Economy

Economy

U.S. Growth Slows To 2.6 Percent Pace In The Fourth Quarter

11:47am January 26, 2018

by Marilyn Geewax

The U.S. economy expanded at a decent pace in the final months of 2017. But most economists had been expecting stronger growth. This dashed hopes for three straight quarters of growth above 3 percent.

State Board Of Community Colleges To Cap Paid Holidays

11:14am January 26, 2018

by David Ford

A new report finds many North Carolina community colleges are offering more paid holidays than other state and county employees receive.

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A woman pushing a stroller walks in front of a Rakuten Cafe store at a shopping district in Tokyo in 2014. Rakuten is Japan's largest e-commerce company.

Walmart To Launch Online Grocery Delivery In Japan, E-Book Sales In U.S.

6:11am January 26, 2018

by Doreen McCallister

The U.S. retailing giant is partnering with Japan's biggest e-commerce company with the aim of advancing in a competitive international market. Walmart has also announced layoffs at its headquarters.

Economy

A Mafia Story With a Twist

3:57pm January 25, 2018

Today on the show: citrus, globalization, and the birth of the mafia.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is warning investors about the potential for volatility and fraud in new cryptocurrency products.

Amid Bitcoin Frenzy, SEC Warns Against Risky Cryptocurrency Products

2:35pm January 25, 2018

by Ian Wren

The Securities and Exchange Commission is worried about the rise of new ways to invest in digital currencies like bitcoin. Regulators warn of potential "fraud and manipulation" in proposed funds.

Douglas Bruce celebrates voters' approval of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights Nov. 3, 1992

Economy

Episode 819: Tax Me If You Can

7:05pm January 24, 2018

Douglas Bruce had a bold vision for Colorado.

Mick Mulvaney, a former Republican lawmaker and current White House budget chief, was also picked as interim head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Under Trump Appointee, Consumer Protection Agency Seen Helping Payday Lenders

6:25pm January 24, 2018

by Chris Arnold

As a congressman, Mick Mulvaney accepted donations from payday lenders. Now he's in control of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has delayed implementing payday lending rules.

Tom Hansen's irregular pay leaves him and his wife, Gina Barr, juggling their finances to pay the bills.

For One Family, Contract Work Means 'Feast Or Famine' As Income Varies

5:26pm January 24, 2018

by Jim Zarroli

An NPR/Marist survey found that 1 in 5 workers is a contractor, not a steady payroll employee. For about half of these workers, income can vary greatly from month to month, making budgeting difficult.

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Economy

A Long-Term Bet Gone Bust

4:00pm January 24, 2018

Long-term-care insurance seemed like the next big thing. Then insurance companies started losing billions of dollars. What went wrong?

The town sign stands in the snow at the entrance to Davos, Switzerland, host to the 48th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum taking place this week. Donald Trump will be among the attendees.

Why The Internet Loves And Hates Oxfam's Global Inequality Report

3:01pm January 24, 2018

by Tom Murphy

The annual report is intended for the rich and powerful who gather in Davos to talk about world poverty. And it causes the Twittersphere to flare up.