AURN News

(AURN News) — As Americans gear up for Thanksgiving 2023, the economic landscape reveals a mixed bag of news – a temporary respite from inflation but lingering strains on family budgets.

Inflation remains a thorn in the side of many American families, but this week’s Labor Department report brought a glimmer of relief, revealing a flat inflation compared to the previous month. However, the American Farm Bureau Federation's (AFBF) 38th annual survey, released Wednesday, paints a nuanced picture of the cost of Turkey Day this year.  

The overall cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people has decreased by 4.5 percent from last year, coming in at $61.17. This dip is mainly attributed to a 5.6 percent drop in the price of turkey compared to the previous year. Despite this moderation, the overall meal cost remains 25% higher than in 2019 before the pandemic. "Traditionally, the turkey is the most expensive item on the Thanksgiving dinner table,” Veronica Nigh, Senior Economist for the AFBF, said in a press release.

“Turkey prices have fallen thanks to a sharp reduction in cases of avian influenza, which have allowed production to increase in time for the holiday,” she added.

A majority of Thanksgiving staples have become more affordable this year. Whipped cream and cranberries saw the most significant price decrease, while pumpkin pie mix and dinner rolls saw the biggest increases compared to last year.

International comparisons also offer perspective on the economic realities we’re facing in the U.S. The survey reveals that, despite the challenges, American food prices account for approximately 6.7 percent of disposable income. This contrasts sharply with countries like Nigeria, where citizens spend 59 percent of their disposable income on food.

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Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a public emergency in response to the rise in youth violence and opioid overdoses. Opioid deaths are prevalent among Black men and residents in the city’s east and southeast wards.

The emergency declaration, which takes immediate effect, improves internal data-sharing between city agencies, enabling teams to respond more effectively and track non-fatal overdose information.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid drug, is similar to morphine and heroin but is 50 to 100 times more potent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The mayor’s office said in a statement, “Although each of these urgent situations are, to some extent, geographically concentrated, the nature of the two emergencies demands city-wide responses."

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(AURN News) - The consumer price index (CPI) for October has shown promising signs when it comes to the ongoing battle against inflation. The latest data released by the Labor Department indicated that inflation was flat, prompting a surge in stocks on Tuesday.

According to the report, the overall increase in food prices for the month of October was 0.3 percent, with a particular focus on an increase in meat prices. However, what may come as a relief to many Americans is the decrease in energy prices. The data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reveals a 5.3 percent drop in gas prices over the past year.

The October CPI report suggests that inflation has maintained a flat trajectory, offering a glimmer of hope for those closely monitoring economic indicators as rumors and predictions of a possible recession next year still linger. Despite this, there is still concern among Americans struggling financially, especially with grocery prices still elevated. As the presidential race looms within the next year, there is heightened scrutiny not only on inflation itself but also on the adverse effects that persistently high prices have on the wallets of everyday Americans.

While the latest CPI figures provide a momentary reprieve, concerns linger about the enduring impact of inflation on daily expenses. With grocery costs remaining a focal point for consumers, the upcoming presidential race adds an extra layer of complexity to discussions surrounding economic stability ahead of the 2024 election.

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A federal probe is investigating whether New York City Mayor Eric Adams improperly pressured city fire officials into approving a new Turkish government building in Manhattan despite safety issues, The New York Times reports.

The probe into the building is part of a broader public corruption investigation into illegally funneling foreign money to Adams’ mayoral campaign. FBI agents have seized Adams’ phones and raided his chief fundraiser’s home.

Adams, his campaign manager, and the top fundraiser denied knowledge of any impropriety and defended the campaign’s fund-raising. 

The Turkish embassy, FBI, and federal prosecutors declined to comment on the investigation.

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Washington D.C. is preparing for a pro-Israel gathering on Tuesday as tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the March for Israel rally organized by the Jewish Federation of North America. The demonstration is a show of solidarity and support for Israel amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

With a permit filed for up to 60,000 attendees, tensions are rising. The National Guard will be assisting local police to ensure the safety and security of participants.

Some say it is important to show solidarity with Israelis who endured rocket attacks from Hamas militants on October 7. On the other hand, Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing immense suffering due to the ongoing violence and what they call retaliatory acts by Israel, bombing the Strip.

