In President Donald Trump's first 100 days back in office, DOGE has made significant cuts at the National Institutes of Health. CBS News national reporter Karen Hua reports.

Washington

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world's largest supporter of biomedical research, has experienced significant cuts under the administration of President Donald Trump. Over 1,300 employees have been dismissed, and more than $2 billion in research grants have been canceled. The funding cuts have primarily targeted indirect costs such as lab maintenance and support staff, which researchers argue are vital to their work. Scientists in Houston report concerns over the future of their research projects, fearing that layoffs and a reduction in scientific progress could follow the budget reductions.

In Houston, various research institutions are heavily dependent on NIH funding. For instance, Houston Methodist's Brain Tumor Bank, directed by Dr. Bob Ristomoli, relies on NIH grants to study brain tumors and develop potential treatments. The institution receives millions annually from the NIH and faces the challenge of securing alternative funding to continue its research. Similarly, Baylor College of Medicine stands to lose $326 million in NIH grants, which underscores the varying impact on different medical centers.

Reacting to the cuts, the Harris County attorney, along with other leaders in the Houston area, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. They allege that the federal workforce reductions are not legal, expressing concern about the potential consequences on crucial medical research. The lawsuit seeks to halt the ongoing cuts and protect research initiatives that are vital to scientific advancement and public health.



Cuts hit National Institutes of Health

All right, let's take you back to the White House now. In the first 100 days of President Trump's second term, Doge has been making cuts at the NIH, or National Institutes of Health. The agency is the world's largest supporter of biomedical research, and since January, it has fired over 1,300 employees and canceled more than $2 billion in federal research grants. CBS News national reporter Karen Wah is live in Houston for us, a city known for its medical centers and research hubs. Karen, how have hospitals been impacted by this so far? Well, Liz, more broadly, the NIH funds all types of research across the country, things from vaccine development to finding the cure for cancer. These NIH cuts that have been made so far by Doge, they say they're largely for what they call indirect costs, things like lab maintenance and support staff. The researchers I spoke to here in the Houston area, they say those indirect costs are really the groundwork, the foundation for what they do. They say in order to do experiments safely, they do need a clean and safe lab, and they do need adequate quit staffing. So researchers worry these funding cuts will not only impact the science that they're trying to do, but it could also mean layoffs down the line as well. In one example, we got a look inside Houston Methodist's Brain Tumor Bank. That's a bank run by Dr. Bob Ristomoli, and what he basically does is take these brain tumors from surgery into his lab where his team studies them and tries to develop treatments and therapies for future cures possibly for brain cancer. They say if their NIH funding is cut, they have no other option other than to find that money somewhere else. They currently have five projects funded by the NIH, so they get about a couple million dollars from the government every single year. But they say in order to keep serving their patients as usual, they have to find that money somewhere else. We have to be ready to pivot and do other things to make sure we're getting our research done or finding other alternatives to get it funded. What are those alternatives? Well, I reach out to if there's philanthropists out there or people that have a concern in the things that various labs do. Yeah, so for some context here, Houston Methodist's total annual budget is about $330 million. In total, they get 10 to 12 million in NIH funding. Now let's compare that to down the street, Baylor College of Medicine. They get a total of 326 million in NIH grants alone. That was last year. And that's how much they stand to lose this year. So it very much varies for different types of hospitals and medical centers. Now today, the Harris County attorney, along with other Houston area leaders, they're filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration saying that these federal workforce cuts are not legal. They worry about these mass layoffs and these cuts to important, crucial things like medical research. They're really hoping their lawsuit or some of their action that they take could stop some of these cuts. Liz. Karen Hua, thank you so much live for us in Houston.

Officials in the U.S. state of Texas say at least 13 people have died in overnight flash floods after torrential rains triggered an overflow of the Guadalupe River. Nearly 20 children attending a summer camp in the south-central area are missing.

Kerr County

Deadly Texas floods: Search efforts underway for missing children

Türkiye has been battling wildfires for more than a week, with its western province of Izmir among the hardest hit. Thousands have been forced to flee as flames threaten homes and villages.

Ödemiş

Turkiye wildfires: At least two dead as fires burn for eighth day

It was not clear if Hamas’ statement meant it had accepted the proposal from US President Donald Trump for a 60-day ceasefire.

Jerusalem

Hamas says it is  'positive' about latest ceasefire proposal

President Trump brought pomp and circumstance to his signing of the "big, beautiful bill" on Friday, with an Independence Day ceremony at the White House that included a B-2 bomber flyover.

Global Tariffs

Trump signs "big, beautiful bill" as tariff deadline looms

Heavy rainfall in central Texas caused the Guadalupe River to overflow and unleash a torrent of water. The bodies of at least 13 children and adults have been recovered and more than 20 girls are missing from a sleepaway camp.

