A new report from LendingTree shows that while home prices in the U.S. have increased recently, the average monthly mortgage payments have gone down since 2024. This change is happening in several large U.S. cities.
Key Facts
Home prices have risen in the past few years.
Average monthly mortgage payments have decreased since 2024.
The report focuses on major U.S. cities.
The cost of living, including gas and groceries, continues to rise.
This data comes from LendingTree, a financial services company.
The drop in mortgage payments may help some homeowners manage expenses better.
The report does not specify the exact cities where payments dropped.
Changes in interest rates or loan terms can affect mortgage payments.
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CBS Mornings is sharing special discounts on products that could be useful this spring. Viewers can visit the website cbsdeals.com to find and buy these items. CBS earns a commission when people buy through their site.
Key Facts
CBS Mornings features exclusive deals on selected products.
The deals focus on items that might be helpful for spring.
Customers can shop for these deals at cbsdeals.com.
CBS earns a commission from purchases made through the website.
The promotion is part of CBS News content offerings.
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An animal rescue centre in Northamptonshire needs to raise £150,000 to buy the land it uses or face moving to a new location. The centre relies on volunteers and donations to care for its animals, but rising costs and the landlord putting the land up for sale have created financial pressure.
Key Facts
Redhead Rescues Animal Sanctuary is in Finedon, Northamptonshire, and opened in 2020.
The sanctuary is self-funded and run entirely by volunteers.
The landlord has put the rescue centre’s land up for sale.
The sanctuary needs £150,000 to buy back the land to avoid relocating.
The sanctuary cares for dogs, horses, donkeys, goats, and other animals.
Fundraising events include a dog show and car boot sale scheduled for 24 May.
Medical care, neutering, and surgeries for the animals are expensive and ongoing costs are high.
The cost of living crisis has caused more people to give up their pets, increasing demand on the sanctuary.
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TikTok has launched the UK’s first official BookTok bestseller list, combining book sales data with online popularity on the #BookTok hashtag. The list highlights how TikTok users influence what people read today, especially popular romance and fantasy books by mostly female authors.
Key Facts
TikTok’s #BookTok has over 77 million posts featuring book reviews and recommendations.
The UK’s new BookTok bestseller chart is created using sales data and TikTok activity.
The first list is led by female authors, with Chloe Walsh’s "Boys of Tommen" series appearing most often.
The chart includes both new books and older titles like Donna Tartt’s "The Secret History," which found new readers via TikTok.
Many books on the list are linked to upcoming or recent film and TV adaptations.
The dominant genre on the list is "romantasy," a mix of romance and fantasy, with authors like Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros featured.
BookTok influencers say young people trust recommendations from other readers more than traditional critics.
Publishers note that TikTok is increasing visibility and respect for genres like romance, which have often been overlooked before.
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New and smaller music bands in the UK are struggling to afford touring costs like travel, accommodation, and daily expenses. A charity fund, supported by a £1 extra charge on tickets for big-name concerts including Harry Styles, has raised £5 million to help these bands and grassroots music venues.
Key Facts
Touring is very expensive for new and smaller music bands, often costing more than they earn from shows.
Bands like Brown Horse rely heavily on selling merchandise like T-shirts to make money on tour.
Brown Horse and similar bands often sleep on friends’ floors and use old vehicles to save money.
A £1 levy on tickets for major concerts by stars such as Harry Styles has raised £5 million for the Live Trust charity.
The first £500,000 of that money is being given to musicians and grassroots venues to help with touring costs.
Brown Horse received nearly £5,000 from this fund to help cover accommodation, keep ticket prices low, and pay themselves.
Rising costs from Brexit, Covid, and the cost of living crisis are making it harder for new artists to tour and build a career.
The fund is managed by the Featured Artist Coalition, which aims to support grassroots artists and preserve the music scene’s future.
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A new study shows that employers plan to hire more entry-level workers this spring than they did last year. This increase follows a long period of steady declines in hiring new graduates.
Key Facts
Employers expect to increase entry-level hiring by over 5% this spring compared to last year.
The trend reverses years of steady decline in hiring new graduates.
The information comes from a recent survey.
LinkedIn career expert Catherine Fisher discussed these findings on CBS News.
The boost in hiring focuses on new graduates entering the job market.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has stopped its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding how he managed renovations at the Federal Reserve. The DOJ announced this decision on a Friday, ending the inquiry linked to the central bank's building work.
Key Facts
The DOJ was investigating Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
The investigation focused on how Powell handled renovations at the Federal Reserve.
The DOJ decided to stop this criminal probe.
The announcement was made on a Friday.
The investigation was related to the central bank’s building renovations.
No further legal actions are planned in this case.
Jerome Powell is the current Chair of the Federal Reserve.
