By LAURA UNGAR, AP Medical Writer

The American Academy of Pediatrics sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, seeking to block nearly $12 million in cuts to the group.

Earlier this month, the federal government “abruptly terminated” grants to the group, the lawsuit says.

The funding supported numerous public health programs, including efforts to prevent sudden unexpected infant death, strengthen pediatric care in rural communities and support teens facing substance use and mental health challenges.

“AAP does not have other sources of grant funding to replace the federal awards, and without the necessary funds it must immediately terminate its work on its dozens of programs that save children’s lives every day,” says the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. “Within a few weeks, AAP will have to begin laying off employees dedicated to this critically important work.”

The suit alleges HHS made the cuts in retaliation for the doctors’ group speaking out against the Trump administration’s positions and actions.

The doctors’ group has been vocal about its support for pediatric vaccines and has publicly opposed HHS positions. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who helped lead the anti-vaccine movement for years — is seeking to broadly remake federal policies on vaccines. Earlier this year, the pediatrics group released its own recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines, which substantially diverged from the government’s recommendations.

The group also supports access to gender-affirming care and has publicly criticized HHS positions on the topic, saying it opposes what it calls the government’s infringements on the doctor-patient relationship.

“The Department of Health and Human Services is using federal funding as a political weapon to punish protected speech, trying to silence one of the nation’s most trusted voices for children’s well-being by cutting off critical public-health funding in retaliation for speaking the truth,” Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a statement. Perryman’s organization is representing the doctors’ group in the case.

A spokesman for HHS could not immediately be reached for comment.

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Mark Del Monte, CEO and executive vice president of the 67,000-member doctors’ group, said the organization depends on its relationship with the federal government.

“We need this partnership to advance policies that prioritize children’s health. These vital child health programs fund services like hearing screenings for newborns and safe sleep campaigns to prevent sudden unexpected infant death,” he said in a statement. “We are forced to take legal action today so that these programs can continue to make communities safer and healthier.”

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Immigration officials have promised to not target metro area churches this holiday season, according to the metro’s Catholic leader.

In a statement Tuesday, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis said Department of Homeland Security officials recently reiterated to archdiocesan representatives that action would not be taken unless there is an imminent public safety threat.

“We are unaware of any enforcement actions in our parishes and schools in these past weeks and months and have no reason to believe that will change,” Hebda said.

Gov. Tim Walz, joined by faith leaders and other public officials at a press conference on Tuesday, said he would “not put it past” immigration officials to target midnight Mass services or to step up actions during other parts of the holiday season, according to KARE 11.

“Public safety is strongest when law enforcement can focus on real threats and when communities trust that they will be treated fairly and with dignity,” Walz said. “What we are seeing from the Trump Administration is not about safety — it is political theater that creates fear and weakens trust.”

Hebda emphasized the role of Catholic churches as places of refuge for all.

“We are at a moment in this country when we need to lower the temperature of rhetoric, stop fear-filled speculation and start seeing all people as created in the image and likeness of God,” Hebda said. “That is as true for our immigrant sisters and brothers as it is for our elected officials and those who are responsible for carrying out our laws.”

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Waiting for a mentor: Mason

In an alternate universe, quarterback J.J. McCarthy didn’t suffer a small hairline fracture in his right hand, which meant he was able to continue his upward trajectory for the Vikings last weekend in a win over the New York Giants.

Let’s continue to play out the string.

If that were indeed the case, McCarthy would be able to start for the Vikings on Thursday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Detroit Lions. Then, assuming he got out of that game unscathed, once more next weekend against the Green Bay Packers.

That would pave the way for the Vikings to bring in a veteran quarterback in free agency as insurance on McCarthy, who, for all the strides he’s taken, has not yet proven he can be consistently available.

As much as that hypothetical scenario might’ve been great for McCarthy, the butterfly effect could have resulted in rookie quarterback Max Brosmer never playing in the NFL again.

The only line on Brosmer’s résumé would’ve been his start for the Vikings last month, when they got demolished by the Seahawks in Seattle. He looked completely overwhelmed by the moment amid a disastrous display that threatened to shake his confidence. He wasn’t going to let that happen.

“My dream has been to play in the NFL,” Brosmer said. “To define myself by that game wouldn’t be fair to the younger me.”

