There’s a kind of desperation that surfaces in the skincare aisle, when you’re looking for that for that one product which will perfect tired, dreary, misanthropic skin. However, if you don’t have these skincare basics in place, you’ll be disappointed — no matter how much money or magic you spend in the beauty aisle. You may even find that with these five steps, pricey products will be unnecessary. Nothing I’m about to say here is fancy or new. Sometimes in our pursuit of perfection, we forget to start with the basics.

The latest analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation, in collaboration with the Cook Political Report, finds that while a large share of voters are already firm about how they plan to vote in the 2020 presidential election (63%), there is a still a substantial share (30%) who say they have not made their minds up. With three in ten votes still up for grabs, this data note examines the demographics of swing voters: those who either report that they are undecided about their vote in 2020 or are leaning towards a candidate but haven’t made up their minds yet. It also explores the policy issues that could swing these voters to vote for either President Trump or the Democratic nominee.

Fed Governor Michelle W. Bowman asks: "For many years, inflation has run modestly below our 2 percent objective. Given that, it would be helpful to hear from you whether you think the Federal Open Market Committee should consider strategies that aim to have inflation exceed our target for a time, to make up for the earlier period of time when it fell short. Or would that threaten the decades of success the Fed has had keeping the public's expectations for inflation low and stable?" ...

“Nielsen’s illustrations are mesmerizing when seen in print, but this exhibition provides an exceptionally rare opportunity to see his original works of art, which are breathtaking with their powerful imagery and extraordinary detail,” said Meghan Melvin who organized the exhibition. Among the highlights of the exhibition are 10 illustrations from a compilation of Norse tales poetically titled East of the Sun and West of the Moon, Old Tales from the North (published 1914), which are considered the bedrock of Nielsen’s legacy.

The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about a fraud scheme involving genetic testing. Genetic testing fraud occurs when Medicare is billed for a test or screening that was not medically necessary and/or was not ordered by a Medicare beneficiary's treating physician. Scammers are offering Medicare beneficiaries "free" screenings or cheek swabs for genetic testing to obtain their Medicare information for identity theft or fraudulent billing purposes. Fraudsters are targeting beneficiaries through telemarketing calls, booths at public events, health fairs, and door-to-door visits. 

Amid a surge in measles cases nationwide this year, legislators and community leaders are debating ways to boost the number of kids who are up to date on their school-mandated shots. Many have focused on restricting or eliminating vaccination exemptions based on religion or personal opinions, which are common and have been offered by school districts across the United States for decades. But three recent academic studies suggest this might not be the most effective way to improve childhood vaccination rates. Scholars studied student vaccination rates in California and discovered that when parents cannot get an exemption based on their personal beliefs, some seek other ways for their children to stay in school while skipping one or more vaccinations.  

As I ate each bite of the gift tomato I remembered our friendship and valued all that we have shared over the years. It was as much a treat in its own way as the heirloom tomato was. I think if we pay attention to the wholeness of what we experience, life ripens in our hearts as well as in our gardens. I thought of the immigrants who come to our country. There are differences, yes, but traditionally we have accepted them. Are we changing our generosity for politics? Have we forgotten that we were all immigrants at one time? Swans and ducks are all birds. Americans and immigrants are all people. If they can accept each other, surely we can do the same. 

Julia Sneden reviews: We find that it an interesting process, looking back at books we read in our twenties and thirties. The books themselves haven't changed, but thanks to the varied experiences that another twenty or thirty years have added to our lives, we read them from a different perspective. Herewith, the first review of an old, beloved book (actually, three books). "Her mother too had been marked in youth, body and soul, by the bearing and nourishing of children; and she had thought perchance no more than Kristin herself, when she sat with that sweet young life at her breast, that so long as they two lived, each single day would lead the child farther and farther from her arms."  

"During each hurricane season, there always appear suggestions that one should simply use nuclear weapons to try and destroy the storms. Apart from the fact that this might not even alter the storm, this approach neglects the problem that the released radioactive fallout would fairly quickly move with the tradewinds to affect land areas and cause devastating environmental problems. Needless to say, this is not a good idea ... A fully developed hurricane can release heat energy at a rate of 5 to 20x1013 watts and converts less than 10% of the heat into the mechanical energy of the wind. The heat release is equivalent to a 10-megaton nuclear bomb exploding every 20 minutes."

Over the last 15 years, use of electronic cigarettes in the United States has grown rapidly as use of traditional cigarettes declined. Most e-cigarettes sold here are thought to be imported. The government began collecting data on imported e-cigarette devices, parts, and liquid in 2016. The value of US e-cigarette imports was $2.4 billion and brought $120 million in tariff revenue over that period. China accounted for 97% of these e-cigarette imports by value, and more than 271 million e-cigarette devices were imported.

American Founders demonstrates that African-Americans were everywhere in American history, on both continents and all the islands. They were key protagonists in all the democratic struggles. They contributed to America history at every level. Most were of mixed race. Americans might talk about racial purity (for a few decades in the 19th and early 20th centuries) but they never practiced it. This book is more of a reference book than a sit-down-and-read book. It’s full of facts and people, but doesn’t tell stories longer than a few sentences. It has a point of view, which reference books rarely do. Keep it handy to dip into when you want to expand your knowledge. It’s full of information that you never knew you didn’t know.