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The major U.S. airlines like American, Delta, United, and Southwest had strong earnings in the first quarter. However, rising fuel prices reduced most of their profits.
Key Facts
The main U.S. airlines are American, Delta, United, and Southwest.
These airlines showed strong financial performance in the first quarter.
Chevron CEO Mike Wirth talked about the conditions needed to safely send ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for shipping oil. He explained what would make him feel confident that Chevron ships could pass through this area without risks.
Key Facts
Mike Wirth is the CEO of Chevron, a major oil company.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for transporting oil by ship.
Chevron is cautious about sending ships through this tight and sometimes risky waterway.
Wirth discussed the safety and security measures required to ensure safe passage.
The conversation took place on the CBS show "Face the Nation" with host Margaret Brennan.
Chevron’s decision to send ships depends on clear signs of stability and security in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, making it strategic for global energy supplies.
The CEO did not set a specific timeline but emphasized careful evaluation before acting.
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China's car company BYD says it can grow successfully without selling cars in the United States. BYD is facing high demand for its electric vehicles (EVs) in regions like Asia, Europe, and Brazil, and is focusing on new charging technology to attract more buyers.
Key Facts
BYD is a leading Chinese electric vehicle maker that overtook Tesla as the top EV seller worldwide last year.
The company does not rely on the US market and says it survives well without US sales.
Demand for BYD’s EVs is currently higher than the company can supply.
BYD is developing "flash charging" technology that can add hundreds of kilometers of driving range in a few minutes.
Chinese EV makers face tariffs and regulatory challenges in the US due to concerns over subsidies and security.
BYD is gaining more recognition in markets like the UK and Europe, where sales have increased significantly.
BYD produces not only cars but also smartphone components, batteries, solar panels, buses, and trucks.
Competition in China's EV market is intense, with many companies cutting prices and quickly releasing new products.
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Companies have paid up to $4 million to move ships quickly through the Panama Canal due to delays caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions between Iran and the United States. This has led to increased demand for canal slots and higher prices, as businesses try to avoid risks and delays in global shipping routes.
Key Facts
The Panama Canal Authority reported some companies paid as much as $4 million for last-minute passage through the canal.
The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route, is effectively closed due to conflict between Iran and the U.S.
Ships without reservations can bid in an auction to secure passage through the Panama Canal faster.
The average cost for crossing the canal is $300,000 to $400,000, with extra fees jumping from $250,000–300,000 to about $425,000 recently.
About 6% of global trade passes through the Panama Canal, including goods like car parts, grain, and electronics.
Some companies redirected ships to other destinations and paid high fees to speed up shipments, such as one fuel vessel redirected to Singapore.
Panama’s government is earning more from these higher fees amid changing global trade patterns.
Panama accused Iran of seizing a Panama-flagged ship, MSC Francesca, in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an illegal act that threatens maritime security.
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Shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery approved an $81 billion sale to Paramount, creating a large new media company that will own streaming services like HBO Max, Paramount+, and others. This merger will combine powerful movie libraries and streaming platforms, but it still needs approval from regulators before it can happen.
Key Facts
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved an $81 billion sale of the company to Paramount.
The deal values Warner Bros. Discovery at nearly $111 billion including debt.
Paramount recently acquired by Skydance last year, now aiming to combine with Warner Bros.
The combined company will own major streaming platforms, including HBO Max, Paramount+, Discovery+, Pluto TV, and BET+.
Executives plan to merge HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single streaming service but want to keep HBO’s brand strong.
This merger would create a bigger competitor but could reduce the number of streaming choices for consumers.
The combined company plans to produce over 30 movies a year, with a 45-day exclusive theater window for releases.
The deal may lead to cost-cutting measures such as layoffs, and Paramount will take on billions in debt to complete the purchase.
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The war in Iran has caused oil prices to rise sharply, pushing gas prices above $4 a gallon and increasing inflation in the U.S. Economists say these economic effects will last through 2026, even if the conflict ends soon.
Key Facts
The Iran war began eight weeks ago and has raised U.S. gas prices over $1 per gallon.
Oil prices increased by about 44% since the war started, with Brent crude at $105 a barrel.
The war has disrupted oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally handles 20% of the world's oil.
Damage to energy facilities will delay a return to prewar oil production levels of 100 million barrels a day.
Inflation rose to 3.3% annually in March, the highest in nearly two years, driven by higher energy costs.
Inflation is expected to remain high through 2026, with some measures possibly reaching 4%.
Higher energy prices may cause consumers to spend less, slowing down U.S. economic growth.
Wealthier Americans are currently supporting spending growth, partly due to gains in the stock market.
