The AP reports U.S. inflation ran hotter than expected in October 2026, with consumer prices up 0.4% from September and no annual rate available because the 2025 shutdown left missing data, as higher gas, grocery, computer, and electricity prices extend beyond the pump. AP says the persisting inflation poses challenges for Trump after Democrats' midterm wins and makes a December Fed rate hike highly likely, though the economy keeps growing at 3.4% with low 4.1% unemployment.