Wall Street Week: Midterm Economic Signals, Alaska's Oil Windfall, U.S. Manufacturing, Europe's Welfare Costs, and Election Integrity

David Westin hosts this edition of Wall Street Week, examining how economics and policy intersect across the U.S. and Europe. The episode combines expert interviews with on-the-ground reporting, covering voter concerns about affordability, regional Fed field visits, energy prices, and the sustainability of social spending.

■ Post-Midterm Economic Agenda
- Glenn Hubbard on what voters are asking of the new Congress, tariffs, trade adjustment, AI-era workforce participation, debt and Social Security
■ Election Integrity and Rule of Law
- Yale's Robert Post on the 2026 midterms, election administration, and risks to democratic trust
■ Alaska's Oil Economy
- How the state's permanent fund, tax structure, and production outlook shape household budgets amid higher fuel prices
■ U.S. Manufacturing on the Ground
- Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin visits a South Carolina plant; labor skills, automation, and tariff sentiment among manufacturers
■ Europe's Welfare State
- Protests in France, aging populations, pension reform pressures, and defense versus social spending tradeoffs

Listeners interested in U.S. economic policy, energy markets, manufacturing, or European fiscal debates will gain a structured overview of the key arguments and field perspectives presented, along with context for forming their own view on these issues.