Business

A "now hiring" sign is seen at the Toys R Us booth during the JobNewsUSA job fair at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla., on Nov. 15.

Unemployment Rate Drops To 4.6 Percent, Lowest Level Since 2007

6:39pm December 02, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The U.S. added 178,000 new jobs in November, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which was about what was expected. However, wages dropped slightly, after an 11-cent gain in October.

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at Carrier Corp. on Thursday, in Indianapolis.

Is Trump's Deal With Carrier A Form Of Crony Capitalism?

10:01am December 02, 2016

by NPR Staff

Steve Inskeep talks with former Commerce Secretary Donald Evans and libertarian economist Tyler Cowen about the problems that arise when a president pressures individual companies to do his bidding.

Queue Listen Now

President-elect Donald Trump greets attendees after speaking during an event at Carrier Corp. in Indianapolis on Thursday.

Trump Relives Campaign Victory During Thank-You Tour Rally

9:52pm December 01, 2016

by Brian Naylor

The president-elect delighted the crowd, reiterating themes, excoriating the media and political opponents. Earlier, he appeared in Indiana, to celebrate 1,000 manufacturing jobs staying in the U.S.

The Tri-Pro Forest Products facility in Orofino, Idaho, closed in October after operators said they didn't have a steady enough supply of logs to keep the sawmill running and profitable.

In Idaho Lumber Country, Trump Voters Wait To See If He Can Jumpstart Jobs

8:52pm December 01, 2016

by Kirk Siegler

The state is a Republican stronghold, but even Idahoans have doubts on whether President-elect Donald Trump can help the timber industry recover after job cuts and a series of mill closures.

Queue Listen Now

Trump Likely To Face Challenges In Plan To Revitalize Manufacturing

7:49pm December 01, 2016

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Mark Muro, senior fellow with the Bookings Institution, about automation in manufacturing and what it means for American workers.

Queue Listen Now

President-elect Donald Trump pauses for photographs with investor Wilbur Ross at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., on Nov. 20. Trump plans to nominate Ross to serve as commerce secretary.

5 Questions About Donald Trump's Cabinet Picks And His Economic Plan

7:41pm December 01, 2016

by John Ydstie

Key economic players Steve Mnuchin and Wilbur Ross, nominees for Treasury and Commerce respectively, are Wall Street veterans. Does their selection match up with Donald Trump's populist message?

Queue Listen Now

In its latest update, Uber gathers user location information even when the app is not open during a ride.

Uber Now Tracks Passengers' Locations Even After They're Dropped Off

6:51pm December 01, 2016

by Laura Roman

Its latest update prompts users to allow Uber access to their location, even when the app isn't in use. Uber says the move will improve service and safety, but it raises worries for privacy advocates.

Trump's Dispute With Las Vegas Hotel Employees Poses Potential Conflict

6:25pm December 01, 2016

One potential conflict of interest for President-elect Donald Trump could involve his dispute with employees attempting to unionize at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. The National Labor Relations Board has ruled against Trump, whose company has opposed unionization, but as president, Trump will have the power to appoint new members of the NLRB. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Ruben Garcia, a law professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Queue Listen Now

National

Giving Tuesday Generates Record Number Of Charitable Donations

6:25pm December 01, 2016

For a few years, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been called #GivingTuesday, hashtag included. This is a day where people donate to organizations and give back, in general. But this year, donation records have skyrocketed. For some, President-elect Trump was their primary motive for giving.

Queue Listen Now

Labs are now churning out large white diamonds that are indistinguishable from those found in nature. The diamond on the left is lab-grown, while the uncut version of the one on the right was created by millions of years of intense pressure.

Lab-Grown Diamonds Come Into Their Own

6:25pm December 01, 2016

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Commercial labs can now make the large, clear diamonds people prize for engagement rings and other jewelry in as little as 72 hours. How will this change the diamond industry?

Queue Listen Now