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Gasoline prices across the United States continued climbing this month, even as the Trump administration introduced a series of measures aimed at easing the burden on consumers. Analysts caution, however, that these steps are unlikely to bring immediate relief.

By Wednesday, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas had climbed past $3.84, marking the highest level since September 2023. AAA data showed that overnight prices rose another four cents, reaching $3.884. Diesel prices have remained elevated as well, holding above the $5 mark per gallon.

According to Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, the country has just experienced the sharpest four-week increase in gasoline prices ever recorded, with costs jumping by approximately 97 cents.

State-by-state data from AAA indicates that since Sunday alone, average prices for regular gasoline have risen by as much as 38 cents in some areas. Since the beginning of the month, several states have seen increases exceeding $1 per gallon.

As of Thursday, eight states reported average gas prices above $4 per gallon, an increase from six states just one week earlier.

Another group of states — Idaho, Florida, and Michigan — along with Washington, D.C., are now within ten cents of crossing the $4 threshold.

California, Washington, and Hawaii remain the only states where average gas prices have already surpassed $5 per gallon. Oregon is approaching that level, sitting roughly 30 cents below it.

Oklahoma continues to have the lowest average price in the country, with a gallon of regular gas costing $3.243 as of Thursday. Even there, prices have risen by nearly 20 cents compared to last week.

While current prices are high, they have not yet reached the historic peaks seen in 2022. During that summer, every state recorded averages above $4.49 per gallon, with California topping out at $6.438, according to AAA.

Washington state is currently closest to matching its 2022 record of $5.555 per gallon. As of Thursday, its statewide average stands at $5.145. In the remaining 44 states, prices would need to climb by at least another dollar to approach their previous highs.

{Matzav.com}

A senior official with the Transportation Security Administration cautioned on Thursday that the growing congestion at airport security lines across the country is expected to intensify, as the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues to strain staffing levels.

Speaking with NewsNation’s Blake Burman, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl said smaller airports in particular may soon face temporary shutdowns of security operations due to increasing employee absences.

“As this goes on without any sort of resolution from Congress, particularly from Senate Democrats, our folks will continue to call out,” Stahl said during an appearance on “The Hill.”

He explained that limited staffing at smaller airports leaves little margin for disruption, raising the likelihood of partial closures.

“And so again, small airports may be particularly impacted because they have fewer lanes and they have fewer people, and so, if a certain three or four out of 10 employees call out, we may, to ensure we’re not degrading security, we may have to temporarily suspend operations at those airports,” he continued.

Stahl declined to specify how widespread such disruptions could become, noting that conditions differ from one airport to another.

“It will vary very much airport to airport,” he said. “Callout rates are one of many factors that help to inform our security footprint at every single airport, but again I can tell you, this is going to get worse before it gets better, particularly if we don’t have a resolution within the coming days and weeks.”

Travelers nationwide are already encountering extended wait times at checkpoints, as a growing number of TSA agents either call out or leave their positions amid the prolonged shutdown.

Since the shutdown began in mid-February, more than 360 TSA employees have resigned, according to DHS figures. Absentee rates have also surged, surpassing 50 percent in Houston and reaching 30 percent in both New Orleans and Atlanta earlier this week.

The staffing crunch has already forced the closure of several security checkpoints, including at major hubs such as Philadelphia International Airport.

Stahl urged passengers to plan accordingly, advising them to “show up early” and stay informed through updates from their airlines and local airports.

The DHS shutdown has now entered its fifth week, with no apparent breakthrough between Democrats and Republicans on restoring funding to the agency.

{Matzav.com}

In the days leading up to the war with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly briefed on an assessment indicating that the Iranian regime might be vulnerable to collapse, according to a report aired Thursday night on Keshet 12’s “Uvda.”

The report stated that during confidential discussions before the launch of the military campaign, Mossad director David 20 presented senior officials with the view that successfully carrying out Israel’s operational plans could ultimately pave the way for regime change in Iran.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Barnea argued that striking key pillars of the regime—including its leadership, governing structures, and enforcement apparatus—could significantly weaken its grip on power and open the door to a broader internal shift.

