Data first:  Consumer Prices “he Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in July, after rising 0.3 percent in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.7 percent before seasonal adjustment. The index for … Read More

It’s the time of year that news directors, editors, and the ad sales staff hate. There’s not much moving.  People have stopped the spring-into-summer “OMG did you see where?” kind of buzz.  Seattle was no different than other big cities.  We called it the post Hydro letdown. With only a Putin-Trump meeting looking (even remotely) interesting, I … Read More

(Ok, maybe the better title would have been…) Low Vision, High Precision: Shop Tips for Aging Eyes and Laser Minds Aging doesn’t stop real makers. It just means we upgrade the tools, not give up the game.  Maybe we get more serious about counting fingers both before and after using a power saw…yeah… Let’s take aim … Read More

A tip from my consigliere has us asking hard questions about inflation, again. We’re at the top of a 1929-like financial peak. But, how long could inflation – and a changing financial landscape, keep us in the saddle? That and today’s ChartPack. Oh, and don’t miss the upcoming Tuesday edition.  because in that one, we … Read More

For a people once victims of genocide themselves, Israel is disappointing. So are the decisions lately of “Fearless Leader” with regard to the Middle East. The simple version of the story: Israel plans to retake Gaza City, escalating the war with Hamas | AP News No, I do not support Palestinians and their struggle. Near … Read More

2-cups worth today.  This first part is easy. Pick up press release and read. Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 2.4 percent in the second quarter of 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, as output increased 3.7 percent and hours worked increased 1.3 percent. (All quarterly percent changes in this release are … Read More

Peoplenomics does a deep dive into a radically simple question: What if the U.S. economy was managed like a modern solar power system instead of a Wall Street casino? Using real-world insights from upgrading our grid-interactive MPPT solar arrays, we map out a smarter way to measure national output—and manage it.  One that ditches the … Read More

International Trade data has just dropped.  After I tell you this is a “rear view mirror” stat and the Trade Salad is still being tossed. Here’s the view: Exports, Imports, and Balance  June exports were $277.3 billion, $1.3 billion less than May exports. June imports were $337.5 billion, $12.8 billion less than May imports. The … Read More

Not to begin the week with a bummer, but one of my key sources pinged last night.  Something to the effect “all eyes on Ukraine.” I turned the Ai deep readers loose and here’s what came back: Current Status of the Alleged Ochakiv Raid 1. Multiple Russian-Aligned Outlets Claim Detention of UK PersonnelSerbian news site … Read More

Computers, AI, Power Tools, and the Collapse of Consciousness ShopTalk columns are generally about power tools.  But this week?  MY power tools: Computers, AI, hopelessly high caffeine levels, and an ability to suck down sugars and their EtOH kin in frankly quite remarkable portions. OK, and it’s about software, too. But don’t be fooled. This … Read More

Sucker for Drucker, Believer in Blanchard? Markets conspire to take us back to the frontiers of time management.  Words like urgent versus important are in play. As Ms. Tulsi tries to root out the Operation Mockingbird heirs we actually celebrate the date because time managers see a path to sorting wheat from chaff.  A chance … Read More

On our Subscriber’s-Only side, Peoplenomics.com, the Wednesday column began like this: “Let’s Play “Top Calling!” Sure – and why not?  We can say with mathematical certainty that we will eventually be right.  Just maybe not today. But that won’t stop us, no sir.  Plates are moving out West, Putin’s still warring, so are we, and … Read More

Interesting day. Behind the scenes and a look into pseudo-retirement:  Wrote this  morning’s column – took Elaine and we B-bopped into town for #2 of the 3X annual tooth cleanings.  (Gum bacteria is statistically linked to dementia progression and ALZ onset so the APOE-4 duo is extra careful!) A run through the store after (fresh … Read More