“"Our research finds huge effects on the likelihood that family members who are influenced by other family members will start using opioids,” said Mathijs de Vaan, an assistant professor at the Haas School of Business who studies economic sociology and network analysis. The exposure to opioids in the home may also cause people to ask their doctors for the drugs by name, de Vann said, further spreading the effects of exposure to the drugs. The study, published in the American Sociological Review, found the chances that a person gets a prescription for opioids climbs between 19% and 100% when a relative living in the same household already uses the drugs, depending on circumstances.

"I admit that first impressions of all of my recent apartments have been ecstatic," I said, feeling liberated to take ownership of my proclivity. "I loved Aqua, L.A., and, Kingsbury Plaza. I loved them all until I got the itch to move." I was reciting my last three residences after the death of Tommy; each entailed leases signed, then aborted before two years expired. When the ardor cooled, subletting to new tenants provided my escapes. "I did love all of those places," I said. "I have fond memories of the apartments, neighborhoods, and pals made at each one." Was that guilt forcing me to add a defense? I had always claimed "no regrets" at my swift decisions, but perhaps a bit of remorse?

Since June 2019, several large scale and smaller political demonstrations have taken place in various areas of Hong Kong, including at Hong Kong International Airport. Most have been peaceful, but some have turned confrontational or resulted in violent clashes. These demonstrations, which can take place with little or no notice, are likely to continue. This latest update to the Department of State’s Worldwide Caution provides US citizens with general information regarding terrorist activities, political violence and criminal activity that transpire abroad.

What can I find on govinfo.? View an alphabetical list of collections, publications, other resources, and external partner sites. High-profile publications: 9-11 Report, Post JFK Assassination Audio, Warren Commission Report and Hearings, Financial Crisis Inquiry Report, Nixon’s Watergate Grand Jury Testimony, and landmark legislation: Civil Rights Act and Obamacare. Featured content: Know what Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) rules and regulations apply to you

Joan L. Cannon writes: Except for the military, men worked at desks and in boardrooms, women did no housekeeping, no childcare, little or no charity work. Like a perfectly arranged workshop, their lives were ordered, with a place for everything (and everyone), and everything in its place. Not many writers could hold modern attentions with such a world, yet it is more real than if it were shown on a movie screen. The characters in their houses, the décor, the customs, the music and art and social events are so meticulously portrayed that the reader is like an eavesdropper. 

Introduced: A bill to improve obstetric care in rural areas; strengthen the development of small business concerns in emerging markets, including those owned by women, minorities, veterans and in rural areas; A bill to increase the age of eligibility for children to receive benefits under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; A bill to direct the Federal Communications Commission to take certain actions to increase diversity in the broadcasting industry; A bill to require review by the Government Accountability Office of screening protocols of the Transportation Security Administration relating to breast milk and formula; A bill to provide for congressional oversight of the board of directors of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and to protect amateur athletes from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and for other purposes.

Jan 9, 2019 - To regulate assault weapons, to ensure that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. ... This Act may be cited as the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2019”. S.66 - Assault Weapons Ban of 2019; 116th Congress (2019-2020) | Get alerts Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] (Introduced 01/09/2019) Committees: Senate - Judiciary Latest Action: Senate - 01/09/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. This bill has the status: Introduced; Here are the steps for Status of Legislation: Introduced Passed Senate Passed House To President Became Law

Rose Madeline Mula writes: Where is Aladdin when I need him? More specifically, where is his fabled magic lamp? Unfortunately, it’s been missing for so long that if I ever do find it, probably it won’t work because it will be coated with tarnish. So polish it, you say. Not very likely ... Have you seen my silverware drawer? Of course, the prospect of having all my wishes granted would be a powerful incentive. If and when I ever do find — and polish — the lamp, I’ll be ready. My wish list is on the launch pad and ready to blast off.

"Our analyses show that US state gun laws have become more permissive in recent decades, and that a growing divide in rates of mass shootings appears to be emerging between restrictive and permissive states... A 10% increase in gun ownership was associated with an approximately 35% higher rate of mass shootings after adjusting for key factors. On the absolute scale, this means that a state like California, which has approximately two mass shootings per year, will have an extra mass shooting for every 10 unit increase in permissiveness over five years.

The letter details newly obtained documents suggesting that the Department of Education enabled Dream Center to mislead students regarding the accreditation status of two Dream Center-owned schools. The documents also reveal that despite knowledge of Dream Center’s false claims of accreditation, the Department did not immediately require the for-profit company to take corrective action. Instead, the Department supported efforts to retroactively accredit the institutions in question by rewriting Department policy.

Exclusion explores the San Francisco Presidio's role in Japanese American incarceration as informed by government findings, current historical and curatorial scholarship, and the Japanese American community. The exhibition invites visitors to explore how and why the past matters and inspires civic engagement by fostering an understanding of the ways in which the Presidio's heritage is relevant today. The Presidio is operated by the National Park Service, the Presidio Trust, and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

In the past four months, BLM has released six draft plans covering more than 20 million acres in Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. The Pew Charitable Trusts’ review of these plans reveals that in each of the alternatives preferred by the agency, BLM significantly reduced protections that have been in place for decades and proposed minimal new safeguards for only a fraction of 1 percent of the areas. In addition, BLM proposes opening vast acres in these planning areas to energy and mineral development.