Water Rate Hikes Due to PFAS Filtration Requirements

Water systems in the U.S. are warning residents of significant rate hikes to filter out toxic chemicals known as PFAS, linked to cancers and other diseases. Utilities across the nation will need to remove these harmful substances from drinking water, potentially tripling water rates for customers.

Stock Market Surge and Federal Reserve Policy

The stock market has surged past 40,000 points, defying expectations of a recession due to the Federal Reserve's pivot away from rate hikes. The market continues to rise on the expectation of future rate cuts and optimism around AI advancements, with tech giants like Nvidia leading the way.

Inflation Concerns and Economic Outlook

The latest Consumer Price Index showed annual inflation ticked up to 3.5% in March from 3.2% in February, signaling potential rate hikes instead of cuts. Influential leaders express concerns about persistent inflationary pressures and the possibility of a soft landing for the economy. Small business owners are feeling uncertain due to inflation pressures and consumers are shouldering record levels of credit card debt.