>"Consumer prices rose 8.5% in March, slightly hotter than expected and the highest since 1981"

The qualifier "slightly hotter than expected" reeks of media manipulation. 'Spin' at best, 'propaganda' at worst. It seems obvious to me that the reporters are trying to dampen or downplay this obviously negative news. Whereas this exact same news could be harped on and used like a weapon against the policy of the current administration. But don't worry, this was "expected" and only slightly worse than our central planners predicted. Keep calm and carry on.