More from Dan Reardon
-
Economist: Federal budget projections ‘too optimistic’ for 2023
When it comes to the federal budget, government projections rarely match up with reality. As the federal budget for fiscal year 2023 and beyond gets ironed out, some economists are crying foul. Two federal agencies create federal budget projections: the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The CBO scores Congress’ budget.… -
Recession or not, here’s why Americans feel like the economy is going downhill
Last week, we learned the U.S. economy likely shrank for the second consecutive quarter as the advanced government estimate of gross domestic product came in at -0.9%. Now, the country has been thrust into a politically-heated debate: Are we in a recession? The Biden administration and political appointees say no. “That doesn’t sound like a… -
Think a recession is 2 consecutive quarters of negative growth? Think again.
Government data shows the U.S. economy shrank the first six months of 2022. With slowing growth, a bear market and ever-tightening Federal Reserve monetary policies, recession warning signs are flashing in many areas of the economy. Current conditions have experts debating whether the U.S. is heading toward a recession or is already in one. At… -
Google can track users’ every move and store the information for years
Google can and does track users’ movements and stores the information for years. The tracking includes where users go, how many miles they drive, the length of time it takes to get there, and how long they spend at the destination. This screenshot of Google timeline shows a map of the exact routes driven, and… -
Mike Pence pushes pro-life campaign ahead of midterms
Former Vice President Mike Pence contributed $500,000 to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America to support an ad campaign leading up to the midterm elections. Following the Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson, which handed decisions on abortion over to state governments, Pence has taken an even more conservative stance on the subject. In an… -
Meta blames Apple iPhone tracking pop up for $10 billion blow
Are those targeted ads in your Facebook feed a little less creepy these days? You can thank Apple for that. It’s been a year since the iPhone maker introduced a pop-up requiring apps to ask its users if they consent to being tracked across the web. With about 75% of users selecting “Ask App Not… -
Quantitative tightening is ‘uncertain’ Fed method to cool inflation
For just the second time in modern history, the Federal Reserve started quantitative tightening in June to draw down its unprecedented $9 trillion balance sheet. The central bank’s assets on hand have more than doubled since the start of the pandemic. “I would just stress how uncertain the effect is of shrinking the balance sheet,”… -
‘End of the oil age’: Expert warns of summer fuel shortage
The national average for a gallon of gas continues to rise but has not hindered Americans from traveling. Experts are now sounding the alarm about a potential gas, diesel and jet fuel shortage this summer. “Much lower refining capacity against strong demand is the fundamental problem, and it’s more related to that than it is… -
‘Pregnant people’ debate resurfaces as US awaits SCOTUS abortion decision
The debate over the use of the term “pregnant people” re-emerged after a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion revealed justices’ plans to overturn rulings protecting abortion rights. Proponents of the language change from pregnant women to pregnant people have said they aim to be inclusive, but critics contend the language does more harm than good. … -
Can public school enrollment rebound from pandemic, curriculum culture clash?
More public schools across the U.S. have empty hallways and classrooms. In 2021, the National Center for Education Statistics reported a 3-percent dip in the estimated 51.1 million students enrolled in public schools nationwide in 2019-20. The pandemic is not the lone cause of public education enrollment While most would blame the pandemic for declining… -
Nina Jankowicz to battle immigration smugglers, Russian disinformation
If you only saw Nina Jankowicz’s viral video on social media, you would think she was auditioning for a role in a Broadway musical. Instead, she is in line to lead the Department of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board. You can just call me the Mary Poppins of disinformation 💁🏻♀️ https://t.co/eGV9lpctYn pic.twitter.com/WVQFA2bPmq — Nina Jankowicz… -
Will Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s Florida fumble cost him his job?
After just two years on the job, Disney CEO Bob Chapek is already in the hot seat after stumbles over Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education law, dubbed by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. Now, new reports indicate entertainment insiders are questioning whether Chapek can hold onto the Disney magic and his job when his… -
Americans scramble to invest in I bonds as inflation breaks records
There’s little to gain from towering inflation, but the Series I Bond is one silver lining. With the cost of living up 8.5% from one year ago, any money making less than that return is a losing investment. But the I bond is a virtually risk-free investment that now pays nearly 10% interest. Definition A…