Gulf South Index
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Finding Certainty in the Uncertain: 2026 At a Glance
Welcome to 2026. Does it feel any different yet? The news cycle is still churning, artificial intelligence is growing, and how we’re feeling about all of this is still always fluctuating. As we close out January, we can start to see some patterns in just how things are looking for the next 11 months.
People First. Facts Second. What We Learned in 2025.
It is foolish and short-sighted for me to think that everyone likes me, let alone trusts what I have to say. There are likely people reading this column right now who fit that description. On the one hand, this bums me out, because I strive to be an all-around good guy. Do right by my family and friends.
2025: The Highlight Reel
What. A. Year. A year full of uncertainty, in a government shutdown and global conflicts, and a year full of great moments, including the Super Bowl in New Orleans and exciting tech breakthroughs. Here are some of our favorite stories and moments from 2025. The Never-Ending News Cycle (And It’s Impact) Like we said, January 2025 feels closer than January 2026 for some of us.
The Cost of Cheer
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – great food, good times with friends and family, and finally getting your hands on that new gadget you’ve been eyeing all year. But as faux-frosted shop windows pop up in stores across the Gulf South, it’s not uncommon that many of us feel the financial strain of the season as meals, travel and gift costs stack up.
The World at Our Fingertips
Unless you’re one of the rare few who is printing each edition of the Gulf South Index (if so, please let us know), you’re probably digesting this information through a screen. Our devices are our gateway to news, shopping, sports, entertainment and just about everything else. Information Overload (Still) Our phones put the world in our pockets.
What We Think vs. What Is
How is America doing? “Perception vs. reality” is a phrase we’ve all heard, and one we’ve certainly all experienced: you convince yourself of one thing, while the truth lies somewhere else. This could be as mundane as a jelly-bean jar guessing game or how long your work commute will take with new construction on your street, but the perception of the bigger stuff can be way more impactful.
This is America: Disillusionment, Disruption — and a Dash of Optimism
How is America doing? Whether you’re speaking with your neighbors or reading news headlines — we can probably guess what your immediate answer is to that question. According to the 2025 Gulf South Index, 71% of the Gulf South and 70% of national respondents are unhappy with how things are currently going in the United States.
Trust Us On This. The Hopes and Grievances of 2025
On an individual level, trust doesn’t seem that tricky — relying on people you can confide in, withholding information from those you can’t and making decisions daily on who falls into which category. But on a bigger level, trust can be a tricky thing. It’s harder to know if the businesses we rely on are telling the truth, if the media is leading us to false conclusions or if the figures we look up to mean what they say.
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