US manufacturing rebounds, relocates - September 26, 2022

U.S. manufacturing is experiencing a major rebound following a shift away from services during the pandemic and a robust federal stimulus, which funneled resources back into domestic production. The rebound echoes the stretch of automation seen in the 1970s but across a different cross-section of the U.S., with factories for pharmaceuticals, craft beer and ice cream sprouting up in the Mountain West. While manufacturing jobs rebounded, other sectors such as small businesses continue to struggle to find talent. Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni is poised to become Italy’s first female prime minister, marking the first time since World War II that the country would be governed by a far-right nationalist regime. The European Union watched the election with caution due to the nature of Meloni’s political campaigns, which have been rooted in Euroscepticism and anti-immigration policies. The economic impact of COVID and the war in Ukraine has deeply damaged centrist parties all over Europe, evident in the new far-right-wing coalition that emerged from Sweden’s national election earlier this month. Officials in Florida are preparing for Tropical Storm Ian, closing Tampa Bay schools and alerting residents ahead of late Wednesday or Thursday, when the storm is projected to hit. If Ian quickly turns into Florida’s west coast on Wednesday, it could remain a Category 3 or higher hurricane. Computer models are divided over whether Ian will come ashore along Florida’s west coast Wednesday into Thursday or nearer the Panhandle Thursday into Friday. U.S. housing shortages are worsening due to a shortage in available land for development, doubling the price of vacant land in areas such as the Sunbelt. Land-use restrictions and a lack of public investment in roads, rail and other infrastructure have made it harder than ever for developers to find sites near big population centers, further complicating a market hit by higher interest rates and construction costs. The affordable end of the housing market has been squeezed from nea