What Happened When Planet Money Bought 100 Barrels of Crude Oil
It's pretty easy to buy a tank of gasoline. It's not so easy to buy a tanker of crude oil. Here's what happened when a team of radio reporters tried it.
Economy
Springfield, Ohio: A Shrinking City Faces A Tough Economic Future
As it transitions away from manufacturing, Springfield relies more on lower-paying service jobs. For many, a middle-class life is out of reach. But some see signs of hope for the local economy.
Poverty Rate Falls In Forsyth County
Poverty is declining in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau.
For Some Seniors Without Housing, A Parking Lot Is Home
In the city of Santa Barbara, north of Los Angeles, the demand for senior housing is so great the wait list is now closed. For many of those seniors, their only safe living option is in their cars.
Venus Williams And Sallie Krawcheck Want Women To Invest
Tennis star Venus Williams is a backer and Sallie Krawcheck heads a new investment company aimed at women. They talk about why they think a platform like this is needed.
A Nation Engaged: Is This Still A Land Of Economic Opportunity?
NPR's series, A Nation Engaged, takes a deeper look at economic opportunity in 21st century America. Is the middle class still shrinking, and what can political leaders do to help?
Can Colombia Finally Fix Its Split Personality?
It's a country of booming urban centers and poor and lawless rural regions. A pending peace deal between the government and the guerrillas promises to end this divide.
Episode 573: Why Textbook Prices Keep Climbing
Prices of new textbooks have been going up like crazy — faster than food, cars, even healthcare. On today's show: Why textbooks have gotten so expensive.
A Lightbulb Moment: All Her Practice Added Up To Triumph
Eileen Kushner strove — and strove, and strove — to overcome a learning disability diagnosed later in her life. But Kushner, who was inspired by Edison, found a crucible in her job at McDonald's.
A Piece Of The Past, A Price In The Present: Paying For The Erie Canal
The Erie Canal was once one of the country's most important trade routes. Some are questioning whether this historical relic is still worth the tens of millions of dollars needed to maintain it.