A Planet Money guide to 5 fascinating new econ papers
The Planet Money newsletter rounds up some new economics studies.
Economy
The U.S. has millions of old gas and oil wells. Here's what it takes to plug them up
There was a circle in Maria Burns' yard where grass wouldn't grow and trees died. She knew what it was: An old natural gas well, plugged when she was a little girl, starting to leak again.
Immigration crackdown hurts small businesses in Kansas dependent on migrant customers
Mom-and-pop stores in Kansas City catering to recent immigrants are facing a sharp downturn, with sales falling since Trump took office. Owners say customers are scared and holding onto their cash.
Why some see the dollar's drop as a sign America is losing its financial might
The dollar has just posted its worst first-half of a year since 1973. And now investors wonder — is it a sign that America is losing its financial standing?
Trump administration plans to send letters to countries with new tariff rates
President Trump says his administration will start sending letters out to countries this week notifying them of new tariff rates if they don't have a deal with the U.S. before a new Aug. 1 deadline.
Economist Philip Luck discusses how trade negotiations impact the U.S. economy
NPR's Michel Martin asks Philip Luck, former deputy chief economist at the State Department in the Biden administration, about how trade negotiations affect the U.S. economy.
Trump sends letters with new tariff rates on goods to 14 countries, with more to come
The leaders of Japan and South Korea were the first to get letters on Monday that informed them of the new tariff rates.
Defunct oil wells are a national problem. Finding them is the first step
There could be about a million 'orphan' oil and gas wells across the U.S. As they age, they can leak greenhouse gases or unhealthy chemicals.
'Buy now, pay later' purchases can now affect your credit score. Here's what that means
Services that split up payments into installments are increasingly popular, especially among young and low-to-middle income shoppers. But now the FICO credit scoring company will be tracking that debt.
Why is the dollar off to a weak start this year?
The U.S. dollar had its worst start this year in more than half a century. Harvard University economics professor Kenneth Rogoff says President Trump is accelerating the decline.