Economy
Inflation climbs in August as grocery and gas prices jump
Inflation accelerated in August as Americans paid more for gasoline and groceries. Over the last 12 months, consumer prices have risen 2.9%.
BLS revision shows hiring was overstated by 911,000 jobs in past year
The U.S. likely added 900,000 fewer jobs in the 12 months ending in March than had been reported, according to a preliminary Labor Department report.
Here’s what happens when private equity buys homes in your neighborhood
What makes rents go down and neighborhood diversity go up? Corporate landlords. But they also make it harder to own for yourself.
The U.S. added only 22,000 jobs last month, showing cracks in the labor market
The U.S. job market showed more signs of weakness Friday, as the Labor Department reported just 22,000 jobs added last month. Revised figures show the economy lost jobs in June, and the unemployment rate inched up to 4.3%.
Etsy sellers are being hit hard by tariffs and the end of the de minimis rule
For years, the U.S. was essentially "an extension of our domestic market," says an Etsy seller in Canada. But now the rules and costs are far more imposing.
Senators grill Trump’s nominee for Fed amid alarms over central bank independence
White House economist Stephen Miran was quizzed by senators about whether he could make decisions independently of President Trump, if he's confirmed to a seat on the Federal Reserve's governing board.
Senators grill Trump’s nominee for Fed amid alarms over central bank independence
White House economist Stephen Miran was quizzed by senators about whether he could make decisions independently of President Trump, if he's confirmed to a seat on the Federal Reserve's governing board.
Hitler’s bunker is now just a parking lot. But it’s a ‘dark tourism’ attraction anyway
Why evil histories sell. A visit to Hitler's bunker, and a deep dive into the economics and ethical quandaries of "dark tourism."
Starter homes are scarce, so Utah set a target to build more. Here’s how it’s going
In one of the country's priciest housing markets, Utah's leaders worry young people are shut out from building wealth. But despite new incentives, few developers are signing on to build smaller homes.
AI and Nvidia have been bright spots in an uncertain economy, but there are doubts now
This past week, AI darling Nvidia reported blockbuster financial results that beat analysts' expectations. But investors weren't impressed and the stock price dropped.
Most of President Trump’s tariffs are illegal, U.S. court rules
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., delayed enforcing its decision, which is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court.
Bay St. Louis became the place to be after Hurricane Katrina — for those who can afford it
After Katrina wiped the town out, Bay St. Louis rebuilt itself into a coastal paradise. But insurance challenges limit who can live there.
20 years after Hurricane Katrina, East Biloxi’s casinos boom while Main Street dries up
Despite progress in East Biloxi, a historically Black neighborhood remains worse off post-Katrina, according to residents.
Fed governor Lisa Cook sues Trump over firing
Lisa Cook is challenging the president's attempt to remove her from office based on what she says is "an unsubstantiated allegation" of mortgage fraud prior to her Senate confirmation as governor.
Pascagoula still shows Hurricane Katrina’s heavy toll in Mississippi 20 years later
While much of the city was rebuilt over the past 20 years, it has never fully recovered. The cost of rebuilding has been prohibitive for many former residents.
What will the end of the ‘de minimis’ rule mean for U.S. consumers?
On Friday, the U.S. is ending its de minimis rule that made it easy for cheap goods to reach consumers. The change will affect roughly 4 million such packages processed each day.
U.S. tariffs take effect on India, threatening $48.2B in exports
Earlier this month President Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India due its purchases of Russian oil, bringing the combined tariffs to 50%.
How plants and fungi trade resources without a brain
Fungi and plants have something to teach humans about global trade and cooperation
South Korean President Lee to meet with Trump in Washington on Monday
At a summit meeting in Washington, D.C. on Monday, the U.S. and South Korean presidents will discuss modernizing their 71-year-old alliance and fleshing out a trade deal reached last month.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell signals possible rate cut, sending stocks sharply higher
Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell signaled a possible interest rate cut in the months to come, sending stocks sharply higher.
With Fed under pressure, Jerome Powell prepares for a high-stakes speech
The Fed chair will speak Friday at an annual economic symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The speech comes as the central bank is under mounting pressure from the White House to lower interest rates.
Walmart says tariff costs are rising ‘each week’ and will continue
The world's largest retailer — like many others — has been absorbing most of the increased costs, but raising prices of some goods.
Far fewer Canadians are visiting the U.S. this year, new numbers show
Canadian residents made just 1.7 million return trips by motor vehicle back into their country from the U.S. in July, a nearly 37% decline over the same month in 2024, according to Statistics Canada.
Washington’s hydropower has created a data center boom. Some are concerned about its future.
In small town Washington — where hydropower is plentiful — data centers are creating jobs and funding amenities. But water and energy aren't unlimited — and some worry about long-term sustainability.
Trump is tightening the screws on corporate America — and CEOs are staying mum
Critics warn that Trump's demands for business leaders to step down, and for the government to take a cut of sales, threaten American-style capitalism.
The hidden costs of cutting Medicaid
Cutting Medicaid can seem like an easy way to slash the budget. But, the costs can spread to all of us.
Inflation remains elevated as Trump’s tariffs take hold
Inflation remained elevated last month as President Trump's tariffs continued to make their way into the prices that consumers pay. The average cost of living in July was up 2.7%.
Trump’s tariff revenue has skyrocketed. But how big is it, really?
President Trump's new tariffs are pouring in. But it's still only a fraction of overall government revenues — and falls short of new spending in the recent Republican megabill.
We get asked about tariffs all the time. Here’s what we say
From inflation to recession, we who cover the economy and business at NPR get asked about tariffs all the time. Here are some of the most frequent questions — and what we answer.
IRS Commissioner Billy Long replaced after less than two months
The Trump administration has replaced former Missouri Congressman Billy Long as IRS Commissioner, after less than two months on the job. It's the latest in a string of management shakeups at the tax collection agency.
Trump taps White House economist Stephen Miran to fill Fed vacancy on temporary basis
President Trump plans to nominate Stephen Miran to fill a vacant seat on the Federal Reserve's board of governors, but only for the next six months.
Trump’s broad tariffs go into effect, just as economic pain is surfacing
The White House said that starting just after midnight that goods from more than 60 countries and the European Union would face tariff rates of 10% or higher.
