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Today’s Lead Story
Wednesday, May 13

Inflation

April CPI Hit 3.8% — Fastest Inflation in Three Years, Real Wages Turned Negative

via Bureau of Labor Statistics

Consumer prices climbed 3.8% in April from a year earlier — the highest annual rate since May 2023 — as a 28% surge in gasoline costs drove more than 40% of the monthly increase. For the first time since 2023, inflation outpaced wage growth, meaning average paychecks lost ground in real terms.

Why it matters

When prices rise faster than take-home pay, every household's purchasing power shrinks — reviewing your monthly budget now can reveal where rising energy and food costs are hitting hardest.

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