American consumer spending increased in August as inflation remained above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target and the personal savings rate declined, according to the latest economic updates released by Congress’ Joint Economic Committee (JEC).
The JEC’s August Monthly Expenditures Update reported that the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, a key inflation measure used by the Federal Reserve, increased 0.31% from July to August.
Core PCE inflation, which excludes the more volatile food and energy categories, increased 0.25% during August.
Over the past year, headline PCE inflation reached 3.42%, remaining above the Federal Reserve’s annual target of 2%. Core PCE inflation registered 3.01% over the same period.
Despite continued inflationary pressures, consumer spending increased during August. Inflation-adjusted personal consumption expenditures rose 0.55%, representing an increase of approximately $92.82 billion.
Spending on goods accounted for much of the increase, rising 1.33%, or $76.44 billion, while spending on services increased 0.20%, or $22.27 billion. Within the goods category, spending on durable goods rose 1.93%, while spending on nondurable goods increased 1.02%.
Several major household expenditure categories also recorded increases during August.
Spending on gasoline and other energy goods increased 4.32% from July and 23.55% compared to August 2025. Motor vehicles and parts expenditures rose 2.53% for the month, while transportation services increased 1.66%.
Housing and utilities remained one of the largest household spending categories, accounting for approximately $4 trillion in annualized expenditures, an increase of 4.51% from the previous year. Health care expenditures reached approximately $3.86 trillion, representing a 6.76% annual increase.
July-Aug, headline PCE inflation was 0.31%. Core PCE inflation, which excludes food & energy prices, was 0.25%. Headline personal income increased 0.24%, or $66.65B, while real disposable personal income/capita increased 0.05%, meaning prices rose faster than after tax income.…
— Joint Economic Committee Republicans (@JECRepublicans) September 30, 2026
Meanwhile, the report indicated that Americans saved a smaller portion of their income during August.
The personal savings rate declined by 0.5 percentage points to 4.1%, while personal income increased 0.24%, or approximately $66.65 billion.
Real disposable personal income per capita declined 0.05%, indicating that inflation-adjusted after-tax income fell slightly during the month.
The JEC also released its third estimate of second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP), reporting that the U.S. economy expanded at an annualized inflation-adjusted rate of 2.22%.
The latest estimate represents an upward revision of 0.74 percentage points from the previous estimate.
Current-dollar GDP increased at an annualized rate of 8.49%, with the annualized dollar value of economic output reaching approximately $32.56 trillion during the second quarter, up $656.8 billion from the first quarter.
Consumer spending was a major contributor to economic growth during the quarter, adding approximately 2.5 percentage points to real GDP growth.
Nonresidential fixed investment contributed another 1.2 percentage points, while changes in private inventories and net exports reduced overall growth by approximately 0.5 and 1.1 percentage points, respectively.
The updated figures show that consumer spending continued to support economic activity during the second quarter and into August, even as inflation remained elevated and households devoted a smaller share of their income to savings.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
In the wake of Chinese President Xi Jinping visit to the United States, Congressman Andy Biggs reiterated his concerns involving the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Biggs reminded constituents of his record in the U.S. House of Representatives, addressing national-security, economic, and strategic concerns involving China.
“The United States should always pursue diplomacy from a position that protects our sovereignty, national security, and the interests of the American people,” said Biggs in a press release. “President Xi’s visit is an important reminder that while we should seek productive relations wherever possible, Congress must remain clear-eyed about the actions and ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party.”
“For years, the CCP has sought to expand its influence abroad, gain access to sensitive American technology and research, dominate critical supply chains, and pressure Taiwan,” added Biggs. “I will always support policies designed to protect the United States from these vulnerabilities and strengthen America’s ability to compete with China on the world stage.”
Biggs recounted receiving a letter from Chinese government in 2019, requesting that he “not make any contact with officials of Taiwan.”
Biggs characterized the letter as “aggressive outreach,” that took place around the time of the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, when he attended a celebratory reception in the Phoenix area.
