Inflation rises as gas spike delays Fed rate cuts

 

Washington — The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index rose 0.7% in March from February and 3.5% year-over-year, the largest annual increase in nearly three years. Gasoline prices surged about 21% in March, and outlets linked the spike to tensions involving Iran this month. The increase...

US weekly jobless claims tumble to five-decade low

 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday that initial jobless claims fell to 189,000 for the week ending April 25, a 26,000 decrease from the prior revised level of 215,000, marking the lowest weekly level since 1969 and reducing the four-week moving average to 207,500 this week. Market participants this...

Maine Governor Suspends Senate Bid, Clearing Platner Path

 

Portland, Maine. Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday that she is suspending her campaign for the U.S. Senate, saying she lacked the financial resources necessary to continue; Mills, a two-term governor and former prosecutor, had been recruited by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and entered the race last fall to...

Powerball Drawing Creates Over Ninety New Millionaires Nationwide

 

Washington — On Wednesday, April 29, the Powerball drawing produced two jackpot winners who will split a $143 million prize and generated roughly 90 additional million-dollar winning tickets sold across 20 states, according to Powerball and state lottery officials. The published winning numbers were 3, 19, 35, 51, 67 with...

Union Pacific files amended $85B merger application this week

 

Omaha, Neb. — Union Pacific filed an amended application Thursday seeking approval to acquire Norfolk Southern for $85 billion, arguing the combined railroad would create a one-carrier coast-to-coast system and reduce delivery time by eliminating interline handoffs. The Surface Transportation Board previously rejected the initial filing in January as incomplete. This...

Jaguars Strengthen Roster; Trade-Up Consideration Reported

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars this week completed a multi-day 2026 draft haul and added veteran free agents while ultimately deciding not to trade up from No. 56, according to Sports Illustrated reporting and an Adam Schefter podcast mention on Thursday; the team made ten reported selections over the...

Regional forecasts warn frost, rain, and mountain snow

 

United States. Multiple local weather services report that incoming cold fronts and low-pressure systems will produce below-normal temperatures, scattered showers, and isolated thunderstorms across the Midwest, Southeast and Rockies beginning Thursday and continuing into the weekend. Forecasters cite Thursday morning showers, a Friday frontal passage with more widespread rain, and...

Knicks rout Hawks 140-89, easily reach Eastern semifinals

 

Atlanta — The New York Knicks overwhelmed the Atlanta Hawks 140-89 in Game 6 on Thursday night at State Farm Arena, eliminating the Hawks and clinching advancement to the Eastern Conference semifinals. New York built a 40-15 first-quarter lead and held an 83-36 halftime advantage, establishing multiple playoff records during...

Rain and cool conditions disrupt weekend plans regionally

 

Macon, Georgia meteorologists forecast increased rain and cooler temperatures Friday into Saturday as an upper trough and a developing Gulf surface low move northeastward, producing widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms across Middle Georgia while keeping daytime highs limited to the 60s and low 70s before a dry spell returns Sunday. In...

Olson's walk-off lifts Braves; Cardinals complete four-game sweep

 

Atlanta — Matt Olson delivered a two-run, ninth-inning home run that lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, with Ozzie Albies reaching base ahead of Olson and Reynaldo Lopez recording scoreless relief to secure the win. In Pittsburgh Thursday, the St. Louis Cardinals...