Business

With The FDA Approval, Employers Can Now Require Vaccination Against COVID

4:41pm August 23, 2021

by Scott Horsley

Now that the Food and Drug Administration has given formal approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, more employers may insist that their workers get the shot.

Norma Jasso, 62, sped up retirement plans after her daughter asked for help with a new baby. She stands with a highchair her father had commissioned from a shop in Sinaloa, Mexico. Her daughters used it and now her grandson will too.

Economy

These Older Workers Hadn't Planned To Retire So Soon. The Pandemic Sped Things Up

1:00pm August 23, 2021

by Andrea Hsu

Millions more people than expected joined the ranks of the retired in the pandemic. While some did so joyfully, others were reluctant or had no choice.

An Apple II Manual Sells At Auction For $787,484

5:51am August 23, 2021

The manual was signed and personally inscribed by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in 1980. The auction house said the winning bidder was Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts.

Economy

The Federal Reserve Changes Strategy As The Economy Begins To Recover

7:59am August 22, 2021

by David Gura

To help prop up the U.S. economy during the pandemic, the Federal Reserve has bought more than $1 trillion worth of bonds. Now, the central bank is beginning to talk about ending that program.

The 42 Million Americans Who Receive SNAP Benefits Are Set To Get $36 More A Month

7:59am August 22, 2021

Susan Davis speaks to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about the new increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits.

National

Liz Shuler On Her Vision As New AFL-CIO President

5:23pm August 21, 2021

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Liz Shuler, the newly elected president of the AFL-CIO, about her goals for the organization and the future of the labor movement.

Dean Burrows runs Gear Motions, which makes precision gears for machines. He has had to turn down some orders because he can't find enough workers.

Economy

Finding Workers Is Harder Than Ever. The Economic Impact Could Be Significant

1:22pm August 21, 2021

by Scott Horsley

Employers hired more than 1.8 million workers in June and July. But millions of others are still on the sidelines. That's leading to long wait times and is forcing some businesses to turn down orders.

Liz Shuler will serve as president of AFL-CIO till June 2022 after being elected by the federation's executive council. She replaces longtime labor leader Richard Trumka who died unexpectedly earlier this month.

Liz Shuler Becomes The 1st Woman To Lead The AFL-CIO

11:02am August 21, 2021

by Wynne Davis

Shuler will serve as president of the AFL-CIO until June 2022. The union's No. 2 official replaces longtime labor leader Richard Trumka, who died earlier this month.

World News

The Future Is Uncertain For Women In Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule

8:55am August 21, 2021

Scott Simon speaks with Manizha Wafeq of the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry about if and how women can continue to make gains under new Taliban rule.

National

From 'The Indicator': Holy Cow, It's Fake Meat!

4:35pm August 20, 2021

The plant-based meat industry is growing rapidly, and companies that have traditionally focused on fattening cows with grass, corn, soy and other crops are now trying to take beef out of the equation.