>>The Data Says We Have a Solid Economy, But Americans Aren't Feeling It
(New York, NY) -- Despite all kinds of positive news about the economy, Americans can't seem to shake their financial despair. According to the data: inflation is slowing, the job market is the best in a generation, and consumer spending is robust; a CNN poll finds 72-percent of Americans say things today are going badly, and 66-percent said the economy will be "extremely important" when deciding who to vote for next year. Housing is a big part of the equation: a combination of high prices and high mortgage rates are keeping many Americans on the sidelines. And while inflation may be falling, prices are not. Your morning cup of coffee still costs 60 cents more than it did before the pandemic, which greatly effects consumers perception of the economy.
>>Third GOP Presidential Primary: Inflation
(Miami, FL) -- South Carolina Senator Tim Scott says America needs to invest in itself to stave off inflation. During the third GOP presidential debate in Florida, Scott said more oil leases will drive gas prices down and help American families. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he would reverse "Bidenomics" and focus on stable prices. Entrepreneur Vivek [[ vi-vake ]] Ramaswamy [[ Rah-muh-swah-mee ]] said more drilling, and fracking would be a good start to bringing energy prices down. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said energy is the key to bringing down prices in every market, including groceries. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said she would suspend the gas and diesel tax.
>>Biden In Illinois Today
(Belvidere, IL) -- President Joe Biden will be in Illinois today. Biden will stop in Belvidere, about 75 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, to meet with the head of the United Auto Workers union. Both are expected to highlight plans to reopen the iconic Assembly Plant there and showcase tentative contract agreements that ended a union strike that targeted General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. Under the deal, Stellantis agreed to build a new gas-powered midsize pickup truck in Belvidere, plus open a new electric vehicle battery plant in the city. Biden will then head to Chicago for a fundraiser with mega-donors.
>>SAG-AFTRA Approves Deal To End Historic Strike
(Hollywood, CA) -- It appears the longest actors strike against film and television studios in Hollywood history is ending. The SAG-AFTRA union says the strike will officially end at 12:01 a.m. Thursday after a deal was approved via a unanimous vote. An agreement will now go to the SAG-AFTRA national board to be approved Friday. Over the last several days, both sides have been putting the final touches on a deal, which included protection for actors against AI and an almost seven percent pay increase. The strike lasted 118 days, the longest U.S. actors strike in history.
>>GM Cruise Recalls Driverless Cars After Robotaxi Crash
(Washington, DC) -- General Motors' Cruise is recalling nearly a thousand driverless cars from the roads after a crash involving one of its robotaxis. The automaker said there will likely be more recalls. The collision detection subsystem of the automated driving software could respond improperly after a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Cruise said last month that it would pause operations throughout the country after California regulators halted the robotaxi operators' license.
