Where life got pricier & cheaper in 2024
How did the cost of life in America change this year? Prices overall continued to climb, though more slowly than they had been. And some actually fell.
Business
Bankruptcies were up this year, in spite of the U.S.'s improving economy
Corporate bankruptcies were up in 2023, reaching one of the highest levels in the past decade. Rising interest rates, high debt loads and inflation pushed a growing number of firms to the brink.
After a brutal stretch, a remarkable thing is happening: Cryptocurrencies are surging
Bitcoin and other digital currencies are rallying, emerging from a stormy period with the conviction that crypto is here to stay.
First edible mascot in sports history stars in the Pop-Tarts Bowl
Kansas State beat NC State, 28-19, after which the winning team devoured the giant pastry that emerged from an even more giant toaster in what was a clever marketing move.
Boeing urges airlines to check its 737 Max jets for loose bolts
The FAA says it's closely monitoring the Boeing-requested checks after an unnamed international airline discovered a bolt with a missing nut on a 737 Max while performing routine maintenance.
How the U.S. economy fared this year — and what could lie ahead
NPR's Michel Martin talks to David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution, about how the U.S. economy performed this year — and what could be expected for 2024.
Soaring utility bills push some low-income Californians to the financial brink
Californians face another electricity rate hike, in part to pay for PG&E to bury power lines to prevent wildfires. As climate change raises energy costs, low-income residents struggle to pay bills.
Chinese carmakers flood the European market with electric vehicles
China for the first time has exported more cars than any other country. Its carmakers could become a threat to established car brands in Europe, but they are also a case study for the EV revolution.
2023 showed how online platforms can die
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with tech journalist Cory Doctorow about how 2023 was the year when a lot of people pointed out that some important places on the Internet are getting worse.
How entertainment media could change in 2024
A lot is changing in the media landscape. The industry's troubles this year offer clues about the most important questions companies will face next year.