Answers

Based on the latest data, the picture is mixed — overall, prices are still higher than a year ago, though not by as much as during the peak inflation years, and a few specific items have actually gotten cheaper. Overall trend: still rising, but more slowly - The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.4 percent over the last 12 months as of the most recent report. - For g

Are store prices down from last year? I'll pull the latest inflation data to check. No — overall, prices in stores are higher than a year ago, not lower. National inflation remains positive year-over-year: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index increased 3.4% in August from year-ago levels Over the 12 months ended July 2026, the Consumer Price Index for All Urba

Here’s a quick snapshot of U.S. politics as of Monday, September 21, 2026. Who’s governing - President: Donald J. Trump (47th U.S. president) with Vice President JD Vance. ([usa.gov](https://www.usa.gov/presidents?utmsource=openai)) - Congress: Republicans control both chambers in the 119th Congress (2025–2027); Mike Johnson is Speaker of the House and John Thune leads Senate Republicans. ([polit

Short answer: it’s mixed, and depends on the yardstick you care about. Here’s a quick, current snapshot using official data (dates are 2025–2026, during Trump’s current term, which began January 20, 2025): Economy and prices - Inflation: CPI was up 3.4% year over year in August 2026; core inflation (excluding food/energy) was 2.4%. That’s far below 2022 peaks but still above the Fed’s 2% goal. ([

Short answer: generally no. On average, U.S. consumer prices were 3.4% higher in August 2026 than in August 2025, per the latest CPI release (published September 11, 2026). ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) Details: - Groceries (food at home): up 2.2% year over year; dining out: up 3.4%. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) -

Yes, stopping immigration entirely (or even sharply curtailing it) would cause or worsen labor shortages in multiple sectors of the U.S. economy, slow labor force growth, and reduce potential economic output—particularly in the short-to-medium term—though markets would eventually adjust through higher wages, automation, reduced production in some areas, and other changes.[[1]](https://www.forbes.c

[[1]](https://www.bls.gov/cpi/latest-numbers.htm)[[2]](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/charts/cpi-cpirc1cpibycat.stm)[[3]](https://www.supermarketnews.com/grocery-trends-data/price-of-everyday-goods-drops-for-second-straight-month)No, prices in stores are generally not lower overall compared to a year ago (as of the latest data around August 2026); they are higher on average, though inflation has

[[1]](https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/01/ai-could-create-78-million-more-jobs-than-it-eliminates-by-2030-report/)[[2]](https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/the-jobs-ai-is-likely-to-boost-and-those-it-may-disrupt)[[3]](https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2025/10/ai-is-making-jobs-not-taking-them.html)[[4]](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2025/ai-linked-to-a-fourfold-in

Based on the latest data, overall prices in stores are not lower than a year ago — they're still higher, though the pace of increase has slowed compared to the inflation spikes of 2022. Overall Picture Grocery prices (food-at-home) are up, not down: - The food index increased 2.7 percent over the last year as of the latest BLS data through August 2026. - The average price of food in the United

Generally speaking, no, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago. On average, prices at grocery and retail stores continue to rise, though the speed at which they are rising (the inflation rate) has slowed down compared to the peak spikes seen in previous years. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.4%

Looking up whether store prices are down from a year ago — I'll check the latest inflation data. No, in the US average store prices are not lower than a year ago - the rate of increase has slowed but prices are still higher year-over-year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index increased 3.4% in August from year-ago levels Official release: The all items index i

Short answer: it depends what you care about. Here’s a neutral snapshot of outcomes in Donald Trump’s current term (he began his second term on January 20, 2025), as of September 20, 2026: Showing improvement for many: - Incomes and poverty: Real median household income rose 2.6% in 2025 to $87,460 (a record in Census data). The official poverty rate fell to 10.2%; the uninsured rate held at 7.9%

Short answer: No. On average, prices in stores are higher than a year ago. - Overall consumer prices were up 3.4% year over year in August 2026 (latest data). ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) - Grocery prices (“food at home”) were 2.2% higher than in August 2025. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) - Store-bought goods exclu

I'll check recent economic data on consumer and retail prices to compare current levels with a year ago.Overall prices remain higher year-over-year based on official data. I'll pull the latest detailed CPI breakdown and any retail-specific insights for a clearer picture.No, prices in stores are generally not lower compared to a year ago. On average, they are higher, though the rate of increase (in

Overall, no — prices in stores are generally still higher than a year ago, though the pace of increase has slowed and some specific items have gotten cheaper. The big picture (overall inflation): Recent BLS data shows the all items index rose 3.4 percent for the 12 months ending August as it did for the 12 months ending July. That means, broadly speaking, things cost more than a year ago, not les

