Hey, from CNN. I'm Afoma DK, with the five things you need to know for Wednesday, September 17.

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time in nine months. Central bankers opted for a quarter point cut this time around, matching expectations on Wall Street.

Stocks made gains, but ended the day mixed.

It's the first rate cut of President Donald Trump's second term.

He's been pushing for lower borrowing costs in order to boost economic growth.

But Fed officials have said they wanted to see how Trump's policies played out,

including his tariffs.

Ultimately, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said a weakening

job market is what led to their decision. While the unemployment rate remains low, it has edged

up. Job gains have slowed and downside risks to employment have risen. At the same time, inflation

has risen recently and remains somewhat elevated. I think you could think of this in a way as a risk management cut.

On Capitol Hill, ousted CDC director Susan Menares testified to senators about why she says

she was let go.

I was fired for holding the line on scientific integrity.

I had refused to commit to approving vaccine recommendations without evidence,

fire career officials without cause or resign, and I had shared my concerns with this committee.

I told secretary, I told the secretary that if he believed he could not trust me, he could fire me.

She gave her side of the story and disputed what Health and Human Services Secretary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said to senators about two weeks ago. I told her that she had to resign

because I asked her, are you a trustworthy person? And she said no. Two clashed over vaccine policies.

And last month, after 29 days on the job, her tenure came to an end.

She accused RFK Jr. of putting politics before public help when he required that CDC policy

...