NPR's Leila Fadel speaks to an economic analyst for Visa about consumer spending this year, and what we could expect going into 2026.

The Federal Reserve is carefully balancing a cooling job market with inflation as it decides on interest rate cuts. Concerns about an AI bubble have grown.

A much-delayed report shows the U.S. economy grew a robust 4.3% between July and September, fueled by consumer spending.

The data, which was delayed from October by the government shutdown, comes as the economy takes center stage for voters and the Trump administration.

We also touch on what changes to expect in the new year once much of President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill takes effect.

Early this year, the Trump administration threatened to cut tens of thousands of staff from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Bi-partisan pushback seemed to turn that plan around. But now the VA secretary says the department will trim at least 25,000 vacant positions from the rolls.

His policies are picking winners and losers — and blurring the lines between business and government.

Connecticut's governor seeks compromise between housing needs and homeowner opposition.

With fewer people in the workforce, the job market and economy could shrink.