U.S. Leading Economic Index Receeds a Little in August 2026

This report provides an overview of how The Conference Board views the current state of the U.S. economy. Based on its August data, economic growth appears to be slowing somewhat. The economy is expected to continue expanding, but not as quickly as previously projected.

Consumer sentiment remains a concern. Interestingly, some economic indicators suggest consumers are continuing to spend, while others point to weaker consumer confidence and enthusiasm. This difference is worth watching as we evaluate the broader economic outlook.

Building permits also declined, which could have implications for construction activity and future development. However, it is too early to determine the full impact. For now, this is something to monitor as additional economic data becomes available.

U.S. Leading Economic Index Edges Down in August 2026

The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index (LEI) provides insight into future economic activity by tracking indicators associated with business cycles, employment, consumer expectations, and financial conditions. The August 2026 release examines whether the U.S. economy is showing signs of continued growth or potential weakening.

• The Conference Board's Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the United States decreased by 0.1% in August 2026, reaching 99.5 (2016 = 100), following a 0.2% increase in July.

• The LEI's six-month growth rate declined by 0.1% between February and August 2026, although this was a smaller decline than the 0.6% contraction during the previous six-month period.

• Four of the ten LEI components declined in August. Consumer expectations continued to weigh on the index, indicating concerns about future business and economic conditions.

• Building permits decreased across most regions and for both single-family and multifamily housing. The West was the only region to report a small increase in total permits.

• The Conference Board continues to expect the U.S. economy to expand, but forecasts slower growth. Real GDP growth is projected at 1.9% for 2026, while the 2027 forecast was revised downward from 1.9% to 1.8%.

The Conference Board. (2026, September 18). The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the US edged down in August. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-conference-board-leading-economic-index-lei-for-the-us-edged-down-in-august-302883352.html 

Industrial Capacity Holds Steady August 2026, but Innovation May Be the Next Challenge

September 18th, 2026 

ESCANABA-Industrial utilization in August 2026 was relatively steady. There were no major increases or decreases, although manufacturing output did decline slightly following a seven-month period of growth. Utilities increased, reflecting continued strength in energy demand.

The relatively stable numbers also raise a broader economic-development question: Are we doing enough to encourage small and medium-sized businesses that can create new products, technologies, and manufacturing capacity?

(I keep thinking of Escanaba as a place for export oriented start-ups. They just redid their downtown and strong infrastructure. Nice place to bring your family, start a business, live upstairs, and give your dreams a chance. )

A more nimble economy may require broader support for businesses in the middle and at the beginning of the development pipeline—not simply continued investment and cater policies to the largest companies (One reason why we should think about balanced approaches and minimize the influence of large corporate donations to candidates that must make decisions even without personal benefit. The goal being to balance out the discussion and ensure large, small, medium, and micro can grow together for a balanced economy. They expand each other when in balance.That also helps reduce overall overconcentration and improve broader innovation that supports long-term growth.). Small businesses, startups, and new manufacturing ventures can contribute to innovation and create longer-term economic value.

For now, the overall economy appears reasonably stable, but that does not mean there are no headwinds. Geopolitical developments, changing costs, labor-market conditions, and other economic pressures could affect future growth.

Improving the economy over the longer term may therefore require more than simply increasing production. It may require continued development of human capital, better use of technology, and a stronger foundation for startups and emerging manufacturing businesses.

In other words, the numbers may be steady today, but building the capacity to innovate tomorrow could be just as important.

Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization: August 2026

1. Industrial production was unchanged in August 2026 after increasing 0.2% in July. Total industrial production was 1.4% higher than in August 2025.
2. Manufacturing output declined 0.3% in August after seven consecutive months of increases. Durable manufacturing fell 0.5%, while nondurable manufacturing was unchanged.
3. Mining production increased 0.1% in August, while utilities increased 1.8%. The increase in utilities was driven primarily by higher electric utility output.
4. Overall capacity utilization remained at 76.3%, which is 3.1 percentage points below its long-run 1972–2025 average. Manufacturing capacity utilization declined to 75.7%.
5. The data show a mixed industrial picture: business equipment production was 7.1% above its August 2025 level, while consumer goods were 1.1% lower. The Federal Reserve also announced that its annual revision of industrial production and capacity-utilization data is scheduled for November 24, 2026.

