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Trump at the Midpoint: Power, progress and the price of chaos

As America approaches the 2026 midterm elections, President Donald Trump’s second administration can be described in one word: consequential. Whether one considers those consequences beneficial or dangerous depends largely on where one stands politically. But even Trump’s fiercest critics must concede that he has never confused the presidency with a ceremonial assignment. Trump does not merely enter a room; he occupies it. He governs the same way. In less than two years, he has reordered Washington’s priorities around border enforcement, energy production, tariffs, ...

Dear Annie: A freshman course in crushes

Dear Annie: I’m an 18-year-old woman who just started my freshman year of college out of state. Everything is going well, and I’m meeting new people with different perspectives. One thing I’m experiencing is my “I don’t know” phase, which is new for me. Especially with relationships, I don’t know if I like certain boys because they’re convenient or if I really like them. For context, there were two boys who lived on the same floor as me before I changed rooms because of roommate issues. They were attractive, and I thought I liked both of them, but I wonder if it was ...

Families of craftsmen can produce notable work

“Castillo” is one of the most famous names in Mexican silver. The four Castillo brothers, Antonio, Jorge, Miguel, and Justo, founded their workshop, Los Castillo, in 1939. Like many mid-century Mexican silversmiths, they had all trained at William Spratling’s Taxco workshop. They, in ...

What we remember when we remember 9/11

Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when you learned of the September 11 terrorist attacks that occurred 25 years ago? Do you remember what you saw on television or how you felt? Is your memory highly detailed, and are you confident that what you are remembering is an accurate recollection of those details? For most people who lived through the event, their answers to those questions will be a resounding “yes!” As a memory researcher, I know long-lasting and vivid “flashbulb memories” typically are for mundane events like driving to work or cooking dinner. ...

Never forget 9/11

I was sitting in my home office not far from the Pentagon when it happened. The TV behind me had the sound lowered but I suddenly became aware of a major development. I reached for the remote and cranked up the audio. A plane had struck one of the twin towers in New York. TV anchors initially speculated it must have been a small plane that had run off course, but soon a much larger plane struck the building and then a second one hit the other tower. It quickly became clear America was under attack. I saw smoke rising from the Pentagon and went up on the roof to get a better look. My ...

Dear Annie: Some comforts never get old

Dear Annie: I hesitate to write this because I’ve never seen anything like this subject in your column. I am a grown woman, mom and grandmother and still have a “blanky.” When I come home from work and walk in my bedroom and see the piece of the silk end, I immediately feel relaxed. I know this sounds crazy, but it gives me comfort. I wouldn’t call it a problem — more of an insecurity, maybe? I sleep with it, but it stays in my bedroom. I swear I’m a normal person! But I wonder if other grown adults have a childhood habit they still do today. — Still Need My Blanky Dear ...