Inflation clearly hasn’t gotten the memo yet – The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge showed consumer prices rose 3.7% in July from a year earlier, unchanged from June and still well above the Fed's 2% target. Core inflation, which excludes the often-volatile food and energy categories and is closely watched for signs of underlying price pressures, remained at 3.3%, suggesting inflation may prove stubborn even if energy costs ease. (Source: The New York Times)

Miss Scarlet, in the chip aisle, with a maxed-out credit card – Walmart's same-store sales increased 2.6% last quarter, the company's weakest growth rate in nearly six years and a notable slowdown from the 4.6% pace recorded a year earlier. As one of the country's largest retailers, Walmart often provides clues about the health of the broader US economy, giving a glimpse into how Americans are navigating current economic conditions. (Source Morning Brew)

Good vibes are in short supply – US consumer confidence fell to a seven-month low in August as concerns about business conditions and the job market weighed on sentiment. The Consumer Confidence Index slipped to 89.4, with higher gasoline prices, rising living costs, and slower hiring contributing to a more cautious outlook. (Source: Bloomberg)

Not all cylinders are firing equally – Despite Japan's economy slowing in the second quarter, the country's manufacturing sector gained momentum in August, with the Purchasing Managers' Index showing growth and factory orders rising at their fastest pace since 2018. Manufacturers cited strong demand from semiconductor and AI-related industries, while business confidence climbed to its highest level since February. (Source: Reuters)

Gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em – South Korea's Kospi Index more than tripled in value during the AI-fueled stock market boom, helping make the country the world's fifth-largest stock market by market capitalization. But the rally unraveled quickly, with the Index plunging around 40% in just six weeks and wiping out an estimated $2.5 trillion in market value. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

The robots are running into just a few zoning issues – As companies pour billions into AI infrastructure, data centers are becoming a growing source of public concern. Sixty-four percent of Americans don't think data centers should be built rapidly, while 77% worry they could drive up electricity rates. The backlash has become significant enough that candidates in both parties are now running campaign ads criticizing data-center development. (Source: Brookings)

Wait, when did my retirement party turn into a surprise party? – Americans may be overestimating how long they'll stay in the workforce: A recent study found that current workers expect to retire at 62, but the average retiree actually left work at 57. More than half of retirees said they retired earlier than planned, often because of layoffs, health setbacks, caregiving demands, or AI-related job displacement. Nearly three-quarters now wish they'd started saving sooner, and almost as many wish they'd saved more. (Source: USA Today)

See, I didn’t ghost you, my pigeon just got lost – As technology companies race to make communication faster, apps designed to slow it down are finding an audience. Carrier Pidge has grown to more than 75,000 users since April by turning text messages into journeys that can take hours or even days, while Roost has reached 650,000 downloads with a similar concept featuring more than 1,000 virtual animals. (Source: The New York Times)

There’s a new sheriff in town – Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" spent a 15th week atop Billboard's Digital Song Sales chart, tying Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" for the fifth-longest No. 1 run in the chart's history. The country star now has four songs in the Digital Song Sales top 10, plus another at No. 11, while the hit itself leads five Billboard charts. (Source: Forbes)

Business as usual for Angel Reese – Angel Reese's dominance on the glass reached new heights on 8/24, as she set WNBA records for both rebounds in a game (26) and rebounds in a season (458). The third-year star is now averaging a league-leading 12.4 rebounds per game and is on pace to lead the WNBA in rebounding for a third consecutive season. (Source: ESPN)