ECONOMY

March Jobs Report Highlights Rise In Non-Traditional Employment

4:23pm April 01, 2016

A rapidly growing number of people in the U.S. work in non-traditional jobs. Uber represents one segment of these people, but a much larger share are temporary employees, freelancers, and contractors who work as janitors, cafeteria workers, payroll officers and more. NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Princeton economist Alan Krueger about his research into alternative work arrangements.

One Year On, Seattle Explores Impact Of $15 Minimum Wage Law

4:23pm April 01, 2016

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with University of Washington Professor Jacob Vigdor about the state of the minimum wage in Seattle, as California and New York move to lift their minimum wages to $15.

Job seekers fill out applications inside the employment center at the Six Flags Entertainment Corp. Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson, N.J., in March.

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

10:56am April 01, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The 0.1 percentage-point rise in unemployment was driven by some good news: More people who have been out of work started looking for a job again.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has accepted a takeover offer from Marriott International, after Chinese firm Anbang Insurance Group Co. withdrew from takeover talks.

Marriott To Buy Starwood Hotels, After Chinese Firm Quits Pursuit

9:17am April 01, 2016

by Bill Chappell

Marriott says that the boards of both hotel companies approved the deal after the Beijing-based Anbang Insurance Group ended its pursuit.

Despite Low Unemployment, Veterans Struggle To Find Meaningful Jobs

10:27pm March 31, 2016

by Quil Lawrence

Unemployment for recent veterans has hit a historic low, but it's not clear how many veterans are able to use their military experience to get meaningful employment.

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Farmer Aubrey Fletcher of Purdy, Mo., is one of thousands of women who have taken on leadership roles in the traditionally male-dominated agriculture industry. Despite her busy workload, Fletcher has been making the time to meet regularly with a new group

Women Farmers Band Together To Vent, Seek Support And Exchange Ideas

7:00am March 31, 2016

by Suzanne Hogan

The agriculture industry is traditionally male-dominated. But that's changing: Over the past 15 years, the fraction of U.S. farms run by women has nearly tripled.

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew Defends The 'Smart Power' Of Economic Sanctions

5:09pm March 30, 2016

by David Welna

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew granted NPR an exclusive interview to lay out his vision for the role of sanctions in U.S. foreign policy and national security. He touted what he called the success of sanctions on Iran but also conceded they are not a panacea and should not be overused.

The Story Of Line 24: How Performing Artists Landed On The Tax Form

4:52pm March 30, 2016

by Jacob Goldstein

Many of the lines on tax forms like the 1040 seem oddly specific. Some are for farmers, some for divorcees, some for servicemen and women. Behind each of those we can see the process that shapes our tax code. NPR looks at one line — for performing artists — and how it came to be.

IRS Commissioner Details Growing Problem Of Taxpayer Identity Theft

4:36pm March 30, 2016

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with IRS Commissioner John Koskinen about the state of e-tax hacks.

Terrell Walker says that her apartment in Washington, D.C., has mold and problems with heating and old appliances. She's been withholding rent in an effort to get her landlord to fix up the apartment.

Low-Income Renters Squeezed Between Too-High Rents And Subpar Housing

10:58am March 30, 2016

by Pam Fessler

Tenants often stop paying rent to force the repair of poor conditions in the only housing they can afford. But landlords say can't fix the problems until they get the rent. It's a vicious cycle.

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