::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

Today’s economic data tells the tale of two recoveries.   Our jobs recovery remains strong.  New unemployment claims remain low, as jobs are created at a record level. The rate of people on unemployment insurance is the lowest since 1970 – more than 50 years.   And, private sector job growth is strong, boosted by the steps we took in the American Rescue Plan a year ago this week.   At the same time, today’s inflation report is a reminder that Americans' budgets are being stretched by price increases and families are starting to feel the impacts of Putin’s price hike. A large contributor to inflation this month was an increase in gas and energy prices as markets reacted to Putin’s aggressive actions.  As I have said from the start, there will be costs at home as we impose crippling sanctions in response to Putin’s unprovoked war, but Americans can know this:  the costs we are imposing on Putin and his cronies are far more devastating than...

AP file photo. It's hump day in week five of the Trump Administration. After a weekend of contentious foreign affairs talks abroad and resignations of key figures during the week prior, key in on improvements to an economy that Pres. Obama left in stable condition. Avoiding raised taxes and keeping jobs stateside are the areas of focus stemming formt eh campaign trail. On today's agenda, Trump and Pence are in the process of rolling out economic reform to the nation. POTUS is spending time at the White House discuss the federal budget with senior staffers this morning and says he wants to help hard working Americans keep more of their money and the federal government to spend more responsibly according to Press Sec. Sean Spicer. VP Pence is in St. Louis today to sit in on listening sessions with American workers at Fabick Cat and deliver remarks on the nation's plan for an economic comeback.