Measles cases in the U.S. have surged past 900, while the January inflation report offered positive signs for the economy, and the Chicago Teachers Union is planning significant spending on political activities, according to recent reports. Additionally, the Trump administration is pushing for a Federal Reserve chair confirmation, and changes to climate policy are anticipated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that measles cases in the U.S. had reached 910 infections across 24 states as of February 13, 2026, with at least 177 new cases reported in the last week, according to ABC News. The majority of these cases were among the unvaccinated or those with unknown vaccination status. States affected include Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
In economic news, the January Consumer Price Index (CPI) report indicated a positive trend, with inflation falling to its lowest level in nine months, according to CBS News. Inflation rose at an average annual rate of 2.6% from November through January, down from nearly 2.9% from July through September. Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, noted that "Inflation fell to the lowest level since May, and key items such as food, gas and rent are cooling off."
Meanwhile, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is planning to spend a substantial amount of money on "political activities," according to internal documents viewed by Fox News Digital. The union budgeted $3.1 million for these activities, compared to $152,500 for "training workshops," $260,000 for community events, and $1.2 million for its contract campaign, according to the fiscal report projecting into June 30, 2026.
In political developments, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged Senate Republicans to move forward with confirmation hearings for Kevin M. Warsh, President Trump's pick to be the next Federal Reserve chair, according to the New York Times. Bessent suggested that the current chair, Jerome H. Powell, might not face criminal charges related to the central bank's headquarters renovations. Senator Thom Tillis is holding up the confirmation process.
Finally, the US is anticipating changes to climate policy. President Donald Trump announced the reversal of the "endangerment finding," a key Obama-era ruling that underpins much of US environmental legislation, according to the BBC World. Experts predict various environmental and economic impacts, including fewer restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA decision is expected to be challenged in the courts by environmental groups.
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