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The Rundown | | |
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States Try to Ease Costs as Budgets Tighten |
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State lawmakers entered 2027 with a lot to juggle, budget wise: rising costs for residents, slower revenue growth, federal policy changes, and more—even though many still had healthy reserves.
Three ways that states responded to a tighter budget picture:
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They looked to address residents’ affordability concerns. Some states cut taxes or sent rebates. Others helped residents cover childcare and utilities. |
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They relied on reserves and one-time maneuvers to balance budgets. Sixteen states planned to use rainy-day funds—an unusually high number outside an economic downturn. Nonetheless, many maintained reserves. |
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They prepped for tougher tradeoffs ahead. States have already responded to some federal policy changes—but many expect to have to spend more on Medicaid, nutrition aid, and administrative staff in the next few years. | |
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With this round of budgeting largely complete, the big question is whether this year’s decisions will lead to harder tradeoffs ahead. |
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The Housing Math Has Changed for Young Americans |
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
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For more and more U.S. young adults, owning a home feels out of reach.
From 2019 to 2024, the inflation-adjusted median home value rose 30%. At the same time, the median household income for households headed by those under 40 years old rose only 9%.
This mismatch leaves many young renters facing a harder path to homeownership, especially in metro areas where prices have pulled furthest ahead of incomes. |
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FACT OF THE MATTER |
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The typical monthly cost of owning a median-priced home rose from $1,689 in 2019 to $2,776 in 2024. | | | |
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National Parks Tell America’s Story |
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National parks are more than beautiful places to visit—they help tell the story of the United States through the people, resources, and landscapes that shaped it.
As the country approaches its 250th anniversary, our Jennifer Browning reflects on 30 years of exploring more than 50 national parks and publicly protected lands with her family.
Amid the beauty and perspective of those visits, Browning has also seen glaciers recede, forests scarred by wildfire, and park infrastructure in need of repair—reminders that these places need care long after they are protected. |
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Can AI Be Trusted in Mental Healthcare? |
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People are increasingly turning to AI tools for mental health support, while healthcare systems are using the new technology to help with diagnosis, documentation, and daily workflows.
And why not? AI could help to expand access to care, reduce clinician burnout, and identify warning signs earlier. But adoption is moving faster than regulation—raising concerns about safety, privacy, and effectiveness.
Now, some states and professional groups are beginning to set guardrails around transparency, clinician oversight, harm prevention, and data protection. |
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