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The Hill says August inflation 'held steady'; MSNBC says prices 'continued to climb'

Both are right. According to The Hill, the annual rate stayed at 3.4 percent and prices rose 0.4 percent in the month. The Hill is the only outlet we hold that prints both numbers.

Here’s the inflation breakdown for August 2026 — in one chart
Here’s the inflation breakdown for August 2026 — in one chart as published by CNBC · seen at CNBC
United States United States

One release, two verbs. The Hill, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data, says the consumer price index rose 0.4 percent in August and 3.4 percent over the year. The annual rate was 3.4 percent in July too. "Held steady" describes the annual rate. "Continued to climb" describes prices.

Outlet Its word for August Figure printed
The Hill "held steady" 3.4% a year, 0.4% a month
The Washington Post "stubbornly higher", rose "as expected" none
CNBC "stubbornly high" none
CNBC, analysis "Hot CPI" none
MSNBC "continued to climb" none
The New York Times "Elevated" 90% odds of a rate rise
Reuters "strong inflation data" none in the lines we hold

The Fed. The New York Times says the odds of a quarter-point rate increase next week rose to 90 percent. It does not say where those odds come from. Reuters says the data "cements rate-hike bets".

The cause. The Hill states the war with Iran as the reason gas prices rose. CNBC gives the same cause and attributes it to economists it does not name.

The White House. MSNBC sets the data against Donald Trump's words a month earlier: "Prices are dropping fast."

Not settled. - How much of the rise is energy. No report we hold says. - Oil. The Hill's headline says the war "surges oil prices". Reuters' headline, the same morning, reports an "oil price slide". Neither gives a price. - Reuters. We hold only its headline and one line.

What this is about. A single monthly US government price report, published on 11 September 2026, and the two different true things a reader can say about it.

How it got here. The consumer price index is the Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly measure of what American households pay for goods and services. Each release carries two figures: the change since the previous month, and the change since the same month a year earlier. They can move differently. In August, according to The Hill, prices rose 0.4 percent on the month while the annual rate stayed at 3.4 percent — the July figure. Prices went up; the pace did not.

Why the Federal Reserve is in it. Congress gives the central bank two jobs: stable prices and maximum employment. Its main lever is the short-term interest rate, which it raises to make borrowing dearer and cool demand when it judges prices to be rising too fast. Its rate-setting committee meets every few weeks, and its next meeting falls the week after this release. That is why a price report is read immediately as a forecast of what rates will do.

The actors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the number and sets no policy. The Federal Reserve decides; CNBC's analysis places Kevin Warsh at its head and casts next week's vote as a test of his own earlier inflation warnings. The White House has an argument about the same number — MSNBC quotes Donald Trump, a month before the release, saying "Prices are dropping fast."

The war. The Hill states the war with Iran as the reason gas prices rose, and CNBC gives the same cause, attributed to economists it does not name. We hold no report that describes that war — who is fighting it or since when — so nothing more about it is set out here.

Where it stands. The rate decision is next week. The New York Times puts the odds of a quarter-point rise at 90 percent, without saying whose odds they are.

What is being argued about

  • Whether August inflation 'held steady' or 'continued to climb': annual rate versus monthly rise
  • Odds of a Federal Reserve rate increase next week
  • Energy prices and the Iran war as the cause, stated or attributed
  • Trump's claim that 'Prices are dropping fast'
Seven reports, one release: the word each choseSide by side
OutletIts word for AugustWhich measure it fitsFigure printed
The Hill"held steady"annual rate3.4% a year, 0.4% a month
The Washington Post"remained stubbornly higher", rose "as expected"annual rate, against forecastsnone
CNBC"stubbornly high"not statednone
CNBC, analysis"Hot CPI"not statednone
MSNBC"continued to climb"price levelnone
The New York Times"Elevated Inflation"not stated90% odds of a rate rise, source not given
Reuters"strong inflation data"not statednone in the lines we hold
'Held steady' fits the annual rate, 3.4 percent in July and August. 'Climb' fits the monthly rise of 0.4 percent. Only The Hill prints both.
Sources The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Inflation held steady in August as Iran war surges oil prices Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Inflation remained stubbornly higher in August Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Here’s the inflation breakdown for August 2026 — in one chart Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Analysis: Hot CPI puts Kevin Warsh’s Fed credibility on the line before rate decision Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Consumer prices continued to climb in August, as inflation concerns persist Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Elevated Inflation Keeps Pressure on Fed to Raise Rates Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent Wall St climbs after August inflation report, oil price slide · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
How the words arrived on FridayTimeline
  1. Fri 11 Sep12:35 published time on the report, UTC The Washington Post inflation "remained stubbornly higher"rose "as expected"
  2. Fri 11 Sep12:42 published time on the report, UTC The Hill inflation "held steady" 3.4% a year, 0.4% a monthwar with Iran named as the cause of rising gas prices
  3. Fri 11 Sep13:19 published time on the report, UTC MSNBC consumer prices "continued to climb"set against Trump's "Prices are dropping fast"
  4. Fri 11 Sep13:34 published time on the report, UTC CNBC "Hot CPI"a test for Kevin Warsh before the rate decision
  5. Fri 11 Sep14:05 published time on the report, UTC Reuters "strong inflation data cements rate-hike bets"headline cites an "oil price slide"
  6. Fri 11 Sep15:47 published time on the report, UTC The New York Times "Elevated Inflation" 90% odds of a quarter-point risesource of the odds not given
  7. Fri 11 Sep15:54 published time on the report, UTC CNBC inflation "stubbornly high"energy and the Iran war as the cause, "economists said"
Times are the published times on each report, in UTC.
Sources T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Inflation remained stubbornly higher in August Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Inflation held steady in August as Iran war surges oil prices Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Consumer prices continued to climb in August, as inflation concerns persist Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Analysis: Hot CPI puts Kevin Warsh’s Fed credibility on the line before rate decision Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent Wall St climbs after August inflation report, oil price slide · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Elevated Inflation Keeps Pressure on Fed to Raise Rates Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Here’s the inflation breakdown for August 2026 — in one chart Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
The bias in this coverageBias

