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Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED ; Chart: Emily Peck/Axios Memory chip prices are skyrocketing, thanks to AI demand, and there's no end in sight. Why it matters: "Chipflation" is pushing up the prices for electronic goods like smartphones and laptops, as well as the costs for cloud storage and hardware — it also helps explain the eye-popping ascents in semiconductor stock prices. While the overall effect on inflation may not be huge — other kinds of products get more weight in the

Democrats have gone from treating Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) as a best-case-scenario target to a genuinely vulnerable incumbent whose downfall is worth a real investment. Why it matters: Democratic groups tell Axios they plan to put their money where their mouth is and spend to win the seat, which Trump carried by double digits in 2024. Phil Gardner, a spokesperson for the centrist Blue Dog Action Fund, said his group spent nearly $200,000 to support Miller's Democratic opponent, Brian Poindexter,

For years, America's economy has been defined by a "K-shaped" gap: The rich kept spending at a rapid pace, while everyone else struggled to keep up. That divide is suddenly narrowing. Why it matters: Economists warned that consumer spending growth was increasingly reliant on wealthy Americans, leaving the economy vulnerable to a stock market downturn or any other wealth shock. Importantly, the "K" appears to be closing from the bottom up, meaning that lower- and middle-income Americans are catch

President Trump's secret plane switch in Turkey is putting Air Force One's security protocols and defensive capabilities in the spotlight. Why it matters: Air Force One is the call sign for any Air Force aircraft carrying the president, meaning Trump's secret switch didn't change the designation — but it changed the plane protecting him. Driving the news: A threat from Iran forced Trump to secretly switch planes, using a catering truck to move to a smaller aircraft, per the Washington Post . Tru

Executive privilege can shield President Trump's communications with "private advisers" outside of the government, the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel concluded Monday. Why it matters: Democrats have been planning to bypass expected White House stonewalling by subpoenaing companies, colleges and private citizens if they win enough seats in November. The new opinion could create a new hurdle for Democrats should they retake Congress. "It really could be a pretty significant weapon" f

A federal judge on Tuesday expanded an earlier block on part of President Trump's executive order seeking to tighten rules for mail-in voting ahead of November's elections. Why it matters: The ruling freezes a key piece of Trump's attempted overhaul of mail-in voting for all U.S. states. A previous ruling in a separate case had limited a block for the 23 Democratic states that sued over the president's order. Trump's executive order had enabled the USPS to refuse to deliver ballots to states tha

The Trump administration on Tuesday finalized a plan to cut off federal Medicaid funding for hormone therapy, puberty blockers and surgeries for transgender youths. Why it matters: The rule is the latest escalation in the administration's effort to limit transition-related care , which has tested the boundaries of executive powers and could undercut federal and state protections. States may still use their own funds to cover gender-affirming care for youth in Medicaid or the Children's Health In

Artificial intelligence isn't just speeding up early-stage drug development, it's starting to unlock millions of dollars' worth of new efficiencies in clinical trials on cancer treatments, research shared first with Axios shows. Why it matters: AI-powered tools could shave months off time-consuming processes like recruiting and enrolling patients, monitoring results and interpreting data. That could free up resources for more clinical studies and possibly lower the high failure rate for new drug

Anthropic's new models will add machine-readable "watermarks" to Claude-generated text and files to comply with new European Union transparency regulations. Why it matters: Comms teams using Claude to simply clean up, translate, or format human-drafted press releases could stamp those documents with an AI signature. How it works: For models launched in the EU after Aug. 2, Anthropic is marking content in two ways, "wherever Claude is offered, worldwide." Text watermarks: Claude embeds patterns i

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is trying to pull off a political feat for the ages: bury a chapter of left-wing politics that seemed like a good idea to many liberals at the time — but not so much anymore. Why it matters: The country's most prominent democratic socialist is essentially seeking a mulligan for candidates who embraced policies like defunding the police, saying candidates should be judged on their current platforms. But that will be a tough sell with moderate Democrats, let alone Rep

The state of the global diesel market is getting even more precarious as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran crisis squeeze supply from multiple angles. Why it matters: Diesel prices ripple through economies here and abroad, affecting shipping costs, construction and plenty in between. The average U.S. price is up 44 cents over the last month to $5.32 per gallon, compared to $3.71 a year ago, per AAA. However, during the Iran crisis, it hasn't hit the all-time high of $5.82 per gallon that AAA r

Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) was unseated Tuesday by his primary challenger, former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin , according to the Associated Press. Why it matters: Larson is the 7th House Democrat ousted in their primary this year . Only one other election cycle in the 21st century has seen this many incumbent losses in primaries. Bronin's challenge to Larson came after the 78-year-old incumbent suffered a widely publicized freeze-up during a House floor speech that he later said was the result of

Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) advanced Tuesday to a runoff in South Carolina's crowded Republican Senate primary, per the AP, extending the fight to succeed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham . Why it matters: The Aug. 25 runoff will almost certainly determine South Carolina's next senator. Graham's abbreviated campaign has relied on the immediate advantages of incumbency, President Trump's support and one of the most recognizable names in South Carolina politics. Norman has argue

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated state Rep. Francesca Hong , a democratic socialist , in Tuesday's Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor, the Associated Press reports. Why it matters: Hong's loss blunts progressives' recent momentum and hands moderate Democrats a chance to prove their electability in a crucial battleground state in November Crowley will vie to become Wisconsin's first Black governor. Driving the news: Crowley managed to edge out Hong by about 3,000

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley narrowly defeated socialist Francesca Hong by about 3,000 votes, dealing a blow to the progressive left's momentum Tuesday in Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor, after his own polling indicated he was behind by nearly 20 points. Why it matters: Crowley's win could breathe new life into a center-left that had been losing primary after primary in recent months, from last week's Senate contest in Michigan to House races across the country . Yes, but

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar sailed to victory in Minnesota's Democratic primary for governor on Tuesday. The big picture: Polling indicates that the four-term senator and 2020 presidential candidate will be a formidable contender in Democrats' bid to hold the open seat this November. Catch up quick: Klobuchar entered the race in late January, shortly after Gov. Tim Walz reversed course and scrapped plans to run for a third term . Walz's exit came amid mounting scrutiny over his administration's resp

When Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted a video Saturday giving herself a shot in preparation to freeze her eggs, she instantly injected issues of fertility, family and feminism into political discourse. And some of the online backlash from the conservative right is making Republicans, including some in the White House, a little nervous. Why it matters: The New York Democrat's Instagram announcement — "Don't be weird about this, even though I know all of you will be," she said — dominated soci

A coalition of more than 120 organizations, including Nvidia, Cisco and CrowdStrike, is proposing a new incident-reporting framework for AI agents that would require participating companies to disclose certain agent mishaps and preserve detailed records of what went wrong. Why it matters: As AI agents gain more autonomy to act across computer systems, the industry lacks a standard way to report security failures and learn from them. Driving the news: The Open Secure AI Alliance is developing gui

Many security leaders at major companies, flush with expanded budgets to fend off AI-powered cyberattacks , are experiencing a level of decision fatigue that's freezing them in their tracks. Why it matters: Those leaders are still trying to size up how autonomous cyberattacks will affect their businesses at a time when they need to be taking bold action and mobilizing quickly, experts told Axios. The big picture: Companies have only a short window before AI models capable of end-to-end autonomou

Data: Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) ; Chart: Russell Contreras/Axios Violent crime kept falling across many of the nation's largest cities through June, with homicides down 17.2% from the first half of 2025, according to preliminary data reviewed by Axios. Why it matters: The decline now spans two presidencies — it began falling under President Biden after the pandemic-era surge, and has kept dropping under President Trump . Trump came into office casting America as being overrun by cri

Senate Republicans' top super PAC is pouring an extra $6 million into Michigan to attack Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Why it matters: It's part of $12 million in new spending this month by the Senate Leadership Fund to defend Republican leader John Thune 's majority. It's an unusually early spend for Republican super PACs, which typically wait until September. Zoom in: SLF is launching the $6 million TV and digital campaign Wednesday to hit El-Sayed and bolster Republican Mike Roger

New revelations about "rogue" AI agents have exposed a dystopian hazard: Give an agent a goal, and it may decide that hacking, deception or rule-breaking is worth the payoff. Why it matters: Billions of AI agents could soon be acting on behalf of humans across the real world, multiplying the consequences of every loophole, incentive and boundary they learn to exploit. Zoom in: The potential dangers of agentic overreach were laid bare over the weekend with Australia's first known autonomous AI ha

Move over, data centers. AI's climate impact may extend well beyond the electricity it consumes. Why it matters: A new peer-reviewed study finds AI could help produce more oil and natural gas — and produce a climate impact the authors argue could far outweigh the technology's benefits for renewable energy. Driving the news: The research, just published in a Nature journal, concludes AI's role in boosting oil and gas production would outweigh its climate benefits from accelerating renewable energ

Taylor Farms , a major produce supplier and producer of finished food products in North America, is engulfed in a food safety crisis that's ensnaring some of the biggest consumer brands in the U.S. Why it matters: The company — a critical supplier to stores like Walmart and Target and restaurants like Chipotle and Taco Bell — is connected to FDA investigations into multiple pathogens that have sickened thousands of people. Catch up quick: Taylor Farms is recalling finished food products containi

