inflation

For the first time in nine months, the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates – this time, by a quarter of a percentage point. It means a new range of 4 to 4.25 percent.The cut is not as big as what the White House has been calling for, and it comes as the job market struggles and the Trump administration continues to put pressure on the Fed. WAMC spoke with University of Massachusetts Amherst Economics Professor Gerald Epstein about the Federal Reserve, what the cut means, and the precedent set by the White House challenging the Fed’s independence.—

(Airs 12/13/24 @ 10 p.m.) The Legislative Gazette is a weekly program about New York State Government and politics. On this week’s Gazette: Millions of New Yorkers could get checks for $300 to $500 dollars next year, we’ll talk to Siena Pollster Steve Greenberg about how New Yorkers feel about Governor Hochul, and state officials are eyeing nuclear as a way to create power without contributing to climate change.

When people complain that prices are too high, they are actually complaining about inflation that occurred in the recent past. When the government tries to soothe us by saying “inflation is down” please do not think that means prices have started to fall. Inflation is a general rise in prices.

(Airs 01/12/24 @ 3 p.m. & 01/14/24 @ 6 p.m.) The Media Project is an inside look at media coverage of current events with former Times Union Editor, current Upstate American, Substack columnist Rex Smith, Barbara Lombardo, former Editor of the Saratogian and Adjunct Professor at the University, and WAMC News Director Ian Pickus. On this week’s Media Project, Rex, Barbara, and Ian talk about the New York Public News Network, the media’s obsession with inflation, what journalists should do when politicians say misleading things, and much more.

I have said this many times --- the most important reason to study economics is so you won’t be fooled by economists. (I would actually add journalists and politicians to that list.)

Economist Hugh Johnson discusses the impacts of the debt ceiling debate, how the Federal Reserve might react to the latest inflation numbers, and the state of the banking system.

New York Congressman Paul Tonko attended a virtual briefing this week aimed at educating the public on how to save money and protect the planet by taking advantage of the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

The Siena College Research Institute is out with its quarterly Index of Consumer Sentiment for New York State.

Food Bank of Western Mass. sees more demand as food costs soar

The passage by the U.S. Senate Sunday of the Inflation Reduction Act, which is expected to soon be approved by the House, constitutes some rare good news for Americans. It represents the largest investment in fighting climate change in U.S. history, and among its other provisions, would give Medicare the right to negotiate prices on certain prescription drugs.