An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: Kennedy Center cancellations; your state’s snowiest month; wine’s risks and benefits; and more

PUBLISHED BY

Good morning. It's Tuesday, Dec. 30, and this list of 19 tips for doing your laundry better is one of the most useful things we've read all year. Now let's get to the news.

What to know: U.S. forces were responsible for "a major explosion" at the facility, Trump said yesterday. If confirmed, it would be the first known U.S. attack inside the country.
Why it matters: It escalates a confrontation with Venezuela over alleged drug smuggling. Trump's campaign began in September — we're mapping each U.S. boat strike here.

Yesterday in Florida: Trump showcased his friendship with Netanyahu, even as Israel's approach to Gaza and Iran appears at odds with the Trump administration's efforts.
Meanwhile: Tensions are flaring between Russia and Ukraine after peace talks this week. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of attacking one of his residences.

What's happening? The D.C. arts institution's board voted this month to add Trump's name to the venue. Since then, performances have been canceled by a growing list of acts.
The latest: A jazz group said yesterday it scrapped two New Year's Eve shows. Last week, a Christmas Eve concert was canceled — leading to this scathing letter from a Trump ally.

Since Trump returned to office: The agency, which delivers benefits to 74 million people, has been hit by major staff cuts. Now, record backlogs are delaying basic services.
Over at HHS: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reshaped public health in under a year. The Post interviewed almost 100 people to reveal how Kennedy has led the agency.
One more thing: The Department of Homeland Security is seeking the "emergency" demolition of more than a dozen historic D.C. buildings.

Source: National Weather Service. (The Washington Post)

What to know: The storm left thousands of customers without power yesterday. Today, it will bring strong winds and heavy snow to the Great Lakes and Northeast.
What's the snowiest month where you live? January or February is typically the snowiest month for most of the nation. But in some areas, the answer might surprise you.

For a long time: Many people have thought red wine is better for you because it has more polyphenols. But there aren't enough to give red wine a health advantage, experts say.
Considering a Dry January? We broke down what a booze-free month does to your body here. Possible benefits include improved mood and sleep as well as lower blood sugar.

Click on the graphic to see which AI chatbot came out on top. (Illustration by Elena Lacey/The Washington Post; Adobe Stock)

The tests: We asked AI to draft letters, answer medical questions, remove people from a photo and more. Human experts judged the results — and only awarded one passing grade.
The results: ChatGPT didn't win in any category, and no chatbot did best at everything. Our columnist suggests using different bots for different tasks. Find the full results here.

Before you go … make your NYE more fun than the Kennedy Center's: These 12 bites will keep the party going. Plus: Can pets thrive on a vegan diet? We asked Miska the husky.

One more good read: As rumors swirl after political killings, this Republican lawmaker draws a line.

And finally … take a game break: