NPR: Economy Now http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1017&ft=1&f=1017 NPR news on the U.S. and world economy, the World Bank, and Federal Reserve. Commentary on economic trends. Subscribe to NPR Economy podcasts and RSS feeds. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:45:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Economy http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1017&ft=1&f=1017 yes 'Diverging Diamond' Traffic Flow: Way Of The Future? The "diverging diamond" highway interchange is being put to the test in Missouri. Fans of the new design say it improves traffic flow by eliminating problematic left turns. There's just one catch: It briefly sends cars over to the left side of the road. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:45:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120403340&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120403340&ft=1&f=1017 The "diverging diamond" highway interchange is being put to the test in Missouri. Fans of the new design say it improves traffic flow by eliminating problematic left turns. There's just one catch: It briefly sends cars over to the left side of the road. no The "diverging diamond" highway interchange is being put to the test in Missouri. Fans of the new design say it improves traffic flow by eliminating problematic left turns. There's just one catch: It briefly sends cars over to the left side of the road.

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]]> For Firms That Cut Wages, Keeping Workers A Worry The economic downturn forced many companies to seek extra ways to shrink costs: Some imposed furloughs or fewer work hours; others tried a straight wage reduction. Many of those companies are now concerned, however, about hanging on to their employees. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120709869&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120709869&ft=1&f=1017 The economic downturn forced many companies to seek extra ways to shrink costs: Some imposed furloughs or fewer work hours; others tried a straight wage reduction. Many of those companies are now concerned, however, about hanging on to their employees. 285 no The economic downturn forced many companies to seek extra ways to shrink costs: Some imposed furloughs or fewer work hours; others tried a straight wage reduction. Many of those companies are now concerned, however, about hanging on to their employees.

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]]> College Graduates Struggle To Repay Loans The abysmal job market is making it hard for some to start making student loan payments, which come due this month for May graduates. A new law could ease the pain for some: It limits monthly payments to 15 percent of a graduate's income. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120455239&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120455239&ft=1&f=1017 The abysmal job market is making it hard for some to start making student loan payments, which come due this month for May graduates. A new law could ease the pain for some: It limits monthly payments to 15 percent of a graduate's income. 254 no The abysmal job market is making it hard for some to start making student loan payments, which come due this month for May graduates. A new law could ease the pain for some: It limits monthly payments to 15 percent of a graduate's income.

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]]> Who Needs College, And Who Shouldn't Go? Many parents and teachers view college as the natural path to success. But diplomas are getting more expensive, and many people succeed without a bachelor's degree. Guests address the value of a college degree, and whether the fields projected to grow require them. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120700162&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120700162&ft=1&f=1017 Many parents and teachers view college as the natural path to success. But diplomas are getting more expensive, and many people succeed without a bachelor's degree. Guests address the value of a college degree, and whether the fields projected to grow require them. 1819 no Many parents and teachers view college as the natural path to success. But diplomas are getting more expensive, and many people succeed without a bachelor's degree. Guests address the value of a college degree, and whether the fields projected to grow require them.

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]]> Iffy Consumer Outlook Clouds Holiday Hiring Each holiday season, thousands of people find temporary jobs helping retail companies meet the demands of the busiest shopping period of the year. This year, many companies are being cautious about additional hiring because consumers are expected to spend only slightly more than last year. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:09:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120684002&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120684002&ft=1&f=1017 Each holiday season, thousands of people find temporary jobs helping retail companies meet the demands of the busiest shopping period of the year. This year, many companies are being cautious about additional hiring because consumers are expected to spend only slightly more than last year. no Each holiday season, thousands of people find temporary jobs helping retail companies meet the demands of the busiest shopping period of the year. This year, many companies are being cautious about additional hiring because consumers are expected to spend only slightly more than last year.

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]]> Undertaker Hopes To Revive Dying Kansas Town Many small towns across rural America continue to see population declines. But the tiny town of Preston, Kan., is getting help from an unlikely source: An Arizona mortician who has set up shop there and hopes to draw business from a 50-mile radius. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:05:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120688884&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120688884&ft=1&f=1017 Many small towns across rural America continue to see population declines. But the tiny town of Preston, Kan., is getting help from an unlikely source: An Arizona mortician who has set up shop there and hopes to draw business from a 50-mile radius. no Many small towns across rural America continue to see population declines. But the tiny town of Preston, Kan., is getting help from an unlikely source: An Arizona mortician who has set up shop there and hopes to draw business from a 50-mile radius.

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]]> Charity Tries Texting To Make Up For Donations Like many charities, donations are significantly down to the United Way in Charlotte, North Carolina. In June, it announced cuts to nearly every member agency. The problems have continued. Now the United Way is trying a new way to raise money: texting. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676323&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676323&ft=1&f=1017 Like many charities, donations are significantly down to the United Way in Charlotte, North Carolina. In June, it announced cuts to nearly every member agency. The problems have continued. Now the United Way is trying a new way to raise money: texting. 80 no Like many charities, donations are significantly down to the United Way in Charlotte, North Carolina. In June, it announced cuts to nearly every member agency. The problems have continued. Now the United Way is trying a new way to raise money: texting.

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]]> Small Business Stays 'Attached' To Laid-Off Workers A Charlotte, N.C., construction firm is among an increasing number of small companies trying a strategy that makes the firing process a bit gentler. It's called "attached unemployment," a kind of temporary layoff aimed at softening the blow of job cuts. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120618600&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120618600&ft=1&f=1017 A Charlotte, N.C., construction firm is among an increasing number of small companies trying a strategy that makes the firing process a bit gentler. It's called "attached unemployment," a kind of temporary layoff aimed at softening the blow of job cuts. 230 no A Charlotte, N.C., construction firm is among an increasing number of small companies trying a strategy that makes the firing process a bit gentler. It's called "attached unemployment," a kind of temporary layoff aimed at softening the blow of job cuts.

