Economy
Is the YIMBY movement doomed?
For decades, rising home prices have been an engine for middle-class wealth. Now a growing movement wants to slow — or even reverse — that trend. Are the politics around new housing development inherently stacked against them?
These small business owners are owed tariff refunds. Will they ever get them?
Anyone who paid the taxes should get reimbursed, but the high court did not address how. Business owners wonder if they'll need lawyers, brokers, money — or luck.
Trump throws a temper tantrum after tariff loss
The battle over the tariffs began on day one of the president's second term when he signed an executive order that let him impose a wide range of tariffs on virtually every U.S. trading partner.
The economy slowed in the last 3 months of the year — but was still solid in 2025
The U.S. economy grew 2.2% in 2025, a modest slowdown from 2.4% the previous year. GDP gains were fueled by solid consumer spending and business investment.
Amazon dethrones Walmart as the world’s biggest company by sales
In a slow-motion race of two retail behemoths, Amazon's trump card was its lucrative cloud-computing business.
The record-breaking cocaine boom — and its deadly fallout
Cocaine has made a roaring comeback, and it's having some big negative effects in the U.S. and around the world.
U.S. unexpectedly adds 130,000 jobs in January after a weak 2025
U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs in January as the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3% from 4.4% in December. Annual revisions show that job growth last year was far weaker than initially reported.
How much power does the Fed chair really have?
On paper, the Fed chair is just one vote among many. In practice, the job carries far more influence. We analyze what gives the Fed chair power.
A ‘Shark Tank’ alum needed cash to pay tariffs. This shadowy lending world was ready
How about $350,000 within hours? The pitches flood small businesses: "No hidden fees, No BS." These financial lifelines are barely regulated and can turn into trip wires.
Trump grants tariff breaks to ‘politically connected’ companies, Senate Dems say
The White House's trade policy has "opened the door to corruption," according to a letter from Ron Wyden and Chris Van Hollen.
PepsiCo will cut prices on Lay’s, Cheetos by as much as 15%
The food giant is among many big brands worried as shoppers pull back on snack budgets after years of stubborn inflation.
5 papers from the Super Bowl of Economics
Planet Money went to the annual meeting of the American Economics Association, and we saw some fascinating papers presented there.
Trump taps Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve
Trump plans to nominate Kevin Warsh to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve, when Jerome Powell's term expires in May. The president has been pushing the central bank to slash interest rates.
Fed holds interest rates steady, taking a pause from rate cuts to assess the economy
The central bank cut rates at its three previous meetings in an effort to support the job market. But with inflation still elevated, the Fed is cautious about additional rate cuts.
Mexican president says her country has paused oil shipments to Cuba
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the pause was part of general fluctuations in oil supplies and that it was a "sovereign decision" not made under pressure from the United States.
A crackdown on immigration is leading to a sharp drop in U.S. population growth
A sharp drop in net immigration has led to a slowdown in U.S. population growth. The Census Bureau says the population grew only about half as fast in the year ending last June as it did the previous year.
A crackdown on immigration is leading to a sharp drop in U.S. population growth
A sharp drop in net immigration has led to a slowdown in U.S. population growth. The Census Bureau says the population grew only about half as fast in the year ending last June as it did the previous year.
A crackdown on immigration is leading to a sharp drop in U.S. population growth
A sharp drop in net immigration has led to a slowdown in U.S. population growth. The Census Bureau says the population grew only about half as fast in the year ending last June as it did the previous year.
Trump to hold de facto midterm kickoff in Iowa focused on the economy, energy prices
President Trump's rally in Iowa on Tuesday brings his message to a state disproportionately affected by his economic policies and whose voters could help determine control of Congress.
Supreme Court appears wary of allowing Trump to fire Fed’s Cook in closely watched case
The administration wants the authority to fire Lisa Cook, a Fed governor. Experts say that would undermine the independence of the central bank.
It’s showdown time for the Fed’s independence at the Supreme Court
At issue are President Trump's efforts to break with 112 years of law and precedent by firing Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve's governing board.
Gulf South food banks look back on a challenging year as another shutdown looms
Federal funding cuts and a 43-day government shutdown made 2025 a chaotic year for Gulf South food banks. For many, the challenges provide a road map for 2026.
It took 75 governors to elect a woman. Spanberger will soon be at Virginia’s helm
Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer and three-term congresswoman, is breaking long-held traditions on inauguration day. She says she wants her swearing-in to showcase the state's modern vibrancy.
Canada agrees to cut tariff on Chinese EVs in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products
Breaking with the United States, Canada has agreed to cut its 100% tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday.
How have prices changed in a year? NPR checked 114 items at Walmart
We found the effects of tariffs and extreme weather, relief (finally!) in the egg cooler, plus one case of shrinkflation.
China’s trade surplus surges 20% to a record $1.2 trillion, even with Trump’s tariffs
China's trade surplus surged to a record of almost $1.2 trillion in 2025, the government said Wednesday, as exports to other countries made up for slowing shipments to the U.S. under President Donald Trump's onslaught of higher tariffs.
What to know about Trump’s ugly feud with the Federal Reserve
A Justice Department probe of the Federal Reserve marks the latest escalation in the Trump administration's effort to bend the independent central bank to the president's will.
How IVF has led to a record number of single moms in their 40s
Who gets to be a parent has been reshaped by IVF: Single women in their 40s are increasingly opting to become moms.
DOJ subpoenas Federal Reserve in escalating pressure campaign
The Justice Department has subpoenaed the Fed over chair Jerome Powell's testimony over the central bank's headquarters renovation. Powell calls it part of a pressure campaign over interest rates.
Hiring slows in December to end the weakest year of job growth since the pandemic
U.S. employers added 50,000 jobs in December, according to a report from the Labor Department Friday. Measured annually, job gains in 2025 were the slowest since 2020.
U.S. population growth is slowing. The immigration crackdown is a major factor
Congressional forecasters have lowered their projection for U.S. population growth over the next decade by 7 million people as a result of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown as well as falling birth rates.
It’s not just oil: How else Wall Street might benefit from Trump’s Venezuela actions
Oil companies and their shareholders may benefit from President Trump's military action in Venezuela — but it also could benefit many other U.S. investors.