Luckily for Brosmer, he has been given a chance to atone. Coming on in relief last weekend, he showed the composure that earned him a roster spot after initially signing as an undrafted free agent. Not only did Brosmer effectively manage the game last Sunday, completing 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards, he led the Vikings down the field in the final minutes for a scoring drive that held up as the difference in a 16-13 win.

“It was a good feeling to be in the huddle with the guys,” Brosmer said. “We’ve got to see the fruits of our labor a little bit towards the end.”

Now, Brosmer is in line to to start for the Vikings against the Lions in a nationally televised game on Christmas, and perhaps even against the Packers depending on how McCarthy’s hand responds to treatment over the next week or so.

It’s a crossroads for Brosmer that has the potential to shape his life in the NFL. If he plays well over the next couple of games, he could carve out a niche as a reliable backup with room to grow. If he struggles, he might not be given another chance to prove himself.

There is precedence to suggests Brosmer will only get better the more he plays.

You don’t have to go back far to find the last time Brosmer made a pretty bad first impression. He was largely ineffective in his debut with the Gophers on Aug. 29, 2024, when his play contributed to a disappointing loss to North Carolina. He completed only 13 of 21 passes for 165 yards, got sacked a handful of times, and had a costly fumble in the final frame.

It was fair to wonder if Brosmer had bitten off more than he could chew as a graduate transfer jumping from the FCS level to the FBS level. His response was immediate, however, as he led the Gophers to a pair of wins to close out the nonconference schedule before he and the Gophers upset Southern Cal.

It was a steady build from there as Brosmer went on to put together the best campaign the program had seen from a quarterback in more than a decade. It would not have been possible had he not been given the chance to push through adversity early.

That mental toughness has been apparent with the Vikings.

“There are going to be games throughout the rest of my career where I might have a few picks, or we might lose a game where I felt like maybe I could’ve done something better,” Brosmer said. “I’m going to use that and continue to build and know that whenever that comes, next time in my career I’ll be ready to handle that.”

Is that easier said than done?

“It’s way easier said than done,” Brosmer said with a laugh. “I’ve had some really helpful people in my ear a little bit continuing to push me along and make sure that I’m staying on the right track.”

That tenacity has led Brosmer to this point. Perhaps this NFL journey is just beginning.

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By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER

HONOLULU (AP) — A federal judge’s ruling clears the way for Hawaii to include cruise ship passengers in a new tourist tax to help cope with climate change, a levy set to go into effect at the start of 2026.

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U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake on Tuesday denied a request seeking to stop officials from enforcing the new law on cruises.

In the nation’s first such levy to help cope with a warming planet, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed legislation in May that raises tax revenue to deal with eroding shorelines, wildfires and other climate problems. Officials estimate the tax will generate nearly $100 million annually.

The levy increases rates on hotel room and vacation rental stays but also imposes a new 11% tax on the gross fares paid by a cruise ship’s passengers, starting next year, prorated for the number of days the vessels are in Hawaii ports.

Cruise Lines International Association challenged the tax in a lawsuit, along with a Honolulu company that provides supplies and provisions to cruise ships and tour businesses out of Kauai and the Big Island that rely on cruise ship passengers. Among their arguments is that the new law violates the Constitution by taxing cruise ships for the privilege of entering Hawaii ports.

Plaintiff lawyers also argued that the tax would hurt tourism by making cruises more expensive. The lawsuit notes the law authorizes counties to collect an additional 3% surcharge, bringing the total to 14% of prorated fares.

“Cruise tourism generates nearly $1 billion in total economic impact for Hawai‘i and supports thousands of local jobs, and we remain focused on ensuring that success continues on a lawful, sustainable foundation,” association spokesperson Jim McCarthy said in a statement.

According to court records, plaintiffs will appeal. They asked the judge to grant an injunction pending an appeal and requested a ruling by Saturday afternoon given the law takes effect Jan. 1.

Hawaii will continue to defend the law, which requires cruise operators to pay their share of transient accommodation tax to address climate change threats to the state, state Attorney General Anne Lopez said in a statement.

The U.S. government intervened in the case, calling the tax a “scheme to extort American citizens and businesses solely to benefit Hawaii” in conflict with federal law.