News
Letter to the editor: Invest in our youth, not data centers
6+ hour, 12+ min ago (283+ words) Proponents of massive data centers often promise a digital frontier of high-tech growth, but a sober analysis reveals a different reality. These billion-dollar projects certainly provide a "blue-collar gold rush" during construction, creating a temporary surge in high-paying trade jobs....
War in Iran sends inflation soaring and the mood of American consumers plunging
22+ hour, 37+ min ago (979+ words) WASHINGTON " The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation last month, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening already substantial political hurdles for the White House. Consumer…...
Key Fed official sees possible rate hike amid higher gas prices, inflation concerns
4+ day, 17+ hour ago (609+ words) WASHINGTON " A top Federal Reserve official said Monday that an interest rate hike could be appropriate if inflation remains persistently above the central bank's 2% target, the latest sign that some policymakers are moving away from a bias toward reducing borrowing…...
U. S. employers added a surprisingly strong 178, 000 jobs last month, rebounding from a weak February
1+ week, 1+ day ago (284+ words) WASHINGTON " American employers added a surprisingly strong 178, 000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment rate dipped to 4. 3%. The Labor Department reported Friday that hiring marked a rebound from the loss of 133, 000 jobs in February. The…...
U. S. consumer confidence inches up despite soaring gas prices brought on by war in Iran
1+ week, 3+ day ago (369+ words) WASHINGTON " U. S. consumer confidence inched higher in March despite soaring energy prices brought on by the war in Iran. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose modestly to 91. 8 in March from 91 in February. The board said that…...
Powell says Fed is monitoring energy price spikes, but that it's limited in what it can do
1+ week, 4+ day ago (634+ words) CAMBRIDGE, Mass. " Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Monday that it is important to closely monitor inflation amid a spike in energy prices from the Iran war. Powell, who spoke before nearly 400 students at Harvard University as gas prices inched…...
Chances of a Federal Reserve rate hike fade as inflation worsens
2+ week, 3+ day ago (663+ words) WASHINGTON " The jump in gas prices stemming from the war in Iran has had another impact that may also affect many Americans" finances: Higher interest rates. Longer-term interest rates have risen quickly since the war began Feb. 28, pushing up the…...
Energy prices soar to levels not seen in years as Iran names new supreme leader and digs in
1+ mon, 2+ day ago (679+ words) Oil prices spiked near $120 per barrel before falling back Monday as the Iran war intensified, threatening production and shipping in the Middle East and pummeling financial markets. The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, surged to…...
Fed projects 1 rate cut this year as Powell vows to stay on until DOJ investigation is finished
3+ week, 2+ day ago (556+ words) WASHINGTON " Federal Reserve officials expect the Iran war will worsen inflation this year while having little impact on economic growth, but they still expect to cut their key rate once in 2026. For now, Fed policymakers left short-term interest rates unchanged…...
U. S. economy expanded at sluggish 0. 7% in 4th quarter, government says, downgrading 1st estimate
4+ week, 22+ hour ago (333+ words) WASHINGTON " The U. S. economy, hobbled by last fall's 43-day government shutdown, advanced at a sluggish 0. 7% annual rate from October through December, the Commerce Department reported Friday in a big downgrade of its initial estimate. Growth in gross domestic product " the nation's…...