ECONOMY

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testifies during a House committee hearing in June.

Economy

Transcript: NPR's Full Interview With Fed Chairman Jerome Powell

5:15pm September 04, 2020

In an interview on Friday with NPR's Steve Inskeep, Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell took questions about the current financial crisis, income inequality and about economic recovery.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks to reporters in March in Washington, D.C. In an interview Friday with NPR, Powell said it may take years before the economy has fully recovered.

Economy

Fed's Jerome Powell: Jobless Rate Better Than Expected; Recovery To Take A Long Time

4:51pm September 04, 2020

In an interview with NPR, Powell says it may take years before the economy has fully recovered. He says practicing social distancing and wearing masks is essential for the economy to rebound.

The U.S. Adds 1.4 Million Jobs In August, But Job Growth Is Slowing Down

4:04pm September 04, 2020

by Scott Horsley

U.S. employers added 1.4 million jobs in August, but job growth has slowed since June. In an interview with NPR, however, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the economic recovery is stronger than expected.

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How People Are Scraping By After Expiration Of Federal Unemployment Aid

4:04pm September 04, 2020

NPR checks back with three people who lost their jobs during the pandemic to see how they are managing after federal unemployment assistance lapsed this summer.

A construction worker roofs an apartment complex in Uniondale, N.Y., on May 27. U.S. employers added fewer jobs last month even as the unemployment rate fell to 8.4%.

Economy

Job Gains Slowed Again In August As Employers Added 1.4 Million Jobs

3:32pm September 04, 2020

by Scott Horsley

Fewer jobs were added to the economy last month even as the unemployment rate fell to 8.4%. Job growth has slowed since June in a sign of what could be a long and painful recovery from the recession.

During a StoryCorps interview last week, Joe Bianco, left, and his son Peter, reflected on their craft — one that's been honed in their Brooklyn tool shop for three generations.

Keeping The 'Odd' Family Tool Business Sharp Through 3 Generations

8:20am September 04, 2020

A father and son reflect how their family has honed toolmaking through three generations at their Brooklyn, N.Y., shop. Despite pandemic stresses, they hope to be in business well into the future.

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Diana Yitbarek seeks information about her unemployment claim in Washington, D.C., in July. Applications for jobless benefits nationwide have been dropping but remain very high by historical standards.

Economy

New Jobless Claims Drop Below 1 Million, But There's A Caveat

10:33am September 03, 2020

by Scott Horsley

Another 881,000 people applied for state unemployment benefits last week, the Labor Department says. That's down from the previous week, but the report comes with an asterisk.

Legal Challenges Are Likely After CDC Bans Some Evictions Amid Pandmic

5:49am September 03, 2020

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

The Trump administration is trying to halt residential evictions through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but legal scholars are unsure it will stand up in court.

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In 'Having And Being Had,' Eula Biss Maps Capitalist Game Rules Without Breaking Them

5:00am September 03, 2020

by Kristen Martin

By rooting each meditation in lived experience, the author captures the way the capitalist value system has weaseled itself into the everyday — even implicating herself in its ills and rewards.

A United Airlines plane sits at the gate at Denver International Airport on July 30. The airline industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Economy

United Plans 16,000 Furloughs As Airlines Cut Jobs During Pandemic Downturn

6:35pm September 02, 2020

by Camila Domonoske

Just last week, American Airlines announced that 19,000 job cuts were coming. A federal aid package for the industry expires at the end of the month, and airlines are lobbying for an extension.