Business

Texas investigators say the Smokehouse Creek Fire, the largest in state history, appears to be caused by a downed utility power pole. When it comes to increased risks of starting wildfires, Michael Wara professor at Stanford University says some utilities "are walking into a catastrophe."

Old power lines plus climate change mean a growing risk of utilities starting fires

11:03am March 12, 2024

by Julia Simon

Texas investigators say the largest wildfire in state history appears to be caused by a power line. Aging utility infrastructure ups the risk of starting wildfires as the climate heats up.

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Economy

The Fed wants to see inflation fall closer to 2% before lowering interest rates

5:14am March 12, 2024

The Labor Department will release its February consumer price index findings Tuesday. Inflation has generally been easing, but the headline numbers could get a boost from rising gasoline prices.

Pilots often take micro-naps. How much of a problem is it globally?

5:14am March 12, 2024

An Indonesian airliner veered off-course after both pilots fell asleep. NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Andrew Tangel, aviation reporter for The Wall Street Journal, about the issue.

Morning new brief

5:14am March 12, 2024

Haiti's prime minister says he'll resign once a transitional council is created. Georgia, key to winning the White House, holds a primary on Tuesday. The Labor Department reports on consumer prices.

National

Why flying is still safe despite high-profile problems

5:01am March 12, 2024

by Juliana Kim

United Airlines recently had multiple flight emergencies in the span of a few days. Meanwhile, federal investigators are probing Boeing for the door plug blowout. But flying is still low-risk.

National

A Denver garden center saw backlash after offering jobs to migrants with work permits

6:28pm March 11, 2024

by Andrew Kenney

A Denver garden center wanted to help new migrants and refugees, so it offered jobs to those with work permits. It's totally legal, but the business is getting blowback and tangled in politics.

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Medications are locked in a glass cabinet at a supermarket.

National

Retailers howled about theft last year. Why not now?

12:13pm March 11, 2024

by Alina Selyukh

Mentions of retail theft seem to be fading, their fever pitch cooling. What's changed? And how bad was the problem in the first place?

National

The dangerous combination of aging utility infrastructure and rising wildfire risk

5:12am March 11, 2024

by Julie Simon

Investigators in Texas have found the largest wildfire in the state's history was "ignited by power lines." Experts say many utilities aren't doing enough to reduce the fire threat from power lines.

So-called point-of-sale donations have sharply increased in recent years, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars a year. But the requests to "round up" your bill for charity have really taken off.

National

That spare change you donate at checkout is adding up to millions for charities

10:07am March 10, 2024

by Scott Neuman

So-called point-of-sale donations have sharply increased in recent years, bringing in hundreds of millions a year. But the requests to "round up" your bill for charity have really taken off.

What to know about the 'shrinkflation' bill mentioned in the State of the Union

8:14am March 10, 2024

by Ayesha Rascoe

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., about his bill to combat "shrinkflation" and about the presidential campaign.