Thousands of nurses go on strike at several major New York City hospitals

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses at several major New York City hospitals have gone on strike. The strike began Monday morning after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield a breakthrough. The affected hospitals include NewYork-Presbyterian, Montefiore and Mount Sinai. The union says about 15,000 nurses are participating in the strike. Among the nurses’ demands are manageable workloads and more workplace security. Hospitals say the union’s demands are too costly.

Allegiant Air to acquire Sun Country Airlines in $1.5B deal

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Allegiant Air says it will acquire Sun Country Airlines in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $1.5 billion. The merger will combine two low-cost U.S. carriers focused on leisure travel. The companies on Monday told investors that the new airline will serve about 175 cities with more than 650 routes and a fleet of about 195 aircraft. Executives say the deal will strengthen competition in the leisure travel market. The merger still needs regulatory and Sun Country shareholder approval. It is expected to close in the second half of 2026. The merged airline will be based in Las Vegas and operate under the Allegiant name.

Judge orders HHS to restore funding for children’s health programs as lawsuit continues

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore nearly $12 million in funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell’s preliminary injunction granted late Sunday sided with AAP in saying evidence showed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was likely retaliating against the group when it terminated the grants in December. The funding in question supports numerous public health programs, including efforts to prevent sudden unexpected infant death and strengthen pediatric care in rural communities. HHS had said in letters to AAP that the grants no longer aligned with the department’s priorities. AAP alleged the cuts were instead made in retaliation for the group speaking out against administration positions and actions.

DOJ investigation of Powell sparks backlash, support for Fed independence

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration’s criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which Powell said was an attempt to exert more control over the Fed, has sparked a backlash that may undermine the White House’s goals. Several Republican senators have condemned the Department of Justice’s subpoenas of the Fed, which Powell revealed Sunday and characterized as a “pretext” to pressure him to sharply cut interest rates, as Trump has demanded. Powell also said Justice has threatened criminal indictments over his June testimony to Congress about a building renovation.