For Palestinians, this march may be seen as exasperating their feelings of isolation and frustration.

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The U.S. Supreme Court has announced a new code of conduct aimed at addressing allegations of ethical misconduct among some justices. The development comes after months of news stories questioning the ethical conduct of Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito.

The new ethics code comes from an existing one from lower courts but is tailored to the unique institutional settings of the Supreme Court. However, details on how it will work, who will enforce it, and its potential impact on financial disclosures remain unclear.

Critics have expressed concerns about the lack of concrete enforcement mechanisms, with some arguing that without robust oversight, ethical rules may lose their meaning.

The court mentioned the need for additional resources for reviewing recusal and ethics issues, indicating potential challenges and implementation.

While the court's action is seen as a response to public criticism, questions persist about how the rules will be enforced and whether they will satisfy critics.

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(AURN News) — President Joe Biden's bid for re-election in 2024 continues to face significant challenges, with various polls indicating a diminishing lead against former President Donald Trump. The president is grappling with mounting criticism, particularly concerning his age and the perceived direction of the nation, as voters question whether he can effectively handle another term.

The latest New York Times/Siena College poll reveals a concerning trend for Biden. Among Black respondents, a notable 57% expressed the belief that the country is headed in the wrong direction. The survey also delved into concerns about age, with 56% of Black voters either strongly agreeing or somewhat agreeing that President Biden is too old to be an effective leader while 46% held a similar view regarding former President Trump.

Notably, when asked about the potential impact of a second term for President Biden, only 10% of Black registered voters deemed it very good or somewhat good for the country. A significant majority, 65%, asserted that it would make no difference either way.

Another surprising revelation from the poll is the ideological distribution in the Black community. While 44% identified as moderate, 25% considered themselves very or somewhat liberal, and 24% identified as very or somewhat conservative.

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Just days after his participation in the GOP debate and introducing his girlfriend to the public, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has decided to suspend his presidential campaign. Despite early fundraising momentum, Scott's decision to withdraw comes as no surprise to many within the political sphere.

As the Republican field adjusts to Scott's departure, former President Trump remains the frontrunner, despite his countless indictments from New York to Georgia to Florida, and refusing to participate in any of the Republican debates.

Scott's announcement underscores the Trump-dominated nature of the GOP race, where factors such as polling dynamics, campaign strategies, and unexpected events appear to have no impact on Trump being the frontrunner.

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Keke Palmer is requesting sole custody of her eight-month-old son, Leodis, whom she shares with Darius Jackson, after alleging Jackson has been physically abusive on multiple occasions.

You know what? I have been very concerned about Keke since it became clear that her baby's daddy is riddled with the curse of jealousy.

In the California Superior Court filing, Palmer alleges that on Sunday of this week, Darius trespassed into her home without her knowledge or consent, threatened her, then physically attacked her, lunging at her neck, striking her, throwing her over the couch, and stealing her phone when she told him she was going to call the police. By the way, Keke has video of all of this.

Also in the document filed in court this week, she is getting a restraining order against Jackson. She described incidents of him hitting her in front of their son. Spewing profanities, threatening to kill himself with a gun if she left him. Oh, Keke, baby girl, I'm sending you some prayers. Clearly, Darius Jackson needs to get some help ASAP. Let's hope for the best on this one.

And by the way, follow me on social media (@tanyahollywood). We've got a lot of great stuff going on, including an interview coming up with one of my favorite New York Times columnists, Charles Blow. That's next week, you don't want to miss it.

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Newly appointed House Speaker Mike Johnson finds himself in a tough spot with a federal funding deadline approaching on Friday night, just five days away. Johnson's complex, two-tiered plan to temporarily fund the government has raised concerns, as it may require Democratic votes to pass, echoing the challenges faced by his predecessor, Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

The House's inability to pass critical bills has already wasted every week of the majority party's term since the summer, threatening the GOP's chances of retaining control in next year's elections.

Johnson's plans include temporary funding, with deadlines in January and February for permanent department budgets, aiming to avoid shutdown dramas and massive spending bills.

However, the likelihood of the narrow GOP majority passing this intricate plan seems uncertain. If not passed, the shutdown could have widespread impacts, including potential delays in military pay. The key question is whether hardline Republicans will cooperate or further challenge the new leader.

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