Economy

Some people who retired during the pandemic are wondering if they made the right move

4:56pm July 13, 2022

by Cathy Carter

More people retired during the COVID-19 pandemic than expected. But with rising inflation, a plunging stock market and a hot housing market, some are wondering if they left their jobs too soon.

Inflation hit 9.1% in June

4:22pm July 13, 2022

by Scott Horsley

Inflation hit a new, 40-year high in June, with consumer prices up 9.1% from a year ago. Gas prices were a big part of this, but the cost of essentials like food and shelter are also rising rapidly.

Queue Listen Now

A worker at a Subway sandwich shop makes a tuna sandwich last year in San Anselmo, California. A lawsuit in federal court accuses the restaurant giant of not using 100% tuna in its offerings — and a judge has denied Subway's request to dismiss the suit.

A U.S. judge rules that Subway can be sued over its '100% tuna' claim

11:42am July 13, 2022

by Bill Chappell

The case centers on what consumers expect when they order a tuna sandwich: the word "tuna" appears 244 times in the plaintiff's 28-page amended complaint.

Gas prices are displayed on a sign at a gas station in Williams, Ariz., on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

No retreat in the summer heat. Inflation blistering at 9.1% in June

10:55am July 13, 2022

by Scott Horsley

Inflation hit a new, four-decade high of 9.1% last month, fueled in part by record high gasoline prices. Gas prices have since fallen, but overall inflation is still elevated.

Queue Listen Now

Five new projects will receive NC Film and Entertainment Grants

10:48am July 13, 2022

by Neal Charnoff

Damaris Mejia runs a child care center out of her Washington, D.C., rowhouse. In an effort to stem a shortage of early educators, the city wants to boost their pay closer to that of public school teachers.

Bonus checks! One year free! How states are trying to fix a broken child care system

10:13am July 13, 2022

by Jennifer Ludden

There's still a shortage of child care teachers and that's keeping parents out of the workforce. Dozens of states are trying to lure back providers and lower costs for families.

Lean Out: Employees Are Accepting Lower Pay In Order To Work Remotely

9:28am July 12, 2022

by Greg Rosalsky

A new study finds American companies are using remote work as a way to avoid giving workers raises; so much so that it's helping to moderate inflation.

Challenges low income countries are facing

4:24pm July 11, 2022

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Dr. Atul Gawande of USAID about the challenges facing low-income countries as they tackle continued COVID surges, a lack of monkey pox vaccines and climate disasters.

Oil price fluctuation can hurt or help in Texas, depending on who you are

9:01am July 10, 2022

by Wade Goodwyn

Oil prices have fallen from their peak earlier this year, but they are still high enough to inflict pain on car owners and to bring big profits to oil producers.

Brandon Schwedes of Port Orange, Fla., with his 11-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son. Schwedes had to move this year when the landlord dramatically raised the rent, then was outbid before finding another place he could afford.

The housing market squeeze pushes renters into bidding wars

5:11pm July 09, 2022

by Jennifer Ludden

Rising mortgage rates and a wave of millennials put more pressure on the rental market. Rents have soared by double digits, but landlords say they're also struggling with higher costs.