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Dear Annie: Teen’s cold shoulder leaves mom feeling shut out

Dear Annie: My 15-year-old daughter and I used to be extremely close. She was the kind of child who would climb into the car after school and tell me everything before I even pulled out of the parking lot: who sat with whom at lunch, what her teacher said, which friend was mad at which friend and what song everyone was listening to that week. Now, I feel like I am living with a very fashionable attorney who cross-examines everything I say. If I ask how school was, she says, “Fine,” in a tone that makes it clear the conversation is over. If I ask whether she has homework, she says ...

Looking at a new Alzheimer’s treatment called NeuroEPO

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read about a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease called NeuralCIM from Cuba. Do you think this is real? — J.B. ANSWER: NeuralCIM, aka NeuroEPO, is derived from erythropoietin — the hormone that stimulates red blood cell precursors to make more blood cells. However, this intranasal form doesn’t stimulate blood cells; it does act like a similar hormone that is made by astrocytes, which are some of the “support cells” of brain tissue. Among the activities of NeuralEPO in the brain are decreasing amyloid deposits; reducing programmed cell death ...

What James Madison can teach Americans about religious freedom today

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, debates about religious freedom continue to occupy the center of American public life. Since taking office for a second time, the Trump administration has issued a number of executive orders on religion that raise new questions about religious freedom. On May 1, 2025, the administration established the Religious Liberty Commission. The commission will advise the White House on policies intended to protect the free exercise of religion and to prevent discrimination against people of faith by the ...

Dear Annie: When a rock becomes sand

Dear Annie: My husband of five years has dementia. We’ve known about it for two or three years. He retired last year, and I work full time. It’s getting harder. He argues every point, doesn’t want me to go anywhere without him and repeats himself. He says he will just “wait for me” when I ask for things to be done or when I try to get someone to help him with things. I financially can’t stop working yet. To make it harder? Almost everyone has ghosted us. He’s home by himself most of the day. His family doesn’t call or come by. Some of my family and a couple of my ...

The Founding Fathers would’ve gotten rid of Trump long ago

In 1788, Virginia convened a convention to debate ratification of the new U.S. Constitution, promulgated in Philadelphia the year before. The pardon power proved to be a sticking point for some delegates. George Mason, the primary author of Virginia’s own constitution, was among those worried that the unchecked ability to unilaterally pardon criminality could lead to abuses of power. What if the president “may frequently pardon crimes which were advised by himself?” James Madison acknowledged that this would be a serious abuse but argued there was a remedy. “There is one ...

Dear Annie: Scaling back without guilt

Dear Annie: For years, I’ve made it a point to remember every birthday in my extended family — my nieces, nephews and now their children — by sending cards with a little money tucked inside. It’s been my way of staying connected since I don’t see them often. Now I’m retired and living on a fixed income, and the cost has quietly added up. The truth is, everyone in my family is financially comfortable, and I’m beginning to feel the strain of keeping up this tradition. I’d like to scale back and send monetary gifts only to those 19 and under, while still sending cards to ...