<div><p> Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee discusses with NPR's Steve Inskeep what the Federal Reserve should do next, now that inflation is trending downward. </p><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><p class=fullattribution> Copyright 2024 NPR </p></div>

Columbus, OH

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The great inflation spike of the past three years is nearly spent — and economists credit American consumers for helping slay it. Some of America’s largest companies, from Amazon to Disney to Yum Brands, say their customers are increasingly seeking cheaper alternative products and services, searching for bargains or just avoiding items they deem too expensive. Consumers aren’t cutting back enough to cause an economic downturn. Rather, economists say, they appear to be returning to pre-pandemic norms, when most companies felt they couldn’t raise prices very much without losing business.

Americans’ refusal to keep paying higher prices may be dealing a final blow to US inflation spike

WASHINGTON (AP) — Year-over-year inflation reached its lowest level in more than three years in July, the latest sign that the worst price spike in four decades is fading and setting up the Federal Reserve for an interest rate cut in September. Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed...

Annual US inflation falls to 3-year low, clearing the way for the Fed to begin cutting rates

WashingtonExaminer

Two back-to-back inflation reports showing annual price growth slowing have made it very likely that the Federal Reserve will finally cut interest rates at its next meeting in September. Inflation, as tracked by the consumer price index, fell below 3% for the first time since right after President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris […]

Cooler inflation reports all but assure rate cut at next Fed meeting

Axios

The latest Consumer Price Index report, released on Wednesday, shows that after two years inflation is no longer the economy's biggest problem. Why it matters: The string of upbeat inflation data is all but certain to allow Fed officials to more comfortably shift their attention to the weakening labor market and lower interest rates.

Battle to kill inflation appears all but over, CPI report confirms

TIME

The annual inflation rate has cooled, according to new data. But here's why that won't translate to lower prices on the shelves.

Yes, Inflation Is Going Down. But Here's Why Prices Aren’t

POLITICO

Fissures are forming in the economy just as the Fed’s long-running fight against inflation looks to be nearing its conclusion.

Inflation is easing. Now, Harris has an even bigger problem with the economy.

The number of U.S. workers seeking unemployment assistant fell last week. Jobless claims dropped to 227,000 last week, according to statistics released by the Labor Department Thursday. That’s a drop of 7,000 claims. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week ups and downs, fell by 4,500 to...

Unemployment Claims Fall for Second Straight Week

A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday unexpectedly showed a continued decline by first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended August 10th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims fell to 227,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week's revised level of 234,000. Economists...

U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Extend Pullback

Lexington, KY

WEKU

Beth Polin explores the challenges to breastfeeding while holding down a job with EKU Economics Professor Cynthia Harter.

Eastern Standard - Aug. 15th 2024

The UK's unemployment rate has fallen slightly, official figures suggest. Unemployment was 4.2% in the three months to the end of June, down from 4.4% over the previous quarter. Meanwhile, wage growth continued to slow, rising at an annual rate of 5.4% - the weakest for around two years, figures...

UK unemployment falls slightly as pay growth slows

What role has PAC funding played in House primary elections featuring members of the progressive group referred to as "The Squad?" NPR's Steve Inskeep asks Sarah Bryner of OpenSecrets.

Rep. Ilhan Omar wins primary-- didn't face outside spending from pro-Israel groups

Wisconsin State

Both Republicans and Democrats see Wisconsin as a must-win state in the race to the White House. Democrats say they've learned lessons from 2016 and don't want to repeat that loss again.

Democrats don't want to repeat 2016 mistakes in Wisconsin

Last summer's heat in Europe contributed to tens of thousands of deaths. A study finds that many more were prevented because of adaptations that have happened since a devastating heat wave in 2003.

The devastating heat wave in 2003 was a wake-up call for Europeans

Florida State

Contributors represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. They have also demonstrated their experience writing hard news for other outlets. Contributors are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

contributor

Jacksonville Today

Republican Donald Trump has a 7-point lead over Democrat Kamala Harris among Florida voters, 49% to 42%, according to a new poll from the University of North Florida. Four percent are backing another candidate, and 6% are undecided or didn’t answer.

New Florida poll: Trump leads; support strong for abortion and recreational weed

South Carolina State

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

community_voice

Los Angeles County, CA

Herbie J Pilato

In 1981, pop-music sensation Andy Gibb was at the top of the charts. The younger brother of Barry, Robin, and Maurice, a.k.a. The Bee Gees, commenced a tumultuous romance with actress Victoria Principle, who played Pam Ewing on Dallas, TV's then-Number 1 prime-time series. But after the relationship ended, Andy's life, already challenged by substance abuse, did as well. This is their tragic story.

The Tragic Death of Pop Star Andy Gibb & His Traumatic Romance with 'Dallas' Star Victoria Principle

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

The giant panda Ying Ying in Hong Kong is now the mother of twins. The theme park where she lives said the birth is a “true rarity” — because Ying Ying is the world’s oldest first-time panda mom.

Giant panda Ying Ying gives birth to twins

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

As a summer surge of the Coronavirus is underway across the country, a new study has revealed the states with the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates among adults, and Kentucky has finished among the bottom 10.

Kentucky ranks ninth in recent study of states with lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates

Vice President Kamala Harris is out-polling Donald Trump on the economy. Two key inflation reports are due out this week. After a roller coaster week for the markets, focus will change this week to a couple of important reports on the state of inflation as Vice President Kamala Harris takes a small edge over former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential contest.

Harris Pulls Ahead of Trump on Economy as Markets Prepare for New Inflation Data

USA TODAY

The Daily Money: Inflation eased in July

Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee discusses with NPR's Steve Inskeep what the Federal Reserve should do next, now that inflation is trending downward.

Lower inflation and rising unemployment may lead to a possible rate cut next month

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