March 31, 2026
National Average Gas Price Rises to $4.02
$4.02
The new national average for a gallon of gasoline, according to AAA — a full $1 higher than before the war with Iran began and the highest national average in four years. As gas prices rise, concerns are also growing about increased pressure on U.S. consumers, higher inflation, and slower economic growth.
Learn More: Gas prices eclipse $4 a gallon in the US, the highest since 2022 (AP)
U.S. Embassy In Venezuela Reopens
“Today, we are formally resuming operations at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.”
The U.S. Embassy in Caracas announcing the reopening of official business in Venezuela, calling it a “new chapter” of collaboration between the two countries following the removal of de facto leader Nicolás Maduro by the U.S. in January. The embassy closed in 2019 as relations between Venezuela and the U.S. deteriorated.
Learn More: US reopens embassy in Venezuela months after military operation to remove Maduro (ABC News)
Sec. of War on Boots on the Ground: “We’re Not Going to Foreclose Any Option”
“We’re not going to foreclose any option.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during a press conference Tuesday morning, explaining why the United States has not ruled out the possibility of boots on the ground in Iran. This comes just days after U.S. Central Command announced that 3,500 U.S. Sailors and Marines arrived in the Middle East as the war with Iran continues.
Learn More: Pete Hegseth says “upcoming days will be decisive” in war against Iran (CBS News)
War In Middle East Impacting Global Supply of Helium
“This is the big one that we always feared would happen, it’s the black swan event.”
Cliff Cain of Pulsar Helium Inc. on how the war in the Middle East is affecting the global supply of helium. The invisible gas has a myriad of uses, from MRI machines and semiconductors to space rockets, drones, and yes, even birthday party balloons. The rare resource has no immediate replacement. About one-third of the world’s helium supply comes from Qatar, a country located directly across the Persian Gulf from Iran.
Learn More:
Primary Helium (Pulsar Helium Inc.)
Iran War Chokes Off Helium Supply Critical for AI (The Wall Street Journal)
Cornell Instructor Trades AI Tools for Typewriters
“Could you produce it without your computer?”
Cornell University German language instructor Grit Matthias Phelps, describing why she incorporates typewriters in her classroom to limit reliance on digital tools such as AI. She introduced the assignment in 2023 after noticing students increasingly submitted grammatically perfect work generated with online assistance. Phelps says the exercise helps students “slow down” and engage more intentionally with writing — without spellcheck, translation tools, or delete keys.
Learn More: A college instructor turns to typewriters to curb AI-written work and teach life lessons (AP)
by Jenna Lee, Founder of SmartHER News
