Consumers are paying significantly more for goods and services, as new government data shows prices climbed 4.2% in the 12 months ending in May. The price of goods and services within the month of May jumped 0.5%.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation rose at its fastest annual pace since April 2023, driven largely by oil and energy prices, which surged after the United States launched an attack on Iran.

RELATED STORY | Consumer confidence dented with gas prices around $4.50 and inflation still elevated

The consumer price index has spiked notably in recent months. In February, annual inflation stood at 2.4%, closer to the Federal Reserves target of 2%. The Fed had projected a quarter-point rate cut this year, but it typically raises rates during periods of high inflation.

With inflation more than double the Feds target and job growth remaining strong, hopes for interest rate cuts have faded. The central bank could opt to raise rates at its meeting next week.

The consumer price index weighs the cost of goods and services based on their importance, with food, shelter and energy carrying more weight.

Since February, prices have risen more than 2%, fueled by a nearly 20% jump in energy costs. Those increases have started to show up in the price of food, airfares and motor vehicle maintenance.

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If you are attending Alan Jackson's "5 O'Clock Somewhere Fest" in downtown West Palm Beach on June 12-13, music fans should plan ahead.

There is no on-site parking for the event, and several roads around the waterfront commons are already closed.

WATCH BELOW: Music festival closes downtown West Palm Beach roads

The following street closures are in effect from Saturday, June 6, through Wednesday, June 17:

Organizers say the best way to get to the festival is by taking Brightline or Tri-Rail. For those who choose to drive to the event, city garages are charging special event rates ranging between $20 and $40.

Ride-share apps are also an option for navigating downtown West Palm Beach.

Also, music fans can catch a ride on the Circuit shuttle with an average fare of $2, depending on your pickup and drop-off location, as well as the number of passengers.

The festival has big names performing, including Ella Langley, Old Dominion, Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band and Clint Black.

Thousands of fans are heading to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and transit options like Brightline and Tri-Rail could save travelers significant money compared to driving and parking.

Hard Rock Stadium will host seven matches, starting Monday, June 15, when Saudi Arabia takes on Uruguay at 6 p.m. The last Miami match the third-place match is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at 5 p.m.

WATCH BELOW: World Cup in Miami: Transit options that could save you money

Brightline is the official transit partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Miami. Round-trip tickets range from $76 to $150. From the Brightline Aventura Station the designated transit hub closest to the stadium Miami-Dade County will offer free Game Day Express shuttle buses directly to the stadium gates.

Shuttles are first-come, first-served, and riders must show a valid World Cup match ticket for that specific day to board.

"I would definitely take public transportation to the World Cup, and I would pick the premium bright line because it's a hell of a lot of fun," Richard Carpenito of Delray Beach said.

"I would definitely take a Brightline to see the World Cup. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Glenn Kessler of Delray Beach said.

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Tri-Rail offers a cheaper alternative. One-way tickets range from $2.50 to $6.90, depending on the starting station. Weekend round-trip travel is available for $5.

"I would take the Tri-Rail to the World Cup anytime," William Hunt said.

Both Brightline and Tri-Rail are cheaper than driving. Parking passes for Hard Rock Stadium must be purchased ahead of time, with some costing as much as $200.

Fans can also reach the stadium via Metrorail or Metrobus. Taking Metrorail or Tri-Rail to the Miami-Dade Golden Glades Interchange and connecting via Metrobus Route 297 (Orange Express) is another option.

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft can drop passengers at designated rideshare zones at the stadium, though surge pricing and longer wait times are expected, especially after matches.

Fans are encouraged to check out the official FIFA World Cup Miami website for the latest transit and shuttle information, and to plan for extra travel time due to crowds, security checks and potential road closures.

U.S. consumers havent stopped spending money since the Iran war drove up fuel prices, but many shoppers are reassessing what they buy and where, according to company executives and retail analysts.

