ECONOMY

Fed Keeps Benchmark Interest Rate, But Still Expects Increase

6:47pm September 21, 2016

by John Ydstie

Fed Chair Janet Yellen says that although job growth is rebounding, she sees no inflation threat and no hurry to raise rates. The Fed is not likely to do so before the presidential election.

Trump Says African-American Communities In 'Worst Shape' Ever; Data Disagree

6:13pm September 21, 2016

by Scott Detrow

A look at major indicators suggests that while African-Americans lag behind the rest of the country in many key areas, they've also experienced steady economic and socioeconomic gains.

November Voters Will Be Asked To Raise Taxes To Fund Transit Projects

8:02am September 21, 2016

by David Schaper

Ballot measures in more than 30 cities would raise $200 billion to expand rail and bus lines, to build new transit stations and to fix and replace aging transit infrastructure.

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How Presidents Can Help Boost American Economic Mobility

6:03pm September 20, 2016

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with UC Berkeley economist Enrico Moretti about what it takes to increase economic mobility and how that could change under a President Clinton or President Trump.

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People attend the Independents' Day Festival in the Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. The city has become a nearly recession-proof hub.

A Diversified Economy Cushions Columbus, Ohio, From Downturns

12:59pm September 20, 2016

by Sonari Glinton

Being the state capital, home to Ohio State University and attractive to younger workers has made Columbus, a nearly recession-proof economic hub of Ohio. Can its success be replicated elsewhere?

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Administration Aims To Fight Crime With Job Training

9:50am September 20, 2016

The Labor Department is handing out $5 million in grants to fund job centers for people coming out of jail. The program is part of a broader effort to reduce recidivism.

Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Colorado Springs earlier this month.

Analysis: Trump Tax Plan Would Cost Trillions, Boost Incomes For The Rich

6:11pm September 19, 2016

by Danielle Kurtzleben

The plan would also help the rich more than the middle class, according to the Tax Foundation. And there's still one huge, $1.5 trillion uncertainty in the plan.

Economy

Planet Money Explores The Value Of Crude Oil

4:36pm September 19, 2016

NPR's Planet Money team embarked on a quest to buy, transport and refine crude oil, and met all the people who make gasoline possible.

It's pretty easy to buy a tank of gasoline. It's not so easy to buy a tanker of crude oil — actual, physical oil. But getting into the oil business seemed like the best way to see how it really works.

Economy

What Happened When Planet Money Bought 100 Barrels of Crude Oil

3:03pm September 19, 2016

by Alex Goldmark

It's pretty easy to buy a tank of gasoline. It's not so easy to buy a tanker of crude oil. Here's what happened when a team of radio reporters tried it.

Molly Mattin pours beer at Mother Stewart's Brewing in Springfield. The new brewery, located in an old warehouse space, is part of the city's downtown revival that includes new shops and a farmers market.

Springfield, Ohio: A Shrinking City Faces A Tough Economic Future

12:43pm September 19, 2016

by Uri Berliner

As it transitions away from manufacturing, Springfield relies more on lower-paying service jobs. For many, a middle-class life is out of reach. But some see signs of hope for the local economy.

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