Comin' in hot: Inflation

Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY
·4 min read
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Inflation remains stubborn, growing stronger than expected last month. Powerful storms are making their way across the South. And a controversial spying law has tensions running high among House Republicans.

👋 Hey, Wednesday! Laura Davis here. It’s time to get caught up on the news!

But first: It's National Siblings Day! 👯‍♀️🥳 Like 'em or not, they're yours. From tearful introductions to unexpected reunions, here are some heartwarming sibling moments to celebrate the day. A special shoutout to my hog-wrasslin' little sister, Tracy. It's a big world, and I wouldn't want to do life with anyone else on my side. 💞

Inflation picked up again in March

That old chestnut is at it again. Inflation ran hot for a third straight month in March, raising questions about when the Federal Reserve will feel confident that price pressures are subdued and it can begin cutting interest rates.

Money matters: Overall prices increased 3.5% from a year earlier, up from 3.2% in February, driven largely by the rising cost of rent and gasoline, according to the Labor Department’s consumer price index. On a monthly basis, costs rose 0.4%, similar to the previous month.

Is inflation really going down? Inflation has slowed dramatically since reaching a 40-year high of 9.1% in June 2022. But after rapid improvement in the fall, price increases have accelerated monthly to a range of 0.3% to 0.4% so far this year. 📊 Here's what it all means for your wallet.

In March 2024, overall prices increased 3.5% from a year earlier, up from 3.2% in February, driven largely by the rising cost of rent and gasoline, according to the Labor Department’s consumer price index.
In March 2024, overall prices increased 3.5% from a year earlier, up from 3.2% in February, driven largely by the rising cost of rent and gasoline, according to the Labor Department’s consumer price index.

House GOP tensions run high over spying law

A controversial spying law is set to reignite tensions between House Republicans this week over the scope of how the law should be overhauled.

What's the deal? The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Authority Act, also called FISA, is set to expire on April 19. The sticking point for reauthorizing it lies in Section 702, which allows U.S. authorities to surveil communications of foreigners without a warrant. Because those foreigners often contact Americans, whose information can also be swept up – meaning the FBI can conduct searches on Americans' data without a warrant. It has divided House Republicans into two warring factions. 👉 Here's what to know.

📸 See photos: President Joe Biden welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the White House for a state visit.

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Storm system leaves damage, power outages behind

A powerful storm system battered the Gulf Coast on Wednesday, knocking out power, disrupting travel, damaging buildings and shuttering schools. The National Weather Service reported multiple possible tornadoes across southern Louisiana, which saw a powerful squall line with 80-mph winds. Across Texas and Mississippi, over 80,000 utility customers reported power outages. ⛈️ Where the storm system is headed next.

Bill Johnson looks at the downed trees and power lines from the storm the night before on Northampton Drive in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday. “Sounded like a freight train going over,” Johnson said.
Bill Johnson looks at the downed trees and power lines from the storm the night before on Northampton Drive in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday. “Sounded like a freight train going over,” Johnson said.

Biden rips Netanyahu’s 'mistake' in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approach to the war in Gaza is a "mistake," and Israel should declare a cease-fire to allow in more humanitarian aid, President Joe Biden said in a newly released interview.

What he said: Biden, in a Univision interview from last week, said Israel should allow "total access" to all food and medicine flowing into Gaza for six to eight weeks. The White House later clarified that the pause in fighting should be part of a hostage deal. Biden also lashed out at what he called the "outrageous" April 1 attack that killed seven aid workers.

📍 More updates: Iran's Khamenei threatens Israel.

A boy distributes sweets to displaced Palestinians as they attend a special morning prayer to start the Eid al-Fitr festival, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, at a school-turned-shelter in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday.
A boy distributes sweets to displaced Palestinians as they attend a special morning prayer to start the Eid al-Fitr festival, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, at a school-turned-shelter in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday.

A break from the news

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hi: laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inflation report, severe weather, Israeli war updates: Wednesday's news