Same data, two verbs

The annual rate stayed at 3.4 percent and prices rose 0.4 percent in the month. 'Held steady' describes the first and 'continued to climb' describes the second, so both are accurate. Only one report prints both numbers, so readers of the others cannot tell which one they were given.

4 headlines that stress heat or a rise 1 headlines that say inflation held steady 1 reports that print both CPI figures 7 reports in the story

The war as cause: stated or attributed

Two reports blame energy prices driven by the Iran war. One states it flat and the other attributes it to economists. Neither names the economists or says how much of the rise is energy.

2 reports that tie inflation to the war 1 of those, reports that attribute the cause
Scored without the mastheads. Where the two passes differ, both are kept.
Sources The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Inflation held steady in August as Iran war surges oil prices Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Inflation remained stubbornly higher in August Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Here’s the inflation breakdown for August 2026 — in one chart Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Consumer prices continued to climb in August, as inflation concerns persist Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Elevated Inflation Keeps Pressure on Fed to Raise Rates Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent Wall St climbs after August inflation report, oil price slide · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Analysis: Hot CPI puts Kevin Warsh’s Fed credibility on the line before rate decision Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →

Claims and verdicts

true The August inflation report raised market bets on a Federal Reserve rate increase at next week's meeting.
The New York Times says the odds of a quarter-point increase rose to 90 percent after the report, and Reuters says the data 'cements rate-hike bets.' The 90 percent figure appears only in The New York Times.
Checked against 2 sources:
The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Elevated Inflation Keeps Pressure on Fed to Raise Rates Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent Wall St climbs after August inflation report, oil price slide · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
true The annual inflation rate in August was unchanged from July, at 3.4 percent.
The Hill, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data, gives 3.4 percent for both July and August, and The Washington Post says the index 'held steady.' The 3.4 percent figure itself appears only in The Hill.
Checked against 2 sources:
The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Inflation held steady in August as Iran war surges oil prices Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Inflation remained stubbornly higher in August Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
true Consumer prices continued to climb in August.
The Hill reports the consumer price index rose 0.4 percent in August, which supports MSNBC's headline. MSNBC's 'continued to climb' and The Hill's 'held steady' do not contradict each other: one describes the monthly rise in prices, the other the unchanged annual rate.
Checked against 2 sources:
MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Consumer prices continued to climb in August, as inflation concerns persist Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Inflation held steady in August as Iran war surges oil prices Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →

Who wrote it

C Colby Smith The New York Times
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Figure not sourced Gives a 90 percent chance of a rate rise without saying where the odds come from.×1
Figure unsourced a 90 percent probability with no source for the odds×1
Lead frame legal outcome first: the lede leads with the absence of a criminal referral, not with the cost×1
Which measure Rounded headline cost of about $2.5 billion, with no base year or starting estimate×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
2 unverified2 true
From 35 reports we hold under this byline, at The New York Times. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
M Matt Peterson CNBC
No independent reading has coded a report under this byline yet. We do not infer a journalist's views from the outlet that employs them.
From 13 reports we hold under this byline, at CNBC. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
S Steve Benen MSNBC
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation×1
A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached×1
Asserted, not attributed A claim about what the president understood is stated as fact, with no source.×1
Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
4 disputed15 unverified13 true
From 337 reports we hold under this byline, at MSNBC. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
J Julia Shapero The Hill
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Cause stated flat the war as the cause of rising gas prices is stated, not attributed×1
Headline verb Says 'held steady', which is true of the annual rate. The same report gives a 0.4 percent rise for the month.×1
Measure chosen 'held steady' refers to the annual rate; the monthly rise is given too×1
Unattributed concern a 'growing' concern is asserted with nobody named as holding it×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
2 true
From 82 reports we hold under this byline, at The Hill. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
S Steve Thompson The Washington Post
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Measure chosen Measures the figure against forecasts, not against the month before.×1
Who is allowed to object the objection is sourced entirely inside the president's own party, and the cost is the only ground given×1
Who is named as objecting the objection is located inside the president's own party, on cost alone×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
2 true
From 14 reports we hold under this byline, at The Washington Post. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
The bylines on the reports this story is built from. Hover one for what our passes have measured on their reporting. · 2 reports we hold carry no byline — we do not invent one.

Coverage, outlet by outlet

CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Here’s the inflation breakdown for August 2026 — in one chart Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Puts the rise down mainly to energy prices amid the Iran war, citing economists it does not name.
Inflation remained stubbornly high in August, largely on the back of higher energy prices amid the Iran war, economists said.
Cause attributed: the same cause, attributed to economists — “largely on the back of higher energy prices amid the Iran war, economists said.”
Attribution: Credits economists with the energy-price cause. Another report states the same cause flat. — “largely on the back of higher energy prices amid the Iran war, economists said”
Read it at CNBC → https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/11/cpi-inflation-breakdown-august-2026.html
The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Elevated Inflation Keeps Pressure on Fed to Raise Rates Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The New York Times → What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Puts the odds of a quarter-point Fed rate increase next week at 90 percent, without saying where the odds come from.
The odds of a quarter-point rate increase at the Federal Reserve’s meeting next week surged to 90 percent after August’s Consumer Price Index report.
Figure unsourced: a 90 percent probability with no source for the odds — “The odds of a quarter-point rate increase at the Federal Reserve’s meeting next week surged to 90 percent”
Figure not sourced: Gives a 90 percent chance of a rate rise without saying where the odds come from. — “surged to 90 percent after August’s Consumer Price Index report”
Read it at The New York Times → https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/11/business/economy/inflation-cpi-augus…
Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent Wall St climbs after August inflation report, oil price slide · no time published Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Reuters → What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Credits a Wall Street rally to the report and an 'oil price slide', and calls the data 'strong'.
Conflicting fact: Says oil prices slid on the same morning another headline says the war 'surges oil prices'. Neither gives a price. — “Wall St climbs after August inflation report, oil price slide”
Read it at Reuters → https://www.reuters.com/business/wall-st-futures-recover-oil-slides-ahe…
CNBC
Centre estimate · not a score
CNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Analysis: Hot CPI puts Kevin Warsh’s Fed credibility on the line before rate decision Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at CNBC → What we have measured Accepted term 'refund' used without quotation marks ×1Asserted versus attributed gives the motive as fact, not as Trump's stated reason ×1Attackers named as proxies the attackers are named only through their backer, Iran ×1Attacks named but not counted The report names the attackers. 'Escalating' comes with no count of attacks or damage. ×1 from 2886 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Frames next week's decision as a test of Fed chair Kevin Warsh's credibility on his own inflation warnings.
August CPI data leave Kevin Warsh to choose between acting on his inflation warnings or risking new doubts about his control of the central bank.
Read it at CNBC → https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/11/kevin-warsh-fed-cpi-inflation-rate-hike…
MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent Consumer prices continued to climb in August, as inflation concerns persist Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at MSNBC → What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1470 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Sets the data against Trump's words a month earlier, 'Prices are dropping fast', and says 'Reality continues to tell a very different story.'
Exactly one month ago, Donald Trump chatted briefly with reporters on a tarmac and boasted about inflation. “Prices are dropping fast,” the president said. The rhetoric was wrong but familiar. In fact, a month earlier, the Republican similarly claimed, “Inflation is way down. Everything is great. The prices are coming down.” Reality continues to tell a very different story. CNBC reported: Prices for a wide swath of goods and services continued to climb in August, according to a report Friday that raises the specter of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike next week. The consumer price index ros
Measure chosen: 'continued to climb' refers to the price level, not the rate — “Consumer prices continued to climb in August, as inflation concerns persist”
Framing device: sets the data against a presidential claim from a month earlier — “Exactly one month ago, Donald Trump boasted, “Prices are dropping fast.” Reality continues to tell a very different story.”
Verdict stated flat: Sets the data against a Trump quote and states the verdict in the report's own voice. — “Reality continues to tell a very different story.”
Read it at MSNBC → https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/inflation-economy-cons…
The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Inflation held steady in August as Iran war surges oil prices Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4315 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The only report that prints the figures: prices up 0.4 percent in the month and 3.4 percent over the year, the same annual rate as July.
Inflation remained unchanged in August as gas prices continued to rise amid the war with Iran, new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed Friday. The consumer price index (CPI) increased 0.4 percent last month and 3.4 percent over the same time last year. This was unchanged from July, when the annual inflation rate also sat at 3.4 percent. …
Measure chosen: 'held steady' refers to the annual rate; the monthly rise is given too — “The consumer price index (CPI) increased 0.4 percent last month and 3.4 percent over the same time last year.”
Cause stated flat: the war as the cause of rising gas prices is stated, not attributed — “Inflation remained unchanged in August as gas prices continued to rise amid the war with Iran”
Headline verb: Says 'held steady', which is true of the annual rate. The same report gives a 0.4 percent rise for the month. — “Inflation held steady in August as Iran war surges oil prices”
Read it at The Hill → https://thehill.com/business/6083146-inflation-rate-cpi-august/
T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Inflation remained stubbornly higher in August Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Measures August against forecasts: the index rose 'as expected' for the year.
The Labor Department’s consumer price index held steady last month, rising as expected for the year ending in August.
Measure chosen: Measures the figure against forecasts, not against the month before. — “rising as expected for the year ending in August”
Read it at The Washington Post → https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/09/11/inflation-remained-s…
Checked, didn’t cover
Mother Jones
Left estimate · not a score
Mother Jones 🇺🇸US · magazine · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted, not attributed 'ultra-gerrymandered' stated as fact ×1Asserted versus attributed 'Cover-up' is asserted in the report's own voice, not attributed ×1Asserted versus attributed calls it a cover-up in its own voice ×1Assertion vs attribution describes the operation as a 'violent occupation' in its own voice, with no source for the phrase ×1 from 361 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → N NPR
Centre estimate · not a score
NPR 🇺🇸US · public broadcaster · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted, not attributed that the system wrongly flagged citizens is stated flat, with no source named for it ×1Asserted versus attributed public disbelief stated as established, with nothing cited that measured it ×1Asserted versus attributed Past threats of force are stated flat, as background ×1Asymmetric labelling one side tagged by its patron, the other not ×1 from 1144 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → P Politico
Centre estimate · not a score
Politico 🇺🇸US · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Fox News
Right estimate · not a score
Fox News 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Accused named Names one former fraternity member through his lawyer's denial. The woman is anonymous by her own choice. ×1Actor in headline The headline names Trump as the one acting. The body names only Anduril. ×1A number, with no people named The only report that gives a figure counts the journalists whose communications were swept up. It names none of them. ×1Asserted, not attributed stated flat: past court defeats are asserted with no case, judge or date named ×1 from 6432 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Breitbart
Right estimate · not a score
Breitbart 🇺🇸US · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Anyone hurt is counted, not named eight deaths given as a number only ×1Framing of motive The lede calls the denial a punishment and puts 'fake news' in quotation marks; the officials being sued are left unnamed ×1How the person shot is named a status, not a name: the only report that never uses either name calls him an illegal alien ×1How the place is described a party label attached to the city in the same clause as the casualty count ×1 from 3584 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → National Review
Centre-right estimate · not a score
National Review 🇺🇸US · magazine · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted not attributed Doubt about the allegation is stated flat, in the outlet's own voice ×1Asserted not attributed An argument about deterrence is stated as fact ×1Asserted versus attributed calls it an abuse of power in its own voice ×1Asserted versus attributed 'Abuse of presidential power' is stated flat ×1 from 414 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Silence is recorded, not inferred — each of these was read when we built this story and carried nothing on this event.
We could not read these
The Wall Street Journal
Centre-right estimate · not a score
The Wall Street Journal 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Associated Press
Centre estimate · not a score
Associated Press 🇺🇸US · wire · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Dating and attribution Dates the signing to Aug. 6, 2026 and writes ord ×1Dating and attribution Carries a dateline correction, repeated three ti ×1How hard the claim is stated Marks "birth tourism" as the administration's ow ×1How hard the claim is stated high ×1 from 223 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
These are must-cite outlets for this desk that we did not manage to read when we built this story. That is a gap in our reach, not a silence on their part, and it is not evidence of anything about this story.

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