Two economists studied California's billionaire tax. They reached wildly different conclusions
What happens in California could shape how America taxes the superrich. But will its billionaire tax fill state coffers — or drain them?
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Mixed economic forecast weighs heavy ahead of midterms
There was a mixed Halloween bag of economic news this week. GDP growth is up, but so are prices. For now at least, interest rates are staying the same. What does that mean for the midterm elections?
Plans for a data center threaten scenic wilderness and dark skies in West Virginia
Residents are fighting back against plans for a project that would span thousands of acres near the Monongahela National Forest and popular outdoor recreation, ski areas and dark sky sites.
The two most interesting risks to Anthropic
Anthropic gave a 94-page list of risk factors in its S-1 this week. Two of them stood out.
The numbers say the U.S. economy is strong. These Americans aren't feeling it
The latest data from the Commerce Department reveals a strong economy. But Americans say they're not feeling that.
With days to go before the midterms, data shows the U.S. economy is doing well
GDP grew at an annual rate of 3.4% in the third quarter in the last major read on the economy ahead of the midterm elections — but many Americans continue to struggle with affordability.
Two reports give insight on the economy ahead of Election Day
With Americans soon heading to the polls with affordability on their minds, we get a final measure of both GDP and inflation.
Two reports will give insight on the economy ahead of Election Day
With Americans soon heading to the polls with affordability on their minds, we get a final measure of both GDP and inflation.
Fed holds interest rates steady even as inflation remains stubborn
The Federal Reserve opted to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged — but investors widely expect the central bank to raise rates at its next meeting in December to combat stubborn inflation.
Fed expected to hold interest rates steady but a hike is anticipated by year's end
The Federal Reserve is expected to hold its benchmark interest rate steady Wednesday. But investors think a rate hike in December is likely, as the central bank tries to tamp down inflation.
How Aldi is pushing down grocery prices
The German-owned chain's low prices are winning over shoppers — and pushing competitors to respond.
Trump's tariffs are costing this Michigan couple. They still hope they'll pay off
A Detroit couple whose livelihoods are tied to manufacturing and cross-border trade are feeling the costs of Trump's tariffs. But they still hope American industry will benefit.
Trade tariffs cause whiplash at Port Milwaukee
Sacha Pfeiffer visits Port Milwaukee to see how President Trump's tariffs have affected the flow of goods and impacted the regional economy.
AI panic and market volatility: Are the stock market's big gains unsustainable?
Stock markets are being hit by intense periods of volatility that are raising concerns about whether the big gains seen over the past four years can be sustained. Fears about AI are a big reason.
Why Meta is charging to post more hyperlinks
Social media sites aren't the biggest fans of people leaving via hyperlinks. In fact, Meta has made it subscription-worthy for a Facebook Page to post more than two hyperlinks per month. What's the rationale for companies want to keep you on their site?
Gene editing scientists slowed down for safety. Could AI leaders follow their guide?
Some of the leaders of the AI race are calling for a slowdown, for safety's sake. Viewed in economics terms, it's a collective action problem: no one wants to slow down unless everyone does.
What if an AI bubble bursts — and that accelerates AI job losses?
Research on past recessions suggests downturns can accelerate automation. That raises the specter of a double whammy for workers.
Why these 5 everyday items fluctuate in price at the grocery store
Here's what's behind the fluctuating costs of everyday grocery items such as ground beef, eggs and chocolate chip cookies.
Norway faces public dilemma over divesting from companies involved with war in Gaza
Norway has the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, but it's facing a self-imposed dilemma. Should the fund's investments include companies that contribute to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war?
What this bankruptcy says about AI startups
Character.AI collected millions of users, making it a very appealing acquisition. Google took a unique route to "acquiring" it, hiring away its founders and licensing its technology. Now Character.AI is filing for bankruptcy. Here's what to know.
Despite bad inflation report, Trump says economy is doing fine
The latest tough inflation report reinforces the challenge for President Trump and GOP candidates ahead into the midterm elections.
The Chicago Fed President answers questions on inflation numbers
NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, about the inflation data that was released on Wednesday.
Inflation sizzled in September — and Social Security benefits will get a boost
Consumer prices in September jumped 3.7% from a year ago. The Social Security Administration said benefits will increase next year to help keep pace with the rising cost of living.
Older Americans are struggling with food affordability
High food prices are pushing some older adults to make difficult budget decisions when it comes to what's available to eat. That can mean scaling back on produce in favor of cheaper, processed foods and relying more on food pantries
What ice cream has to do with this year's Nobel Prize in economics
Prices can get sticky. That helps explain why recessions hurt so much — and what policymakers can do about them.
Two Americans win Nobel for economics
This year's Nobel Prize for economics was awarded to two Americans, for their work on ways to limit booms and busts in the business cycle.
2 Americans win Nobel Prize in economics for work on boom-bust cycles
Two Americans have won the Nobel Prize in economics for their work on how to smooth boom-and-bust cycles to limit unemployment and inflation.
Last Nobel prize of the year to be announced for economics
The Nobel Prize in Economics, the sixth and last of this year's awards, will be announced today in Sweden.
How personal data is being used to control what customers see and pay
NPR's Joel Rose speaks with Lindsay Owens, president of the economic think tank Groundwork Collaborative, about how companies using data to transform the products and prices customers see.
It's taking longer to find a new job after losing one
People who lose their jobs in this economy are taking longer to find new work. Nearly four in ten people exhaust their unemployment benefits before they land a new job.
Why American investors love European defense startups
As European defense spending takes off, just about half of the funding in Europe's defense tech industry is coming from American investors this year. One reason why: European investment firms have restrictions on how they can invest.
Who will win the 2026 Nobel Prize in economics?
A thinly traded prediction market offers a starting point. We explore potential winners and the big ideas that could earn them economics' biggest prize.
What voters in 6 key states could tell us about the 2026 midterms
Morning Edition is heading to Maine, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio and Michigan to hear what voters say is shaping their choices ahead of the midterm elections.
Economist Betsey Stevenson breaks down the gender gap in recent hiring reports
The U.S. economy added fewer jobs than expected last month and unemployment ticked up to 4.2%. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Betsey Stevenson, an economist at the University of Michigan.
Economist Betsey Stevenson on why women are snagging most new U.S. jobs
The U.S. economy added fewer jobs than expected last month. As in recent months, most new jobs went to women. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Betsey Stevenson, an economist at the University of Michigan.
The U.S. added only 29,000 jobs in September as job market lacks spark
U.S. employers added 29,000 jobs in September as the unemployment rate inched up to 4.2%. Job gains for July and August were revised down by a total of 60,000 jobs, extending a lackluster run for the job market.
Why is diesel more expensive than regular gas?
Diesel hasn't always been more expensive than other gasoline. Then in 2004, a switch happened due to air quality standards, demand, and taxes. In this week's Indicator newsletter, we dig into diesel prices, what kind of fun people are buying, and other forms of making your tax bill smaller.
U.S. employers add only 29,000 jobs in September, much less than August
The Labor Department offered an update Friday on the strength of the U.S. job market. The news comes as long-term interest rates have been climbing.
Labor Department to release September jobs report
The Labor Department offers an update Friday on the strength of the U.S. job market. The news comes as long-term interest rates have been climbing.
Economist discusses high bond yields and the September jobs report
NPR's Michel Martin speaks to Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, about high bond yields and the September jobs report.
Some of the super wealthy are plowing money into a tax loophole to slash taxes to 0
There's a tax loophole that lets millionaires and billionaires drawdown their taxes… to nothing. So what does tax-loss harvesting mean and why is it still allowed?
The rising cost of borrowing piles more financial pressure onto consumers
Mortgage rates are at their highest level in almost three years. The rising cost of borrowing is driving life's major purchases further out of reach.
Trade tensions mean fewer Canadians flocking to South Florida
This South Florida community is typically a refuge for Canadians fleeing cold weather, but trade tensions between the United States and Canada mean fewer are coming.
The poverty rate among older Americans is rising, survey shows
Bucking the national trend, poverty has been steadily rising among seniors and older adults. A new survey sheds light on how low-income people are struggling in the crucial years before retirement.
Mortgage rates break past 7% as bond yields surge, deepening U.S. housing gridlock
Bond yields rose this week pushing mortgage rates above 7 percent. That's another big challenge for the already limping US housing market.
Why this Pokémon set is dropping in value
How does one price a cemetery plot? Are they using dynamic pricing to figure it out? We tackle that question and many more in this week's Indicator newsletter.
American farmers are hurting -- and worried about their futures
Farmers who grow soybeans, corn, cotton and other crops are facing another year of losses as soaring fuel and fertilizer costs offset higher revenues.
Farmers face big expenses and an uncertain bottom line during fall harvest season
As the fall harvest gets underway, many farmers are in the red. While crop prices have improved somewhat since last year, operating costs have increased, led by record high diesel prices.
It's getting harder to afford rent in the U.S., even for middle-income families
Housing affordability challenges are spreading to higher income brackets, according to new research, which found one in five renters struggled last year to pay for their housing in full and on time.
This farm raised thousands of pigs for slaughter. Now it's growing mushrooms instead
The U.S. gets nearly a third of its pork from Iowa. One family is making the switch from pigs to more sustainable specialty mushrooms and trying to show other pig farmers how they did it.
How a national farm leader is dealing with record diesel prices
John Boyd Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association, says soaring diesel costs are deepening a farm crisis as farmers face sharply higher fuel costs in the middle of harvest season.
This Minnesota farmer is feeling the pressure of rising gas prices
NPR's Elissa Nadworny speaks with Kristin Duncanson, a farmer in Minnesota, about how record high fuel prices are affecting her business.
Energy expert Bob McNally on how to protect consumers from a looming gas price spike
Analysts are warning about an impending jump in gas prices. NPR's Scott Simon talks with Bob McNally, of Rapidan Energy about how and even if the economic effects can be mitigated.
Ever wonder how the Fed's interest rate actually works? We've got answers
The Federal Reserve just raised interest rates this week for the first time this year. So how does it actually work? And what does it mean for the economy — and the rest of us? Here are some answers.