June 25, 2025
Consumer Confidence Index: More Pessimism around Business and Job Availability
Consumers were more pessimistic about business conditions and job availability over the next six months, and optimism about future income prospects eroded slightly.
Senior Economist at The Conference Board, Stephanie Guichard, on the U.S. Consumer Confidence Index falling 5.4 points in June. The deterioration could be attributed to falling confidence in the future job market, among other concerns. The report also noted, “Purchasing plans for cars were steady at the highest level since December 2024, while purchasing plans for homes declined.” The monthly Consumer Confidence Index reveals how optimistic or pessimistic consumers feel about the U.S. economy.
Learn More:
- READ the full press release from The Conference Board HERE
- US consumer confidence weakens on job market worries (Reuters)
NYC Mayor Race: Mamdani Receives More Votes than Cuomo in Democratic Party Primary
I pledge to you that we will remake this great city, not in my image, but in the image of every New Yorker who has only known struggle. In our New York, the power belongs to the people.
Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist state assembly member who so far has received the most votes in the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City. His top rival, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, conceded on Tuesday evening, sharing from his campaign headquarters, “I’m very proud of the campaign that we ran.” The primary winner will not be formally announced until next week because Mamdani’s vote total is below 50%, meaning ranked-choice voting will be tabulated and reported. The general election for the mayoral race will be November 4.
Learn More:
- Zohran Mamdani topples Andrew Cuomo in NYC mayoral race (Politico)
- Who is New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani? (The Washington Post Gift Link)
Immigration Detention Facility Under Construction in Florida Everglades
Under President Trump’s leadership, we are working at turbo speed on cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American people’s mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens. We will expand facilities and bed space in just days, thanks to our partnership with Florida.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the development of a detention site in the middle of the Everglades for immigrants without legal status – nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier says the site will include “some light infrastructure, a lot of heavy-duty tent facilities, trailer facilities.” The land, owned by Miami-Dade County, was taken over by the state under emergency powers granted to Governor Ron DeSantis. The endeavor faces immense pushback from locals due to environmental concerns in the protected wetlands, with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava warning, “the impacts to the Everglades ecosystem could be devastating.“
Learn More:
- Florida builds ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ for migrant detainees in Everglades (The Washington Post Gift Link)
HHS Secretary Kennedy Announces Agreement with Health Insurers to Streamline Prior Authorization Process
Americans shouldn’t have to negotiate with their insurer to get the care they need.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., announcing a deal with the nation’s largest health insurers to change prior authorization processes. Prior authorization requires insurance companies to sign off on certain services or medications before patients are treated. While it is not going away, the health insurance companies made verbal commitments to streamline the process and minimize delays to ensure swifter patient care. The announcement has received some skepticism, however. Dr. Adam Gaffney, a critical care physician and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, stated, “Talk is cheap. More fundamental reform will be needed to address the ubiquitous barriers to care imposed by insurance firms.”
Learn More:
- HHS Secretary Kennedy, CMS Administrator Oz Secure Industry Pledge to Fix Broken Prior Authorization System (HHS)
- Kennedy says health insurers promise to change prior authorization process (NBC News)
On This Day: Real-Life Rosie the Riveter Is Born
All the day long,
From the 1943 song, “Rosie the Riveter,” highlighting the hard work of Rosalind P. Walter, known as “Roz” and who was born on this day 101 years ago. Roz went on to inspire female patriotism during WWII and beyond when she began working the night shift as a drill fastener on fighter planes at a factory. Roz is the first Rosie the Riveter, but many emerged during this time, and the image we associate with Rosie the Riveter, the “We Can Do It!” poster, was linked to Rosie the Riveter years after.
Whether rain or shine,
She’s a part of the assembly line.
She’s making history,
Working for victory,
Rosie the Riveter.
Keeps a sharp lookout for sabotage,
Sitting up there on the fuselage.
That little girl will do more than a male will do.
Learn More:
- Rosie the Riveter was Born (Library of Congress)
- Rosalind P. Walter, 95, First ‘Rosie the Riveter’ and a PBS Funder, Dies (NYT Gift Link)
by Kelly Dean, Based in Kentucky.