In response, Congressman Biggs penned a national op-ed, entitled “China wants to silence me. Instead, I’m speaking out.”
He wrote in part, “The People’s Republic of China is an authoritarian state that has been stealing our intellectual property and technology for years. In light of attempts by the Chinese government (abetted recently by the NBA) to stifle free speech within the United States, I was outraged when I received a letter from Chinese government officials requesting that I “not make any contact with officials of Taiwan.”
Over the years, Biggs has introduced, cosponsored, or supported numerous aggressive measures addressing threats and strategic challenges involving China and the CCP, including:
Stop CCP VISAs Act – Cosponsored legislation restricting certain student and exchange visas for nationals of the People’s Republic of China seeking to conduct research or pursue courses of study in the United States.
FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act Mining Engineering Amendment – Secured a bipartisan amendment addressing the substantial disparity between the American and Chinese mining engineering workforces and strengthening the pipeline of American mining engineers essential to critical mineral independence and national security.
Protecting Domestic Mining Act – Supported legislation aimed at accelerating the federal permitting process for domestic mining and mineral processing projects, strengthening American critical mineral supply chains and reducing dependence on foreign competitors.
Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025 – Supported House-passed legislation addressing the role of Chinese entities in the production and trafficking of illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals into the United States.
Legislation Supporting Taiwan – Supported congressional efforts strengthening America’s relationship with Taiwan and countering pressure from Beijing, including legislation concerning Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
Stop China’s IP Theft Act – Repeatedly cosponsored legislation targeting specified members of the Chinese Communist Party in response to the theft of American intellectual property and technology.
Preventing Malign CCP Influence on Academic Institutions Act – Cosponsored legislation requiring greater transparency concerning relationships between American colleges and universities and entities affiliated with the Chinese government, Chinese Communist Party, and People’s Liberation Army.
No Taxpayer Funding for the Chinese Communist Party Act – Cosponsored legislation addressing U.S. taxpayer-funded research and federal funding that could benefit the Chinese Communist Party or entities connected to the People’s Republic of China.
No American Land for Communist China Act – Cosponsored legislation restricting certain Chinese Communist Party-linked individuals and entities from acquiring real estate adjacent to sensitive federal lands.
Resolution Addressing the Strategic Challenge from China – Introduced a congressional resolution warning about the long-term strategic challenge posed by the People’s Republic of China, including its military expansion, cyber activities, intellectual property theft, pressure on Taiwan, and efforts to expand its global influence.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Crime in Tucson has reached an alarming level, but federal prosecutors are trying to keep up with lock ups.
A Tucson gang member was sentenced to nearly 28 years in federal prison following over a decade-long investigation into a criminal street gang tied to murders, drug trafficking, firearms, and witness intimidation in southern Arizona.
David Kapone Williams, 36, of Tucson, was sentenced on September 16 by U.S. District Judge James A. Soto to 335 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Williams previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a pattern of racketeering activity.
Williams admitted to being a member of the Western Hills Bloods (WHB), a criminal street gang that operated in Tucson.
According to federal prosecutors, the Western Hills Bloods engaged in a pattern of criminal activity that included narcotics trafficking, firearms possession, witness intimidation, and violent crimes, including murder.
Court records tied Williams and other gang members to deadly violence in Tucson dating back more than a decade.
On May 15, 2015, Williams and other Western Hills Bloods members murdered a rival gang member in the parking lot of a La Quinta hotel near Tucson International Airport, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Members of the gang also participated in an October 2014 homicide near Fremont Street in Tucson.
Williams also trafficked narcotics in Tucson and across the United States on behalf of the gang.
“With Williams’ sentence, this long-fought battle to bring members of the violent Western Hills Bloods to justice finally comes to an end,” stated U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “But that doesn’t mean we are anywhere close to ending our mission to bring safety to Tucson’s streets.”
Courchaine said the case should serve as a warning to other gangs that federal prosecutors and law enforcement will continue pursuing them.
