U.S. consumer confidence rises as gas prices fall, but economic outlook remains gloomy
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans' attitudes toward the economy improved slightly this month as gas prices declined, but their outlook is still mostly negative by historical standards.
The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose 0.6 point to 91.2 in June, a figure that is still below its year-ago reading of 95.2. Consumer attitudes worsened after the Iran war caused oil and gas prices to spike, accelerating inflation and causing Americans' inflation-adjusted incomes to decline. Before the pandemic, the index regularly topped 120.
The report suggests that consumer confidence is recovering only slowly from the hit caused by the Iran war. Even so, Americans have continued to spend despite their dour outlook, which has kept the economy growing even as inflation accelerated. Measures of consumer sentiment have been less predictive of how Americans actually shop since the pandemic.
"Consumer confidence inched up in June as falling oil prices in recent weeks provided some relief to consumer inflation fears," Dana Peterson, the Conference Board's chief economists said in a statement. "Consumer appraisals of current business conditions were slightly more positive compared to last month. However, perceptions of the current labor market softened measurably."
Earlier this month, a government report showed that consumers stepped up their spending in May despite higher gas prices. Analysts expect the steady consumer outlays kept the economy growing at about a 2.5% annual rate in the April-June quarter.
Falling gas prices may also help boost Americans' outlook in the coming months. On average nationwide, gas prices spiked above $4.50 after the U.S.-Iran conflict began Feb. 28. They have since fallen back to $3.85 a gallon, according to AAA.
The survey also found that consumers had a dimmer view of hiring and the job market this month. The proportion of Americans who said jobs are "hard to get" rose to 22.5% from 19.8% the previous month, a noticeable increase.
But on Wednesday the government released a report showing that the number of open jobs remained at a solid 7.6 million in May, indicating that companies are showing more interest in recruiting workers.
The Labor Department will release its monthly jobs report for June on Thursday, and economists forecast it will show that employers added 100,000 jobs, a solid gain. The unemployment rate is expected to stay at a low 4.3%, according to data provider FactSet.
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REPORT: Serial Killer's Therapist Allegedly Practiced For Years Without A License, Faces Felony Charges
USREPORT: Serial Killer’s Therapist Allegedly Practiced For Years Without A License, Faces Felony Charges
(Photo by James Carbone-Pool/Getty Images)
Christine Sellers Contributor June 30, 2026 3:49 PM ET June 30, 2026 3:49 PM ET Christine Sellers Contributor Font Size:A serial killer’s therapist reportedly practiced clinical social work in New York for years without a license and faces felony charges, prosecutors said.
Alison Winter, serial killer Rex Heuermann’s therapist, received $60,000 in reimbursement payments for insurance claims from 2018 to 2024 without having a clinical social work license, Newsday reported, citing prosecutors. Over $50,000 was allegedly billed via Cigna. The insurance company reportedly requires masters-level clinicians who work independently to have a state license in order to be part of their network. Winter also obtained reimbursement payments via UnitedHealthcare and Medicare, according to court documents.
Winter obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University in 1999, the school told Newsday. However, a verification search of the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions does not generate a license for Winter under the Master Social Worker category.
Gilgo Beach serial’s therapist didn’t have a license to practice, bombshell report claims https://t.co/dKXpwnmEEB pic.twitter.com/UIXQ7B3ttI
— New York Post (@nypost) June 30, 2026
Prosecutors charged Winter with grand larceny in the second degree, grand larceny in the third degree, scheme to defraud, and 14 counts of unauthorized practice of a profession, a Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (SCDAO) spokeswoman told the Daily Caller. She was already facing the felony charges when she heard Heuermann’s confession in which he allegedly admitted to killing eight women, Newsday reported.
Melissa McCardle, a licensed clinical social worker and dean of the school of education and human services at Molloy University in Rockville Centre, reacted to Winter’s charges, according to Newsday.
“Nobody in New York State can practice psychotherapy as a social worker without a license,” McCardle said. Psychotherapists who obtain a Master’s Degree in Social Work must take a licensure exam and go through three years’ employment under the supervision of a licensed professional before applying for certification to practice by themselves, she added. (RELATED: Cheek Swab Taken From Wife Of Alleged Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Matches DNA On Victim’s Remains: REPORT)
Winter appears to have operated a psychotherapy practice in Sayville, New York, according to Healthline. An exterior sign with the name of the practice has since been taken down and the practice is labeled by Google as “permanently closed,” according to Newsday.
Winter has garnered national attention for appearing in a Peacock documentary series about Heuermann’s case, the outlet reported. Heuermann was sentenced to life without parole for the murders of eight women in Gilgo Beach between 1993 and 2010 on June 17.
Her next court date is set for July 21, the SCDAO told the Caller.
Exclusive | New details of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s rehearsal dinner revealed ahead of MSG wedding
Exclusive | Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce rehearsal dinner details for MSG wedding revealed- News
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New details of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s rehearsal dinner revealed ahead of MSG wedding
By Joe Marino and Eric Todisco Published June 30, 2026, 3:22 p.m. ETSee more of our coverage in your search results.
Add Page Six on GoogleTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s rehearsal dinner will be held at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, Page Six can confirm.
Sources told us that the theater is seen as a secure location that will help avoid attention from paparazzi.
Page Six has reached out to MSG for comment.
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The Infosys Theater is a 5,600-seat entertainment venue located inside the iconic New York City-based arena.
The theater has hosted performances by music icons like Elton John, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan and Kanye West and tapings of “Wheel of Fortune” and the Daytime Emmys.
It’s also been the stage for pivotal sporting events like the NBA Draft from 2001 to 2010.
Swift has never performed at the Infosys Theater, though she has put on concerts inside the main MSG arena.
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Page Six previously confirmed Swift and Kelce, both 36, will be hosting an intimate rehearsal dinner with around 100 of their close family and friends inside MSG on July 2.
The next day, the couple will allegedly have between 1,000 and 2,000 guests at their larger wedding bash in the arena.
We also heard Swift and Kelce are having a massive castle built inside a garden for the July 3 nuptials.
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The A-list guest list includes Selena Gomez, Zoë Kravitz, Ed Sheeran, Karlie Kloss, Suki Waterhouse, Gigi Hadid and more, according to our sources.
Another insider shared that Stevie Nicks and Tim McGraw are set to perform at the bash.
Ahead of the multi-day event, various deliveries were made to the venue, with some boxes being labeled “Garden Party.”
On Tuesday, a red carpet was rolled out on MSG’s entrance steps — and then removed — by workers .
An employee confirmed to Page Six the decor is for a “wedding.”
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The “Style” singer and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end got engaged in August 2025 after two years of dating.
They allegedly picked MSG as their wedding venue instead of Rhode Island — where Swift owns a massive $18 million mansion — due to privacy reasons.
The couple also changed their wedding plans after realizing they wanted to invite a lot more people than they thought, our sources said.
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