Axios

Call it a dream deferred: Americans are being thwarted by homeownership costs that are near record highs, a new report finds.

Why it matters: Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American dream and the way many of us build wealth, but it is increasingly out of reach — particularly for young adults.

Republicans have stranded nine House Democratic incumbents in districts President Trump carried by double digits in 2024, thanks to the redrawn House map.

Why it matters: This is the individual lawmaker version of how redistricting has become a powerful firewall for Republicans. It gives the party a way to threaten Democratic seats even if the national environment turns ugly for the GOP.

Intel shares surged 11% Thursday, continuing their meteoric rise after President Trump said that the company had secured a deal to supply chips to Apple.

Why it matters: Intel has been scrambling to reinvent itself as a chip foundry, making components for external customers — and its moment might've finally arrived in the form of a global shortage that's jolting device prices.

The political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is quietly putting massive sums into helping the group's chair, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), win his primary, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The spending signals how much peril Espaillat's allies think he is facing from democratic socialist challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier.

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) plans to end his months-long absence and return to Capitol Hill at the end of the month, a spokesperson said Thursday.

Why it matters: The mysterious nature of Kean's more than 100-day disappearance has captured national attention, especially as he is running for re-election in a hotly contested battleground district.

More than a decade in the making, the Obama Presidential Center opened Thursday on Chicago's South Side with four former presidents, A-list entertainers and thousands of visitors in attendance.

Why it matters: The $850 million center serves as the public home of President Obama's legacy and museum, while his presidential archives remain digital.

Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday he authorized direct talks with the U.S., but warned they do not signal agreement with Washington.

Why it matters: Khamenei's comments Thursday, in a written statement on his Telegram channel, were his first response to the signing of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Thursday unveiled his plan for the U.S. government to take 50% equity stakes in large AI companies.

Why it matters: This is a supercharged version of what members of President Trump's administration already are discussing — all of which would be unprecedented — and a tacit acknowledgment that AI may eventually cause major labor disruptions.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) blasted AI giants — including Amazon — and touted his support for key union priorities in a speech Tuesday at the closed-door Teamsters national convention in Las Vegas, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: A Republican featured as a speaker at a Teamsters event serves as a stark illustration of how the political lines are blurring for Big Labor, once a dependable political ally for the left.

Stocks fell and bond yields spiked on new Fed chairman Kevin Warsh's policy committee debut Wednesday afternoon.

Why it matters: Investors read the vibe as surprisingly hawkish — the yield on the two-year Treasury note rose after the Fed released its policy statement at 2pm, a sign that the market is pricing in rate hikes.