Business

Brad Day and his neighbors in California's Sonoma Valley have noticed a real estate startup is turning houses in their community into limited liability corporations. A group has formed to oppose the company's moves. Day's favorite sign reads, "The Pacaso

A Startup Is Turning Houses Into Corporations, And The Neighbors Are Fighting Back

12:07pm August 24, 2021

by Greg Rosalsky

The real estate startup Pacaso has rocketed to a billion-dollar valuation — but its recent fights with communities could foreshadow business troubles ahead.

Starbucks beat its own record this year, rolling out the pumpkin spice latte a full 24 hours earlier than it did last year. Still, it lags behind the Aug. 18 Dunkin's rollout of a similar beverage.

National

Who Cares About Calendars? The Pumpkin Spice Latte Is Here, Which Means Fall Has Begun

8:35am August 24, 2021

by Vanessa Romo

Love it or hate it, the PSL gods have spoken. The flavored coffee beverage — and all of the iterations it has spawned — is upon us.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell appears before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee in July. The Fed is facing a key decision of when to start withdrawing some of the stimulus it has provided to markets during the pandemic.

Economy

It's Called The Bond Taper. Yes, It's Geeky. But This Is Why You Should Know About It

6:38pm August 23, 2021

by David Gura

The Federal Reserve has provided massive support to markets through the pandemic. Now it faces a tricky decision: how to start removing some of that help without triggering a market sell-off.

With The FDA Approval, Employers Can Now Require Vaccination Against COVID

4:41pm August 23, 2021

by Scott Horsley

Now that the Food and Drug Administration has given formal approval to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, more employers may insist that their workers get the shot.

Norma Jasso, 62, sped up retirement plans after her daughter asked for help with a new baby. She stands with a highchair her father had commissioned from a shop in Sinaloa, Mexico. Her daughters used it and now her grandson will too.

Economy

These Older Workers Hadn't Planned To Retire So Soon. The Pandemic Sped Things Up

1:00pm August 23, 2021

by Andrea Hsu

Millions more people than expected joined the ranks of the retired in the pandemic. While some did so joyfully, others were reluctant or had no choice.

An Apple II Manual Sells At Auction For $787,484

5:51am August 23, 2021

The manual was signed and personally inscribed by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in 1980. The auction house said the winning bidder was Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts.

Economy

The Federal Reserve Changes Strategy As The Economy Begins To Recover

7:59am August 22, 2021

by David Gura

To help prop up the U.S. economy during the pandemic, the Federal Reserve has bought more than $1 trillion worth of bonds. Now, the central bank is beginning to talk about ending that program.

The 42 Million Americans Who Receive SNAP Benefits Are Set To Get $36 More A Month

7:59am August 22, 2021

Susan Davis speaks to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about the new increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits.

National

Liz Shuler On Her Vision As New AFL-CIO President

5:23pm August 21, 2021

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Liz Shuler, the newly elected president of the AFL-CIO, about her goals for the organization and the future of the labor movement.

Dean Burrows runs Gear Motions, which makes precision gears for machines. He has had to turn down some orders because he can't find enough workers.

Economy

Finding Workers Is Harder Than Ever. The Economic Impact Could Be Significant

1:22pm August 21, 2021

by Scott Horsley

Employers hired more than 1.8 million workers in June and July. But millions of others are still on the sidelines. That's leading to long wait times and is forcing some businesses to turn down orders.