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]]> Is Tax Deduction For Home Mortgages A Bad Idea? The tax deduction for mortgage interest is a cherished benefit for millions of Americans, but most economists think it's a bad idea. One of those economists, Dennis Ventry of the University of California-Davis, talks to host Guy Raz about the history of the deduction, and why the odds of changing it are so long. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:10:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120668836&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120668836&ft=1&f=1017 The tax deduction for mortgage interest is a cherished benefit for millions of Americans, but most economists think it's a bad idea. One of those economists, Dennis Ventry of the University of California-Davis, talks to host Guy Raz about the history of the deduction, and why the odds of changing it are so long. 382 no The tax deduction for mortgage interest is a cherished benefit for millions of Americans, but most economists think it's a bad idea. One of those economists, Dennis Ventry of the University of California-Davis, talks to host Guy Raz about the history of the deduction, and why the odds of changing it are so long.

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]]> Gigantic Cruise Ship Buoys Company's Hopes We're headed into the year's biggest travel week, and there's not much bigger than what's sitting in the port of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., right now. It's called the Oasis of the Seas, and it's the largest cruise ship ever built — five times the size of the Titanic, with a price tag of $1.5 billion. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:25:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120666381&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120666381&ft=1&f=1017 We're headed into the year's biggest travel week, and there's not much bigger than what's sitting in the port of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., right now. It's called the Oasis of the Seas, and it's the largest cruise ship ever built — five times the size of the Titanic, with a price tag of $1.5 billion. 276 no We're headed into the year's biggest travel week, and there's not much bigger than what's sitting in the port of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., right now. It's called the Oasis of the Seas, and it's the largest cruise ship ever built — five times the size of the Titanic, with a price tag of $1.5 billion.

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]]> U.S., Internet's Inventor, Lags In Web Access Despite being the country that invented the Internet, America lags far behind nations like Japan and South Korea in broadband speed and access. Guy Raz checks in with Thomas Bleha, author of the book <em>Overtaken on the Information Superhighway,</em> to find out why. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120652957&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120652957&ft=1&f=1017 Despite being the country that invented the Internet, America lags far behind nations like Japan and South Korea in broadband speed and access. Guy Raz checks in with Thomas Bleha, author of the book <em>Overtaken on the Information Superhighway,</em> to find out why. 225 no Despite being the country that invented the Internet, America lags far behind nations like Japan and South Korea in broadband speed and access. Guy Raz checks in with Thomas Bleha, author of the book Overtaken on the Information Superhighway, to find out why.

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]]> One Job The Stimulus Has Definitely Saved The Web site Recovery.gov lists the jobs the Obama administration claims to have saved or created. In one company the government certainly did helped save a jobs, but it wasn't in manufacturing or technology. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646674&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646674&ft=1&f=1017 The Web site Recovery.gov lists the jobs the Obama administration claims to have saved or created. In one company the government certainly did helped save a jobs, but it wasn't in manufacturing or technology. 180 no The Web site Recovery.gov lists the jobs the Obama administration claims to have saved or created. In one company the government certainly did helped save a jobs, but it wasn't in manufacturing or technology.

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]]> Boeing Hopes Long-Delayed Plane Takes Off In S.C. Boeing has moved to South Carolina from its ancestral home in the Pacific Northwest to build the 787 Dreamliner. The company will spend less on labor and receive more than $175 million in state incentives. But it will have to train a new workforce, which Boeing's Seattle unions predict may be the undoing of the Southern operation. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120624318&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120624318&ft=1&f=1017 Boeing has moved to South Carolina from its ancestral home in the Pacific Northwest to build the 787 Dreamliner. The company will spend less on labor and receive more than $175 million in state incentives. But it will have to train a new workforce, which Boeing's Seattle unions predict may be the undoing of the Southern operation. 254 no Boeing has moved to South Carolina from its ancestral home in the Pacific Northwest to build the 787 Dreamliner. The company will spend less on labor and receive more than $175 million in state incentives. But it will have to train a new workforce, which Boeing's Seattle unions predict may be the undoing of the Southern operation.

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]]> Jobless In October: A State-By-State Look Jobless rates rose in 29 states and the District of Columbia in October, the Labor Department reported. Rates declined in 13 states and were unchanged in eight. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112101171&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112101171&ft=1&f=1017 Jobless rates rose in 29 states and the District of Columbia in October, the Labor Department reported. Rates declined in 13 states and were unchanged in eight. no Jobless rates rose in 29 states and the District of Columbia in October, the Labor Department reported. Rates declined in 13 states and were unchanged in eight.

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]]> Price Fight: Coke Isn't It At Costco If you're a member of Costco, the nation's largest wholesale club, you may be surprised to learn that Coca-Cola's products are no longer on the shelves. The two companies are locked in a rare public dispute over the price consumers pay for beverages. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120590548&ft=1&f=1017 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120590548&ft=1&f=1017 If you're a member of Costco, the nation's largest wholesale club, you may be surprised to learn that Coca-Cola's products are no longer on the shelves. The two companies are locked in a rare public dispute over the price consumers pay for beverages. 187 no If you're a member of Costco, the nation's largest wholesale club, you may be surprised to learn that Coca-Cola's products are no longer on the shelves. The two companies are locked in a rare public dispute over the price consumers pay for beverages.

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