What’s (kind of) pumping the brakes…

Inflation. Last month, US prices fell. To be fair it was by just 0.1% since November, so not exactly a lot. But the stock market isn’t complaining — and is notching the news as a win. It wasn’t a home run all around: Gas prices are down. Grocery prices are still up, including lettuce. So are egg prices thanks to avian flu. On top of that, rent and utilities are through the roof. Still, taken as a whole, economists are looking at the numbers and hoping it helps us avoid a long-expected recession. Next up: everyone’s waiting to see how the Federal Reserve is taking all of this in before it meets at the end of the month. But before that, we get a sneak peek at how consumers feel about dropping their dollars later today.

PS: Here are 7 ways to protect your wallet from inflation.

What’s maybe not in it for the long haul…

COVID. This week, a study in Israel showed that long COVID symptoms may go away within a year. Up to 30% of people who get COVID are affected by long COVID, which means they’re still experiencing conditions — like trouble breathing, brain fog, heart palpitations, chest pain, and dizziness — four or more weeks after infection. Now, of the nearly 2 million COVID patients researchers analyzed in the study, most said things went back to normal within a year. Good news for those that healed — but a study from the UK found that hundreds of thousands of people have experienced symptoms for at least two years.

…Oh and speaking of potentially good news, a new report found that cancer death rates have gone down by about one-third since the ‘90s. That’s an estimated 3.8 million deaths averted. For that, early detection and advanced treatments like immunotherapies could be (partly) to thank. 

Why people are on alert...

Tornadoes. Yesterday, at least seven people were killed by a sweeping storm system in Alabama and Georgia. Tornadoes ripped roofs and uprooted trees. Meanwhile, tens of thousands are without power in both states. There were more than 30 tornadoes reported, with warnings issued in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Who’s saying ‘Exx marks the spot’…

Climate researchers. Yesterday, a group of experts found that ExxonMobil scientists back in the ‘70s and ‘80s accurately predicted current warming trends. That means the oil and gas company has known about the link between burning fossil fuels and climate change for decades. But that hasn’t stopped it from publicly casting doubt on climate science for years.

Why we must, we must, we must increase our bust…

Margaret told us to. 

Who people are remembering...

Lisa Marie Presley.

Who’s speaking up about Ozempic...

Remi Bader.