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These U.S. cities have been hot spots for inflation since last year

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – While the latest numbers show an easing in some measures of inflation – despite a spike in gas prices – some cities have seen larger increases than others over the past year, according to Labor Department data released Wednesday.The consumer price index was up 3.7% in August over the previous year, an increase from the 3.2% annual pace in July. However, when adjusted to filter out more volatile categories such as food and energy, inflation growth actually slowed from 4.7% in July to 4.3% in August, year-over-year.This slowing of so-called "core" prices suggests that inflation is coming under control, but at a more gradual pace than the government had hoped as officials try to reach the Federal Reserve's target of 2%. Who shouldn’t get the new COVID booster? “We’re getting to the stage where we’ve basically had all the low-hanging fruit in terms of disinflation,” said Blerina Uruci, an economist at T. Rowe Price. “The progress on core inflation over the coming months is...

Drew Barrymore postpones show's new season until after strikes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Drew Barrymore, who drew criticism for taping new episodes of her daytime talk show despite the ongoing writers and actors strikes, now says she'll wait until the labor issues are resolved.“I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the show’s premiere until the strike is over,” Barrymore posted on Instagram on Sunday. “I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today.”Barrymore’s decision to return to the air — without her three union writers and with picketers outside her studio — was met with pushback on social media. Her show resumed taping in New York last week and was picketed by striking writers. Drew Barrymore dropped as ceremony host after her talk show resumes during strike Other daytime shows have resumed. “The View” has returned for its 27th season on ABC, while “Tamron Hall” and “Live With K...

FDA warns natural weight loss product could be dangerous after one person hospitalized

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

(NewsNation) — Federal regulators are out with a new warning about certain botanical weight loss products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning earlier this month that weight loss products titled Nuez da la India, often marketed as "diet seeds" or "India Nuts for Weight Loss" are highly toxic yellow oleander, which is a poisonous plant often found in Mexico and Central America.It cautions that ingesting yellow oleander could cause serious complications including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal change, cardiac changes or other problems. What is ‘nature’s Ozempic’? The trendy weight loss supplement Regulators said that as of now, at least one person in the state of Maryland has been hospitalized after taking Nut Diet Max brand Nuz de la India seeds.As of early September, the FDA is urging consumers to stop taking these products. Consumers who have taken any amount of these products should consult with a physician for an evaluation. This comes on the he...

Irish Grinstead, member of R&B group 702, dies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Irish Grinstead of girl group 702 died Saturday evening, according to a statement made by her sister LeMisha Grinstead. She was 43.Lemisha made the announcement on Instagram, saying her sister had a "long battle" but is now at peace."That girl was as bright as the stars!" she wrote. "She was not only beautiful on the outside, but also within. Sharing the stage with her was a joy I will cherish for the rest of my life! We, the family ask for prayers and respect for our privacy as we grieve an outstanding loss to our family." Former NFL receiver Mike Williams dies at 36 Both sisters were part of 702, a music group named after the Las Vegas area code that first released its debut album "No Doubt" in 1996. They were also known for their hit song, "Where My Girls At,” which was released with their second album.LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 05: (L-R) Kameela Williams, LeMisha Grinstead and Irish Grinstead of 702 attend the 2017 Soul Train Music Awards at the Orleans Are...

Spotted lanternfly: Should you be worried about them?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Depending on where you live, you may have come face to face (literally, they have flown into people’s faces) with the spotted lanternfly. The invasive species has been detected in more than a dozen states. If it hasn’t reached yours yet, do you need to be concerned? The short answer, as you may have guessed, is yes. But, you can’t exactly prepare for the lanternfly’s arrival either. The spotted lanternfly is native to China and was first reported in the U.S. in 2014. A Pennsylvania forester noticed the bug, pictured below, found one in the southeastern portion of his state. The bug has since spread to at least 13 other states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia.This Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, photo shows a spotted lanternfly at a vineyard in Kutztown, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)New to that list are ...

