Economists predict that the U.S. Federal Reserve will raise its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points at the upcoming policy meeting, citing stubborn core inflation and a still‑tight labor market. The move, anticipated by major financial institutions, would bring the federal funds rate to a range of 5.25%–5.50%, the highest level in over two decades. In unrelated cultural news, the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted last night to close the historic venue for extensive renovations and a shift toward a hybrid digital‑performance model. The decision, driven by rising maintenance costs and a desire to modernize the Center’s infrastructure, will see the main theater shut down for an estimated 18 months, while satellite venues remain operational.
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