Economy

U.S. to release 50 million barrels of crude oil from the reserve to lower gas prices

4:18pm November 23, 2021

by Jeff Brady

The Biden administration is tapping into the country's emergency petroleum reserves in a bid to bring down high gas prices. But it's not clear how successful that strategy will be.

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A monitor displays General Electric Co. signage on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

The Conglomerate Paradox: As GE splinters, Facebook becomes Meta

6:30am November 23, 2021

by Greg Rosalsky

GE announced it's breaking into three. Meanwhile, tech companies continue to take over a wider swath of industries.

The pandemic has sparked rising house prices across the rural U.S.

6:06am November 23, 2021

by Frank Morris

The pandemic has helped spread the housing crisis to almost every corner of the United States. A surge of people moving to rural towns is pricing out some long-time residents.

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Economy

Biden chooses to keep Fed Chairman Powell in place for a second term

6:06am November 23, 2021

by Scott Horsley

President Biden plans to stick with Jerome Powell as chairman of the Federal Reserve. The Fed is wrestling with an uneven recovery and the highest inflation in more than three decades.

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White House Council of Economic Advisers head on the economic issues the U.S. faces

5:20pm November 22, 2021

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Cecilia Rouse, chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, about President Biden's Federal Reserve nomination and the economic challenges the country is facing.

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Wildland firefighters are split on whether higher pay would keep them in the industry

5:20pm November 22, 2021

by Nate Hegyi

Wildland firefighters will soon see big increases in pay and other benefits from the infrastructure bill. But firefighters are split on whether the changes are enough to keep them on the job.

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President Biden has nominated Jerome Powell to remain Fed chair

4:24pm November 22, 2021

by Scott Horsley

President Biden plans to re-nominate Jerome Powell to lead the Federal Reserve for four more years. Powell has steered the central bank through the pandemic recession. Now he must take on inflation.

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HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra says doctors who are balking at the rules of the No Surprises Act aren't looking out for patients. "I don't think when someone is overcharging that it's going to hurt the overcharger to now have to [accept] a fair price," Bece

Doctors are mad about surprise billing rules. Becerra says stop gouging patients

2:57pm November 22, 2021

by Michael McAuliff

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra says health providers who have exploited a complicated system to charge exorbitant rates will have to bear their share of the cost — or close.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has been selected for a second term at the helm of the Fed, a move likely to be welcomed by markets.

Biden reappoints Jerome Powell as Fed chairman at a critical time for the economy

11:07am November 22, 2021

by Scott Horsley

President Biden has tapped Jerome Powell to serve a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve as the economy faces huge challenges, including surging inflation.

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Biden appoints Jerome Powell to a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve

10:40am November 22, 2021

President Biden has tapped Jerome Powell to serve a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve. Fed governor Lael Brainard will serve as vice chairman.