{
  "id": 15426560,
  "title": "In Michigan, consumer sentiment is pessimistic before midterms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/in-michigan-consumer-sentiment-is-pessimistic-before-midterms",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T14:12:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/in-michigan-consumer-sentiment-is-pessimistic-before-midterms/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Michigan is facing a bleak economic outlook as voters prepare for the midterms, according to recent consumer sentiment surveys from the University of Michigan. The state's Franklin Cider Mill, a popular local destination, has witnessed visitors expressing deep concerns about their financial situations. Many consumers feel pessimistic about the economy, even as stock markets continue to rise and wages do not keep up with inflation. Joanne Hsu, who runs the nation's longest-running consumer sentiment survey, notes that consumer sentiment is at an all-time low, lower than during the 1970s stagflation era, the 2008 financial crisis, and the post-COVID price spikes under the Biden administration. Despite these gloomy predictions, some consumers remain cautiously optimistic, hoping that tariffs could bring more manufacturing jobs to the U.S., while others lament the failure of President Trump to deliver on his campaign promises.",
  "summary": "Due to high fuel and housing costs, and wages that aren't keeping pace with inflation, consumer sentiment is lower than at almost any other time in modern history. CBS News spoke with Michiganders to find out how the economy is playing on the minds of voters.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}