05.03.2025

... Yes, you read that right. New ButcherBox customers will get their choice of filet mignon, salmon, or chicken breast in every box for a year—for free (up to a $422 value).

We know that these days, it feels nearly impossible to find quality, affordable meat and seafood at the grocery store. And figuring out where exactly it came from? Good luck. But with ButcherBox, each box of free-range, antibiotic-free meats is traceable back to the farm it came from, and at rates that won’t break the bank (we promise). Grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, crate-free pork, wild-caught seafood … ButcherBox lets you pick and choose, and delivers them directly to your door. It’s the simpler way to feed your family high-quality protein.

For the next 48 hours, sign up for ButcherBox, and you’ll score a mouth-watering deal. Choose between 2 6-oz. filet mignons, 2 lbs. of salmon, or 3 lbs. of chicken breast free in every box for a year, PLUS $100 off ($20 off your first five boxes) with code 1440SPRING.

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White House proposes cutting $163B in federal budget. 

The proposal would cut federal spending from nondefense discretionary programs, including those related to the environment, renewable energy, education, and foreign aid, by 23% to the lowest level since 2017. In contrast, the proposal would increase military spending by 13% to over $1T and funding for Homeland Security by nearly 65% to $175B. The plan outlines the administration's fiscal priorities and will undergo debate in Congress before any measures are enacted. See details of the proposal here.

CDC reports 216 child deaths this flu season, the most in 15 years.

The 2024-25 flu season has seen the highest number of pediatric deaths since the 2009-10 H1N1 global flu pandemic and surpasses last year’s total of 207 deaths. The rise coincides with a drop in childhood flu vaccination rates, which have fallen from roughly 64% five years ago to 49% this season, with vaccination coverage varying widely by state. See how the seasonal flu shot works here. 

Ireland fines TikTok $600M for sending EU user data to China.

The fine comes after a four-year investigation found the video-sharing platform's transfers of user data to China violated EU data privacy laws and lacked sufficient transparency. Ireland’s data watchdog—the EU's lead regulator for TikTok—ordered the company to fix the issues within six months. TikTok plans to appeal, arguing recent security improvements were overlooked.

Gregg Popovich, NBA's winningest coach, steps down as Spurs coach.

The 76-year-old Popovich stepped down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after 29 seasons, concluding his coaching career with an NBA-record 1,422 wins and five championships. He will continue with the Spurs as team president of basketball operations following health issues, including a stroke in November, which led to his absence for most of the 2024-25 season. 

Prince Harry loses bid to reinstate security on visits to UK.

Harry had tried to challenge the UK government's decision to reduce his security after he left royal duties and moved to the US. The Court of Appeal ruled the decision-making process was lawful and found no legal grounds to overturn the government's choice to provide him security on a case-by-case basis rather than automatically granting the same level of protection as senior royals.

This Week on 1440 Topics

Want to learn more about particular topic areas? Sign up for our weekly subject-focused emails, bringing deeply researched overviews paired with the internet's best resources straight to your inbox. Here's what's on tap this week:

The Novel: Explore the centuries-old practice of long-form writing, including some of history's most impactful works, in this week's 1440 Society & Culture newsletter.

Editor's note: The newsletter comes out at 8:30 am ET this morning; sign up before then to get it in your inbox! Our next newsletter will cover the life and works of Salvador Dali (join here). 

How annuities work: We're unpacking how the financial contracts, typically between an individual and their insurance company, work in this week's 1440 Business & Finance newsletter.

... and stay tuned for Science & Technology in the coming months!

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Today, we're sharing a story from reader Holly A. in Haines City, Florida.

"I have been struggling lately with my own connection to others in these divisive times, with my ability to offer grace and kindness amidst so much intolerance and hate, to find my own humanity in an inhumane world. Five years ago, at the start of the pandemic, my husband and I placed plastic Easter eggs on the lawns of every home in our subdivision with a message of hope inside. I thought there was maybe someone who needed that message in that egg. 

So this Easter, I decided, despite my trepidation, to revive my hope eggs this time for my coworkers, leaving 120 plastic eggs all over the building with chocolate and my simple message, 'On this day and all days may you find light, hope, strength, voice, connection, compassion, peace, renewal…and chocolate.'

As everyone found their eggs .... people began thanking me with hugs and tears in their eyes, even people I didn’t know came to introduce themselves .... I had no idea how many people had been feeling the same way I was and how much those simple words would begin to create new connections and open hearts that were as guarded as mine. In dark times, we are tasked with finding even the smallest bit of light and sharing it with those around us. It is that tiny spark that stands to ignite not only the humanity in others but just as importantly to remind us of our own."

What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here.