Attitudes about the economy are much better than they were this time last year
The economic outlook has improved considerably from this time last year, when many forecasters were predicting a recession in 2023.
Economy
To tackle poverty, more states will offer bigger child tax credits in 2024
The new benefits take a cue from a pandemic success story — when an expanded U.S. child tax credit briefly cut child poverty in half. Some states include immigrants and index credits to inflation.
Morning news brief
This year is set to be a consequential one in U.S. politics. The U.S. economy performed better than many expected — what's ahead for 2024? Companies working on climate solutions are embracing AI.
The U.S. economy performed better than expected in 2023. A 2024 preview
Will the economy continue to bubble like freshly-popped champagne, or will we suffer a hangover from inflation and high interest rates. Forecasters expect somewhat slower growth and lower inflation.
22 states are raising their minimum wages in the new year
NPR's Rob Schmitz asks Jeannette Wicks-Lim of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, about minimum wage hikes that go into effect in the new year in states, counties, and cities.
A year after China ended its harsh COVID policies, it's struggling to rebound
A year ago, China lifted its draconian COVID restrictions. Many expected the country to bounce back quickly. That hasn't happened.
The crypto comeback
At the start of the year, the market for cryptocurrencies was in the midst of a monthslong crash. But as we close out 2023, some digital currencies are surging.
Where life got pricier & cheaper in 2024
How did the cost of life in America change this year? Prices overall continued to climb, though more slowly than they had been. And some actually fell.
Bankruptcies were up this year, in spite of the U.S.'s improving economy
Corporate bankruptcies were up in 2023, reaching one of the highest levels in the past decade. Rising interest rates, high debt loads and inflation pushed a growing number of firms to the brink.
Davie, Surry and Randolph counties improve in state's economic tier rankings
Davie, Surry, and Randolph were among the four counties that improved their rankings under the latest North Carolina Department of Commerce’s economic tier system.