Consumer confidence slumps to lowest level since the US rolled out tariffs in April

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumers were less confident in the economy in December as Americans remain anxious about still-high prices and the impact of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell 3.8 points to 89.1 in December from November’s upwardly revised reading of 92.9. That reading was 85.7 in April, when Trump rolled out his import taxes on U.S. trading partners. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market remained stable at 70.7, but remains well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead. It was the 11th straight month that reading has come in under 80..

US drivers are seeing lower gas prices this holiday season

(AP) — This holiday season, many U.S. drivers are getting the gift of lower gas prices. According to data from motor club AAA, December has been the cheapest month for prices at the pump this year. The national average for unleaded gasoline has stayed below the $3 mark since Dec. 2, falling to its lowest level of about $2.85 a gallon on Monday. That figure has inched up slightly since, sitting at closer to $2.86 a gallon Tuesday — but overall, consumers hitting the road ahead of the Christmas holiday will likely continue to see mild prices. As always, some states have cheaper averages than others, due to factors ranging from nearby refinery supply to local fuel requirements.

Supreme Court keeps Trump’s National Guard deployment blocked in the Chicago area, for now

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has refused to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area to support its immigration crackdown. The justices Tuesday declined the Republican administration’s emergency request to overturn a ruling by a U.S. district judge that had blocked the deployment of troops. An appeals court also had refused to step in. The high court order is not a final ruling but could affect other lawsuits challenging President Donald Trump’s attempts to deploy the military in other Democratic-led cities. The outcome is a rare Supreme Court setback for Trump, who’d won repeated victories in emergency appeals since taking office in January.

Student loan borrowers in default may see wages garnished in 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration says it will begin garnishing the wages of student loan borrowers who are in default early next year. The department said on Tuesday it will send notices to approximately 1,000 borrowers the week of January 7, with more notices to come at an increasing scale each month. Millions of borrowers are considered in default, meaning they are 270 days past due on their payments. The department must give borrowers 30 days notice before their wages can be garnished.