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.
NPR Economy
Business · RSS · up to 100 stored headlines · Visit site
Text size100%
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.