Economy
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.
Trump says US to get 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela at market price
Trump pledged to use proceeds from the sale of this oil "to benefit the people" of both countries.
Attempting to predict the economy in 2026
Economists may have a pretty dismal record with predictions. But we're still interested in what they see in their non-existent crystal balls.
Warren Buffett officially retires as Berkshire Hathway’s CEO
The legendary 95-year-old investor spent decades building his company into one of the world's largest and most powerful. Now Greg Abel is taking it over.
The U.S. economy grew robustly as Americans continued to spend
The data, which was delayed from October by the government shutdown, comes as the economy takes center stage for voters and the Trump administration.
How President Trump reshaped capitalism in 2025
His policies are picking winners and losers — and blurring the lines between business and government.
Inflation cools slightly in November as worries about affordability grip Americans
The cost of living in November was up 2.7% from a year ago, according to a report Thursday from the Labor Department. That's a smaller annual increase than for the 12 months ending in September.
The U.S. added just 64,000 jobs in November — a sign the labor market is slowing
Hiring cooled this fall, according to delayed figures released by the Labor Department Tuesday. Employers added 64,000 jobs in November as the unemployment rate rose to 4.6%.
The Warner Bros. Curse
Warner Bros. has a history of disastrous mergers and acquisitions. Can they avoid another bad sequel as Netflix and Paramount battle to buy it?
Chain restaurants are hit by tariffs and inflation. How do they control costs?
Inflation, rising food prices and the high cost of living has been top of mind for consumers all year. But then Olive Garden offers an unlimited pasta meal or a chain steakhouse restaurant sells a steak dinner with two sides for less than 30 bucks. So, how are chains are able to keep prices as low as they do in this economy?
A divided Fed is expected to cut rates for a 3rd straight time
The Fed is expected to lower its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point — but with inflation stubbornly high and mixed signals from the job market, it could be a split decision.
Feeling burned out? There’s a word for that in Mandarin Chinese
How an obscure term used in anthropology leaped from the pages of academia into the Chinese meme world and then became part of Chinese government policymaking.
Are we in a recession? Maybe professional Santas can tell us
Demand for professional Santas and other seasonal workers seems to have cooled. Could that be a sign we're in a recession?
China’s trade surplus hits $1 trillion for first time ever
China's exports to the U.S. have dropped sharply this year, in the face of President Trump's tariffs — but the country is still finding plenty of customers elsewhere around the world.
Nonprofit erases millions in medical debt across Gulf South, says it’s ‘Band-Aid’ for real issue
Undue Medical Debt has paid off more than $299 million in medical debts in Alabama. Now, the nonprofit warns that the issue could soon get worse.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Huntsville is growing fast. Here’s how it’s stayed affordable
Home prices are rising in Huntsville, but so far, the city’s avoided the skyrocketing costs in other boom towns.
Inflation rose less than expected in September, the U.S. belatedly reports
The federal government recalled some furloughed workers specifically to produce the inflation report, which plays a key role for Social Security beneficiaries.
Boo to spooky chocolate prices! It’s the year of chewy, fruity Halloween treats
Sales of non-chocolate candy are growing faster than those of chocolate. With cocoa in shortage, manufacturers are changing pack sizes, adding fillers and dipping candy in "white creme."
Starter homes are scarce. But homebuyers can improve their odds
For decades, construction of smaller, entry-level homes has been has been falling. But there are ways to find an affordable first home, and the changing market may help.
Hyundai still committing billions to Louisiana steel mill after ICE raid in Georgia
The immigration raid last month has analysts questioning whether President Donald Trump’s immigration and manufacturing goals are at odds.
With steep tariffs on Indian imports, Diwali is expensive to celebrate this year in Alabama
"I guess if I had to take it in a positive way, I would say it's making the artists come out of all of the parents," said one Bollywood dance instructor who is forgoing new costumes this year for her students.
A theory why the internet is going down the toilet
A new book diagnoses a sickness affecting some of America's biggest companies.
Amid tariff costs, a ‘speed dating’ event helps connect Southern auto suppliers, makers
Manufacturers like Hyundai gathered in Huntsville to hear pitches from U.S. suppliers, as tariffs have prompted them to look for local options.
The two wildcards shaping the tail end of the Virginia race for governor
Virginia is just weeks away from electing a new governor, but the government shutdown and an explosive text message scandal in the race for attorney general could reshape the election.
