Politics and views in the United States

Inflation rises as Middle East attacks push energy costs higher, Minnesota Latino organizers help voters navigate immigration-enforcement anxiety, and the Supreme Court keeps expanded political ad discounts in effect.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

The Hooties started attacking the Saudi pipeline and other Iranian proxies from Iraq were attacking refineries.

We had a negative shock to energy again in September.

That's White House Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett pointing to Middle East attacks as one factor behind rising energy costs as inflation climbed 3.7% in September.

U.S. stocks just suffered their worst day since July.

The inflation report raised expectations the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates again.

In the lead-up to the midterms, P&S is highlighting important polls.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans say the economy is getting worse in a new Economist YouGov poll.

Just 14% say it's improving.

Wolf Research Chief Economist Stephanie Roth points to several sources of price pressure.

Diesel's having some impact on core goods.

I think that might be an element of what's feeding into some of the data at this point.

Apparel was kind of firm.

On top of that, you have an environment where air frashes continue to add to inflation.

Immigration enforcement has added anxiety to voter outreach in Minnesota, but Rico Duran with the nonpartisan Latino organization COHOL says his team is hearing encouraging responses.

People, they are going early to vote.

We sense all that because many people are ready to our phone bank saying, no, I voted already.

Durant says volunteers with Coppola's Immigrant Defense Network are also helping eligible voters understand their rights and make voting plans.

The U.S. Supreme Court is again allowing an FCC policy expanding discounted political TV and radio ad rates for party committees to remain in effect.

The justices blocked a lower court order that would have forced the agency to act quickly on a Democratic challenge before the midterm elections.

Politico reports President Trump's political operation is putting new focus on Alaska's U.S. Senate race, where Republican Dan Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Petula.

Trump rallied for Sullivan as Republicans fight to protect their Senate majority.

North Carolina Republican Senator Tom Tillis is pressing Elon Musk for answers after new Starlink restrictions disrupted Ukrainian military operations.

Dillis says he hopes the limits were caused by a technical problem, not a deliberate decision.

Ukrainian officials say the restrictions slowed drone operations, raising questions about who imposed the limits.

The FBI is pushing back after MSNOW incorrectly reported Director Kash Patel had traveled to Russia.

The network cited two unnamed sources saying Patel had landed there for meetings with Russian officials.

But Patel was actually at a law enforcement event at Liberty University in Virginia.

MSNOW later corrected the report and said it regretted the error.

I'm Joe Ulori for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

Find our trust indicators at publicnewsservice.org.