He further maintained that once the regime is shaken militarily, intelligence coordination between Israel and the United States could help bring about a decisive outcome. This, he suggested, would involve encouraging widespread public demonstrations inside Iran and supporting the emergence of an alternative leadership to take control.

Speaking publicly Thursday evening, Netanyahu laid out the central aims of the ongoing campaign against Iran. “Our goals are three. One, removing the nuclear threat. Second, removing the ballistic missile threat and removing both of these threats before they’re buried deep underground and become immune from aerial attack. And third, this means creating the conditions for the Iranian people to grasp their freedom, to control their destiny.”

He also described what he characterized as significant progress on the battlefield. “Iran today has no capability to enrich uranium, and it has no ability to produce ballistic missiles. We continue to dismantle these capabilities. We will crush them completely, to dust.”

At the same time, Netanyahu cautioned that the internal outcome within Iran remains uncertain and depends on the actions of its citizens. “It is too early to say whether the Iranian people will seize the conditions we are creating for them to take to the streets… It will depend entirely on them.”

{Matzav.com}

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At a special tefillah gathering held Thursday night in Bnei Brak in response to the ongoing situation, Maran Rav Dov Landau delivered a message of chizuk, calling on the public to strengthen their commitment to Torah learning and prayer, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining a calm, supportive, and even uplifting atmosphere at home.

Opening his remarks, Rav Landau described the current moment as one of danger, while also pointing to the clear Divine protection being witnessed. He said, “It is a time of distress for Yaakov, but from it we will be saved. The Jewish people are in a מצב of war, and the dangers are great—Hashem should protect us. Baruch Hashem, we are seeing great miracles, and the Ribbono Shel Olam is saving us from their hands.”

He explained that the gathering, held in a community known for its strong dedication to learning and prayer—especially during bein hazmanim—was meant to serve as a moment of collective tefillah and reflection. He added, “According to the natural order, there is no logic to being saved from so many cruel and dangerous enemies. There is no doubt that Torah protects and saves, along with prayer to the Creator, and faith that everything Hashem does is for the good.”

Turning to the challenges of this time of year, Rav Landau spoke about the pressures of bein hazmanim and the busy days leading up to Pesach, noting that this period can lead to a weakening in consistent learning, particularly for avreichim with young children at home. He said, “These are the days of bein hazmanim, and a time of pre-Pesach pressures, and it can bring a certain weakening in Torah learning—especially when young children are home, making it difficult for many to find uninterrupted time to learn.”

Despite these challenges, he stressed that each individual must take responsibility to ensure that learning continues. “Every avreich must reflect and find a time when he can sit and learn, and according to the effort is the reward. It is extremely important that not even a single day passes without Torah learning.”

He emphasized that the need for Torah is even greater during such times, while also reminding listeners to remain attentive to their families. “The Jewish people need our Torah now more than ever. But at the same time, one must be attentive to the needs of the home and the difficulties family members are experiencing, helping as needed and caring for the children, who are also going through an unusual and stressful time and may have fears.”

Rav Landau placed particular focus on the home environment, encouraging warmth and positivity. “Each person must create a pleasant and positive atmosphere at home. One can share light, sharp thoughts—even a bit of humor—and even sing at home. The main thing is to act with patience and create a calm environment.”

He also urged parents to set aside time to learn with their children. “It is very important to establish a set time to learn with the children, so that they remain connected to Torah, and the Torah of young children has great value.”

Addressing yeshiva bochurim, he noted that their responsibility is even greater, while also reminding them of their obligation to honor their parents. “Yeshiva students are not burdened in the same way, and therefore their obligation to be immersed in Torah is even greater—each one according to what his heart desires to learn. At the same time, they have the mitzvah of honoring their parents, and these days provide an opportunity to fulfill that mitzvah properly, with respect and with a good spirit.”

He concluded by calling for serious and heartfelt prayer, stressing that it must be said with focus and sincerity. “We need a great deal of prayer from the depths of the heart, that the Ribbono Shel Olam should have mercy on us and save us from all decrees and enemies. One must pray seriously, with proper intent, and not treat it as a burden. Even the additional Tehillim being said now must be recited with sincerity and heartfelt pleading for mercy.”

