Long lines at Austin Airport due to TSA delays from government shutdown
Long lines at Austin’s airport were evident early Friday, with travelers waiting for hours to board, as pressure grew on Congress to finalize a deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Footage shared online displayed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lines at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport extending well outside a terminal. DHS commented on the […]
Housing market remains constrained as average home prices linger around $400,000
At the National Home Builders Show, there’s growing talk about builders shrinking home sizes and adopting AI for design, all in an effort to address the ongoing affordability crisis, as detailed by Fox Business’ Jerry Willis. While mortgage rates have dipped a bit and inventory is slowly showing improvement, home prices are still on the […]
January 2026 PCE: The inflation measure preferred by the Fed stayed persistently elevated
This article about the January 2026 PCE Inflation Report is being developed and will receive updates with more information. Consumers are still grappling with rising prices, as noted in recent reports. The Department of Commerce announced on Friday that the Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) index increased by 0.3% month-over-month in January, and by 2.8% year-over-year. […]
Costco is being sued by a customer who is asking for tariff refunds.
Costco is facing a class action lawsuit from customers who are seeking refunds for the increased prices attributed to tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. This lawsuit, filed in federal court in Illinois, aims to declare that Costco should return any tariff refunds it has received, in line with a Supreme Court ruling that deemed […]
Target plans to open its 2,000th store, anticipating 30 new sites this year
Target’s 2,000th Store Opening in North Carolina On Thursday, Target revealed plans to open its 2,000th store this month in North Carolina, marking a significant expansion. This special store will debut on March 15 in Fuquay-Varina, making it the 55th location for Target in the state. The new store will span 148,000 square feet and […]
Oil prices exceed $100 as airlines get ready for significant fare hikes.
The ongoing tension with Iran is beginning to spill beyond the borders of the Middle East, potentially affecting consumers in the U.S. directly. With rising oil prices, international airlines are already bumping up fares, and while U.S. airlines haven’t adjusted prices yet, experts predict that domestic ticket costs might soon see double-digit increases. Jet fuel […]
Mortgage rates increase to 6.11%
Mortgage Rates on the Rise This week, mortgage interest rates have seen an uptick, according to Freddie Mac. Their latest Primary Mortgage Market Study indicated that the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage rose to 6.11%, up from 6% the prior week. To put that in context, a year ago, the average rate […]
Energy Secretary Wright states that Navy escorts for tankers will arrive soon.
U.S. Navy Readies for Potential Tanker Escorts Mike Somers, the president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, mentioned that releasing oil reserves could serve as an “insurance” strategy against various uncertainties. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Thursday that the U.S. Navy might soon escort oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. However, as […]
February 2026 employment update: US economy lost 92,000 jobs, significantly under projections
In February, the U.S. economy surprisingly lost jobs, with employers cutting 92,000 positions amid growing economic uncertainty. This figure sharply contrasts with the expectations of economists, who had anticipated a gain of 59,000 jobs. February 2026 Employment Report Highlights The Labor Department released a report indicating a 4.4% unemployment rate, slightly above the 4.3% predicted. […]
February jobs report: CEO cautions that invisible AI layoffs are excluding workers
Job Losses and the Impact of AI February’s job report shows a loss of 92,000 positions, sparking concerns from Andrew Crapuchets, the CEO of RedBalloon. He believes the issue runs deeper than just the figures; it reflects a troubling trend in the job market. Crapuchets highlighted that many layoffs may be happening behind the scenes […]