Inflation is being stubborn.

Burnin’ Up

The Story

Inflation is being stubborn.

That doesn’t sound good.

You’re not the only one who thinks so. Yesterday, the Labor Department reported that consumer prices rose 3.5% in March compared to a year ago. That’s also slightly higher from 3.2% in February. The two main culprits for the larger-than-expected jump: Rising housing costs and gas prices. The inflation reading sent stocks tumbling, with the Dow closing 422 points lower yesterday. It’s the third month in a row that consumer prices have been higher than expected, raising concerns that progress in the fight against inflation could be stalling.

What does this mean?

The Federal Reserve might have to keep interest rates at a 23-year high for longer. Experts say the Fed will likely hold off on making an interest rate cut this summer, with others saying there might not be a cut at all this year. That could impact your wallet, since higher interest rates mean higher borrowing costs on things like credit cards and car loans. Experts say although progress has stalled, it doesn’t appear that there’s a renewed surge in inflation — it might just take longer to get it back on track.

theSkimm

The latest inflation report isn’t what anyone wanted to hear. Still, the country is far from the 9.1% inflation rate in 2022, so there’s that.

What's getting regulated...

“Forever chemicals.” Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first-ever national limits on six types of chemicals in tap water. PFAS are long-lasting chemicals that have been linked to decreased fertility in women, developmental delays in children, and increased risk of some cancers. Now, the EPA is requiring contamination levels to be almost zero, much lower than it has previously recommended. The EPA said it expects the new standards to reduce exposure for 100 million people. Critics said the EPA isn’t offering enough support to municipalities to make the change. Public water utilities have three years to test and an additional two years to get the proper equipment to lower contamination levels.

Where there are updates…

The Middle East. Yesterday, news outlets reported that Hamas said they do not have 40 Israeli hostages needed for the first part of a cease-fire deal. The news prompted fears that more hostages may be dead than previously thought. Negotiators have been working with Hamas on a six-week cease-fire deal that would release 40 hostages, including older people and women, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The news came the same day an Israeli strike killed three sons of one of Hamas’s top leaders.

What should be left to the professionals…

Botox. Yesterday, health officials said they're coordinating a multistate investigation with the CDC after fake Botox injections hospitalized at least four people in Tennessee and Illinois. At least two people were admitted with botulism-like illness after receiving injections in non-medical settings. Botulism is a rare but serious illness that attacks the body's nervous system and can be fatal. Health officials are reminding people that cosmetic treatments should be given in licensed settings by licensed providers.

Where there’s another reason to go for the gold...

The Paris Olympics.

What could be packing something extra...

Lunchables.

While Margot Robbie takes a chance on Monopoly…

Scrabble is mixing things up.

Who may not think three’s a crowd…

This throuple.

Brick Breaker meets word search in Spelltower, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. Try it.

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