ECONOMY

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is being felt as far away as U.S. farm fields

4:29pm March 14, 2022

by Jonathan Ahl

Russia is a major exporter of fertilizer, and economic sanctions are taking their products out of the market, sending fertilizer prices skyrocketing as farmers are getting ready to plant their fields.

President Biden speaks at the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference on Friday in Philadelphia.

Fed's coming interest rate hikes may present another economic challenge for Democrats

12:45pm March 14, 2022

by Domenico Montanaro

In an attempt to curb high inflation, the Federal Reserve is expected this week to begin raising interest rates for the first time in three years.

Economy

As gasoline prices go higher, states consider ways to help motorists

5:14am March 14, 2022

NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with Carola Binder, associate professor of economics at Haverford College, about the implications of a gas tax holiday that some states are currently debating.

Week in politics: Biden bans luxury exports to Russia; new bill for pandemic aid

8:26am March 13, 2022

by Tamara Keith

In Congress, there continues to be bipartisan opposition to Russia's actions in Ukraine, but there's trouble for the Biden administration's request for new spending to deal with the pandemic.

Economy

High inflation is an annoyance for some. Others make painful choices of what to cut

8:03am March 13, 2022

by Scott Horsley

Consumers are spending freely, even as prices climb at the fastest pace in decades. While inflation has put a dent in some people's purchasing power, others have money to burn.

Economy

Gas prices rise as people return to the office — and their commute

9:12am March 12, 2022

by Andrea Hsu

Gas prices are hitting record highs just as some people are returning to their offices for the first time in two years. Now some people are questioning whether this is the right time to go back.

Queue Listen Now

The number of people working in nursing homes is down. So who takes care of elders?

5:12pm March 11, 2022

There's a crisis in elder care: not enough nurses and nurse aids to provide for the needs of older folks. Some economists believe immigration can help.

A sign shows the price of gas outside of a gas station in Washington, D.C, on March 8. Annual inflation is likely to have hit another 40-year high in February, yet the data won't fully capture the most recent surge in energy prices after Russia invaded Uk

Inflation hits another 40-year high. The war in Ukraine could make it worse

10:50pm March 10, 2022

by Scott Horsley

Annual inflation climbed to a new four-decade high in February, with consumer prices up 7.9% from a year ago. The increase does not reflect most of the recent jump in gasoline prices.

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Inflation reached a new 40-year high — even before the big spike in gas prices

7:17pm March 10, 2022

by Scott Horsley

Annual inflation rose to a four-decade high in February, as consumer prices were up 7.9% from a year ago. That does not include most of the spike in gas prices tied to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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With federal rules unclear, some states carve their own path on cryptocurrencies

5:04pm March 10, 2022

by Anthony Tellez

As cryptocurrency become more mainstream, some states are introducing legislation to standardize crypto as a form of payment.