Economy

Far fewer jobs were added in September than forecasted

4:38pm October 08, 2021

by Scott Horsley

September's job gains fell short of expectations, with U.S. employers adding just 194,000 jobs. The unemployment rate fell below 5%, but that was in part because people dropped out of the workforce.

The unemployment rate dipped to 4.8% in September, from 5.2% in August, although some of that decline resulted from people dropping out of the workforce.

Economy

August's jobs numbers were bad. September was even worse, but there's room for hope

11:46am October 08, 2021

by Scott Horsley

The Labor Department says the U.S. added just 194,000 jobs last month, even lower than the lackluster showing in August. The unemployment rate fell to 4.8%.

Economy

Latest jobs report sheds more light on how the U.S. economy is doing

8:44am October 08, 2021

Employers added 194,000 jobs in September, a second month of disappointing growth. Employers added 194,000 jobs in September, down from a revised 366,000 jobs in August, the Labor Department says.

News brief: Texas abortion law, jobs report, CIA's focus on China

7:56am October 08, 2021

Some clinics in Texas are offering abortions again after a federal judge intervened. The Labor Department issues its monthly jobs report. The CIA director says China is the agency's main focus.

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Economy

Planet Money investigates the logjams that keep renters from receiving aid

7:56am October 08, 2021

Millions of Americans are at risk of eviction, and billions of dollars in help from Congress isn't reaching most of them. What's taking so long for people who need rental assistance to get the money?

States with diverse tax revenue streams see their budgets bounce back

7:40am October 08, 2021

by Nicole Nixon

This time last year, state revenue outlooks were tanking. Some states with high income-earners, such as California, are seeing budget surpluses like they haven't seen in decades.

Job numbers are expected to have improved in September

4:59pm October 07, 2021

by Scott Horsley

September was supposed to be the month that Americans went back to work. Job gains are expected to be stronger than they were in August, but hiring is unlikely to match the levels of early summer.

Poet and activist Maya Angelou seen addressing the Democratic National in Boston, Massachusetts in July 2004. She is one of the female trailblazers who will be featured on some U.S. quarters starting in 2022.

Maya Angelou, Sally Ride and other trailblazing women will be featured on U.S. coins

12:00pm October 07, 2021

by Rachel Treisman

For a limited time beginning next year, the U.S. Mint will issue quarters honoring women from history. The first batch celebrates icons in civil rights, politics, humanities and science.

Economy

U.S. car makers are going electric and trying to change the world in the process

6:28am October 07, 2021

by Camila Domonoske

Car companies are following Tesla's lead and reshaping themselves as high-tech, climate-friendly electric automakers. GM and Ford are among the manufacturers who made big announcements recently.

The current debt ceiling issue might feel familiar. Here's why

6:34pm October 06, 2021

by Kelsey Snell

The issue of the debt ceiling crops of every few years, floats in the public consciousness and then vanishes. Why do we pay so much attention to it?