Business

Mayors Of College Towns Face Economic Toll Of Remote Learning

9:41am August 30, 2020

NPR's Debbie Elliot asks Mayor Walt Maddox of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Mayor Donnie Tuck of Hampton, Va., and Mayor Bruce Teague of Iowa City, Iowa, how they're trying to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

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Patrick Ryan, technical manager at TikTok, is suing the Trump administration over the president's executive order aimed at banning business transactions between Americans and TikTok's parent company ByteDance.

TikTok Workers Feel 'Anxiety,' 'Anger,' And 'Rage,' Amid Trump Crackdown

5:36pm August 29, 2020

by Bobby Allyn

TikTok employee Patrick Ryan has launched a legal challenge against the Trump administration to protect TikTok workers. The White House has given the popular app an ultimatum: Sell or be banned.

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A home damaged by Hurricane Laura is seen Friday in Hackberry, La. Damage estimates from the storm range from around $4 billion to $12 billion.

National

Hurricane Laura Losses Include 10 Deaths, Up To $12 Billion

5:07pm August 28, 2020

by Bill Chappell

Laura is blamed for at least 10 deaths, and it's estimated to have caused anywhere from $4 billion to $12 billion in damages. But officials and experts say the price tag could have been far worse.

People eat in an outdoor dining area in New York City's Chinatown on Aug. 10. Economists warn spending may suffer this month.

Economy

Rebound In Consumer Spending Fades In July

3:56pm August 28, 2020

by Scott Horsley

Consumer spending rose 1.9% last month — but the rebound slowed from May and June. Unemployment benefits continued to prop up spending in July, but that may change in August.

Caroline Wells and her family at their new home outside San Antonio. The builders just finished it so the yard has yet to be planted, but the couple are looking forward to letting the kids run out their energy with a lot more outdoor space than they had a

More Space, Please: Home Sales Booming Despite Pandemic, Recession

3:55pm August 28, 2020

by Chris Arnold

Despite high unemployment, a severe recession and economic uncertainty, the housing market is on a tear. Sales are booming, and prices hit a record high. Low rates and remote work are driving factors.

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Metropolitan Museum Of Art Will Reopen This Weekend

7:13am August 28, 2020

by Marisa Mazria Katz

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is scheduled to reopen to the public on Saturday, August 29th. We go behind the scenes to learn how curators and staff hope to pull it off.

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A helicopter flies over a chemical fire at BioLab plant after Hurricane Laura made landfall in Westlake, La., on Aug. 27, 2020.

Chemical Fire Burns Near Lake Charles, La., In Aftermath Of Hurricane Laura

9:31pm August 27, 2020

Smoke is rising over the city from a plant complex that makes chlorine for swimming pools, according to a state official. Residents are advised to shelter in place until further notice.

The Federal Reserve knows that "higher prices for essential items such as food, gasoline and shelter add to the burdens faced by many families," Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said. But he noted that ultra-low inflation or deflation is also a threat.

Economy

Fed Prepared To Let Economy Run Hotter

1:29pm August 27, 2020

by Scott Horsley

The Federal Reserve is adjusting its long-range policy on inflation and employment. The central bank said it's now more concerned with prices that are too low than with runaway inflation.

A shopper walks past shelves of school supplies at a Target store in San Rafael, Calif. Preparing for both in-person and virtual learning has families budgeting for new school supplies and bigger purchases.

A Confusing Back-To-School Season May Lead To Blockbuster Spending

1:05pm August 27, 2020

by Alina Selyukh

Preparing for both in-person and virtual learning has families budgeting for new school supplies like masks and bleach wipes as well as bigger purchases like laptops, speakers, desks and chairs.

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A man walks past a Walmart store in Washington, D.C. on July 15. Walmart said it was "confident" that its joint deal with Microsoft would satisfy both TikTok users and U.S. government regulators.

National

Walmart Joins Microsoft In A Bid To Buy TikTok

12:57pm August 27, 2020

by Alina Selyukh

Walmart cited a potential boost from TikTok to its online presence, including the giant retailer's efforts to grow online advertising and a marketplace for third-party sellers.