Generally, no, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago. Instead, prices are still rising, but they are doing so at a slower rate—a phenomenon economists call disinflation. There is a common point of confusion when economic reports mention "cooling inflation" or "slowing prices". This does not mean prices are dropping (deflation); it simply means they are not climbing as rap

Prices vs a year ago? I'll pull the latest inflation data to compare. No — overall store prices are higher than a year ago, though the rate of increase has slowed and some specific items are cheaper. Overall inflation: In August, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted That al

Short answer: mostly no. - As of the latest CPI report (August 2026, released September 11, 2026), the overall U.S. price level was 3.4% higher than in August 2025. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) - Grocery prices (“food at home”) were up 2.2% year over year; they were flat month to month in August. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi091

Short answer: it depends what outcomes you care about. Here’s a snapshot of key indicators as of September 19, 2026, with context and sources, so you can judge. Economy and prices - Growth and jobs: Real GDP grew at a 1.5% annual rate in Q2 2026; unemployment was 4.1% in August, with payrolls up 162,000 that month. ([bea.gov](https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gross-domestic-product?utmsource=openai))

Short answer: it depends on what you mean by “improving.” Here are the biggest, checkable changes since Donald Trump took office again on January 20, 2025 (today is September 19, 2026): What supporters point to as improvements - Tighter border enforcement and lower encounters: DHS ended CBP One port‑of‑entry appointments and restarted “Remain in Mexico” (MPP) in January 2025. Reported encounters

I will research this systematically using economic data, labor market statistics, and studies on immigration's effects.Yes, stopping (or sharply curtailing) immigration would cause or significantly worsen labor shortages in the United States, particularly in specific sectors and in the aggregate labor force over time, given current demographics. This is supported by labor market data, Federal Rese

No, prices in stores are generally not lower compared to a year ago—they are higher on average, though the pace of increases has slowed substantially from the high inflation of 2021–2023, and many individual items or categories have stayed flat, fallen, or seen heavy discounts.[[1]](https://www.bls.gov/cpi/) Official Inflation Data (U.S. CPI from BLS) - Overall CPI: Up about 2.7–2.9% for full ye

I will evaluate this based on verifiable actions, data, and outcomes from Trump's second term (starting January 2025), rather than opinions or campaign rhetoric. "Improving the US government" is subjective—it can mean efficiency, cost reduction, reduced bureaucracy, better services, fiscal responsibility, or other metrics. I'll focus on evidence in key areas.Gathering more balanced data on outcome

Looking up whether store prices have fallen since last year — I'll pull the latest inflation and retail data. No - in aggregate prices in stores are higher than a year ago, not lower. Inflation has cooled somewhat from 2022-2023 peaks but year-over-year change remains positive. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers rose 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted in August and rose 3.4 percent o

Short answer: mostly no. On average, prices are still higher than a year ago. - Overall consumer prices were up 3.4% year over year in August 2026 (latest data as of the September 11 release). ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) - Grocery store prices (“food at home”) were up 2.2% versus August 2025. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi091120

Short answer: It’s mixed. Some nationwide indicators have improved since Donald Trump took office on January 20, 2025, while others have worsened or remain challenging. A few headline measures: - Prices and inflation: Consumer prices were up 3.4% year over year in August 2026 (core inflation 2.4%), and month-over-month inflation re‑accelerated in August. That keeps everyday costs under pressure.

No, overall prices in U.S. stores are not lower than a year ago—they are moderately higher—though the pace of increases has slowed substantially from the high-inflation years of 2021–2023, some specific items or categories have declined or stabilized, and retailers have increased discounts and promotions.[[1]](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm) Official Inflation Data (CPI) According

I will research recent studies, expert analyses, and data on AI's net impact on employment to provide a balanced, evidence-based answer.Gathering more details from key reports for a balanced view.AI will both create and eliminate job opportunities, but most evidence and historical patterns indicate it is more likely to create a net increase over the longer term—while causing significant short-term

[[1]](https://www.epi.org/publication/unions-arent-just-good-for-workers-they-also-benefit-communities-and-democracy/)[[2]](https://manhattan.institute/article/long-run-effects-of-right-to-work-laws)[[3]](https://mercatus.org/research/working-papers/do-more-powerful-unions-generate-better-pro-worker-outcomes)[[4]](https://academic.oup.com/qje/advance-article/doi/10.1093/qje/qjag034/8723324)Labor u

Overall: No, prices are generally higher than a year ago — though it's a mixed picture Overall inflation is still running above zero, meaning most goods and services cost more than a year ago. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment as of the latest CPI report (August 2026). Core inflation rose 2.4% over the 12 months through August, the lowe