ECONOMY

'The Hidden Wealth Of Nations' Author Explores World Of Offshore Tax Havens

4:28pm April 04, 2016

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Gabriel Zucman, author of The Hidden Wealth of Nations, about the leaked Panama papers and what they say about the practice of hiding money offshore worldwide. He's estimated that up to 8 percent of the world's financial wealth is hidden away.

California Gov. Jerry Brown Signs State's $15 Minimum Wage Law

4:28pm April 04, 2016

by Kirk Siegler

California becomes the first state in the nation to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour Monday, when Gov. Jerry Brown signs a bill in Los Angeles that phases in the increase over the next six years.

A Virgin America plane lands at San Francisco International Airport.

Alaska Air To Buy Virgin America For $2.6 Billion

3:29pm April 04, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

If approved by regulators and Virgin America's shareholders, the combined airline will become the fifth-largest U.S. carrier.

The New Mexico True campaign by the state's tourism department showcases activities and landmarks in New Mexico.

New Mexico's Truth: Stunning Vistas And Child Poverty?

12:40pm April 04, 2016

by Megan Kamerick

"New Mexico True" is the state's tourism campaign, but an advocacy group created "New Mexico Truth" as a parody to highlight a reality in the state: high child poverty and low graduation rates.

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U.S. President Barack Obama, joined by Vice President Joe Biden, share a laugh as Obama delivers remarks at the Easter Prayer Breakfast at the White House.

FACT CHECK: The White House's Private-Sector Job Streak

2:25pm April 03, 2016

by Danielle Kurtzleben

How much can a president take credit for job growth in the private sector?

U.S. Economy Added 215,000 Jobs, Unemployment Rose To 5 Percent In March

6:55pm April 01, 2016

by Chris Arnold

March was another month of solid hiring for U.S. employers with payrolls increasing by 215,000. The unemployment rate actually ticked up a notch last month, but that was because all the hiring drew people off of the sidelines and back into the workforce. When that happens the unemployment rate can go up because there are more people looking for work.

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California, New York To Raise Minimum Wages To $15 An Hour

6:47pm April 01, 2016

by Hansi Lo Wang

California and New York are set to become the first two states in the country to raise minimum wages to $15 an hour. The hike has already started to take place in some cities. But it's not clear how increases at the state level would impact jobs and the rest of the economy.

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Economy

Puerto Rico Credit Union Builds Confidence With A New Headquarters

6:35pm April 01, 2016

by Robert Smith

As Puerto Rico faces a debt crisis, the island's banking institutions are trying to keep their customers calm. One great trick: making your building look solid.

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The drivers for Metro Africa Xpress get a good salary — and a cool uniform. People say the outfits make the drivers look like "RoboCop on the street."

Neither Rain Nor Snow Nor Lack Of Address Will Stop These Deliverymen

6:34pm April 01, 2016

by Malaka Gharib

Lots of houses in Nigeria have no numbers, so deliveries are often late. But two techies have devised a solution. And they're creating new jobs in the process.

Civilian labor force participation rate, March 2007-2016.

Minimum And Overall Wages Are Rising, Luring Workers Back

4:48pm April 01, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

For workers who want a raise, this was an encouraging week, with minimum-wage legislation gaining momentum and employers paying more across the board.