ECONOMY

News brief: gas prices fall, remembering Charlottesville, Iran nuclear talks

5:53am August 11, 2022

The national average for a gallon of gas has dropped below $4. It's been 5 years since a violent white nationalist rally rocked Charlottesville, Va. Efforts continue to revive the Iran nuclear deal.

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69% of Native Americans say inflation has caused major financial problems, poll finds

5:14pm August 10, 2022

by Katia Riddle

A new Harvard-NPR poll finds that 69% of Native Americans say inflation is causing them to have trouble making ends meet. Higher food and gas prices compound an already precarious situation.

The Inflation Reduction Act and its impact on carbon capture, explained

5:14pm August 10, 2022

NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Jamil Farbes, principal at Evolved Energy Research, about the technology and future of carbon capture and what the Inflation Reduction Act could do for the industry.

A driver pumps gas at a Gulf gas station in Lynnfield, Mass., on July 19. Gasoline prices are dropping, which is helping bring down inflation. But the cost of many other things are still climbing.

Inflation is cooling thanks to gas prices, but many things still cost a lot more

4:36pm August 10, 2022

by Scott Horsley

Falling gasoline prices put a dent in the July inflation rate, which fell to 8.5% from 9.1% in June. But other costs such as housing continue to climb, putting a strain on many family budgets.

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A student pilot and flight instructor prepare to take off on a training flight outside of Phoenix.

Proposals would ease standards, raise retirement age to address pilot shortage

2:38pm August 10, 2022

by David Schaper

Airlines blame a shortage of pilots for widespread cancellations and reduced service. Would allowing pilots to keep flying past age 65 and reducing the 1,500-hour flight training requirement help?

Economy

Families are continuing to have to deal with the effects of inflation

5:19am August 10, 2022

Falling gasoline prices are expected to put a dent in the latest inflation rate. But other costs, such as housing, continue to climb, putting a strain on many family budgets.

Fast-growing green jobs pay more, Wake Forest economist says

5:37pm August 09, 2022

by Paul Garber

New research by Wake Forest University economist Mark Curtis finds that jobs in the renewable energy sector have tripled in the last 15 years, a figure that could grow with the recent passage of th

President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday. The legislation is aimed at boosting the domestic production of semiconductors.

Biden signs semiconductor bill into law, though Trump raid overshadows event

4:43pm August 09, 2022

by Barbara Sprunt

This was supposed to be a week where President Biden celebrated a series of legislative victories. But it was overtaken by news that FBI agents had searched the home of former President Donald Trump.

Nikki Cox faced possible eviction this summer after her work hours were cut, and then she lost three weeks of pay after getting COVID-19.

'We have nowhere to go': Many face eviction during a crisis in affordable housing

12:21pm August 09, 2022

by Jennifer Ludden

Most Americans say a lack of affordable housing is a serious problem where they live. An NPR poll also finds nearly twice as many Black renters as white faced an eviction threat in the past year.

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Economy

Hot econ summer: The soundtrack to Planet Money Summer School

6:30am August 09, 2022

by Greg Morton

It's a summer of macro at Planet Money. Celebrate hot econ summer with our playlist.