ECONOMY

Robin Radaetz holds a sign in front of the Lehman Brothers headquarters in 2008 in New York. Lehman Brothers' Chapter 11 declaration was the biggest bankruptcy filing ever at the time.

Lessons From Congress' Last Experience Helping Rescue An Economy In Free Fall

5:39pm April 16, 2020

by Kelsey Snell

Congress isn't known for passing broad legislation quickly. Its response to the 2008 economic crisis has parallels with that to the coronavirus pandemic, which could mean political blowback for some.

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How Governments Around The World Are Reacting To The Economic Shutdown

4:53pm April 16, 2020

The U.S. government is spending over $2 trillion to help the nation overcome the coronavirus economic shutdown. NPR correspondents in India, Mexico and Germany relay what other governments are doing.

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Idaho Gov. Brad Little speaks with reporters at the Statehouse in Boise last month. In a statement released Wednesday, Little told residents that some businesses — those at which safe social distancing can be practiced — may have an opportunity to reo

Some States Express Optimism About Reopening For Business Next Month

4:45pm April 16, 2020

by Colin Dwyer

Idaho, Ohio and North Dakota at least have told nonessential businesses they may be OK to reopen May 1. Their optimism echoes the line coming from the White House — but others fear it's too soon.

Economy

22 Million Americans Have Now Filed For Unemployment In The Last 4 Weeks

4:20pm April 16, 2020

In the past four weeks, a total of 22 million Americans have filed jobless claims. NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Elise Gould, senior economist with the Economic Policy Institute.

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Coronavirus Updates: The Economic Toll

4:20pm April 16, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic — and the resulting shutdown — have now eliminated at least 22 million American jobs. NPR correspondents relay the latest on the United States response.

Economy

When Rent Doesn't Get Paid, Someone Pays A Price

4:20pm April 16, 2020

by Mary Childs

What happens when millions of Americans don't pay the rent? Landlords don't get paid, and they pass on the debt to someone else. NPR's Planet Money follows the chain of non-payment all the way.

Left: Allie Clancy could not finish her dream internship at Boston's TD Garden arena. (Jonas Spencer/Courtesy of Allie Clancy); Right: Brittany Weaver is about to graduate from College of the Ozarks in Missouri. (Kressa Phillips/Courtesy of Brittany Weave

Graduating In A Pandemic: Advice For The Anxious Post-College Job Search

4:20pm April 16, 2020

We spoke to students about to graduate into the workforce and posed their questions and anxieties to career counselors. Some advice: Be flexible, make it personal, network and look for bright spots.

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Ray Dalio speaks at an economic summit held for the China Development Forum in Beijing on March 23, 2019. Dalio says the coronavirus crisis is exacerbating income inequality.

Economic Recovery Will Require 'Lessening Of The Wealth Gap,' Says Hedge Fund Titan

4:13pm April 16, 2020

by Noel King

Even before the coronavirus pandemic, Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates warned the wealth gap represented a "national emergency." The outbreak, he says, is only exacerbating the challenges.

Jovita Carranza, head of the Small Business Administration, has urged Congress to appropriate more money for the Paycheck Protection Program as soon as possible.

Small Business Emergency Relief Program Hits $349 Billion Cap In Less Than 2 Weeks

3:45pm April 16, 2020

by Danielle Kurtzleben

The Paycheck Protection Program, which opened on April 3, has been plagued with delays and technical difficulties. Republicans and Democrats agree on adding more funding, but they disagree on how.

"It's really intense and it's really frightening," says Nicolena Loshonkohl in Roanoke, Va. She's a single mom with a 2-year-old daughter and lost her job at a hair salon a month ago. Loshonkohl is still waiting on the bulk of her unemployment benefits to

Unemployment Money Not Reaching Millions Of People Who Applied

2:26pm April 16, 2020

by Chris Arnold

Nearly 17 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits in recent weeks, but a large portion have yet to receive any money. Freelancers and gig workers face some of the longest delays.

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