“The persistence of law enforcement and prosecutors in this case should stand as a warning to other gangs and violent offenders out there – we won’t tire in seeking justice,” he added.
TUCSON, Ariz. – David Kapone Williams, 36, of Tucson, was sentenced last Wednesday to 335 months in prison for a RICO conspiracy. Williams, a member of the Western Hills Bloods murdered a rival gang member in the parking lot of the La Quinta Hotel near the Tucson International… pic.twitter.com/fymi0at4jd
Williams was the latest of several Western Hills Bloods defendants to receive lengthy federal prison sentences.
Marcell Demetrius Gray was sentenced in May to 335 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to participate in a pattern of racketeering activity.
Michael Anthony Williams received a 262-month sentence in March 2025, while Shawmaine Eustace Ardell Moore, Samuel Lee Berrelle Rakestraw III, and Jermaine Lamar Maxwell each received 240-month prison sentences for racketeering conspiracy.
Two other defendants were convicted on firearms and narcotics charges.
Cliffton Martinez was sentenced to 78 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, while Labarr Martinez received 50 months for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Federal authorities described the prosecution as the culmination of more than a decade of efforts to hold members of the Tucson gang accountable for violence and intimidation.
“This significant sentence is part of an over ten-year effort to hold members of the Western Hills Bloods, a violent criminal street gang, accountable for their acts of violence and intimidation which they inflicted on the citizens of Tucson,” said A.J. Gibes, Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Phoenix Field Division.
“This years-long effort by ATF and our partners with the Tucson Police Department and Arizona Department of Public Safety is indicative of our unwavering commitment to protecting the public from violent armed offenders and armed drug traffickers,” Gibes added.
The investigation was conducted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative that coordinates federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts to address violent crime.
The program allows U.S. Attorney’s offices to tailor enforcement efforts to local violent crime and public safety concerns, with an emphasis on federal prosecution of violent offenders, coordination among law enforcement agencies, and deterrence.
Federal authorities said that while Williams’ sentencing brings the Western Hills Bloods prosecution to an end, efforts targeting gangs and violent offenders in Tucson will continue.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers calling for a federal investigation into the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Sale Program. The lawmakers cited concerns that federally protected animals are entering the slaughter pipeline.
Ciscomani, co-chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus, co-led 17 congressional colleagues in requesting that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct an independent review of the program.
The lawmakers are asking the GAO to examine how the BLM uses its authority to sell wild horses and burros, including how prospective buyers are screened, what happens to animals after they are sold, and how the agency responds when animals appear at auctions or facilities associated with the slaughter industry.
“It’s long past time to fix the ongoing failures in how America’s wild horses are managed,” stated Ciscomani. “For years, across both Republican and Democrat administrations, we’ve seen alarming reports of hostility toward these animals and serious questions about how the Bureau of Land Management is carrying out its responsibilities. This cannot be a partisan issue. It’s a stewardship issue. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to demand accountability, protect our wild horses, and push for real solutions that address the problem head-on.”
The request follows recent reporting raising questions about whether existing BLM safeguards are sufficient to prevent federally protected horses and burros from eventually being transferred to slaughter.
In their letter to the GAO, lawmakers pointed to a sharp increase in the number of animals sold through the program. According to figures cited in the letter, the BLM sold 3,718 horses and burros in 2025, compared with 268 in 2015.
The lawmakers also highlighted the distinction between animals placed through adoption and those sold by the federal government.
Under the adoption process, animals remain under BLM jurisdiction for at least one year before title is transferred, during which the agency may conduct compliance checks. Animals purchased through the Sale Program become private property upon purchase and are no longer under BLM jurisdiction.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), another co-chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus, said the reports warrant further investigation.
“We now know what we have long suspected—that the BLM has been selling off wild horses that end up in slaughterhouses,” said Titus. “This practice must end now. I am leading my Congressional colleagues in demanding an investigation of the Wild Horse and Burro Sale Program to ensure wild horses and burros received the protections they are guaranteed by federal law.”
The congressional letter cited previous problems involving the program, including a 2012 case in which approximately 1,700 wild horses were sold to a single buyer despite warning signs that lawmakers say indicated many could be destined for slaughter.
The lawmakers are now asking the GAO to determine how effectively the BLM screens high-volume or repeat purchasers, whether it tracks buyers with connections to livestock auctions or slaughter-related businesses, and how often the agency has repossessed animals or restricted purchasers following sales.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) said congressional protections for the animals require greater oversight of the program.
“Our laws demand that we protect wild horses, not send them to slaughter,” said Pocan. “Congress has always worked in a bipartisan manner to protect these animals, and we need accountability and oversight at the Bureau of Land Management immediately. We hope this request will force the Administration to do the right thing.”
The lawmakers also want investigators to determine whether the BLM’s current practices comply with congressional restrictions intended to prevent healthy federally protected wild horses and burros from being destroyed or sold for processing into commercial products.
Patricia Miller, chair of the board of directors and executive director of American Wild Horse Conservation, called the requested investigation an opportunity to examine the program and its safeguards.
“The GAO investigation is a critical step toward uncovering and eliminating abuses within the Sale Authority Program, abuses documented through AWHC’s longstanding investigation and recently brought to national attention by The New York Times,” stated Miller. “No federal program should allow America’s treasured and legally protected wild horses and burros to be funneled into the slaughter pipeline.”
“We are deeply grateful to Representative Dina Titus and her fellow Congressional Wild Horse Caucus co-chairs, Representatives Ciscomani, Cohen, and Pocan, for leading this essential oversight effort and advancing the agency accountability and lasting reform necessary to ensure these animals receive the protections promised to them under federal law,” she added.
Manda Kalimian, founder and president of Rewilding America Now, also backed the requested review.
“America’s wild horses are an irreplaceable part of our nation’s heritage and belong to the American people. Slaughter is not a management tool, and Congress has made clear these iconic animals are to be protected, not destroyed with taxpayer dollars,” said Kalimian. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Dina Titus for her leadership, and to her colleagues for requesting a GAO audit of the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. This review will help bring greater transparency and accountability to the Sale Authority Program and move us toward humane, effective solutions. Slaughter is never the answer, and we must work together to find a better path forward.”
The oversight request is part of Ciscomani’s broader work on federal wild horse policy.
The legislation would require the federal government to phase out the use of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for wild horse and burro roundups over two years.
The bill would also require cameras on aircraft used during the transition period and direct the GAO to report to Congress on humane alternatives to aircraft-based roundups, potential job opportunities associated with those alternatives, and the effects of aircraft on wild horse and burro populations.
The legislation was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne announced that the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has secured a $5 million federal grant to expand teacher apprenticeship opportunities focused on special education.
The five-year grant will support the expansion of the Arizona Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program and create additional paid, job-embedded pathways for aspiring special education teachers to earn certification while working in Arizona schools.
“The grant will expand a program that currently serves more than 90 apprentices statewide, has doubled enrollment in the past year, and maintains a 97 percent apprentice retention rate,” stated Horne. “Nearly half of current apprentices are pursuing special education certification, demonstrating the strong demand for these pathways.”
The existing Arizona Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program combines paid classroom experience with coursework through an approved educator preparation program.
Apprentices work for a participating school district or charter school under the mentorship of an experienced educator while completing requirements toward teacher certification.
The federal funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeshipsprogram.
The federal program supports registered apprenticeships aimed at attracting, preparing, and retaining special eduction teachers and early intervention personnel.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the initiative is intended to help address workforce shortages by expanding work-based pathways into those professions.
As part of the expansion, ADE will support the Arizona Special Eduction Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program, providing aspiring educators with paid, school-based experience as they complete the requirements necessary to earn special education teacher certification.
The initiative will involve partnerships among local education agencies, educator preparation providers, and workforce organizations.
The Arizona Department of Education sponsors the apprenticeship program in partnership with the Arizona Apprenticeship Office and the National Center for Grow Your Own.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
