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A notice in a store window in New York City announces a retail job opening. Now that unemployment has slipped below 6 percent, there's renewed interest in what the Federal Reserve's target for joblessness should be.

A notice in a store window in New York City announces a retail job opening. Now that unemployment has slipped below 6 percent, there's renewed interest in what the Federal Reserve's target for joblessness should be. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Economy

Drop In Unemployment Raises Debate On Optimal Rate

Now that unemployment has slipped below 6 percent, there's renewed interest in what the Federal Reserve's target for joblessness should be. Some economists worry that inflation will resurface.

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When Phil Mortillaro dropped out of school in eighth grade, he started work as a locksmith. Now he and his son, Philip Jr., run their own shop in Manhattan.

When Phil Mortillaro dropped out of school in eighth grade, he started work as a locksmith. Now he and his son, Philip Jr., run their own shop in Manhattan. StoryCorps hide caption

itoggle caption StoryCorps

StoryCorps

For Father-And-Son Locksmiths, The Key Is Hard Work

Phil Mortillaro dropped out of school and became a locksmith. Now he owns a Manhattan locksmith shop with his son, Philip Jr. Philip says his dad and the store have become neighborhood institutions.

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A technician opens a vessel containing women's frozen egg cells in April 2011 in Amsterdam.

A technician opens a vessel containing women's frozen egg cells in April 2011 in Amsterdam. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption AFP/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

Silicon Valley Companies Add New Benefit For Women: Egg-Freezing

The addition of the benefit by Facebook and Apple comes as tech companies face mounting pressure to hire more women, but some warn it may increase pressure those employees feel to put off having kids.

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Saudi Arabia's oil minister, Ali Al-Naimi, shown in Kuwait last month, has played down the drop in oil prices. The country continues to pump oil at high levels, saying it wants to preserve its market share. But this has also contributed to a 25 percent drop in oil prices since June.

Saudi Arabia's oil minister, Ali Al-Naimi, shown in Kuwait last month, has played down the drop in oil prices. The country continues to pump oil at high levels, saying it wants to preserve its market share. But this has also contributed to a 25 percent drop in oil prices since June. Yasser Al-Zayyat/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Yasser Al-Zayyat/AFP/Getty Images

Parallels

As Oil Prices Fall, Who Wins And Who Loses?

Prices are down 25 percent since June, unleashing ripples around the globe that range from lower gas prices in the U.S. to budget problems in Russia to political pressures in the Middle East.

Products of the Homer Laughlin China Co. are on display at a showroom at the company's headquarters in Newell, W.Va.

Products of the Homer Laughlin China Co. are on display at a showroom at the company's headquarters in Newell, W.Va. Ross Mantle for NPR hide caption

itoggle caption Ross Mantle for NPR

American Made: The New Manufacturing Landscape

W.Va. Pottery Company Keeps Popular Fiesta Line Thriving

Homer Laughlin China Co. has been making the brightly colored Fiesta dishes for decades at its factory on the banks of the Ohio River. And it's still going strong.

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Phillip Underwood and Michelle Sheridan and their children, Logan and Lilliana, gather in their living room in Frederick, Md., after a long day of work and school. The couple had delayed marriage, in part for financial reasons.

Phillip Underwood and Michelle Sheridan and their children, Logan and Lilliana, gather in their living room in Frederick, Md., after a long day of work and school. The couple had delayed marriage, in part for financial reasons. James Clark/NPR hide caption

itoggle caption James Clark/NPR

New Boom

For More Millennials, It's Kids First, Marriage Maybe

Millennials, particularly those with less education, are upending the traditional order of love, marriage, baby carriage. Many say they don't feel financially secure enough to tie the knot.

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