He also warned against treating the situation lightly. “There is an obligation to be careful and to protect oneself from danger, and not to treat the situation with dismissal or lightheadedness.”

Rav Landau concluded with a heartfelt tefillah that Klal Yisroel should soon see salvation, return to calm, and merit celebrating the upcoming Yom Tov with peace and joy.

[Video below.] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a deeply personal message during a press briefing on Thursday, recounting a conversation with his teenage son that underscored the human cost of the ongoing war and the stakes involved for future generations.

Speaking to reporters, Hegseth described how his 13-year-old son entered his office the night before as he was preparing his remarks and asked about the conflict and the families he had recently met at Dover Air Force Base.

“My 13-year-old son popped into my office last night while I was editing these remarks,” he shared. “He asked about the war and the families I met at Dover.”

Hegseth said he responded candidly, explaining the sacrifices made by fallen service members and what he believes those sacrifices are meant to protect.

“And I looked at him and I said, ‘They died for you, son, so that your generation doesn’t have to deal with a nuclear Iran.'”

Reflecting on that exchange, he emphasized that he believes those words capture a difficult but real truth.

“It’s the truth, and they did,” he added.

Hegseth went on to address the families of fallen soldiers, saying their calls to see the mission through would be honored, and he extended that message to Americans who support a strong national defense.

“So, to the families who said ‘finish this’ – we will. And I say the same to every American who wants peace through strength. May Almighty G-d continue to bless our troops in this fight, and again, to the American people: Please pray for them.”

In a moving and uplifting gathering during the days leading up to Pesach, Rav Moshe Sternbuch personally handed out kimcha d’Pischa envelopes to 180 yungeleit of his Teshuvos V’Hanhagos kollel, as part of a broad effort he leads each year to support thousands of families ahead of Yom Tov.

This distribution was only the opening stage of a much larger system of assistance that Rav Sternbuch oversees annually. The initiative includes support for hundreds of kollel yungeleit, additional aid for rabbanim and dayanim affiliated with the Eidah Hachareidis, assistance for rabbanim connected to his yeshiva in Beit Shemesh, and extensive support for many tzedakah funds both in Eretz Yisroel and abroad.

Despite the massive scope of this operation, Rav Sternbuch made a point of personally distributing the envelopes to the yungeleit, whom he regards with the closeness of children, following a halachic shiur he delivered at the end of the zman.

Those present wondered why, given the heavy burden on his time—including ongoing correspondence with major supporters of the olam haTorah—he chose not to delegate the task. In response, Rav Sternbuch shared a powerful and deeply stirring story he had heard decades earlier from Rav Yechezkel Abramsky, a story that sheds light on the depth of every act of tzedakah.

He recounted that Rav Abramsky once described an incident recorded in the ledger of the chevra kadisha in Vilna. It told of the wife of the Vilna Gaon, who would go together with a friend to collect funds for the poor of the city. At one point, they made an agreement that whichever of them would pass away first would appear to the other in a dream and reveal what takes place in the Olam HaEmes.

Years later, the friend passed away first. After some time, she appeared in a dream to the wife of the Vilna Gaon and said that it is impossible to describe how every small action is calculated in Shamayim. She explained that she had no permission to reveal what occurs there, except for one detail due to their agreement.

She reminded her of a specific incident: they had once seen a poor man across the street, and instead of going over to him, she motioned for him to come. Although he came and gladly received the money, she was later held accountable for not making the effort to go to him herself. That small lack of effort was viewed as a diminishment in the value of the mitzvah, and the level of judgment was described as profound.

The next morning, shaken, the wife of the Vilna Gaon told the Gaon about the dream. He instructed that the members of the chevra kadisha be gathered to hear it and record it for future generations, so that people would understand the depth of judgment in matters of mitzvos.

Rav Abramsky added that from then on, whenever he would send money to a poor person or institution by mail, he would not send a messenger, as was common at the time. Instead, he would personally go and place it in the mailbox, so as not to lose the merit of physically exerting himself for the mitzvah of tzedakah.

The message Rav Sternbuch conveyed was clear: when it comes to tzedakah, there is no substitute for personal effort. Every small act is counted. For him, personally distributing the funds was not just a practical step—it was an opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah fully, with personal involvement, dignity, and care.