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (2026, September 18). Industrial production and capacity utilization—G.17. https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/current/default.htm

The Value of a Functioning Code of Conduct for Judges

The Allegory of the Clan is a hypothetical philosophical thought experiment exploring what happens when justice fails. In this learning story, certain religions, races, and political perspectives are treated with disdain, even when their values align with constitutional principles, oaths, and important philosophical traditions. Minorities are targeted, friends are rewarded, and prejudice becomes normalized.

The judges disregard broader laws and allow partisanship, corruption, and unwritten rules to influence their decisions. Victims seeking to protect their families, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion are intentionally disregarded for political ideology, while those responsible for misconduct are protected.

The story raises an important question: What can we do to improve the system? One starting point is reducing political influence within the judiciary and ensuring that judges uphold the law impartially. When public trust declines and wrongdoing continues without accountability, institutions risk losing their legitimacy-trust. Trust cannot be easily restored once it has been broken. Justice requires doing what is right, consistently, even when it is difficult. Most judges want to do the right thing but when they wont or if they are afraid of doing the right thing we have a much bigger problem under the surface. The proof in pudding outcomes. Worse if they don't know what the right thing is and they are deciding over such principles. 

Code of Conduct for United States Judges

• The code establishes ethical standards for federal judges to promote integrity and public trust.
• Judges must perform their duties fairly, impartially, and independently.
• Ethical guidelines address conflicts of interest and outside activities.
• Judges are expected to maintain professional conduct in their personal and official roles.
• The code provides a framework for responsible judicial decision-making and public confidence.

Judicial Conference of the United States. (n.d.). Code of conduct for United States judges. United States Courts. https://www.uscourts.gov/administration-policies/judiciary-policies/ethics-policies/code-conduct-united-states-judges 

The Power of Being Present: Focus, Goal Achievement and Less Stress

Imagine you want to increase your productivity and focus while reducing stress. Sounds great, right? But how do you actually do it without turning your life into one giant productivity seminar?

(Illustrative Only)
Live in the moment
while living your
blueprint plan.
Peace brothers
and sisters.

One way is to focus more on the present. That means spending less time worrying about everything that happened yesterday or everything that might go wrong next Tuesday. You have a plan, you know what you need to accomplish, and that's fine. Just don't let your brain run a 24-hour news channel featuring every past mistake and future disaster.

Being present can help improve focus and reduce unnecessary stress. It also creates room for innovation. Innovation isn't just about stuffing your brain with more information. It's about learning, stepping back, and allowing some mental space for your brain to connect the dots. Sometimes the best idea shows up when you're taking a walk, enjoying a hobby, or staring out the window—not when you're aggressively staring at a spreadsheet.

This doesn't mean you should ignore the past or stop planning for the future. The past can teach you, and the future needs some preparation. But today is where you actually live and where you get things done.

If you enjoy what you're doing, whether that's spending time with family and friends, working on hobbies, or pursuing your goals, being present can help you feel more satisfied with your life. And when you're more satisfied, you may find a little extra pep in your step when you head to work or tackle your next challenge.

Of course, life changes are sometimes necessary. You can reflect on the past, plan for the future, and still enjoy what's happening right now. The key is not allowing your future to consume your present or your past to constantly send you an invoice for things you can't change.

Ultimately, long-term success requires more than focus and good ideas. Diligence and grit matter. Showing up, doing the work, and sticking with your goals can make a significant difference over time. Just remember that success isn't only about how much you accomplish. It's also about whether you're actually enjoying the life you're working so hard to build.

