>>Consumer Prices Rose Slightly More Than Expected In December

(Washington, DC) -- New federal data shows consumer prices went up slightly more than expected last month. The Labor Department reports the consumer price index increased point-three-percent in December. Compared to last year, prices are up three-point-four-percent. Most economists had expected readings of point-two-percent and three-point-two-percent. Shelter costs were responsible for much of the CPI increase, increased point-five-percent in December.

 

>>American CEOs: Country's National Debt Is Biggest Geopolitical Risk (Washington, DC) -- American CEOs say the country's rising national debt is the biggest geopolitical risk for 2024. That's according to The Conference Board's C-Suite Outlook 2024. The survey of CEOs and C-Suite executives also pointed to an increase in cyberattacks, Israel-Hamas war, higher energy prices and the war in Ukraine. The nation's debt reached a new milestone on December 29th, passing 34-trillion dollars.

 

>>Google Lays Off Hundreds In Google Assistant Division

(Mountain View, CA) -- Google is laying off hundreds of people working on its voice-activated Google Assistant software. The tech company owned by Alphabet said on Wednesday that it's also eliminating hundreds of jobs in Google's Devices and Services team. A Google spokesperson said the layoffs are a part of "organizational changes" that began several months ago "to become more efficient."

 

>>Midwest, Great Lakes To See Hot Housing Markets In 2024

(Buffalo, NY) -- The Midwest and Great Lakes regions will see hot housing markets this year. Zillow predicts that Buffalo, New York will be the "nation's hottest housing market in 2024." Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis join the city in the country's top five. The real estate marketplace released a report last week saying those regions will stand out strong "in a housing market still buffeted by low inventory and relatively high mortgage rates and prices."