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Some customers have filed a lawsuit against Trader Joe's, saying the store’s French Roast Low Acid coffee has less caffeine than expected. The lawsuit claims Trader Joe's did not clearly tell buyers that this coffee contains about half the caffeine of regular coffee.
Key Facts
The lawsuit was filed in California and involves customers who bought Trader Joe's French Roast Low Acid coffee.
Plaintiffs say the coffee is advertised without mentioning its low caffeine content.
Testing showed the coffee has about half the caffeine of typical coffee blends.
Usually, coffee labels mention if caffeine is reduced, like "decaf" or "half-caff."
The plaintiffs argue customers buy coffee expecting full caffeine for energy.
They say a lower caffeine product should be labeled and sold at a lower price.
The customers want Trader Joe's to pay damages and stop misleading advertising.
Trader Joe's did not immediately comment on the lawsuit.
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A union representing workers at Spirit Airlines said any federal help for the bankrupt airline must protect its employees. The union wants to make sure there are no job cuts, furloughs, or unfair changes for workers during the bailout process.
Key Facts
Spirit Airlines is currently bankrupt and seeking federal aid.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) represents Spirit’s ramp service workers.
The IAM union insists that federal relief must protect employees’ jobs.
The union demands no layoffs or unpaid leave (furloughs) for workers.
The union also opposes shifting financial burdens from the airline onto its employees.
This statement was made publicly on a Friday, signaling union concern.
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A U.S. Army soldier has been charged with using secret military information to win bets on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s capture on a prediction market site. This case highlights risks of insider trading and information leaks on online platforms where people bet real money on future events.
Key Facts
Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a special forces soldier, used classified details about the Maduro operation to place $30,000 in bets.
He made these bets shortly before missiles struck Caracas and earned about $410,000 in profit.
Van Dyke helped plan the capture, leading to Maduro’s arrest and extradition to the U.S.
Prediction market sites like Polymarket and Kalshi saw a surge in betting on events including politics and military actions.
Insider trading on these platforms can reveal sensitive information to hostile countries monitoring bets.
The Pentagon and law enforcement are investigating several suspicious trades linked to military events and political announcements.
Polymarket cooperated with authorities and said insider trading violates their rules.
Experts warn insider trading on these platforms can endanger military personnel and national security.
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Lee Cronin is an Irish filmmaker who gained recognition with his horror movie "Evil Dead Rise." After its success, he was offered to direct "The Mummy," which is now titled "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" to highlight his creative vision.
Key Facts
Lee Cronin made his first feature film in 2019 called "The Hole in the Ground."
His 2023 film "Evil Dead Rise" was a big success both with critics and at the box office.
Sam Raimi uses the "Evil Dead" franchise to help young directors gain experience.
Cronin did not have a prior plan for "The Mummy" but accepted the challenge to make it very scary.
"The Mummy" film is uniquely titled with Cronin’s name to show his personal creative style.
Movie release schedules often have long gaps; Cronin waits months or years between finishing and releasing films.
Cronin has made three films in under ten years, which is fast compared to many indie filmmakers.
He feels the movie industry pace is slow, as there is much time between making and releasing movies.
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A $50,000 money market account earning about 3.90% interest today could make nearly $2,000 in a year. Money market accounts pay higher rates than traditional savings accounts and allow easy access to your money, unlike CDs which lock funds for a fixed time.
Key Facts
Traditional savings accounts currently pay about 0.38% interest, which is very low.
Money market accounts offer higher interest rates, around 3.90% as of now.
With a 3.90% rate, $50,000 could earn $1,950 in interest over 12 months.
Money market account rates can change over time because they are variable.
These accounts let you withdraw money or write checks without penalties.
Certificates of deposit (CDs) may offer fixed rates that are slightly higher but require locking your money for months or years.
The Federal Reserve has cut rates recently but top money market rates remain competitive.
Money market accounts offer a flexible option for saving large amounts while keeping funds accessible.
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A recent study shows that about 20% of new college graduates regret their choice of major, especially those in liberal arts fields. Nursing graduates have better job prospects and higher starting salaries compared to other majors.
Key Facts
The study surveyed 3,000 students from the 2025 graduating class and those graduating in spring.
Nearly half (46.3%) of political science, international relations, and public policy graduates regret their major.
Communication, media studies, and public relations majors also have high regret at 39.2%.
One-third of physical sciences majors (like physics and chemistry) express doubts about their choice.
Entry-level job openings have decreased from 43.4% to 38.6% in two years, making it harder for new grads to find work.
Public health and health administration grads earn about 44% less than they expected when starting a job.
Nursing graduates had the highest median starting salary at $70,000 and many found jobs before graduating.
Health care jobs made up 43% of new payroll growth in March, driven by demand from an aging population.
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