The behavior changes observed so far are subtle, such as altered routines for buying gasoline and fewer visits to clothing and furniture stores. They also are uneven across the population. During recent earnings calls with analysts, executives from American mainstays like Walmart, McDonald's and Dollar General cited overall shopper resilience as well as noticeable cutbacks by lower-income customers.

But the new signs of strain cited by major retailers as generous income tax refunds helped shore up their sales make some economists and analysts think they will see a wider retrenchment when the refunds are gone and consumers face the cumulative impact of more expensive gas and higher prices for food, clothing, insurance and other goods and services.

Trevor Chapman, a communications executive in West Hills, California, said that instead of going to a local independent gas station, he and his wife now plan their fuel stops around Costco stores with filling stations. The couple also is doing more online food shopping to avoid impulse buys, he said.

Gas is a kind of catalyst, Chapman said. It trickles down into the entire budget. Were trying to keep everything as normal as possible. But its starting to feel like its adding up more and more.

Well before the U.S. and Israel launched the war, many consumers already were being more choosy with their discretionary purchases, fatigued by several years of stubborn inflation and tariffs on imported goods imposed last year.

The U.S. Commerce Department reported last week that higher prices, not more purchases, accounted for most of the growth in Americans' spending in April, when a key inflation gauge reached the highest level since October 2023.

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Topping up instead of filling up

Members-only warehouse stores like Costco, Walmart's Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club have seen more traffic at their fuel pumps since the war began in late February, according to the companies. Fuel typically costs less at the wholesale clubs.

But many drivers are not filling their tanks up, Walmart Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey told analysts late last month. For the first time since 2022, Walmart customers and Sams Club members are buying an average of less than 10 gallons per trip, he said.

Thats an indication of stress, Rainey said.

Costco members also are making changes. They are visiting store gas stations more frequently to top up in between what would have normally been a gap between getting the tank to empty because of the concern about what might the gas price be tomorrow, Chief Financial Officer Gary Millerchip said in late May.

Meanwhile, the gas price surge has hurt convenience stores, where 80% of all fuel is sold in the U.S., according to Jeff Lenard, a vice president at the National Association of Convenience Stores.

A sales analysis by the trade group found that the number of pump transactions at the properties of 130 convenience store companies fell by nearly 10% across March and April compared to the same two months last year. The number of sales inside the companies' stores dropped by 10.4%, according to the analysis.

When you lose gallons to the big box, you also lose in-store sales," Lenard said.

Changing eating habits

Higher gas prices did not stop many Americans from dining out in the first two months of the war with Iran. Tax refunds helped, the National Restaurant Association said. Customer traffic at U.S. restaurants in April was unchanged from the same month last year, although a 2.6% increase in restaurant spending resulted largely from higher menu prices, according to market research firm Circana.

But cracks are starting to form as budget-conscious U.S. residents shoulder the combined weight of paying more for gas and other consumer goods on top of increasing costs in other areas from inflation past and present.

The price of gas won't help bring customers with household incomes of $45,000 or less back to U.S. fast-food restaurants, McDonalds Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski said last month. People in that income group began scaling back their fast-food purchases after the period of inflation that accompanied the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the trend picked up speed last year.

U.S.-based restaurant consulting firm Revenue Management Solutions analyzed 14.6 billion restaurant transactions from the last four years and found that as gasoline gets more expensive, restaurant visits gradually decline, according to Chief Research Officer Sebastin Fernandez. The analysis indicated the impact doubles when gas hits the $4 mark, which it did as a nationwide average on March 31.

Consumers also are making concessions when they shop for groceries, according to Stew Leonard, president of an eight-store supermarket chain his father founded, Stew Leonard's. He's noticed customers buying meat in bulk to freeze and being less tempted to buy the products showcased during live food demonstrations or offered for sampling.

It's telling me that people are sticking more to their shopping list, Leonard said.

Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos also cited $4 a gallon gas as a tipping point that had more consumers with household incomes above $100,000 frequenting the discount chain. Vasos told analysts Tuesday that many of Dollar General's core shoppers, who have mid-to-low incomes and live in rural areas, were paring back their food spending.

