There are some new drivers adding to the momentum

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Prices are fueled by familiar drivers such as low real interest rates, inflation concerns, geopolitical instability, a weaker U.S. dollar, and steady central bank buying.

• Record ETF inflows, more aggressive central bank purchases, and growing doubts about U.S. fiscal stability and the dollars dominance are intensifying demand.

• Analysts caution that a stronger dollar, delayed Fed rate cuts, or improving global risk sentiment could trigger a pullback despite the powerful momentum.

Gold surged to yet another record high to start the week, surpassing $3,800 a ounce in Mondays trading. The relentless rally has been driven by the same forces that have supported prices all year, but now are being amplified by new momentum.

The familiar drivers remain firmly in place. Low or falling real interest rates keep non-yielding gold attractive. Inflation concerns sustain its role as a hedge.

The year has been marked by geopolitical instability and a weaker U.S. dollar, both of which continue to fuel safe-haven demand. Finally, central banks are still building reserves at a steady pace.

"Some people describe gold as the sum of all fears, whether they're economic or political, and it's quite clear that at the moment we've got issues on both sides," market analyst Ross Norman, told Reuters.

Emerging factors

But 2025 has added new accelerants. Record inflows into gold-backed ETFs have transformed the metal into a mainstream portfolio asset.

Central banks appear less sensitive to price swings, buying aggressively regardless of levels. Growing doubts over U.S. fiscal stability and dollar dominance are pushing more reserve managers toward gold.

At the same time, expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts later this year are lowering the opportunity cost of holding gold, while momentum traders and fear-of-missing-out flows are reinforcing the rally after prices vaulted past key resistance levels.

Still, analysts warn the surge is not invincible. A stronger dollar, delayed rate cuts, or a sharp reversal in global risk sentiment could trigger a pullback. For now, though, golds combination of old and new drivers continues to shine, sending prices into uncharted territory.

The batter may contain pieces of wood

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Hillshire Brands is recalling 58 million pounds of corn dog and sausage-on-a-stick products packaged from March 17September 26, 2025, for possible wood pieces in the batter.

• Products were sold nationwide online and to retail, food service, school districts (not via USDAs NSLP), and DoD facilities; the issue surfaced after multiple consumer complaints, including five injuries.

• Do not consumecheck fridges/freezers, discard or return; see FSIS for product lists/labels and distribution details. Contacts: Consumer Care 888-747-7611, Media 810-391-6680, USDA Hotline 888-674-6854.

The Hillshire Brands Company has issued a major recall of approximately 58 million pounds of corn dog and sausage on a stick products that may be contaminated with extraneous material, specifically pieces of wood embedded in the batter.

The company has received multiple complaints from consumers, including five reports of injuries. The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service has classified the recall as Class I, the highest threat level.

The corn dog and sausage on a stick products were packaged between March 17, 2025, and September 26, 2025. A list of the products subject to recall can be found here.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number EST-582 or P-894 printed on the packaging. These items were sold online and shipped to retail and food service locations nationwide.

Nationwide distribution

They were also sold to school districts and Department of Defense facilities nationwide. While the products were distributed to schools, they resulted from commercial sales and were not part of the food provided by the USDA for the National School Lunch Program.

After receiving complaints, the Hillshire Brands Company conducted an investigation and determined that the wooden sticks entered the production process prior to product battering. FSIS has received no additional reports of injury from consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers refrigerators and freezers, along with school and institutional refrigerators and freezers. Consumers, schools, and institutions that have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Christina Self, The Hillshire Brands Company Associate Director of Customer Care, at 888-747-7611. Members of the media with questions about the recall can contact MaKenzie Taylor, The Hillshire Brands Company Communications Manager, at 810-391-6680.

The D.C. region feels the economic blow as do other sections of the country

• Thousands of federal employees lose pay as deferred resignations, firingstake effect.

• Unemployment rising faster than the national average in affected areas, with federal job cuts piling on.

• A looming government shutdown could deepen the economic pain for workers and contractors.

When the fiscal year ends Tuesday, thousands of federal employees on paid leave will officially exit the government payroll. In addition, the White House budget office has told agencies to prepare for mass firings if a shutdown occurs, raising the prospect of another blow to the civil service. We see a lot of strong early warning signs, said Tracy Hadden Loh, a fellow at Brookings Metro, in a Washington Postreport.

The Washington region in particular faces economic hardship as paychecks stop coming for thousands of federal employees who accepted the governments deferred resignation offer. The change coincides with the threat of a federal shutdown, which could delay pay for those who remain on the job and cut off income altogether for contractors.

Although most acutely felt in the D.C. region, the cutbacks are biting into the economy throughout the country, especially in areas with large numbers of federal employees and military installations.Cities with high federal or agency presence face disproportionate vulnerability. These include Baltimore, Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Ogden (UT), Tampa, San Antonio, and smaller metros reliant on VA hospitals or federal research sites.

The Washington regions unemployment rate has climbed more than eight times faster than the national rate since January, according to a Brookings Institution analysis. Federal job losses have accelerated, while the share of residents with low credit scores and homes for sale has grown more quickly than elsewhere in the country. Private sector job growth has stalled, leaving the economy with little cushion against government cuts.

The American Communities Project mapped federal employment by county, finding that many smaller counties (including those with military bases, federal labs, or federal land) have 5 % or more of the workforce tied to the federal government.

A report from the Atlanta Fed estimates thatthe federally supported workforce (i.e. including contractors/grant recipients) could number in the millions, so layoffs could ripple further than just the civil service.

Workers describe despair in job search

For many federal employees, the hardship has already begun. One former State Department worker said he has applied for more than 50 jobs without success.

Some employees accepted the resignation offer because they were near retirement. Others left out of principle or fear of termination. The initiative, pushed by PresidentTrump and billionaire Elon Musk through the U.S. DOGE Service, was billed as part of a sweeping reorganization of the federal bureaucracy. More than 154,000 federal workers nationwide had volunteered to resign while still drawing pay earlier this year, with officials estimating that roughly 275,000 will have departed through buyouts and retirements by the end of the fiscal year.

In the Washington metro area, where one in ten jobs are federal and many others depend on federal spending, the cuts land especially hard. Private sector growth is not making up the difference. DOGE has been a disaster for Washington, D.C., said Ankit Jain, one of the citys shadow senators. For some, the question now is whether to stay in the region at all or to leave behind lives and careers built around federal service.

Fewer firm plans have been announced in the lead-up to the latest possible shutdown

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

A looming government shutdown will be felt by travelers throughout the nation. Expect longer airport lines, national park closures and other disruptions. The witching hour is 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and there's little sign of progress in Congressional negotiations. President Trump plans to meet with the four Congressional leaders Monday but the outcome remains uncertain.

Fewer preparations have been announced then in the lead-up to previous closures as federal agencies struggle with staffing shortages resulting from the earlier government cutbacks.

Most airport employees, including TSA agents and air traffic controllers, are required to work without pay but previous shutdowns have seen delays as workers call in sick. National park staff with be furloughed and parks may be closed, although no official announcements has been made.

Notably, Amtrak will not be affected. It is an independent federal corporation and is not dependent on Congressionalfunding.

The Smithsonian Museums in Washington are expected to remain open, for at least a few days.

Passports will continue to be issued and border entry points will be staffed.

Tourism is likely to be hit hard. An industry group spokesman said financial losses would likely amount to at least $1 billion per week.