Being Present and Life Satisfaction

• A 2017 study examined whether people are actually focused more on the past and future than on the present, as is sometimes suggested in mindfulness research.
• Using experience-sampling methods over one week, researchers found that participants were focused on the present about 66% of the time.
• Greater present-focused attention was associated with improvements in life satisfaction over time.
• The relationship appeared to work partly through reduced negative rumination—repetitive thinking about negative experiences or concerns.
• Importantly, being more present was associated with greater life satisfaction but did not produce a measurable improvement in happiness, suggesting that feeling satisfied with life and experiencing momentary happiness may operate differently.

Felsman, P., Verduyn, P., Ayduk, Ö., & Kross, E. (2017). Being present: Focusing on the present predicts improvements in life satisfaction but not happiness. Emotion, 17(7), 1047–1051. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000333

Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey – September 2026-Expanding, Labor Constraint, Rising Inputs, Expect Growth

September 17th 2026

ESCANABA-The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia recently released its September 2026 Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey, which examines manufacturing activity and economic conditions in the region.

The Philadelphia Fed reports that manufacturing activity expanded overall in September, with employment remaining positive, higher input costs, labor constraints and businesses continuing to expect growth.

(Just as a side note we are talking about human capital and labor a lot on this blog because skill sets are shifting and human capital will be needed.)

Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey – September 2026

• Manufacturing activity expanded in September, with the general activity index declining from 47.4 in August to 37.8. New orders remained positive at 29.2, while the shipments index held steady at 27.7.

• Employment continued to increase overall, although the employment index declined 16 points to 11.8. Most firms (77%) reported no change in employment, suggesting relatively limited hiring activity among respondents.

• Price pressures increased, with the prices paid index rising to 48.6 and the prices received index reaching 31.3. This indicates that manufacturers continued to experience increases in input costs and the prices of their products.

• Production growth was reported by 68% of firms during the third quarter, compared with 16% reporting a decline. Labor supply was a constraint on capacity utilization for 72% of firms, highlighting workforce-related challenges.

• Businesses continued to anticipate growth over the next six months, although the future general activity index fell to 52.9. Future prices paid and received remained elevated, suggesting that manufacturers expect ongoing price pressures alongside continued expansion.

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. (2026, September 17). Manufacturing business outlook survey: September 2026 report. https://www.philadelphiafed.org/surveys-and-data/regional-economic-analysis/mbos-2026-09 

Unemployment Claims Decline, Pointing to Steady Labor Market For Week Ending Sept. 12th, 2026: California and Michigan

September 17, 2026

ESCANABA, MI.-New unemployment insurance claims fell by 10,000 for the week ending September 12, offering a modest sign that the U.S. labor market remains relatively stable and may be showing some improvement.

The decline in claims suggests that fewer workers filed for unemployment benefits during the week. However, the figures provide only a partial view of employment conditions because they cover people participating in the unemployment insurance system and do not include those who have stopped searching for work or are otherwise not counted in these measures.

State-level results were mixed. California reported an increase in unemployment claims, pointing to a rise in layoffs, while Michigan recorded a decline in claims.

Overall, the latest figures provide a somewhat positive indication of labor market conditions. Still, economists and policymakers must look beyond weekly unemployment claims to understand the broader employment picture, including workers who remain outside the unemployment insurance system.

Unemployment Insurance Claims Decline in September 2026

• Initial unemployment claims fell by 10,000 to 196,000 for the week ending September 12, 2026. The four-week moving average declined to 203,250.

• Insured unemployment decreased by 39,000 to 1.73 million, while the insured unemployment rate fell to 1.1%.

• Total continued claims declined to 1.69 million for the week ending August 29, below the 1.83 million recorded during the same period in 2025.

• Michigan reported 5,802 initial claims for the week ending September 5, down 2,075 from the previous week, while California reported 37,388 claims, an increase of 1,967.

• The decline in claims indicates reduced unemployment insurance activity, although weekly data can fluctuate and should be considered alongside other labor market indicators.

