Economy

A lone employee oversees Hewlett-Packard workstations being assembled at a plant on Jan. 1, 1993. Huge improvements in computer technology propelled the economy during that decade.

Back To The Economy Of The '90s? Not So Fast

9:42am December 25, 2012

by Uri Berliner

As the parties wrangle over taxes and the "fiscal cliff," there's been a lot of talk about the golden days of the 1990s — and each party's role in creating it. Yet economists say a lot was happening outside Washington as well.

Queue Listen Now

Plug Pulled On 'Plan B,' House Breaks For Christmas

11:16am December 21, 2012

by Tamara Keith

House Speaker John Boehner was dealt a major defeat Thursday night. After spending most of the week trying to round up votes for his "Plan B" to extend tax cuts for virtually everyone, he pulled the measure without a vote. The clock keeps ticking toward the end of the year, when automatic tax increases and spending cuts are set to hit.

Queue Listen Now

Low-Profile Power Player Jack Lew May Be In Line For Treasury Post

3:16pm December 20, 2012

by Mara Liasson

Now the White House chief of staff, Lew finessed the 2011 deal that set up the automatic spending cuts and tax hikes set for the new year — and did it in a way that put President Obama in the catbird seat for the current talks. Now he's a possible pick to be the next Treasury secretary.

Queue Listen Now

High school student Jon Ledbetter designs his own "NikeiD" sneakers. Ledbetter can post his designs on Nike's website, where other shoppers can also order them.

Economy

From Shoes To M&M's, Custom-Made Products Take Off Online

1:53pm December 20, 2012

by Kathy Lohr

The ability to customize products began with computers more than a decade ago. Now, you can create your own T-shirts, jeans, custom-blend cosmetics and candy. Even luxury brands like Burberry, Prada and Louis Vuitton now let customers design their own looks.

Queue Listen Now

Credit Rating Upgrade Is Good News For Greece

5:44am December 20, 2012

by Joanna Kakissis

A day after eurozone lenders finally released about $45 billion in loans to Greece, a top credit agency raised its rating on the country by a six points. It's a rare piece of good news for Greece, which still faces Depression-level unemployment and at least another year of recession.

Queue Listen Now

Economy

Herbalife Brings Almost 500 Jobs to Forsyth County

3:36pm December 19, 2012

Herbalife is moving to Forsyth County. The Winston-Salem Journal reports the company has chosen to locate a manufac

Cyndy Aafedt (left) owns the El Rancho hotel in Williston, N.D. Jobs in town have been hard to fill. Her employee, Mary Joy Hardt (right), who is from the Philippines, is one of many people with J-1 visas helping to fill retail, hotel and restaurant job o

The Downsides Of Living In An Oil Boomtown

11:18am December 18, 2012

by Meg Luther Lindholm

The population explosion in Williston, N.D., has been a blessing and a curse for many local businesses. Stores and restaurants are struggling to find workers because they can't compete with what most oil jobs pay. Plus, there's now a day care shortage, and housing costs have skyrocketed.

Queue Listen Now

Economy

Weighing The Child Tax Credit During Hard Times

7:05am December 17, 2012

There's still no budget deal to prevent the automatic spending cuts and tax increases scheduled to go into effect at the end of this year. There are some tax deductions, credits and other breaks lawmakers are weighing in this budget debate.

Queue Listen Now

Democrats Dig In Their Heels On Entitlement Cuts

1:43pm December 16, 2012

by David Welna

Republicans are insisting on more austere entitlement programs as leaders negotiate a deal to keep the nation from going over the "fiscal cliff" in the new year. But many Democrats are wary of including any far-reaching and long-lasting entitlement reforms in a hastily thrown-together deal.

Queue Listen Now

Economy

R.J. Reynolds Building Remains Vacant

6:54pm December 14, 2012

The downtown Winston-Salem landmark remains vacant after hotel developer Dennis Quaintance opted agains

Queue Listen Now