Axios

A massive winter storm is expected to thrash a huge swath of the United States this weekend — with its impact extending from Texas all the way through New England.

Why it matters: More than half of Americans in the Lower 48 states will simultaneously experience some form of wintry precipitation this weekend, per the Washington Post.

America's blood supply faces a critical shortage while a major winter storm is forecast for parts of the South, potentially exacerbating the strain.

Why it matters: The Red Cross said blood donations were already down 35% nationally in the past month and asked people to donate to boost the supply before the winter weather hits.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicted Wednesday that drug research will shift from traditional labs to AI platforms, with pharma giants already making the leap.

Why it matters: The industry is betting the pivot could accelerate how fast new drugs reach patients.

The government's health care watchdog identified more than $19 billion in wasteful or fraudulent federal payments and possible cost savings during a span that included the first nine months of President Trump's second term, a report provided exclusively to Axios shows.

Why it matters: The Trump administration often cites rampant waste, fraud and abuse as justification for deep program cuts.

Republicans and Democrats are using the latest government funding package to push back against President Trump's proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health — and limit the administration's influence over biomedical research grants.

Why it matters: The bipartisan sentiment shows that medical research and efforts to find new cures still have strong support on Capitol Hill after a turbulent year for NIH.

Parents around the country are suddenly confronting a bizarre dynamic: Their pediatrician's vaccine advice doesn't match that of the federal government.

Why it matters: Kids' health is at stake at a time when vaccine-preventable diseases are on the rise and trust in public health institutions is already low.

Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance are expecting their fourth child this summer.

The big picture: It's the first time in modern U.S. history that a vice president has welcomed a child while in office.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is opening up for the first time about how growing up in a sometimes "unhappy childhood home" helped shape his approach to life and politics, including a desire for "control."

Why it matters: Shapiro's revelations, described in his new book due Jan. 27, offer insight into the psyche of a top Democrat who's widely seen as a likely contender for the party's presidential nomination in 2028.

About one in five Americans report doing no physical activity or exercise outside their job, per a new report.

Why it matters: Even just moderate exercise can have tremendous benefits for your physical and mental well-being, research has found.

Outbreaks linked to declining vaccination rates are threatening to overwhelm hospital emergency departments — most of which aren't fully prepared to treat sick kids.

Why it matters: More than 35 million children are taken to emergency rooms each year, but most go to local hospitals that see fewer than 10 children a day.

To mark the one-year anniversary of President Trump taking office, we asked Axios subject matter experts a simple question: What's the biggest disruption or change you've seen on your beat over the past year?

1. White House, Marc Caputo: A year in the planning, Trump's ouster of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro was a defining moment that crystallized the administration's "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine.