US Consumer Prices Surged in April  

WASHINGTON - U.S. consumer prices jumped .8% in April, the fastest increase in inflation in more than a decade, the Labor Department reported Wednesday, as the world’s largest economy recovers from the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Over the past year, prices are up 4.2%, the fastest increase since the 12 months ending September 2008. The March year-over-year increase was 2.6%.  Some U.S. economists say they are worried about the effect of inflationary pressures on the U.S. economy, with consumers paying more for food, clothes and new and used vehicles.   But Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said after a recent meeting of policy makers that long range he is not concerned about inflation. The central bank has held its benchmark interest rate at near zero and says it will continue to support the economic recovery.