What’s making progress… The Department of Education. Yesterday, the Biden admin officially launched the application for its federal student loan forgiveness program. You know, the one that forgives up to $20,000 of student loan debt for certain borrowers. Less than a week after a beta version of the website was launched, it’s now officially opened its doors — meaning borrowers have until Dec 31, 2023, to fill out an application form here. (Pro tip: have info like your name, SSN, DOB, email, and phone number at the ready.) Who qualifies: Those making less than $125,000 a year (or $250,000 for married couples) will be forgiven up to $10,000 in federal loan debt. The Dept of Education will also provide up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to those who received Pell Grants. One and done: If you’ve already submitted your application during the beta period, the admin says there’s no need to reapply again. What’s got people talking… This drug. Yesterday, the FDA made the case for pulling Makena — a drug meant to lower the risk of premature births — off the market. For context: the agency granted accelerated approval to Makena in 2011, with the condition that a follow-up study would be conducted. But that ended up showing the drug didn’t reduce premature births or result in healthier outcomes for newborns. And that it actually increased the risk of side effects like blood clots and depression in mothers. So now the FDA wants to yank the pregnancy drug after more than 300,000 women have already taken it. Meanwhile, Makena argues there’s evidence the drug may work in some Black women — who are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. And that, apparently, the inconsistent trial outcomes may be the result of differing patient populations. So it’s asking for time to do further research, while keeping the drug available to those who need it Next up: Drug companies allegedly pull medications voluntarily from the market if follow-up trials aren’t showing effectiveness — but Makena’s refusing to do so. The hearing will reportedly wrap up on Wednesday, when a panel of experts will vote on whether the drug should be tossed. After that, FDA leaders will make a final decision on if it should ultimately be withdrawn. Who wants his voice heard… Kanye West. Yesterday, Parler announced that West is buying the social media platform — which has positioned itself as a free-speech alternative to Twitter. (ICYMI, the app is popular among conservatives and was temporarily removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for its role in the Jan 6 riots.) The acquisition comes after West was locked out of Twitter and Instagram over antisemitic posts earlier this month. Now, he’s the latest celebrity (see: Elon Musk and former President Trump) to try and acquire a social media platform. Because, West says, he wants to make sure he has the “right to freely express” himself in a world where “conservative opinions” are considered “controversial.” TBD on the value, but the company expects to close the deal by the fourth quarter of 2022. While we’re honoring World Menopause Day… It’s a good reminder that you’re never too young to talk about it. What could be a game changer for millions... OTC hearing aids. Who we’re ready to Marvel over... Thaddeus ”Thunderbolt” Ross. | 