President Trump provided an explanation for bruises on his hand that last year sparked rumors about his health during an interview with the Wall Street Journal that was published Thursday.
Why it matters: The 79-year-old president, who's faced age-related health scrutiny, revealed that he has for years taken higher doses of aspirin for "cardiac prevention" and this "causes bruising."
U.S. adults surveyed in 1999 correctly predicted major shifts for the half-century ahead: the election of a Black U.S. president, civilian travel to space and a warming planet.
The big picture: The turn of the millennium marked a cultural, technological and political inflection point, with Americans anticipating some of the changes that have come to define the 21st century so far.
The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 was a campaign trail boogeyman for President Trump, but much of it became reality during his first year back in office.
Why it matters: From reshaping the federal government to his push to recognize only two genders, Trump spent much of2025 ticking off items from the conservative wishlist.However, the plan has dozens more action items awaiting his attention in 2026.
The Supreme Court has many pivotal cases lined up for the coming year, many revolving around President Trump's policies.
The big picture: Trump has relied heavily on the court's emergency docket during his second term, using it to block lower court rulings while cases play out.
Many of the key changes of President Trump's flagship first-year legislation go into effect in 2026, along with state-level policy expanding tech and labor protections.
Why it matters: New and amended laws intended to advance or restrict this administration's policies and platforms will affect Americans' wallets, work and entertainment in 2026.
With the 2026 midterm season approaching, voters on both sides of the abortion debate are likely to head to the polls to influence reproductive care laws in several states.
Why it matters:Abortion laws in many states have been in limbo since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Data: The Washington Post; Note: County level data unavailable for Delaware, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, West Virginia and Wyoming; Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios
The battle against infectious diseases like the flu and measles has taken a hit with sinking vaccination rates for children in many parts of the U.S., per new data collected and analyzed by the Washington Post.
The big picture: Vaccination rates for school-age children have plunged in hundreds of counties as chaos reigns over vaccination schedules, setting the stage for a potentially grim 2026.
Why it matters: Benefits are rising 2.8%, or about $56 a month for the average retiree, but higher Medicare premiums and tax rules will determine how much of that increase ends up in retirees' pockets.
All child care payments to Minnesota were frozen Tuesday evening as the Trump administration investigates alleged fraud by organizations in the state, Health and Human Services deputy secretary Jim O'Neill announced.
Why it matters: The Trump administration has repeatedly portrayed Minnesota as a propagator of fraud, particularly placing blame on the state's large Somali community.
