Thursday, October 1, 2026Updated 12:40 AM CDT

Headlines & indicators

Live from the Last Ditch

No panic and no pretending

Archive › Monday, September 28, 2026 › Economy

Economy Monday, September 28, 2026

  1. High inflation, gas prices push Trump approval ratings down: "The polls are fake," he says

    High inflation and high gas prices due to the war with Iran have pushed President Trump's approval ratings on the economy to near-record lows, which is causing headwinds for Republican candidates running this November. Nancy Cordes reports.

    CBS News ·

  2. Lawler: Update on the GSEs: Mortgage Investment Portfolios Down Again, Agency MBS Holdings Little Changed in August; Interest Rate Risk Measures Mixed

    From housing economist Tom Lawler:

    Calculated Risk ·

  3. What Trump's rollback of fuel economy standards means for drivers

    The Trump administration is rolling back federal fuel economy standards for new vehicles. The move reverses policies meant to increase fuel efficiency to encourage greater use of electric vehicles. The boost for gasoline-powered vehicles comes as the war in Iran continues to drive up oil prices…

    PBS NewsHour ·

  4. High mortgage rates compound housing affordability challenges

    The average rate on a 30-year mortgage is back above 7% for the first time in twenty months. It's rough news for the housing market and homebuyers already struggling with rising prices elsewhere. It comes as Treasury yields, which impact borrowing costs across the economy, hit multi-decade highs…

    PBS NewsHour ·

  5. US Food Banks Under Strain as Trump Policies Drive Up Costs

    Two of President Donald Trump's signature policies—the illegal war with Iran and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—are putting pressure on food banks throughout the country in the form of higher demand from clients and increased shipping costs. In a Sunday report from Meidas…

    Common Dreams ·

  6. Gas prices could soar if the U.S. bans diesel exports, economists say

    President Trump said he is "very seriously" considering a ban on diesel exports. But such a move could drive U.S. gas prices sharply higher, analysts said.

    CBS News · Diesel prices

  7. The U.S. and China Agree to Slash Tariffs

    The cuts are on $60 billion worth of goods—but, crucially, soybeans aren’t included.

    Foreign Policy ·

  8. Trump administration rolls back Biden-era fuel economy standards

    Regulators estimate the new rule will result in an average of 34.9 miles per gallon by model year 2031, down from an earlier projection of 50.4 mpg.

    CBS News ·

  9. Freight Distress Report: Logistics, manufacturing cuts put 1,850 jobs on chopping block

    A new wave of layoffs and facility closures is eliminating about thousands of jobs across logistics, delivery, food production, packaging and manufacturing operations. The post Freight Distress Report: Logistics, manufacturing cuts put 1,850 jobs on chopping block appeared first on FreightWaves.

    FreightWaves ·

  10. Diesel Up 10 Cents, Spot Rates Up 2: Margin Squeeze

    Diesel is up 10 cents in a week while truckload spot rates only gained 2 cents — and that margin squeeze is the real freight market story. In this update, we break down stable tender rejections around 14%, elevated but flattening spot rates, rising contract rates, tight capacity, intermodal share…

    FreightWaves ·

  11. The economic legacy of the Biden immigration surge

    The historic immigration surge that reshaped the U.S. population after the pandemic left a big imprint on the economy: boosting growth with surprisingly little disruption to native-born workers — but also adding to rent inflation. Why it matters: Those findings — unveiled in new research presented…

    Axios ·

  12. How Trump Can Fight The Fed’s Threat To Housing Affordability

    The White House can fight the negative effects of the Fed’s rate hike with policy decisions that will make a measurable difference soon.

    The Federalist ·

  13. Once Recession-Proof, D.C. Feels the Pain From Federal Workforce Reductions

    Formerly tax-supported workers are discovering the uncertainties the private sector faces every day.

    Reason ·

  14. ‘Higher rates, less reliable service’: Family farmers oppose rail merger

    National Farmers Union cites higher costs, less reliability of past rail mergers. The post ‘Higher rates, less reliable service’: Family farmers oppose rail merger appeared first on FreightWaves.

    FreightWaves ·

  15. Diesel prices are surging putting further pressure on Europe

    Trucks, farms and industry are powered with diesel. Now prices are soaring due to refinery disruptions, supply shortages and geopolitical tensions. A potential US export ban could make Europe's diesel crunch even worse.

    DW ·

  16. Republicans Facing the High Political Cost of Tariffs

    Trump’s unilateral policies have done significant harm to GOP candidates.

    National Review ·

  17. Global benchmarks are mixed despite Wall Street's rally finish last week

    Global shares are trading mixed Monday after a cooldown in oil prices last week helped U.S. stock close out their first winning week in the last three

    ABC News ·

  18. Trump administration set to roll out lower fuel economy standards for cars, light trucks

    The Trump administration on Monday plans to release new fuel economy standards that would relax regulatory requirements for automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered cars and light trucks

    ABC News ·

← Tuesday, September 29, 2026Sunday, September 27, 2026 →