Economy

Economy

UAW president calls tentative deals with Ford and Stellantis big wins

5:09am October 30, 2023

by Camila Domonoske

Over the weekend, the strike against General Motors expanded to a huge engine plant in Springhill, Tenn. Workers at Ford and Stellantis are returning to their jobs after tentative deals.

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Striking St. Lawrence Seaway workers picket outside the St. Lambert Lock in St. Lambert, Quebec, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.

Canadian workers reach deal to end strike that shut down Great Lakes shipping artery

1:33am October 30, 2023

by The Associated Press

A deal was reached Sunday to end a week-long strike that had shut down a major shipping artery in the Great Lakes, halting the flow of grain and other goods from the U.S. and Canada.

Social programs that helped millions during pandemic are ending

5:52pm October 29, 2023

During the pandemic, the government implemented social programs that helped millions. But many of those programs are now ending.

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FAFSA to be overhauled, making it easier for students to apply for financial aid

8:31am October 29, 2023

by Ayesha Rascoe

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with Rachel Burns, author of a new report assessing what changes to the Free Application for Federal Aid could mean for students in the 2024-25 academic year.

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Fliers from a recent UAW strike in Chicago.

Why workers are resorting to more strikes this year to pressure companies

9:07am October 28, 2023

by Danielle Kaye

This has been a watershed year. So far in 2023, there have been 22 major strikes: 17 at companies, making it the largest number of strikes in the private sector since 2011.

A shopper carries a shopping bag while walking through an outdoor shopping center in Corte Madera, Calif., on Oct. 17. Strong consumer spending is helping to power the economy — but it may not last.

5 things to know about a stunning week for the economy

6:01am October 28, 2023

by Scott Horsley

The U.S. economy continues to defy gravity, growing rapidly despite high interest rates. Consumer spending is powering the expansion, but it's not clear how long that can last.

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Economy

Economic numbers show Americans are on a spending kick. How long can that keep up?

5:41pm October 27, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Americans opened their wallets again in September, spending freely on cars, concert tickets and more. Income didn't keep pace with spending, though, raising questions about how long it can continue.

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In this aerial view, the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Ian is shown on Oct. 2, 2022, in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. The state's home insurance market is reeling after disasters like this one.

Feeling the pinch of high home insurance rates? It's not getting better anytime soon

4:53pm October 26, 2023

by Greg Allen

Homeowners in Florida, like other states, are seeing their home insurance rates soar. Multibillion-dollar disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires have led insurers to hike premiums.

Economy

The U.S. economy is humming. So why are Americans so grumpy about it?

11:21am October 26, 2023

Rising interest rates haven't slowed the economy. GDP numbers out Thursday show the economy grew more than twice as fast in July, August and September as in the previous quarter.

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People shop in a Manhattan store in New York City on July 27, 2023. The economy grew 4.9% in the July-September, a stunning pace of growth that was largely powered by strong spending from consumers.

Economy

The U.S. economy posted stunning growth in the third quarter — but it may not last

9:29am October 26, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Gross domestic product surged from July to September as Americans opened their wallets big time, but there are doubts about how long this blistering pace of growth can last.