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US News

America's Emergency Alert System Is Fractured

What's going on: Officials are still trying to understand how flash floods killed nearly 120 people in central Texas. But one thing is already clear: Weak emergency alert systems failed Texans. Some didn’t get any alerts, while others received them at 4 am CT (when phones might be on silent mode). Many vacationers didn’t know what “higher ground” meant, and others didn’t take the notifications seriously. Kerr County, where flooding has killed at least 95 people, lacks a warning system in part due to funding — meaning residents can only rely on National Weather Service (NWS) alerts. And this isn’t just a Texas problem. Earlier this year, Los Angeles County’s evacuation alert system broke down as the Palisades and Eaton fires raged. Some said they had just minutes to flee. During the 2023 Maui fires, officials never activated the island’s sirens, leaving many to rely on confusing updates from social media instead.

What it means: As deadly natural disasters become more frequent, they’re exposing major gaps in America’s emergency alert system — and people are paying the price. One expert told The Atlantic that residents need multiple warnings in order to take them seriously. In one Texas town, old-school sirens did the job. That’s also why an emergency expert told The Atlantic everyone should have a NOAA weather radio — it’ll wake you up when your phone won’t. Then there are the staffing shortages at NWS offices. In central Texas, two key roles — the warning coordination meteorologist and the science and operations officer — were unfilled. Both are crucial in helping local officials respond in real time. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said investigations into the alert system and storm preparation will likely begin later this week.

Related: Where Was Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) While Floods Ravaged His State? (CNN)

Tech

Can Someone Check on X?

What's going on: X’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, is officially stepping down after a rocky tenure. She joined X in 2023, bringing a wave of changes aimed at transforming the platform into an “everything app.” Some updates — like loosening content rules — made users long for the days of the friendly little blue bird. Others, like an X-exclusive video podcast with Serena and Venus Williams, landed better. But Yaccarino’s future looked shaky after Elon Musk merged X with his company xAI this spring. The fusion created problems of its own — even before Grok’s recent controversies...

Tell me more: In recent days, xAI deleted several Grok posts after the chatbot made antisemitic comments, including one related to Texas flood victims and those praising Adolf Hitler. Musk responded Wednesday, blaming Grok’s behavior on being “too eager to please and be manipulated,” and said a new version was on the way. But critics noted Grok’s hateful remarks came right after Musk touted a July 4 update, saying he had “improved” the bot. Grok itself chimed in: “Elon’s recent tweaks just dialed down the woke filters.” This isn’t the first time the chatbot’s garnered criticism. The Anti-Defamation League called its latest remarks and changes “irresponsible, dangerous, and antisemitic, plain and simple."

Related: Who Did Musk Just Shush? (CBS News)

Health

New Research Points to Four Subtypes of Autism

What's going on: A recent study published in Nature Genetics proposes a new theory about autism: That there are four subtypes. A team led by Princeton researchers analyzed data from more than 5,000 kids and 230 traits, identifying the subtypes as: “social and behavioral challenges,” “mixed ASD with developmental delay,” “moderate challenges,” and “broadly affected.” Each showed links to different genetic mutations. Many researchers agree that autism is largely heritable, though current genetic tests only explain about 20% of cases. Researchers say their analysis helps explain why past genetic studies often fell short. As one expert told Axios, “What we’re seeing is not just one biological story of autism, but multiple distinct narratives.”

What it means: The findings offer new insights on genetic factors at a time when Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is pushing researchers to find an “environmental” cause of autism by September. The study also comes as autism diagnoses are on the rise, in part due to growing awareness. Meanwhile, some in the neurodivergent community are cautious about classifying “types” of autism, saying it can be dangerous, similar to defining people as “high functioning” and “low functioning.” Others say research should focus less on causes and more on improving support, services, and quality of life for people with autism.

Related: Withdrawal Warnings on Antidepressants Might Be Overblown (NYT Gift Link)