Axios Columbus

1 day ago | axios.com | Barak Ravid

Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty ImagesPresident Trump will make a decision "within two weeks" on whether to join Israel's war against Iran to eliminate its nuclear program, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday. Why it matters: Citing the "chance for substantial negotiations" with Iran, Trump is leaving the door open to a diplomatic solution in the coming days that could avert a major escalation in the Middle East.

1 day ago | axios.com | Erin Brodwin

Health care AI infrastructure startup Commure raised $200 million in growth financing from General Catalyst's "customer value fund," a vehicle GC created to power companies' sales and marketing budgets. Why it matters: The structure means Commure must tie financing to customer performance rather than equity — a notable move for GC, which poured millions into now-shuttered AI health infrastructure play Olive. What's next: CEO Tanay Tandon expects to see Commure go public in the next two years.

2 days ago | axios.com | Barak Ravid |Marc Caputo

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesOne key question is on President Trump's mind these days, his advisers say: If the U.S. joins Israel's war and drops its massive bunker busters, will they actually destroy Iran's most heavily fortified nuclear facility? Why it matters: Trump's doubts Wednesday about the certainty of success are one reason he was still questioning whether to move forward with a strike.

2 days ago | axios.com | John Frank

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/AxiosColorado's economy is teetering as tariffs, potential federal budget cuts and the possibility of a recession buffet the state's fiscal picture. State of play: Two independent forecasts presented to lawmakers Wednesday are weighted to the downside and anticipate only minimal economic and job growth in the coming year.

2 days ago | axios.com | Ashley Gold

A provision that would restrict states from passing their own AI regulations faces bipartisan opposition and parliamentary problems as Congress continues fighting over the reconciliation bill. Why it matters: The bipartisan pushback indicates that hamstringing states on AI may not work, despite a consensus that federal rules would be better. State of play: Sen.