Your Questions, Answered
Today, we're addressing your queries about immigration, military spending, Social Security, Medicaid and whether now is a good time to build a house. (Got a question for us? Submit them here.)
ICE raids
With the raids on undocumented immigrants going on, targeting the people who work in the fields and the slaughterhouses, how have these actions affected the supply and prices in our grocery stores? — Anna Halbrook, Otis, Ore.
We asked Julie Creswell, who covers the food industry, to field this one:
We haven't seen any obvious fallout from immigration raids on grocery prices yet. As of the end of May, prices were up about 2.2 percent compared with a year earlier. Eggs, coffee and meats — ground beef in particular — drove that increase.
But beef prices were climbing even before the raids, because of droughts and high interest rates (ranchers take out loans to run their operations). The nation's cattle inventory is at its lowest level since the 1950s. Prices of fruits and vegetables have stayed about flat over the past year; tomatoes and lettuce are actually much cheaper right now.
Defense spending
Trump has pushed NATO countries to spend 5 percent of their economic output on the military. How much of its economic output does the U.S. spend on the military? — Diann Ebersole, Copperopolis, Calif.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
26 minutes ago
- The Hill
Spanish-language journalist still in custody a week after bond granted
A Spanish-language journalist has been held in jail for more than a week after a judge granted him bond. Mario Guevara, founder and journalist for MG News, is being held on unlawful assembly, obstruction of police and being a pedestrian on or along the roadway charges after recording a June 14 protest in the metro Atlanta area against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Guevara, 47, has been shuffled through three detention sites despite immigration judge James Ward's decision to grant him bond on July 1, according to The Associated Press. Guevara's family, per the AP, has attempted to pay his $7,500 bond with ICE three times including online and in person. But all attempts have been denied. DeKalb County solicitor-general Donna Coleman-Stribling also dismissed the three charges brought by Dekalb County police on June 25. Coleman-Stribling said probable cause existed to support Guevara's arrest but there wasn't enough evidence to support a prosecution. Still, the journalist has been shifted from jails in Gwinnett County and Floyd County before eventually being transported to a federal Bureau of Prisons facility in Atlanta, according Guevara's lawyer. 'None of this is normal,' his lawyer, Giovanni Diaz, told the wire. Guevara was held in Gwinnett on traffic charges, which he ultimately paid bond for and was released the same day, AP reported. However, officials in Floyd County, 65 miles northwest of Atlanta, held him for ICE in accordance with their agreement to uphold federal detainers. Diaz now says ICE is challenging Guevara's release to the Board of Immigration Appeals and requested to put a hold on the bond order while awaiting a new ruling. Guevara was standing on a sidewalk videotaping when approached by law enforcement at the June protest. He was wearing a sign that identified him as 'PRESS.' 'At the time of his arrest, the video evidence shows Mr. Guevara generally in compliance and does not demonstrate the intent to disregard law enforcement directives,' Coleman-Stribling's office said of his behavior in a news release per AP. However, a spokesperson for ICE said Guevara did not comply with requests from law enforcement and is in the country illegally. 'On June 14, Mario Guevera, an illegal alien from El Salvador, was arrested by Doraville Police Department for willful obstruction after he refused to comply with local police orders to move out of the middle of the street,' Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security told The Hill. 'Following his arrest by local authorities, ICE placed a detainer on him since he is in the country illegally.' Guevara's lawyer, Diaz, says he's authorized to live and work in the country while awaiting approval for a green card to be sponsored by his adult son who is a U.S. citizen, AP reported.
Gizmodo
28 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
Prime Day Pushes Oral-B Electric Toothbrush Bundle Below Black Friday Prices, Making Shoppers Smile
Our teeth are pretty important, as it turns out. While dental health is a pretty big deal in the USA in general, that doesn't mean we can't do a little bit more. After all, what's the point of having those lovely gnashes if you can't show them off? Well, that's why you should be looking around Prime Day deals for a great deal on an electric toothbrush, and we just so happened to have found one for you today. You can currently get the Oral-B iO Deep Clean + Protect rechargeable electric toothbrush for just $100. It would normally cost you $200, but Prime members can save a massive 55% on that right now (with $20 clip coupon). If that's not going to leave you smiling wide, we're not sure what will. Just make sure to use the on-page coupon to save the full amount. See at Amazon This powerful electric toothbrush has been proven to remove 100% more plaque than some other options in just one week, leading not only to healthier gums, but also brighter smiles, and fewer trips to the dentist. We've got nothing against dentists, we just think anyone who does it for a living probably needs a good hug and maybe a stiff drink. The smart features are what make this toothbrush so effective. It can actually keep track of your brushing time itself, meaning you don't have to worry about timing things in any other way, and it'll even show you where you're brushing properly and where you need work, thanks to the Oral-B app. It also tells you when you're brushing too hard or too softly, allowing you to actually master the art of teeth quickly. You can even choose from multiple modes, so you can focus on whitening, gum care, or just really cleaning your teeth to the max. You can switch these as you need to, so if your dentist is recommending you spend a little bit more time on your gums, for example, your toothbrush can literally help you do that. We know that we're all adults here, but sometimes a little boost to accountability is all you need for success. We think this is an excellent toothbrush at full price, so being able to get it for over half off at just $100 is the kind of deal that'll have you grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Just don't forget about that coupon to actually get the full deal here. See at Amazon
Washington Post
28 minutes ago
- Washington Post
A surprise IRS move on political endorsements leaves faith leaders and experts divided
WASHINGTON — A surprise move by the IRS that would allow pastors to back political candidates from the pulpit without losing their organization's tax-exempt status is drawing praise from conservatives and even some progressive religious groups but concern from other leaders of faith, along with tax and legal experts. A 1954 provision in the tax code called the Johnson Amendment says churches and other nonprofits could lose their tax-exempt status if they participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. The rule was rarely enforced.
