No Cost Of Living Increase For Social Security Recipients In 2016
The move will affect some 65 million Americans. It's only the third time that's happened since 1975, when automatic inflation adjustments began.
Economy
China's White Elephants: Ghost Cities, Lonely Airports, Desolate Factories
China's economic growth is slowing and misallocation of resources is making things worse. In one city in recession, the new airport is mostly empty and plans for a giant liquor factory have stalled.
When Businesses Opt Out Of Workers' Comp, Employees May Struggle For Care
As states consider allowing employers to completely opt out of workers' compensation plans, NPR and ProPublica take a look at how the concept has worked in Texas.
What Do We Know About People Who Don't (And Never Did) Have Cable?
One analyst finds that economics is the key driver behind the growing phenomenon of so-called "cord-nevers," people who never subscribed to cable or satellite TV.
Federal Student Loans Expand To Cover Some Coding Boot Camps
The U.S. Department of Education has unveiled a pilot program to provide loans for some of these alternative higher-ed programs.
Mississippi River Basin Gets A Grade Of D+
A group that measures river basin health cited the poor condition of infrastructure such as locks and dams, among other things, on what it says is the world's fourth-largest watershed.
New Federal Rules Aim To Protect Homeowners By Changing Mortgage Application
New federally mandated rules for mortgages go into effect at the end of this week. The goal: to keep people from getting pressured into signing bad loans or getting bait-and-switched when they go to close on their home loan.
Texas, Oklahoma Permit Companies To Dump Workers' Compensation Plans
The NPR/ProPublica investigation examining workers' compensation continues with a look at an emerging trend: employers opting out of workers' comp altogether.
Colored Pencils, Watercolors, Brushes: Art Supplies Add Up
Teachers spend a lot of their own cash on school supplies. But art teachers, with all kinds of special materials, can spend even more.
Volkswagen Faces Uphill Battle In Repairing Tarnished Reputation
Volkswagen faces two enormous repair jobs: fixing its polluting diesel cars and its battered reputation. Both may be much harder to fix than anything other scandal-plagued car companies have faced.