Politics: Issues

Lines of travelers snake past TSA agents at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport last fall.

Ready For Fun? First Take Off Your Shoes And Wait In Long Airport Lines

8:00am March 10, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

Airlines are expecting record numbers of spring break travelers. Both the industry and TSA are expecting airport screening checkpoints to have long lines. They urge travelers to arrive early.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Yasiel Puig shakes hands with fans Dec. 16 at the Latin American Stadium in Havana during a Major League Baseball goodwill tour. Puig and fellow Cuban national Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox returned home Tuesday for the firs

MLB Hopes New Openness Will Ease Players' Path From Cuba To The Majors

9:50am March 05, 2016

by Brian Naylor

The league's plan, which needs approval from the players' union and both governments, would allow direct pickups of Cuban players — no defections — in exchange for cash support for the sport there.

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A cashier counts money at a Toys "R" Us in Los Angeles last November. A pinch in earnings and hours disappointed those looking for a pickup in paychecks last month.

Sure, There's More Hiring. But When Will Wages Rebound?

3:19pm March 04, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

The latest jobs report showed a surprisingly strong hiring surge, with employers adding 242,000 jobs last month. But a pinch in earnings and hours disappointed those looking for a pickup in paychecks.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has unveiled a health care plan that starts with repealing Obamacare.

Trump Health Plan Recycles GOP Staples And Adds A Populist Wrinkle

6:07pm March 03, 2016

by Scott Hensley

Donald Trump drew fire in recent debates for his lack of specifics on how he would change the country's health care system. He released a plan Wednesday that is unlikely to satisfy critics.

Gasoline prices are displayed at a filling station in Philadelphia.

Gas Prices Pop Up Despite Historic Supplies Of Oil. Blame Spring

4:36pm March 02, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

The Energy Information Administration says oil inventories are at "historically high" levels. Still, gas prices have been heading up because oil refineries are switching to more costly summer blends.

Politics & Government

Sick Of Political Parties, Unaffiliated Voters Are Changing Politics

5:00am February 28, 2016

More voters identify as independent than Republican or Democrat. And they're changing the political system around the country.

Economists On Candidates' Proposals: Mostly Bad

6:27pm February 26, 2016

by Jess Jiang

We took a sample of the most novel economic proposals and asked a panel of economists: Are they good or bad?

A plane takes off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Head-Scratcher Alert: Jet Fuel Prices Are Falling And Airfares Are Rising

9:11am February 25, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

Airlines have been paying the lowest prices in years for jet fuel. Nevertheless, fares are rising and many fuel surcharge fees remain. Traveler advocates are angry but airlines say labor costs are up.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a Las Vegas high school last Friday.

Hillary Clinton Hitches Her Health Care Wagon To Obamacare

4:33pm February 23, 2016

by Alison Kodjak

Rather than sweeping reform, Clinton's health plan is a collection of tweaks to the Affordable Care Act. The proposed changes are aimed at trimming consumer costs and improving coverage.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, a 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, has proposed a health care policy he calls "Medicare for All." But some left-leaning economists say the plan doesn't pencil out.

Sanders' Health Plan Renews Debate On Universal Coverage

1:08pm February 23, 2016

by Alison Kodjak

Left-leaning economists and Democratic analysts are sparring over Sanders' proposal of health care for all, paid for by the government. Some who like his aspiration say the numbers don't add up.

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