Looks like we spent quite a bit of money in April. According to Mastercard Spending Pulse, retail sales excluding autos and gasoline jumped 23% last month from a year ago. Compared with April 2019, sales rose close to 11%. Almost all categories, except for clothes and lodging, are above prepandemic levels.
Lottery and casino legislation stalled in the Alabama House last night after negotiations failed to muster enough support, leaving the outlook for the gambling bill doubtful with just a day remaining in the session. The demise of the legislation led to finger-pointing over who was responsible.
Fans of Aaron Neville won’t have many opportunities to hear him live, as the singer officially retires from touring. He last hit the road in March of last year. The 80-year-old says he wants to spend the rest of his life “being less hurried.”
