Inflation cools in April — but tariffs could upend the picture in coming months
Inflation eased last month as shoppers got a break at both the grocery store and the gas station.
Cost of living figures released by the Labor Department on Tuesday show consumer prices in April were up 2.3% from a year ago. That’s the smallest annual increase since February of 2021.
Prices rose 0.2% between March and April, after a modest decline the previous month. Housing costs accounted for much of the monthly increase, while prices for natural gas, electricity and auto insurance also rose in April.
Despite the muted price hikes last month, uncertainty remains about the outlook. So far, the trade war that ramped up at the beginning of April has had only a limited effect on retail prices, but analysts say higher tariffs may become more visible in future months.
An early sign of that was furniture costs, which rose 1.5% in April.
Inflation was kept in check last month by a decline in both gasoline and grocery prices.
Egg prices, which have been a poster child for the high cost of living, plunged 12.7% in April, as farmers got a seasonal reprieve from a lengthy battle with avian flu. Egg prices are still 49.3% higher than they were a year ago.
Stripping out volatile food and energy prices, “core” inflation was 2.8% in April — unchanged from the previous month.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting
The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
Huntsville is growing fast. Here’s how it’s stayed affordable
Home prices are rising in Huntsville, but so far, the city’s avoided the skyrocketing costs in other boom towns.
