In Milledgeville, Georgia, Freeman's Barbershop, open since 1968, reflects residents' view that the local economy has changed after the loss of major employers such as Central State Hospital, Reed Manufacturing and Mohawk. Baldwin County was one of just three Georgia counties to vote for Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024. Voters cite rising property taxes and high diesel prices, which have left some truckers idle, and analyst Cory Ruth says concerns over the war, gas, affordability, inflation and fatigue with the party in power cut across party lines. Ruth also warns that recent midterm polling has been off, missing rural and working-class voters who use landlines or distrust random texts.
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In Milledgeville, Georgia, voters in Baldwin County say the local economy has shifted, citing the loss of major employers including Central State Hospital, Reed Manufacturing and Mohawk. The county was one of only a few in Georgia to vote for Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024. Voters point to rising property taxes, high diesel prices that have left some truckers idle, and affordability concerns as top issues. Political analyst Cory Ruth says these issues cut across party lines and warns that recent midterm polling has missed rural and working-class voters, so Georgia is not a sure bet for either party.
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More than seven months into the U.S. war with Iran, higher fuel prices are making driving and flying more expensive and adding to the cost of some goods. AAA reported the national average for gasoline at $4.33 a gallon, 45% above its prewar level, while diesel rose 68% to $6.33. Airfares in September were about 22% higher than a year earlier, and airlines have trimmed schedules. Grocery prices have risen only modestly so far, as many companies absorb part of their higher costs, though experts warn fresh produce could rise quickly. Moody’s Analytics estimates the war has cost the average U.S. household almost $2,000.
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More than seven months into the U.S. war with Iran, sharply higher fuel prices are making driving, flying and some goods more expensive, though store prices have not risen across the board and many companies have absorbed part of their costs. Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi estimates the war has cost the average U.S. household almost $2,000, including $1,100 in energy prices, $540 in interest rates and $360 in military costs, with the energy portion growing by $50 a week at current fuel prices. According to AAA, the national average gasoline price was $4.33 a gallon on Friday, 45% above prewar levels, while diesel was $6.33, up 68%. Airfares were about 22% higher in September than a year earlier, and the USDA now expects grocery prices to rise 2.4% this year, up from an earlier estimate of 1.7%.
- Retail price impacts from the Iran war are uneven but add up for US households before midterms
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