Sophie Tolsdorf, 29, of La Grange, Kentucky, said she is one of the consumers stocking up on meat when the price is reasonable. She also switched to buying whole fruit instead pre-cut fruit in containers and cut back on the rawhide bones for her dog that cost $40 a pack.

He might have noticed, Tolsdorf said. "He's definitely a little bit bored during the workday now.

RELATED STORY | Costco sees record gas demand in 50 years as prices surge

Needs versus wants

Before the war, retailers had spent multiple earnings seasons highlighting consumer caution and selectivity as factors that could weigh on sales of nonessential products. Shoppers appear to have curbed their discretionary spending even more as the cost of buying gas went up, said Marshal Cohen, chief retail advisor at Circana.

Between April 25 and May 23, U.S. retailers sold 6% fewer non-grocery products than they did during the comparable four-week period of 2025, Cohen said. Housewares, clothing, footwear and sports equipment had the biggest declines, anywhere from 5% to 7%. Circana reported that toys and beauty items remained bright spots, registering at least an 8% increase in the number of units sold.

Location intelligence company Placer.ai, which tracks people's movements based on cellphone usage, saw visits to the gas stations of BJs, Costco and Sams Club stores start to accelerate in early March, aligning with a sharp rise in fuel prices, according to R.J. Hottovy, the company's head of analytical research.

By early May, Placer.ai's data showed four consecutive weeks of reduced foot traffic at clothing, electronics and home furnishing stores, and more trips to grocery stores and dollar stores.

Consumers are prioritizing value-oriented retailers like warehouse clubs, superstores, and off-price chains," Hottovy said.

South Florida drivers are catching a break at the gas pump, with prices dipping just under $4 per gallon across Palm Beach County. While motorists are celebrating the relief, experts warn it won't last long.

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FUEL FRUSTRATION: Find the cheapest gas in your area

Residents are making the most of lower prices while they can.

"The price is very feasible," Hashika Haywood said.

The decrease stems from reduced tensions in the Middle East as the U.S. works toward a lasting peace deal. This has led to increased oil purchases by countries previously blocked from accessing oil through the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the largest decrease in U.S. oil reserves on record.

Patrick DeHann, a GasBuddy analyst, explains that current low prices reflect temporary market slack. However, he's concerned about what's coming next.

"There's a little bit of slack, and that's what motorists are enjoying right now," DeHann said. "But once that slack is out of the market, once the strategic reserve is drained by the time we get to Labor Day, I'm so worried about the whiplash that consumers could face, and there's no telling when that whiplash could hit."

While drivers appreciate any savings, they're realistic about gas prices.

"A dollar saved is a dollar earned." Brian Schwan said. "Any time these prices come down, it's exciting.

Five people were hospitalized Monday night after a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 that also sparked a vehicle fire, according to Martin County Fire Rescue.

The collision occurred just before 10 p.m. on I-95 northbound near Exit 101 and Halpatiokee Regional Park.

Martin County Fire Rescue responded to the scene, where they found one of the vehicles on fire. Crews quickly extinguished the flames.

Two people suffered traumatic injuries and were transported to the hospital, while three others sustained minor injuries and were also taken for medical treatment.

All northbound lanes of I-95 were closed while law enforcement investigated the crash. As of Tuesday morning, all lanes have reopened.

WPTV has reached out to the Florida Highway Patrol for more information.

In its 50-year history, Costco has never seen such demand for gas.

Many of its stations have been so overwhelmed that theyve had to call in tanker trucks multiple times a day to avoid running dry, Costco said this week during its quarterly earnings call. A growing number of customers are buying just enough to top up their tanks, concerned about what tomorrows prices may be.

As prices have surged above $4 nationwide and above $6 along the West Coast Costco has become Americas destination for cheap gas. Well, relatively. Costco routinely undercuts local gas stations by around 30 cents a gallon.

RELATED STORY | US gas prices have increased nearly 50 cents in the past month

Thats an enticing bargain at any time, although long lines sometimes dissuade customers, especially when gas is inexpensive.