Boebert calls backlash, vape incident 'difficult and humbling'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) reflected on the controversy after she was kicked out of a Denver theater on Sunday, saying the incident has been “humbling.”Boebert was kicked out of a theater during a production of the Beetlejuice musical for vaping and causing a disturbance. Her office initially denied the vaping claims, but video from the incident appears to prove them.The controversial congresswoman garnered widespread criticism for her behavior, mostly online.“The past few days have been difficult and humbling, and I'm truly sorry for the unwanted attention my Sunday evening in Denver has brought to the community,” Boebert said in a Facebook post Friday. “While none of my actions or words as a private citizen that night were intended to be malicious or meant to cause harm, the reality is they did and I regret that.”The footage also shows Boebert arguing with security and flipping them off as she was escorted out.A separate video emerged late Friday that also showed the congresswo...

This Texas city has the 2nd cheapest groceries in the U.S.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — If you live anywhere near this Texas area, it might be worth picking up groceries while you're around. That's according to the Council for Community and Economic Research, which recently released its Quarter 2 2023 Cost of Living Index. The index compares the after-tax cost of living of 274 participating urban areas based on six different categories. STUDY: Here are the Texas cities with the highest, lowest cost of living One Texas city was only just beaten for the top spot on the council's list of 10 least expensive places for grocery items. Texans, it turns out Cedar Park in Central Texas has the second least-expensive groceries of the U.S. areas covered in the index.Cedar Park, which has a population of about 83,159, was edged out for the top spot by Thibodaux-Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, by only two points. “Cedar Park’s high quality of life and commitment to enhancing livability and economic vitality continue to attract new residents and to build new business inve...

David French: Where is the evidence, Speaker McCarthy?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

There is a certain pattern to modern impeachment inquiries. They typically begin after the discovery of blatantly incriminating evidence. In 1998, the House of Representatives began its impeachment inquiry only after DNA tests on Monica Lewinsky’s blue dress exposed that Bill Clinton had lied under oath about their affair.In 2019, the House opened its impeachment inquiry only after it received reports that Donald Trump had attempted to coerce President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine into investigating Trump’s chief domestic political opponent. The day after Nancy Pelosi announced the inquiry, the White House released a rough transcript of Trump’s call with Zelenskyy, and Americans could see that Trump did indeed press Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden, as a “favor” in response to Ukraine’s request for Javelin anti-tank missiles.And we all know what happened after Jan. 6, 2021. The House initiated the second impeachment of Trump only after his weekslong festival of lies about electi...

Real World Economics: No Democrats, greed is not the root of inflation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

Edward LottermanThe Consumer Price Index for August — the government’s headline measure of inflation — was announced last week as up 0.63% over July.It was 3.7% over the 12 months since August 2022. But if the seemingly tepid month-to-month increase continued for 12 months, prices would be up 7.8%. Annualizing the past three months, it would be up 4%So any way you look at it, prices consumers pay continue to tick up sharply.While “energy” prices for home utilities and driving still were down 3.2% from August 2022, they bounced up 5.2% from July 2023. This is due almost entirely to jumping gasoline prices. Food prices were up only a third of the overall index.None of this is a surprise to economists following various sectors. Nor would there be much disagreement among them as to the cause. But their analysis would be at odds with progressives in the Democratic party.While economists would point to recent excess money creation by the Federal Reserve, particularly in ...

St. Louis' top leaf-peeping locations as fall colors arrive

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:59 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Autumn officially begins on Saturday, September 23, and soon the vibrant fall colors can be seen. The changing leaves offer a delightful opportunity for leaf peeping, with hues of gold, copper, purple, olive, and auburn to look out for.Each year, both the previous fall and summer weather conditions have an impact on the timing and intensity of these colors. According to the Smokey Mountains National Park fall foliage prediction map, St. Louis can expect the first signs of color change around the last half of October.The primary factor influencing the transition in leaf color is the duration of daylight. Typically, St. Louis witnesses peak colors during the last week of October or the first week of November. However, due to the diverse range of tree species in Missouri, each changing at different rates, the fall color season can extend for 4 to 6 weeks. Weather conditions can accelerate or delay this schedule by about a week or two.But why do leaves change color?The proc...