All Economy
First LookBiden announces 24/7 operation at LA port to ease supply chainConsumer prices increased 5.4% over the past year, in large part because of supply chain back-ups. As container ships wait in long lines to dock, President Biden has elected to keep the Port of Los Angeles open around the clock in an attempt to ease inflation fears.
The ExplainerCurious how systemic racism works? Check out your neighborhood.Historical housing discrimination in Boston plays out today in systemic racism affecting homeownership, generational wealth, and education.聽
First LookHoliday holdout: Jobs are open but workers aren鈥檛 interestedIn an economy already suffering from a labor shortage, stores are struggling to find seasonal employees to staff the holiday rush. The short supply likely means there will be longer lines and more overtime for existing workers this holiday season.
Focus鈥楯ust keep it flowing.鈥� Three people working to untangle supply chain.Three frontline workers walk us through global supply chain troubles, as seen in the clogged port of Los Angeles.聽
First LookCereal politics: Kellogg workers go on strike at all US plantsOn Tuesday, 1,400 Kellogg cereal plant workers went on strike to demand better protections and benefits.聽They join a growing global movement of workers who have championed their right to better working conditions during the pandemic.聽
Hurricane Ida aftermath: Will power grids get an upgrade?From hurricanes to wildfire risks, extreme conditions are straining U.S. electric grids. Enhancing resilience will require money 鈥� and fresh thinking.
A national model? How Virginia is improving landlord-tenant relations.After being exposed for having one of the highest eviction rates in the country, Virginia has passed a number of laws with聽protections for tenants.
Pandemic took bite out of US economy. Yet millions escaped poverty.More than 17 million Americans avoided poverty in 2020 thanks to pandemic relief programs, according to a new Census report.
First LookMissing the office rush, downtown businesses work to adaptWhen the pandemic first hit, downtown businesses 鈥� from New York to London 鈥� lost a steady stream of customers and revenue. Now, as many offices delay re-opening, businesses may need to turn short-term adaptations into long-run solutions.
First Look鈥婽o spur innovation, should tech workers return to the office?鈥�Tech giants have long said that office work pods and casual encounters, rather than isolation, foster innovation. But the companies that made remote work possible are finding that even their own employees are reluctant to return to the office.
First LookUnemployment benefits for millions in US have expired. Now what?On Monday, two major pandemic unemployment benefits expired, affecting roughly 8.9 million Americans who were receiving the supplemental income. While job availability still falls short of pre-pandemic levels, there are an estimated 10 million job openings.
In pandemic economy, workers have leverage. Will it boost unions?What lies behind the growing support for unions in the U.S.? A defining aspect of Generation Z 鈥� the push for social justice 鈥� may be part of the answer.
First LookFirst woman AFL-CIO president hopes her election inspires othersLiz Shuler was elected to lead The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)聽last Friday, which聽has only had white male presidents in its nearly 70-year history. Nearly half of all union members today are women.
First LookCould four-day work weeks become the new normal?Employers around the globe are experimenting with four-day work weeks as a way to keep employees, contribute to healthier lifestyles, and even boost productivity. 鈥淭he company doesn鈥檛 suffer,鈥� says the founder of a company with a four-day week, 鈥淸it] thrives.鈥�
First LookHow cryptocurrency could help pay for $1T infrastructure billThe $1 trillion infrastructure bill that made it through the U.S. Senate on Tuesday includes plans to impose tax reporting requirements on cryptocurrency brokers. The approach could raise聽$28 billion in revenue over 10 years to go towards maintaining infrastructure.
First LookThe U.S. economy looks strong. But can it maintain this pace?Sustained by easing restrictions and government aid, the U.S economy rose 6.5% last quarter and is on track to show the strongest calendar-year growth since 1984. But the threat of inflation remains as some consumer prices skyrocket.
First LookPay raise! Demand for employees in US drives hourly wage to $15.Amid a surge in consumption, employers are increasingly advertising a baseline $15 hourly wage to fill restaurant and retail jobs. Though many workers still earn less, market forces are prompting an increase in wages that advocates say will reduce inequality.
First LookWill interest rates finally rise? Fed Reserve debates this week.This week, the US Federal Reserve will discuss its strategy for dialing back policies that have kept interest rates ultra-low to encourage economic growth during the pandemic. The talks come as concerns grow over rising inflation, which some analysts say will be temporary.聽
First LookOPEC and allies find common ground after crude oil disputeA new OPEC policy agreement shifts the number of barrels of crude oil certain countries can produce. Under the new production limits, the UAE will be able to produce up to 3.5 million barrels of crude oil a day, beginning in May 2022.聽
As birthrates dip, some conservatives warm to the child tax creditThe expanded child tax credit passed by Democrats speaks to conservative values too: supporting families and countering a declining birthrate.
