ECONOMY

Economy

Paid Family Leave Gains Ground For Private, Public Sector Workers

2:01pm December 28, 2015

by Yuki Noguchi

This was a big year in paid leave policies, especially among private firms. Some cities and states also passed bills to expand parental leave ahead of Congress, which is considering the Family Act.

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Shoppers walk out of Uniqlo on 5th Ave. in New York City on Black Friday, Nov. 27.

Brick-And-Mortar Stores Go Further To Get You In The Door

3:03pm December 27, 2015

While online shopping grows, traditional retailers are amping up their in-store experiences to draw in customers. But online stores are realizing they have something to gain from physical stores too.

Pedestrians are reflected in the glass of a window showing share prices at the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Dec. 17. At least five business stories had major impacts in 2015. They involved everything from crashing oil prices to merging beer companies.

Arguably, These Are The 5 Business Stories That Shaped 2015

1:13pm December 27, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

Compared with the Great Recession years, 2015 was a fairly tame time. Still, at least five stories had major impacts. They involved everything from crashing oil prices to merging beer companies.

Not All Santa Costumes Are Created Equal: A Tariff Dispute Over Red Suits

4:18pm December 24, 2015

by Jacob Goldstein

Not all Santa costumes are equal under the eyes of the law. U.S. trade regulations draw a line between costumes and clothing. But it's a fuzzy line with real business consequences. Jacob Goldstein of the Planet Money podcast dons the red suit and black boots for this story.

Low Gas Prices Expected To Continue In 2016

5:43pm December 23, 2015

by Jeff Brady

U.S. drivers are becoming accustomed to lower prices at the pump, and sales of bigger cars are rising. But if people start driving more because they can afford it, will it hurt environmental efforts?

Despite Energy Savings, Consumers In Vermont Remain Cautious

4:07pm December 23, 2015

by Nina Keck

Average gasoline prices fell below $2 a gallon this week. That means U.S. consumers saved more than $100 billion this year at the gas pump, or about $550 per licensed driver. At the same time, falling natural gas prices — combined with warm temperatures in much of the country — will mean big savings on heating bills. But consumers don't seem to be spending more yet. Why? In Vermont, at least, people are worried about warm days hurting tourism.

The two sides of a new 100-ruble banknote depict a memorial to sunken ships in the port of Sevastopol, the site of Russia's naval base, and the Swallow's Nest, a mock castle on a clifftop near Yalta.

Russia Marks Crimea Annexation With A Banknote Rapidly Losing Value

4:03pm December 23, 2015

by Corey Flintoff

The 100-ruble note is worth about half of what it was worth in February 2014, just before Russia seized the Black Sea peninsula. The ruble could depreciate even more in the coming year.

Homeless veterans face an uphill climb — and not simply because of the tight housing markets in cities. Even if they've found open properties, and have the rental checks to pay for them, some landlords are still reluctant to accept them.

Homeless Veterans Face Challenges Beyond The Rental Check

9:50am December 23, 2015

by Pam Fessler

Thousands of homeless military vets have government vouchers for rent. But landlords aren't always willing to accept them, partly because of tight housing markets and stereotypes about the tenants.

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A school bus drop off students in Nashville, Tenn., where the city's school district has experienced one of the worst shortages of drivers in the country.

Amid Economic Recovery, School Districts Desperate For Bus Drivers

8:51am December 23, 2015

by Blake Farmer

When unemployment is high, school districts have very little trouble finding drivers. But low unemployment spawns an exodus. In Nashville, Tenn., the needs are especially pressing.

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Impeachment Bid Against President Drives Political Turmoil In Brazil

7:10pm December 22, 2015

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

What's going on in Brazil? The president could be facing impeachment, and the country is going through its toughest economic downturn in years. NPR explores some of the challenges Brazil is facing.

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