Biden's $1.9 Trillion Rescue Plan: Vital Medicine Or Costly Overkill?
Backers of the president's ambitious stimulus plan say it will help struggling families and businesses, but critics say it goes too far.
ECONOMY
Costco To Raise Minimum Wage To $16 An Hour: 'This Isn't Altruism'
Next week's pay increase would put Costco ahead of much of the industry. CEO W. Craig Jelinek said higher pay reduces turnover and boosts productivity.
Democrats Say Relief Programs Could Become This Generation's New Deal
Democrats are using the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill to introduce measures they say will reduce poverty. People already at risk for falling behind have seen big setbacks over the past year.
For Black Families, Evictions Are Still At A Crisis Point — Despite Moratorium
"Black individuals make up about 21% of all renters, but they make up 35% of all defendants on eviction cases," says Peter Hepburn, a researcher for Princeton University's Eviction Lab.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell Warns Of Long Road Ahead To Recover Millions Of Lost Jobs
Powell warned it will take time to put millions of jobless Americans back to work, while also downplaying inflation threats.
Who Wins Or Loses If There's An Increase In The Federal Minimum Wage?
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution, about Democrats' aim to pass a COVID-19 relief package with a hike in the federal minimum wage.
Winter Storm Delivers Another Blow To Communities Of Color
Last week's deep winter freeze exposed a series of inequities. Among them, communities of color in Houston face unique challenges recovering from the storm after already being hit hardest by COVID-19.
The Extraordinary Steps Museums Are Taking To Survive The Pandemic
New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art is considering selling some art to help pay the bills. NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Director Max Hollein about the financial duress the museum is experiencing.
Why Some Texas Residents Now Face Huge Electricity Bills
Texans who managed to keep the lights on during the winter storm are getting sky-high electric bills, the product of a deregulated industry that allows power companies to charge variable rates.
Controls On Vaccine Exports 'Hold Back' Pandemic Recovery, Warns Incoming WTO Head
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is set to lead the World Trade Organization. She talked with NPR about the WTO's role in improving access to vaccines and says there's "no doubt" that the WTO needs reforms.