Upshot: What Americans mean by “affordability”
Also: New discounts on heat pumps
The Upshot
January 29, 2026

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WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FROM UPSHOT AND FRIENDS

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The New York Times

Why Some Cold States Are Making It Cheaper to Run a Heat Pump

New discounts can make heat pumps go from a bad investment to a good idea.

By Francesca Paris

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Victor J. Blue for The New York Times

Republicans Gave ICE a Slush Fund. Democrats Want to Limit It.

The sweeping domestic policy law that Republicans muscled through Congress last year made ICE the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency in the country, with no strings attached.

By Michael Gold

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The New York Times

President Trump’s Approval Rating: Latest Polls

Track the latest approval rating and polls on Americans’ approval of President Trump.

By Annie Daniel, Jon Huang, Ruth Igielnik, Jasmine C. Lee, Alex Lemonides, Jonah Smith, Albert Sun and Rumsey Taylor

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

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FactSet

Silver Prices Are Surging Even Faster Than Gold

Silver has risen roughly 60 percent this month alone. What is going on?

By Kailyn Rhone

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The New York Times

What’s Behind the Staggering Drop in the Murder Rate? No One Knows for Sure.

A decline in homicides across the country was a stunning reversal after crime rose during the pandemic.

By Shaila Dewan and Lazaro Gamio

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