Not now: A significant number of Costco members filled up for the very first time over the past three months, Costco said on that earnings call.

How and why does Costco sell gas for so cheap? Its all about chickens. Well, kinda.

Costco actually makes a profit on gas a few cents per gallon. Thats substantially lower than the 25- to 35-cent markup that most gas stations take.

Unlike most gas stations, which are small, independently owned and operated businesses maybe with an attached convenience store or a repair shop Costco can rely on its massive scale and membership model to drive profit.

Last year, membership fees accounted for roughly two-thirds of the companys profit. Costco sells most of its products the same way it sells gasoline: at or just above cost and sometimes below, like its famous $1.50 hot dog and soda deal.

Competing gas stations need the markup to pay for overhead and repairs. When gas prices rise, customers buy less of it, keeping a relative cap on the amount theyre able to charge.

Thats why, ironically, when gas prices are high, most gas stations struggle to make money.

Costco has a different problem: When gas prices are high, Costco sells more gas. But, because gas is among its lowest-margin products, the companys overall profit margin gets squeezed. The opposite is true when prices are low.

Last year, when prices spent a considerable amount of time under $3 a gallon on average, gas added about a tenth of a percentage point to the companys gross margin. Last quarter, gas subtracted two tenths of a point.

Nevertheless, its a good problem to have. Costco said it brought in $2.3 billion less in gas sales in 2025 than the year before because prices got cheaper.

Costco has 747 gas stations, which brought in 10% of its overall sales last year.

Where do the chickens come in?

Costco says about half of its filler-uppers end up walking into a warehouse. As a record number of members visit Costcos gas stations, foot traffic at stores increased around 5%. And customers are buying more when they shop, too.

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We believe this will drive even greater loyalty with these members in the future as members who use our gas stations typically spend more with us in the warehouse, said Costco CEO Roland Vachris on a conference call with analysts Thursday, during which gas was mentioned 72 times.

Vachris said customers were stretched this past quarter, because they were allocating a higher percentage of their paychecks to gas. But that gave Costco an advantage: its competitive prices.

Among its best-selling how-can-they-sell-it-this-cheap products: rotisserie chickens, which Costco sells for $4.99 way undercutting local supermarkets. And theyre sold at the back of the warehouse, forcing customers to navigate the aisles and probably pick up some other items along the way.

Recognizing the moment, Costco extended discounts on meat and eggs (also sold at the back of the warehouse) to members to drive more customers into the warehouses.

We saw it as an opportunity, recognizing that our members were dealing with higher gas prices, to really invest in increasing value to the member, said Gary Millerchip, Costcos chief financial officer, on the call.

The question is whether Costco can hang onto those gains when gas prices fall again. The trends work in Costcos favor when gas prices rise but they work in reverse when they fall.

The company remains hopeful that the momentum it built in recent months can continue to, even if gas prices fall.

Over time, its a great way to build loyalty, Millerchip said. We do think its a good, healthy barometer of long-term growth for the business.

Analysts were skeptical. So were investors. The stock fell nearly 4% Friday.

U.S. consumer confidence declined slightly this month as gas prices stayed high and inflation remained elevated, a sharp contrast to soaring stock prices that have neared record levels.

The Conference Boards consumer confidence index slipped 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, the first decline after three months of gains.

The index follows a separate gauge of consumer sentiment released last week by the University of Michigan, which fell to a record low this month. Spikes in gas prices as well as higher food costs have worsened inflation, which has outpaced the growth in average paychecks, reducing most Americans purchasing power. Americans have soured on President Trumps economic policies, polls show, potentially creating problems for Republicans heading into the midterm elections.

RELATED STORY | US gas prices have increased nearly 50 cents in the past month

Gas prices have soared to a nationwide average of $4.49 a gallon from $2.98 just before the war began at the end of February, and have been at or above $4.50 a gallon for nearly all of May.

This month, the Conference Board added special questions to its survey, which found rising prices have caused most Americans to change their spending habits. Two-thirds of respondents said they are cutting back spending in response to the increases, with most of those reducing overall purchases and delaying more expensive acquisitions.

