Ground beef costs and carrier movements mark the week
Prices for meat and dairy shifted this week while a third U.S. carrier headed toward the Middle East and early voting tallies climbed.
By Alina Carter ·
Ground beef hit $6.79 per pound last month, a figure that is 85% higher than it was a decade ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This price point stands out as inflation pressures persist despite some other food costs dropping. The increase reflects higher labor costs, new tariffs, and energy prices linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The economic backdrop coincides with military movements in the Middle East. The United States is sending a third aircraft carrier to the region. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently traveled to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A person briefed on war planning told NPR that the U.S. and Israel are preparing for a possible attack on Iran after the November 3 midterms.
President Trump is expected to consider military action after Election Day to prevent oil prices from spiking before voters cast ballots. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that his country is ready for both diplomacy and war. Tehran is demanding formal control of the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The U.S. and Israel possess the power to inflict heavy damage, yet Iran has not indicated it will make major concessions.
Voting is already underway domestically. Nearly 21 million Americans have cast ballots by mail or in person, according to the University of Florida's Election Lab. This total rose by about 2 million in a single day. Early voting in key battleground states is running higher than in the previous midterm cycle. Democrats are voting early at higher rates than Republicans, while unaffiliated voters are also participating.
A federal judge in California is restricting pre-election field operations by the Department of Homeland Security. The agency aims to identify noncitizens who allegedly voted illegally in nine states. Separately, a federal magistrate judge ruled that Trump must sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation case against the BBC. The judge noted he must comply with court rules or face sanctions.
The lawsuit centers on a Panorama broadcast from late October 2024. It allegedly edited his January 6 speech to make it seem he incited a violent siege of Congress. Trump has called the broadcast false and defamatory under Florida law. The BBC apologized for the splicing and now seeks to understand his state of mind during the speech. BBC attorneys say more than 200 January 6 defendants have cited the speech as a motivator.
Trump previously canceled a deposition citing national importance and proposed January instead. It remains unclear if he will appear. Grocery prices vary by item. Eggs fell to $2.27 per dozen after a record $6.23 in March 2025. Butter averaged $3.96 in September, down 17.3% from a year earlier due to oversupply. Coffee is still 44% higher than two years ago despite the removal of tariffs.