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. (2026, September 17). Unemployment insurance weekly claims: Seasonally adjusted data (Release No. USDL 26-1529-NAT). https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf 

Delta County Board of Commissioners Meeting 9/15/2026-Spooktacular Halloween Event and other stuff!

The county recently held a meeting that included several interesting discussions and updates. One county member is leaving after making valuable contributions to the community. The meeting also covered the upcoming Spooktacular Halloween event, along with other local activities that residents should be aware of and support.

(Illustratyive Only)

Additional topics included purchasing and bill payments, a firewood processor, an investor RFP award, budgetary matters, and other county business. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about county meetings and local events to better understand ongoing developments in the community. A discussion on exit from MERS and financial investment advising.

Opening & Administrative Approvals

• Roll Call: Commissioners Milner, Johnson, Williams, VandeVusse, and Jensen were present.

• Meeting Minutes: Minutes from the September 1, 2026 meeting were approved as amended to correct a typo ("Human Services").

• Agenda Additions: The agenda was approved with four added new business items concerning airport RFPs, LEO reimbursement, the ACIP project list, and dynamic aircraft display repainting.

County Clerk Retirement & Farewells

• County Clerk & Register of Deeds Nancy Prusi gave her final report, marking her upcoming retirement after nearly 26 years in office.

• Career Highlights & Stats:

  • Elected in 2000 as Delta County’s first female County Clerk.

  • Longest-serving clerk in county history (25 years, 9 months; 7 four-year terms).

  • Attended 784 county board meetings (missed only 42).

  • Officiated over 600 weddings, handled 50+ elections, and saved local jurisdictions ~$100,000 by programming elections in-house from 2005–2022.

  • Acquired high-capacity rolling filing cabinets at no cost, adding 25+ years of filing space.

• Departmental Request: Expressed an urgent plea for the board to add a third staff member to the understaffed clerk's office, noting the office generates an extra $120,000/year.

Departmental Updates (Parks & Maintenance)

• Upcoming Projects: Preparation for the Spooktacular event, gravel hauling for county forest roads, park bathroom renovations, campsite graveling, and MSU extension building remodels.

• Staffing: Publicly noted a need to hire a building trades worker.

Financial & New Business Approvals

• Payment of Bills: Approved total claims/bills of $1,231,500.96 and commissioner expenses of $1,621.40.

• Emergency Management: Approved the Chair to sign the FY 2027 M-EMPG Local Emergency Management Work Agreement.

• Firewood Processor Purchase: Approved purchasing a skid-steer-mounted firewood processor (via a budget amendment from maintenance to parks) to automate campsite firewood processing and save money.

• Legal Engagement: Approved a letter of engagement with Foster Swift Legal Counsel to assist with evaluating an exit from the MERS defined benefit plan.

• Policy Adoptions: Approved County Policies 1.7, 3.4, 5.6, and 6.2 as presented.

  • Policy 2.1 Amendment: Approved policy updates to clarify board oversight over both the County Administrator and the County Controller per state statute (MCL 46.13b).

• Brownfield Authority: Appointed Wendy Holesenamp and Steve (last name unstated) to open seats.

Tabled / Deferred Items

• October Meeting Schedule: Tabled a proposal to cancel the October 20th meeting until the first meeting in October.

• Investor RFP Award: Tabled awarding the financial investor contract to allow the County Controller time to review and provide input on the two proposals received (Delta Financial Inc. and Manor Wealth).

Budget & Fiscal Year Motions

• Approved routine year-end housekeeping motions, including line-item budget transfers, chart of accounts updates, remonumentation per diem/mileage settings, and recording residual equity interest earnings in the general fund.

• Approved adopting the amended FY 2026 budget and general budget resolution with corrections to millage tax rates.

• Personnel Posting Discussion: Debated a clause regarding required board approval for replacing vacant staff positions; discussed balancing administrative efficiency with board financial oversight.