WASHINGTON — Measures of U.S. inflation barely declined in September, evidence that consumer price increases are grinding lower at a gradual pace. Consumer Prices and Inflation Consumer prices rose 0.4% from August to September, below the previous month's 0.6% pace. Thursday’s report from the Labor Department also showed that year-over-year inflation was unchanged...
Social Security Benefits Will Increase by 3.2% in 2024 as Inflation Moderates
WASHINGTON — Millions of Social Security recipients will get a 3.2% increase in their benefits in 2024, far less than this year's historic boost and reflecting moderating consumer prices. The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, means the average recipient will receive more than $50 more every month beginning in January, the Social Security Administration...
Palestinians Rush to Buy Food and Struggle Under Strikes as Israel Readies Possible Ground Operation
JERUSALEM — Palestinians lined up outside bakeries and grocery stores in Gaza on Thursday after spending the night surrounded by the ruins of pulverized neighborhoods darkened by a near-total power outage. Israel launched new airstrikes and said it was preparing for a possible ground invasion. International aid groups warned that the...
Newsom Signs Laws to Fast-Track Low Income Housing on Church Properties
SACRAMENTO — Religious institutions and nonprofit colleges in California will be allowed to turn their parking lots and other properties into low-income housing under a new law aimed at combating the ongoing homeless crisis. The law, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom Wednesday, rezones land owned by nonprofit colleges and religious...
The US Is Moving Quickly to Boost Israel’s Military. A Look at What Assistance It’s Providing
WASHINGTON — Within hours of the horrific attack by Hamas, the U.S. began moving warships and aircraft to the region to be ready to provide Israel with whatever it needs to respond. A second U.S. carrier strike group departs from Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday. Scores of aircraft are heading to...
Nominated to Be House Speaker, Steve Scalise Is Left Searching for Republican Votes to Win the Gavel
WASHINGTON — Having won the nomination to be the next House speaker, Rep. Steve Scalise is heading straight into a familiar Republican problem — skeptical GOP colleagues are reluctant to give their support, denying him the majority vote needed to win the gavel. On Thursday, the House will open at midday in...
$1.765 Billion Powerball Jackpot Goes to Lucky Lottery Player in California
ST. LOUIS — A player in California won a $1.765 billion Powerball jackpot Wednesday night, ending a long stretch without a winner of the top prize. The winning numbers were: 22, 24, 40, 52, 64 and the Powerball 10. The winning ticket was sold at Midway Market & Liquor in...
CA’s High-Capacity Gun Magazine Ban Will Stay in Place Amid Legal Fight
SAN FRANCISCO — California’s ban on higher-capacity magazines can remain in effect while the state fights a lower court’s ruling last month that the law is unconstitutional. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday granted state Attorney General Rob Bonta's request that the law banning detachable magazines that hold...
The Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment Is Coming — But It Won’t Be as Big as This Year’s
WASHINGTON — Looking ahead to retirement next spring, Karla Abbott finds comfort in the cost-of-living increase that millions of Social Security recipients get each year. But with consumer prices easing, the new boost will be far lower than this year's 8.7% Analysts estimate the adjustment for 2024 will be around 3.2%. After...
NASA Shows Off Its First Asteroid Samples Delivered by a Spacecraft
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA on Wednesday showed off its first asteroid samples delivered last month by a spacecraft — the most ever returned to Earth. Reveal at Johnson Space Center Scientists and space agency leaders took part in the reveal at Johnson Space Center in Houston. The ancient black...