Economy

The U.S. Treasury ran a surplus in April, as tax payments jumped by 22% from a year ago. The federal government is still on track to run a deficit of more than $1.5 trillion this year.

Tax revenue jumps 22% in April, but U.S. deficit still looms large

5:24pm May 10, 2024

by Scott Horsley

The U.S. Treasury ran a surplus last month, thanks in part to the April 15th tax deadline. But the federal government is still expected to end the year more than $1.5 trillion in the red.

Medical debt is as much a hallmark of having children as long nights and dirty diapers. The Crivilare family, Andrew, Heather and Rita, 2, are pictured at their kitchen table in Jacksonville, Ill.

Their first baby came with medical debt. These Illinois parents won't have another.

7:18pm May 09, 2024

by Noam Levey

Millions of new parents in the U.S. are swamped by medical debt during and after pregnancy, forcing many to cut back on food, clothing, and other essentials.

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New line of Swiss Army Knives will come without the knife

4:29pm May 09, 2024

by Tinbete Ermyas

Victorinox, the company behind the Swiss army knife, is making a multi-tool without a blade. The CEO said increased regulation of knives in certain countries was behind the decision.

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A U.S. dollar bill is folded into the shape of a gift box and tied with a green ribbon. The gift box is photographed against a blue and green background, and the box is reflected in the surface below.

Economy
Arts

The do's and don'ts of lending money

5:41pm May 08, 2024

by Andrew Limbong

What do you do if a loved one asks to borrow a big sum of money from you? Experts weigh in on when it's OK to fork over the cash — and when you should probably say no.

Economy

Congress has less than a decade to fix Social Security before it runs short of cash

7:20am May 07, 2024

by Scott Horsley

Social Security benefits are facing an automatic cut in less than 10 years unless changes are adopted. The report from Social Security trustees predicts the fund will be exhausted in November of 2033.

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Neoliberal economics: The road to freedom or authoritarianism?

6:30am May 07, 2024

by Greg Rosalsky

Nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz's new book argues the road to tyranny is paved not by too much, but by too little government.

Social Security's finances have improved slightly in the last year. But benefits are still facing an automatic cut in less than a decade unless Congress takes steps to prop up the program.

The clock is ticking to fix Social Security as retirees face automatic cut in 9 years

7:30pm May 06, 2024

by Scott Horsley

Social Security's finances have improved slightly in the last year. But the popular retirement program still faces big challenges including the threat of automatic benefit cuts in less than a decade.

BYD electric cars wait to be loaded onto a ship at a port in Yantai, China, on April 18. China has rapidly become a major auto exporter, but tariffs have kept cheap Chinese EVs out of the U.S. market — so far.

Economy

China makes cheap electric vehicles. Why can't American shoppers buy them?

5:42am May 06, 2024

by Camila Domonoske

American drivers want cheap EVs. Chinese automakers are building them. But you can't buy them in the U.S., thanks to tariffs in the name of U.S. jobs and national security. Two car shoppers weigh in.

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Economy

People say they worry about inflation. Their restaurant spending might show otherwise

8:23am May 05, 2024

Restaurant earnings and pricing tell us the economy is still troubled by inflation but not badly enough for consumers to give up eating out.

Internet bills to swell for millions of Americans as federal subsidies run out

5:13pm May 03, 2024

NPR's Juana Summers speaks with White House senior advisor Tom Perez about the impending end of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which subsidized internet costs for millions of households.

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