Floods kill at least 13 in Texas, over 20 missing from summer camp

The talk comes a day after President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Ukraine, Iran and other issues in a call the Kremlin described as "frank and constructive."

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy, Trump agree on joint defense efforts in phone call

Russia pummeled Kyiv with the largest drone attack of the war, injuring at least 23 people and damaging buildings across the capital only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russia's Vladimir Putin, officials said.

Russia hits Kyiv with largest drone attack after Trump-Putin call

U.S. President Donald Trump marked the passage of the new spending bill, which includes changes to food assistance, student loan programs, and clean energy credits. Robert Costa joins "CBS Mornings" to break down what's in the legislation.

Trump set to sign "big, beautiful bill"

More than 80 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Thursday (July 3), according to health officials, as Israel intensified its strikes, hitting a school-turned-displacement facility. CNN’s Paula Hancocks looks at the damage and humanitarian toll.

More than 80 people killed in Gaza in one day

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv will do "anything" to advance EU accession talks. Zelenskyy spoke alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Ukraine will do 'anything' to advance EU accession talks: Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.

Trump: Letters telling countries their tariff rate going out Friday

Indonesian rescuers on Thursday (July 3) temporarily halted a search for 30 people still missing after a ferry carrying 65 people sank near the island of Bali with the loss of six lives, the national search and rescue agency said.

Gilimanuk

Indonesia suspends search for 30 missing after ferry sinks near Bali

After marathon debate sessions in the Senate and House, President Donald Trump’s budget bill passed in the House. Republicans secured the biggest win of Trump’s presidency.

Trump’s landmark ‘big, beautiful bill’ narrowly passes U.S. House

Florida says the first group of migrant detainees have arrived at the new immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz." CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul has more.

Ochopee

First group of detainees arrive at "Alligator Alcatraz," Florida says

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday (July 3) that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that he plans to hold a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Trump speaks with Putin, plans call with Zelenskyy

CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez reports on a lawsuit from lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia alleging he suffered “torture and mistreatment” after he was wrongfully deported and held in El Salvador’s notorious mega prison.

Tecoluca

Kilmar Abrego Garcia claims he was tortured in El Salvadoran prison

The Kremlin welcomed the development, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming it proves Western arsenals are being depleted and predicting that less aid will hasten the end of the conflict.

U.S. pauses military aid to Ukraine over depleted weapons stockpile

Two contractors employed by UG Solutions spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity as they were revealing their employers’ internal operations.

U.S. contractors say live ammo used at Gaza aid distribution site

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for hours on the House floor about potential impacts of President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that Republicans are looking to pass before July 4. Following debate, the House is set for a final vote on the massive budget bill.

House debates Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' ahead of final vote

CBS News political contributor Caroline Polisi joins "CBS Mornings" to break down the jury's verdict in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial and the judge's decision to deny bail for the music mogul ahead of his sentencing.

Manhattan

Sean "Diddy" Combs denied bail after split verdict

Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota has died aged 28, just weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart. The footballer passed away in a car crash in northern Spain.

Madrid

Liverpool soccer player dies in car crash 10 days after wedding

The Pentagon said that U.S. strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, suggesting the U.S. military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public.

Tehran

Iran Strikes

Iran nuclear program degraded by up to two years: Pentagon

Days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit he founded, will have the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation, but China insists it will choose the successor of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Lhasa

China rejects Dalai Lama’s succession plan

The U.S. Congress inched towards approving President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, despite attempts by Democrats to stop it. The bill is Trump’s signature legislation which includes massive spending increases on the military and immigration enforcement while slashing social programs.

Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill nears approval

Sean (Diddy) Combs was found guilty on prostitution-related charges, but was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking giving him a maximum sentence of 20 years. But the courtroom victory was subdued following a judge’s ruling to deny him bail.

New York

Diddy denied bail, avoids life in prison

President Trump says Israel has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, but it remains unclear if Hamas will accept the terms. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Debora Patta has more.

Trump says Israel has agreed to Gaza ceasefire conditions

Bryan Kohberger changed his plea to guilty Wednesday for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. CBS News national correspondent Carter Evans has more on the case.

Boise

New details revealed as Kohberger pleads guilty for 2022 Idaho murders

The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down a state abortion law that was adopted in 1849 in a 4-3 landmark decision. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

Madison

Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down 176-year-old state abortion ban

Macron and Putin held regular discussions around the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Macron visiting Putin in Russia in February 2022, but dialogue eventually stalled.

Paris

Macron held 'substantial' phone call with Putin

President Trump toured “Alligator Alcatraz,” a migrant detention center he teamed up with Ron DeSantis to build in the Everglades.