Economy

Employers are boosting wages to recruit workers as staffing shortages continue to linger. That's raising the prospect of continued high inflation and aggressive interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve.

Why there are growing fears the U.S. is headed to a recession

8:37am April 13, 2022

by Scott Horsley

With inflation at a four-decade high, a growing number of forecasters worry the U.S. economy may be headed to a recession as the Fed gears up to raise interest rates aggressively.

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Spike in inflation presents further challenges for the Biden administration

7:53am April 13, 2022

NPR's A Martinez speaks to Brian Deese, director of the National Economic Council, about inflation's economic and political challenges, and the Biden administration's plans to curb price hikes.

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Politicians and strategists consider soaring inflation's effects on midterms

7:24am April 13, 2022

NPR's A Martinez speaks with political analyst Charlie Cook about the highest inflation in 40 years, and how it's likely to impact this year's midterm election campaigns.

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A man walks past a currency exchange office in central Moscow on Feb. 28. The U.S. and its allies have imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.

3 things to know as Russia heads to a historic debt default

6:26pm April 12, 2022

by David Gura

Events over the past week have brought Russia precariously close to its first default on foreign debt since the Bolshevik Revolution over a century ago.

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HPU Poll surveys North Carolinians on gas prices, inflation

4:29pm April 12, 2022

by Keri Brown

As gas prices rise at the pump, a new poll

How inflation is impacting one mother in the U.S.

4:17pm April 12, 2022

The rate of inflation in the U.S. rose to a little over 8% last month. That's the highest rate since 1981. With the cost of good and services up, it's putting a strain on many families.

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The rate of inflation made its sharpest spike since 1981

4:17pm April 12, 2022

Consumer prices in March were up 8.5% from a year ago — the sharpest increase since December of 1981. Stubbornly high inflation is a challenge for the U.S. economy and the Biden administration.

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'Pandemic, Inc.' author says financial predators made more than $1 billion off COVID

12:59pm April 12, 2022

by Dave Davies

In his new book, ProPublica reporter J. David McSwane says a shocking number of companies that received funds at the beginning of the pandemic to distribute protective gear had no experience doing so.

A shopper walks through a grocery store in Washington, D.C, on March 13. Surging inflation poses a particular challenge for working-class families, impacting the cost of basic necessities such as groceries.

Economy

How soaring inflation forces stark choices

10:21am April 12, 2022

by Scott Horsley

Inflation in March was the highest since December of 1981, with prices up 8.5% from a year ago. Rising prices are especially hard on low-income people, who spend more of their money on necessities.

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Economy

Evictions are headed back to pre-pandemic levels just as rents are spiking

7:55am April 12, 2022

by Camila Vallejo

Rents are skyrocketing and eviction moratoriums are ending. The story of one evicted family in Connecticut could foreshadow what's ahead for vulnerable communities.

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