Zen Brief

Tax policy, drug regulation and the midterm campaigns shaped the day. Meta's California tax deal, new Alzheimer's and cancer vaccine trials, and two political controversies led the news.

1. 1 Meta's California tax deal exposes wealth tax weaknessMeta's agreement with California lowers Zuckerberg's tax burden and revives debate over enforcing the state's unresolved billionaire wealth tax.
2. 2 Repurposed drugs test could reshape Alzheimer's FDA approval pathA federally funded trial tests existing diabetes and ADHD drugs on Alzheimer's patients, possibly giving drugmakers a faster, cheaper path through FDA review.
3. 3 Cancer Vaccine Trial Results Spark Biotech Stock RallyEarly results showing reduced cancer recurrence have renewed Wall Street interest in personalized vaccine makers and put the FDA's review timeline in focus.
4. 4 Virginia Democrat faces cannabis trafficking chargesVirginia Sen. Louise Lucas faces criminal charges in an alleged cannabis scheme, raising questions about lawmaker oversight before the midterms.
5. 5 GOP divided over aggressive Ohio Senate attack adVice President Vance urged Republicans to back a controversial ad targeting Amy Acton's estranged mother, exposing divisions over midterm campaign strategy.