Economy

The impact of last year's historic flooding on Yellowstone River's fishing industry

4:40pm June 16, 2023

by Olivia Weitz

A year ago, the Yellowstone River had its biggest flood in 500 years. Now, fishing guides have to learn a whole new river. Fishing sends more than $1 billion to Montana's economy.

Economy

Has inflation changed how you shop and spend? We want to hear from you

5:00am June 15, 2023

NPR wants to know whether rising prices have led you to shop differently for groceries, travel or entertainment; use "buy now pay later" services; or dip into savings to cover your debts.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell and his colleagues opted to pause interest rate hikes at their meeting Wednesday.

Economy

Taking a breather: Fed holds interest rates steady in patient battle against inflation

7:29pm June 14, 2023

by Scott Horsley

After 10 straight rate hikes, the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged Wednesday, but hinted that additional rate hikes are possible if inflation remains stubbornly high.

Queue Listen Now

Eggs are cheaper now, but inflation isn't where the Federal Reserve wants it to be

4:21pm June 13, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Falling prices for gas and eggs took some of the sting out of inflation. Consumer prices in May were 4% higher than a year ago. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve decides what to do with interest rates.

Inflation fell in May to 4%, down from 4.9 percent in April. Some prices, though, continue to rise (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Cheaper eggs and gas lead inflation lower in May, but higher prices pop up elsewhere

12:15pm June 13, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Inflation cooled slightly in May, thanks in part to falling gas and egg prices. But the overall cost of living is still climbing faster than the Federal Reserve would like.

Sharon Gwinn holds a picture of her husband, who had Lewy body dementia toward the end of his life. Reckless financial behavior was one of the first signs of the disease. "It's what attacked his brain first," Gwinn says.

A loved one's dementia will break your heart. Don't let it wreck your finances

8:25am June 13, 2023

by Sarah Boden

Families can get blindsided by risky behavior with money, sometimes even before a diagnosis. Having tough conversations and setting up guardrails in advance can help prevent disaster.

What personal financial stress can do to the economy

6:30am June 13, 2023

by Paddy Hirsch

Financial stress. It feels personal, but it has big implications for the economy.

Erica Payne, founder of Patriotic Millionaires, offers a crash course on economic inequality to residents of Whiteville, N.C. The group wants working-class voters to lobby Congress on raising the minimum wage and taxing the rich.

These millionaires want to tax the rich, and they're lobbying working-class voters

5:05am June 13, 2023

by Jennifer Ludden

A group called Patriotic Millionaires has failed to get Congress to raise their taxes or boost the minimum wage. Now they're taking their concerns about inequality to swing-state voters.

The dollar is not just the currency used in the U.S., it is very much the world's currency. It's been that way for 80 years – but that could change.

The U.S. dollar conquered the world. Is it at risk of losing its top spot?

5:56pm June 12, 2023

by Stacey Vanek Smith

The dollar has helped make the U.S. the most economically powerful country for most of the last century, but other countries – including rivals like China – have the greenback on their sights.

The fight against inflation in the U.S. is currently in a very difficult phase

4:18pm June 12, 2023

by Stacey Vanek Smith

Most of the countries that have recently fought inflation went from high to moderate inflation with minimal economic pain. Not one was able to get from moderate to low inflation without pain.