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Daily Briefing: Splitting the Valentine's dinner bill


Progress on inflation may remain stalled for now. A judge restored President Donald Trump's buyouts for federal employees. Some pet owners are worried after a chip company suddenly closed.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Heart-shaped pizza is my love language.

True love is splitting the bill in this economy

If you have sticker shock at Valentine's Day dinner, you're not alone: Americans are feeling the pressure after inflation hit a seven-month high last month.

Inflation isn't abating: Costs for housing, food and energy pushed at a 3% annual rate in January versus 2.9% the month before. These numbers could signal slow progress for price relief, especially as President Donald Trump rolls out tariffs.

Judge allows buyouts for federal employees to proceed

The Trump administration announced the close of the buyout offer to any federal workers who might still be undecided after a federal judge in Massachusetts permitted efforts to drastically cut the federal workforce to resume. The judge lifted a pause on buyouts issued last week and denied the plaintiffs' request for an injunction, allowing the Trump administration to move forward with the buyouts. The Trump administration has signaled furloughs and layoffs are likely if not enough federal workers agree to the buyouts. Here's what to know if you're a federal worker.

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What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

An Iraq War vet is facing deportation. Fellow veterans are demanding his release.

Iraq war veteran Marlon Parris had left his home in Laveen, Arizona, on the morning of Jan. 22 when he was swarmed by a half-dozen black SUVs. Officers with vests reading ICE jumped out of the vehicles and soon whisked him to a private prison facility, where he faces deportation. Parris came to the U.S. in 1997 from Trinidad and Tobago. Now a national veterans’ group is demanding Parris’ release, fearing more veterans may face similar issues.

Meet the vehicle attracting graffiti and middle fingers

Many Cybertruck owners say they have felt attacked for their vehicle choice. While not everyone sees Tesla ownership as political, there's a growing number of Americans who do as the car company's CEO, Elon Musk, slashes the federal government with his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Cybertruck social media groups are filled with examples of drivers being harassed, yelled at or targeted for their vehicle of choice. And, after decades of pushing Americans to drive electric cars, including Tesla sedans, some liberals have soured on Musk's company. Read more

Today's talkers

Does your pet have a chip?

Microchips in your dog or cat can be a lifesaver because they can reunite a lost pet with an owner. But the closure of Texas-based microchip and registration company Save This Life has left many pet lovers anxious for answers after the company shut down without notice. But experts say don't worry right away: Chips can be registered with a new company using the same chip. Here's how to check if your furry friend's chip may be impacted.

Photo of the day: The joy of a snow day!

A blanket of snow swept the eastern half of the continental U.S. Wednesday after more than 90 million Americans were under winter weather advisories or warnings. How much snow fell near you?

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at Paste BN, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.