Many consumers are also planning to economize on clothes, shoes, hobby items, and toys and games, the survey found.

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Inflation jumped to 3.8% in April, the highest in three years and far above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. In addition to more expensive gas, grocery prices have also started rising more quickly, likely driven by higher shipping costs. Beef prices have also risen sharply, as drought and other factors have reduced cattle herds.

The higher prices are, on average, reducing Americans' inflation-adjusted incomes. Average hourly earnings, adjusted for price changes, shrank in April from a year earlier for the first time in three years.

Thousands of seniors at Century Village in Boca Raton say they were caught completely off-guard when a massive construction project suddenly appeared near their community and now they want answers about when it will end.

Barbara Zambito, a three-year resident, says the construction seemed to pop up without any warning.

"All of a sudden, it was just there," Zambito told WPTV. "We came out and were shocked. First, you saw pipes stacked up real high, then all the vehicles and tents."

WATCH:

The scale of the project has her worried.

"I've never seen so much stuff," Zambito said. "They have tents like they're going to be there for months."

Zambito was so concerned about safety that she reached out to WPTV for help, writing: "Could you possibly help before someone is killed?"

The construction has created serious traffic problems on busy Yamato Road as a lane closure is causing dangerous backups, residents say.

"There are two turning lanes, but they have one completely closed off with barrels, and there's a lot of traffic on Yamato. They need that lane, Zambito said. "You see how wide it is they're taking up a lane. It's really bad. You can't see anything, and there's been a couple of accidents."

Her concerns aren't unfounded. Palm Beach County Engineering confirmed at least three rear-end crashes and one possible injury since the start of the year.

"There are 22,000 residents here, and they're senior citizens it's dangerous. It's only a matter of time," Zambinto said.

So what exactly is this mystery project? According to county records, crews are installing two miles of new water lines as part of Palm Beach County's long-term infrastructure improvements.

The Water Utilities Department says the work includes 1.46 miles of recycled water pipes part of a broader water conservation effort.

County officials say they scheduled the work during the summer to avoid school traffic, and they "appreciate the community's patience" as the improvements are completed.

The project should wrap up by the end of the year, weather permitting.

Read the fulls statement from the WUD's Public Information Division below:

The star of the busy summer travel season is here, and so are higher prices for travelers from the gas pump to the airport.

Prices are up across the board, leaving families with tough choices about where to go and how to get there.

WATCH BELOW: How to stretch your summer travel budget in 2026

RELATED: WPTV Gas Price Tracker

"We're going to go to Sarasota, Siesta Key," one traveler told WPTV.

Another said flight prices have hit their wallet.

"I don't drive a car, so I'm not feeling it that much, but flight prices have definitely increased," another traveler said.

Chip Lupo, an analyst with WalletHub, said travelers are adjusting their plans to cope with the higher costs.

"They're being a lot more budget-conscious, maybe limiting the time they travel, maybe a week or a long weekend, and the distance where you're traveling, people are maybe not traveling across country, maybe even keeping things a little bit local," Lupo said.

Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said it's possible that gas prices could reach $5 a gallon this summer.

"July Fourth, if the Strait (of Hormuz) is not reopened, there is a lot of pressure, in addition to potential record-setting prices, there's going to be more pressure than what we've seen in the last couple of months," De Haan said.

Airfare has already jumped 10 to 20% this year as jet fuel costs have risen. Clint Henderson at The Points Guy said now is the time to use any rewards you've been saving.

"I work at The Points Guy, so I will tell you if you've been stockpiling points and miles; now is the time to burn them," Henderson said.

Henderson also said flexibility on travel days can lead to real savings.

"If you travel on a Tuesday you can save some money, so Tuesday Wednesday and Saturdays are the cheapest days to travel because there's less business travelers on those days and more seats available," Henderson said.

Whether flying or driving this summer, travel experts say the best approach is to shop for deals early and compare prices before booking.