Congress Clears Stopgap Budget Deal, Averting a Shutdown by Two Days
A bipartisan continuing resolution keeps federal agencies funded through the fall, but leaves the biggest spending fights unresolved until after the summer recess.
Government & Politics
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A Loaded Supreme Court Term: The Cases That Could Reshape Federal Power
From agency authority to digital privacy, the docket taking shape for the fall could redraw the boundaries between Washington and the states.
States Harden Election Systems Ahead of a High-Turnout Midterm
Officials are upgrading equipment, expanding paper trails, and running tabletop drills as they prepare for the fall vote.
White House Signs Executive Order Overhauling Federal Hiring Rules
The order shifts many civil service positions toward skills-based assessments and away from degree requirements, a change agencies will phase in over 18 months.
National Parks Draw Record Crowds, Straining a Stretched Budget
Visitation hit new highs this season, testing the Park Service's ability to maintain trails, staff entrances, and protect fragile landscapes.
Three Years In, the Infrastructure Push Is Rebuilding Bridges Coast to Coast
A national repair program has moved from planning to concrete, with thousands of bridge projects now underway from Pennsylvania to Oregon.
Taxes & IRS
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Why a Mid-Year Paycheck Checkup Can Save You From an April Surprise
Adjusting withholding in the summer, rather than at filing time, gives workers a chance to fix a mismatch before it grows.
529 Plans Get More Flexible, Broadening Their Appeal Beyond College
Recent rule changes let families use education savings for more purposes, easing a long-standing worry about locking money away.
The IRS Says Phone Wait Times Are Down. Filers Are Cautiously Hopeful
After years of complaints, the agency reports shorter hold times and more callbacks, though the improvement is uneven across issues.
Capital Gains Taxes, Explained for Everyday Investors
The difference between short-term and long-term gains, and a few timing strategies, can meaningfully change what investors owe.
A Practical Guide to Quarterly Estimated Taxes for the Self-Employed
Freelancers and small business owners who skip estimated payments can face penalties, but a simple system keeps them on track.
Finance & Economy
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Federal Reserve Holds Rates Steady as Inflation Cools Toward Target
Policymakers left the benchmark rate unchanged and signaled patience, waiting for more data before considering cuts later in the year.
The Job Market Cools Without Cracking, Reviving Soft-Landing Hopes
Hiring has slowed to a steadier pace and unemployment remains low, a combination economists once thought difficult to achieve.
Stocks Near Record Highs as the Rally Broadens Beyond Big Tech
Gains that were once concentrated in a handful of giants have spread to smaller companies and overlooked sectors, a healthier sign for the market.
The Housing Market Thaws Slowly as Rates Ease and Inventory Creeps Up
More listings and slightly lower mortgage rates are nudging a frozen market back to life, though affordability remains a steep hurdle.
Grocery Prices Stabilize After Years of Sticker Shock at the Register
Food inflation has cooled sharply, though prices remain well above where they stood a few years ago, a gap shoppers still feel.
Beauty & Wellness
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The Skin Barrier Takes Center Stage as Gentle Routines Win Out
After years of aggressive actives, Americans are embracing simpler routines built around protecting the skin's natural barrier.
Self-Care Grows Up, Trading Indulgence for Sustainable Habits
The self-care conversation is maturing beyond spa days toward the ordinary routines that actually sustain wellbeing.
Sunscreen Goes From Seasonal Afterthought to Year-Round Staple
Daily SPF has become a cornerstone of American skincare, driven by dermatologists and a wave of more elegant formulas.
Recovery Tools Once Reserved for Athletes Move Into Home Bathrooms
Cold plunges, red light, and percussion massagers have gone mainstream, blurring the line between the spa and the medicine cabinet.
Functional Fitness Reframes Exercise Around Everyday Movement
A move away from aesthetics toward strength and mobility for daily life is reshaping how Americans approach exercise.
Health & Medicine
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The Primary Care Shortage Deepens, and Health Systems Scramble to Adapt
A widening gap between the demand for primary care and the supply of physicians is pushing hospitals toward new models of care.
Health Officials Prepare for Respiratory Season With Updated Vaccines
As fall approaches, updated vaccines and clearer guidance aim to blunt the annual wave of respiratory illness.
Telehealth Settles In as a Permanent Fixture of American Medicine
Once an emergency measure, virtual visits have become a routine option, especially for follow-ups and mental health care.
Nutrition Advice Coalesces Around Protein, Fiber, and Whole Foods
Amid endless diet fads, mainstream nutrition guidance is converging on a few durable, unglamorous principles.
Public Health Systems Modernize Data After Hard Pandemic Lessons
Investments in faster, better-connected data aim to help public health agencies detect and respond to threats more quickly.
Sports
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NFL Season Preview: A New Quarterback Class Aims to Reset the League
A promising group of young passers is set to test whether fresh talent can shake up an established order as training camps open.
NBA Offseason Reshapes Contenders Amid a Flurry of Player Movement
A busy stretch of trades and signings has redrawn the map of contention heading into the coming season.
MLB Pennant Races Tighten as Divisions Refuse to Separate
With the summer heating up, several divisions remain bunched, setting up a tense stretch run toward the postseason.
What Separates Champions: The Elusive Ingredient of Team Culture
Beyond talent and tactics, the intangible of culture keeps emerging as a defining trait of teams that win when it matters.
The Expanded College Football Playoff Widens the Path to a Title
A larger bracket has given more programs a realistic shot at a championship, reshaping the sport's regular-season stakes.