Economy

A surge in the cost of flood insurance could make housing unaffordable for many

5:05pm October 11, 2021

by Greg Allen

Millions of homeowners with federal flood insurance are seeing their rates spike, in some cases by thousands of dollars. FEMA says the new program better reflects the real risks of climate change.

Displayed is a file photo of a Nobel Prize medal on Dec. 8, 2020. The Nobel Prize in economic sciences was awarded to three U.S-based professors for their pioneering work with "natural experiments."

Economy

Three economists win Nobel for their research on how real life events impact society

9:10am October 11, 2021

by Scott Horsley

The U.S.-based economists shared this year's Nobel in economics for their work with "natural experiments," such as studying how changes to the minimum wage impact the labor market.

Economy

3 U.S.-based economists win the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics

7:27am October 11, 2021

Their work drew conclusions from unintended experiments, or so-called natural experiments — real events or policy changes that can be studied empirically to answer important questions in society.

Far fewer jobs were added in September than forecasted

4:38pm October 08, 2021

by Scott Horsley

September's job gains fell short of expectations, with U.S. employers adding just 194,000 jobs. The unemployment rate fell below 5%, but that was in part because people dropped out of the workforce.

The unemployment rate dipped to 4.8% in September, from 5.2% in August, although some of that decline resulted from people dropping out of the workforce.

Economy

August's jobs numbers were bad. September was even worse, but there's room for hope

11:46am October 08, 2021

by Scott Horsley

The Labor Department says the U.S. added just 194,000 jobs last month, even lower than the lackluster showing in August. The unemployment rate fell to 4.8%.

Economy

Latest jobs report sheds more light on how the U.S. economy is doing

8:44am October 08, 2021

Employers added 194,000 jobs in September, a second month of disappointing growth. Employers added 194,000 jobs in September, down from a revised 366,000 jobs in August, the Labor Department says.

News brief: Texas abortion law, jobs report, CIA's focus on China

7:56am October 08, 2021

Some clinics in Texas are offering abortions again after a federal judge intervened. The Labor Department issues its monthly jobs report. The CIA director says China is the agency's main focus.

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Economy

Planet Money investigates the logjams that keep renters from receiving aid

7:56am October 08, 2021

Millions of Americans are at risk of eviction, and billions of dollars in help from Congress isn't reaching most of them. What's taking so long for people who need rental assistance to get the money?

States with diverse tax revenue streams see their budgets bounce back

7:40am October 08, 2021

by Nicole Nixon

This time last year, state revenue outlooks were tanking. Some states with high income-earners, such as California, are seeing budget surpluses like they haven't seen in decades.

Job numbers are expected to have improved in September

4:59pm October 07, 2021

by Scott Horsley

September was supposed to be the month that Americans went back to work. Job gains are expected to be stronger than they were in August, but hiring is unlikely to match the levels of early summer.