The 2026 box office is off to its strongest start since the COVID-19 pandemic, raising hopes in Hollywood that theatrical moviegoing has staying power in the streaming era.
Why it matters: Success at the box office gives studios and distributors more leverage to preserve theatrical release windows, a key revenue driver for the industry.
After saying it wanted to keep federal payments to private Medicare plans roughly flat next year, the Trump administration reversed course on Monday and gave the insurers a $13 billion pay bump.
Why it matters: The average 2.48% pay increase for 2027 was on the high end of analysts' expectations and marked a win for UnitedHealthcare, Humana and other Medicare Advantage plans, whose stocks tumbled after the administration's initial proposal in January.
California now requires folic acid in corn tortillas — a staple in many Latino households — in a move that could spread beyond the state.
Why it matters: A quiet change to corn tortillas could reshape grocery shelves nationwide — while helping prevent serious birth defects that disproportionately affect Hispanic babies.
Neurocrine Biosciences (Nasdaq: NBIX)has agreed to acquire Redwood City, California-based Soleno Therapeutics (Nasdaq: SLNO) for $2.9 billion in cash.
Why it's the BFD: This would give Neurocrine its first metabolic disease drug — something that's evolved from "nice to have" to "must have" in the GLP-1 era.
For the first time, Medicare is covering some cannabis products under a pilot program that opens up more of the nearly $30 billion hemp industry to seniors.
Why it matters: The effort is part of a White House push to reschedule marijuana and tracks with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s interest in non-pharmaceutical, alternative treatments.
