness
Want your watermelon to taste even sweeter? Sprinkle a little salt over the slices before eating. The salt enhances the natural sugars, bringing out a richer, juicier flavor. It’s an easy trick to make summer fruit taste extra delicious.
That’s your morning brief. Now go show someone how smart you are. 🧠
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