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U.S. stocks erased early losses to climb and close mostly higher, with the broad S&P 500 extending its winning streak to four days as investors feel increasingly bullish after data showed consumers are still hanging in despite headwinds.

April retail sales edged up 0.1%, better than estimates for unchanged and on the heels of March’s revised 1.7% jump, which was the biggest monthly surge since early 2023. Retail sales data are seen as a gauge of how consumers are dealing with tariff fears and economic uncertainty.

Regional gas prices slightly declined last week and reached an average of $3.09 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, down from last week's price of $3.11 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The average fuel price in the Central Atlantic region, which includes Pennsylvania, declined about 5 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the region in the last year have been as low as $3.05 on March 17, 2025, and as high as $3.69 on April 29, 2024.

Starting next month, Pennsylvania drivers need to put down their cellphone and most electronic devices  while driving or risk a $50 ticket.  

Pennsylvania law has barred drivers from reading, writing or sending text messages while driving since 2012, but other handheld cell phone uses were permitted; a new law that takes effect June 5 expands the ban to all handheld device use while driving.

Here is what you need to know in anticipation of the implementation of Paul Miller’s Law in Pennsylvania.

On May 20, Democrats and Republicans will choose their parties’ candidates for a vacancy on Commonwealth Court and on Superior Court. The winners will compete in the November general election.

Pennsylvania’s two intermediate appellate courts have the power to affirm or reverse decisions made in lower courts. Their rulings can be appealed to the state Supreme Court, Pennsylvania’s court of last resort.

Each court serves a distinct role within the commonwealth's legal system.

NEW YORK (Reuters) -President Donald Trump on Monday delivered a blow to the private-sector middlemen who negotiate U.S. drug prices in his executive order on drug pricing, saying he would cut them out as he works to bring the U.S. in line with other countries.

The news drove their shares down even as pharmaceutical stocks rose in investor relief about the broad order.

"We’re going to cut out the middlemen and facilitate the direct sale of drugs at the most favored nation price, directly to the American citizen," Trump said during a press conference.