Report Summary

While news about the Rodney King verdict and the Los Angeles riots clearly dominated the public’s interest, reports about the condition of the economy were still very closely followed by four in ten Americans (39%). But attention to the economy dropped significantly since Times Mirror’s March and February polls (47% and 47% respectively). The percentage of Americans following stories about the economy very closely is now at its lowest point since October 1991. This decrease in concern about the economy is especially pronounced among Americans ages 18-29, who are half as likely as those over 50 to follow these stories very closely (25% vs. 50%).