The congressional town hall is becoming an endangered species. Why it matters: August recess once meant lawmakers returning home to face constituents — sometimes friendly, sometimes furious. After a wave of explosive confrontations last year, many lawmakers have stopped them altogether. Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) is among the dwindling number of lawmakers who still regularly subject themselves to the traditional, open town hall. "You've got to show up in the town square and answer the questions. I

President Trump issued an executive order Monday calling for fewer childhood vaccinations, splitting the childhood MMR vaccine into three shots and delivering vaccines at separate medical visits. Why it matters: Controversial vaccine policy changes are roaring back ahead of the midterms . The executive order states that "the combined MMR vaccine should be administered in three separate single-disease shots once such products are domestically available and that, to the maximum extent feasible, al

While analysts speculate whether Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) will launch a Senate or presidential bid, she's planning another part of her future: having kids. The big picture: Few prospective parents are weighing a White House bid, but Ocasio-Cortez is among a growing number of people freezing their eggs to preserve the possibility of having children later. Context: Jessica Ryniec, a Boston-based OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist, tells Axios she sees "m

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will soon remove nuclear material stored at a clandestine site in Syria after the Trump administration reached understandings with Syria and Israel, according to Israeli and U.S. officials. Why it matters: The Trump administration and IAEA scrambled to reach a diplomatic agreement to secure the material and prevent an escalation involving Israel, Syria and possibly even Turkey over the sensitive site. U.S. officials say the episode validates Presiden

A U.S. Appeals Court said Monday that thousands of lawsuits targeting Meta Platforms , ByteDance's TikTok and other social media outlets over claims that social media is harmful and addictive can proceed. The big picture: Tech companies have thus far skirted major regulatory scrutiny at the federal level, but the lawsuits suggest it isn't immune to heavy court penalties, which can be just as, if not more, punitive in the long term. Driving the news: A Ninth Circuit panel dismissed Meta and TikTo

OpenAI is introducing a more cyber-permissive version of GPT-5.6 Sol to vetted defenders as it prepares companies for autonomous cyberattacks . Why it matters: The move comes just days after OpenAI said it was delaying the release of its forthcoming model, Astra, after it reached critical hacking abilities during safety testing. The big picture: OpenAI is unveiling GPT-5.6-Cyber while also expanding Daybreak , its program that gives cybersecurity defenders access to the company's cyber models an

Reproduced from NOAA ; Chart: Axios Visuals July was the hottest month on record for the contiguous U.S., per new federal data dating back to 1895. By the numbers: Last month's average temperature was 76.89°F, topping the 76.77°F mark set in July 1936. That's 3.3°F warmer than the 1901-2000 average. What they're saying: "Above-average temperatures covered the entire [contiguous U.S.], with all states ranking in the warmest third of their July temperature records and none ranking near or below av

White House staff secretary Will Scharf will take over as White House counsel on Sept. 1, President Trump announced Sunday. Why it matters: Scharf begins his job just two months before the midterms, when a possible Democratic House could put him at the center of fights over subpoenas, testimony and executive privilege. The big picture: Scharf is the latest of Trump's former personal lawyers to land a powerful legal job in the administration. Todd Blanche, another former Trump lawyer, was confirm

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg released a full-throated defense of AI on Monday morning: a 6,500-word manifesto arguing that the most common concerns are overblown and fail to account for all the positives it can achieve. In his vision of AI , the biggest risk instead is that one government or entity has too much power over the technology. Why it matters: Zuckerberg's flag in the ground, with a utopian vision of a highly personal AI that fuels individual achievement, comes as policymakers debate how m

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is urging leading AI CEOs to pause AI development, warning that lawmakers will step in if no action is taken. Why it matters: Sanders is upping the ante on the AI industry ahead of the elections, building on his progressive playbook that is shaping how some candidates message around the issue. What they're saying: "Mr. Altman, Mr. Amodei and Mr. Zuckerberg: In the interest of humanity, stand by your words. Pause AI development. It is not too late to avoid disaster. St

Federal Reserve chairman Kevin Warsh is attempting a high-wire act: He's trying to fundamentally rethink the central bank's approach to guiding the economy, while also using its standard policy toolkit to bring down stubbornly persistent inflation. A market blowup late last month showed the perils of trying both at the same time. The big picture: Markets sold off and the economic commentariat was sharply critical of a Warsh press conference on July 29, in which he was vague about the possibility

LA CROSSE, Wis . — Progressive insurgents Francesca Hong and Abdul El-Sayed want to shake up the next race for the White House — a notion that will likely petrify many top Democrats. Why it matters: They aren't running for president — they're vying for statewide office this year in presidential battlegrounds, and their campaigns are closely watched tests of the Bernie Sanders–style populism they want their party to embrace in 2028 . It's a question that has haunted Democrats for a decade: Is Ame

