Poll results: With inflation in the U.S. at its highest point since 1982, Americans’ confidence in the economy has dropped to where it was in April 2020, when nationwide shutdowns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic plunged the nation into a recession, according to a recent Gallup poll. Concern about the economy, as evidenced by the increasing percentage of Americans who mention an economic issue as the most important problem in the U.S., is at its highest point of the pandemic. Meanwhile, satisfaction with the country’s direction is at its lowest point during President Joe Biden’s time in office. Read more.
Mixing drinks: In the hunt for growth, beverage companies are experimenting in new categories, blurring the lines between beer, soft drinks and spirits, CNBC reports. Nonalcoholic beverage giants Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are entering into alcohol, while beer brewers are pushing into hard soda and spirits. New entrants mean tougher competition, which is stirring worry among some alcohol companies about the effect on the three-tier system that has long governed that industry. Read the full story.
Positivity rate: Louisiana is experiencing a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. Department officials say 2,619 new cases have been reported out of 12,831 tests conducted since Sunday, marking a 20% positivity rate. Read the full story from The Center Square.
