In a shocking plot twist that no one could have predicted, movie theaters across the nation will begin gouging diversion-starved Americans even more brazenly this weekend. Because surely moviegoers desperate enough to pay $12.50 for such cinematic treasures as The Bounty Hunter or She's Out of My League will be willing to pay a little more to escape the voices in their heads. What else are they gonna do, read a book? more ›

After dispensing high marks to 97 percent of the city’s elementary schools last year, the Department of Education is determined to be a tougher grader. It’s instating a new cut-throat system in which schools will be ranked against one another, and no good grades will be given for “effort”: only 25 percent of schools will get A’s, 30 percent B’s, 30 percent C’s, 10 percent D’s, and the bottom 5 percent of schools will get F’s. Like any grading curve, this one is already being called unfair and is sure to be unpopular, but will it slim down the previous bloated system or just confuse it? more ›

Confirmation that it's costing more to buy your bread: Inflation is "running at the fastest pace in 17 years, which consumer prices rising 0.8% last month, twice what experts were expecting. The AP grimly reports: "It marked the third straight month of oversized inflation increases following jumps of 0.6 percent in May and 1.1 percent in June and left inflation rising by 5.6 percent over the past year, the biggest 12-month gain since January 1991." The increases were across the board, for "clothing, food, transportation and recreational products." The NY Times says that this news "suggests that a[n interest] rate increase could come sooner rather than later," because lowering interest rates might force more inflation. more ›

Today the Post looks at how the turbulent economy is affecting the lifestyle of one family of four on the Upper East Side, and, surprise surprise, reports that it’s not really such a big deal for some people. Sure, their cost of living expenses have risen by $1,000 a month compared to this time last year, but Mr. and Mrs. Gary Foodim aren’t sweating it – they vacationed at Disney World last year and there's no way the recession is going to stop this year's trip. more ›

Last night, the Rent Guidelines Board recommended to increase rents for rent-stabilized apartments by 3.5-7% for one-year leases and 5.5-9.5% for two-year leases. This figure was deemed too high by tenants and not high enough by landlords. more ›