A liberal group working to elect scientists to public office has a 2028 message for Arizona Sen. — and former astronaut — Mark Kelly : Run, Kelly, run. Why it matters: 314 Action Fund has raised its profile this cycle, elevating candidates with STEM backgrounds who've pitched themselves as a bulwark against public health cuts and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The organization said it raised more than $100 million over the past decade — including $25 million during the

President Trump signaled on Sunday that he's prepared to allow economic pressure on Iran to mount — as opposed to ordering a new military offensive — even as the country continues to defy the U.S. Why it matters: Only a week ago, Trump was on the verge of ordering a return to major combat operations. But in an interview with Axios, he did not make any new military threats. Trump also didn't express any anger or frustration about the fact that Iran has been holding up an announcement on a deal wi

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) left the door open Sunday to either running for president in 2028 or challenging fellow New Yorker and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Why it matters: Ocasio-Cortez is emerging as a leading potential heir to the movement built by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and whichever path she chooses could reshape the future of Democratic politics. Driving the news: ABC's Jonathan Karl asked Ocasio-Cortez on "This Week" whether she would run for president, afte

Rep. Max Miller appeared to let a crucial Saturday withdrawal cutoff pass in Ohio's 7th Congressional District, effectively closing Republicans' last practical window to replace the embattled incumbent on the November ballot. Why it matters: A district that favors Republicans has suddenly become a potential Democratic pickup as the GOP fights to preserve its narrow House majority, and Ohio law gave party leaders no room to replace Miller without his cooperation. The latest: Miller's campaign spo

The Senate passed a stopgap spending bill early Saturday that would keep the government funded through Dec. 11, moving Washington closer to avoiding another shutdown before the November midterms. Why it matters: The bipartisan 90-6 vote would push the next government funding deadline past Election Day while offering some checks on the Trump administration. State of play: The measure, which now goes to the House, generally maintains funding levels after the fiscal year ends Sept. 30, with a few n

Nothing has improved my work and life more than my new operating philosophy: Simplify . I've seen such a dramatic improvement at Axios, and in my personal life, that I co-wrote a new book explaining step by step how it works. It's called " Simplify : Do 50% More with 50% Less." Why it matters: Axios co-founders Jim VandeHei, Roy Schwartz and I dig deep into real-world experience and science to show you why most people waste years of their lives doing needless stuff out of habit or inertia. You'l

The slightest hint of generative AI usage is fast becoming a kiss of death in creative circles. Why it matters: It's turning into a purity test that has the potential to blow up careers and derail massive deals almost overnight — and there's no desire for nuance or ability to clear your name. Whether you choose disclosure or denial, both can fail to protect you in a climate where using a chatbot as a tool to guide one's thought process is viewed the same as generating creative work wholesale. Dr

Synagogues across the U.S. are having congregants train to be volunteer security teams as antisemitic assaults hit record levels and Jewish gathering places face increasing threats. Driving the news: The front doorways of many synagogues are becoming both a place of welcome and a security checkpoint — a sign of how antisemitism is reshaping Jewish life in America. The traditional practice of hiring a guard for High Holy Days services, installing cameras and calling police if something happens, i

The Senate voted to confirm Todd Blanche as the next attorney general early Saturday, capping a tumultuous path to office for President Trump's former personal attorney. The big picture: Blanche's appointment is a win for the Trump administration, especially after a journey that saw some Republicans hold out at multiple stages of the process. At one point Trump threatened to keep him as acting attorney general for months, after two GOP senators withheld their votes to advance him from the Senate

The Trump administration has launched a new effort to remove Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook , notifying her that President Trump is considering her removal and giving her 21 days to respond to mortgage fraud allegations in a letter obtained by Axios. Why it matters: The Supreme Court this year blocked Trump's first attempt to remove Cook, finding that the Fed official was not given notice or a chance to respond. The new letter seeks to satisfy those requirements in what remains an unprecedented

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics ; Chart: Courtenay Brown/Axios America's labor market appeared to be gaining momentum this spring. The latest data makes that rebound look much less convincing. Why it matters: The report isn't as bad as the headline suggests, but the broader picture is still one of a labor market that is less robust than it seemed. If the trend continues, U.S. workers might find themselves squeezed on two fronts — a weakening job market and high inflation from an uncertain geopo

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) announced Friday that he will vote for Todd Blanche's for attorney general , boosting his prospects for confirmation before the Senate leaves for its August recess. Why it matters: Cassidy's vote keeps Blanche's nomination alive despite previous opposition from Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). Given the continued absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Blanche could afford to lose only two GOP votes if Democrats do as expected and vote along