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Jim Zarroli Jim Zarroli is an NPR correspondent based in New York. He covers economics and business news.
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Jim Zarroli

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Tuesday

National

Festival in the Catskills celebrates resort area once known as the Borscht Belt

NPR revisits the Borscht Belt, a place where Jewish families from New York escaped for the summer at a time when they weren't welcomed elsewhere.

Festival in the Catskills celebrates resort area once known as the Borscht Belt

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Tuesday

Health

Concerns are raised about whether cannabis is safe for older users

Many senior citizens are using cannabis to deal with chronic health conditions but experts say they should beware of potentially negative interactions with medications and other problems.

Concerns are raised about whether cannabis is safe for older users

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Wednesday

Writer Joan Didion's possessions sell for eye-popping prices at auction

The auction featured a number of items from the office where Joan Didion worked, including two electric typewriters that sold for $5,500 and $6,000, respectively. Jim Zarroli/For NPR hide caption

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Jim Zarroli/For NPR

Books

Writer Joan Didion's possessions sell for eye-popping prices at auction

The late author Joan Didion was an exemplar of the New Journalism of the 1960s. Many fans traveled to Hudson, N.Y., to see some of her possessions up for auction. A pair of sunglass fetched $27,000.

Writer Joan Didion's possessions sell for eye-popping prices at auction

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Wednesday

Exiled writers reflect on freedom of speech in America in light of Rushdie attack

Author Salman Rushdie poses for photographers at a signing for his book Home, in London on June 6, 2017. Grant Pollard/Invision/AP hide caption

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Grant Pollard/Invision/AP

Books

Exiled writers reflect on freedom of speech in America in light of Rushdie attack

For dissident writers fleeing persecution overseas, the United States has long been a safe haven, a place where freedom of expression is tolerated and, even, valued.

Exiled writers reflect on freedom of speech in America in light of Rushdie attack

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Tuesday

Some states are changing the laws that govern community libraries

Attempts to ban books in school districts around the country have increased in recent years. Now, some states are working on enacting laws to give politicians more power over public libraries. Rick Bowmer/AP hide caption

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Rick Bowmer/AP

Book News & Features

Some states are changing the laws that govern community libraries

At a time of concern about book banning, states are passing laws to tighten control over public libraries. The laws address how libraries are managed and some laws may open librarians to legal action.

Some states are changing the laws that govern community libraries

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Tuesday

Russian invasion upends young, flourishing Ukrainian publishing industry

A visitor reads a book at a book fair during a Publishers Forum in Lviv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A regional council in western Ukraine had passed a motion to ban all Russian-language books, films and songs in the region. Mykola Tys/AP hide caption

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Mykola Tys/AP

Ukraine invasion — explained

Russian invasion upends young, flourishing Ukrainian publishing industry

After the Crimea invasion, a backlash against Russian books filled with propaganda led to the growth of Ukraine's own book industry. But Russia's latest attacks and Covid have created major obstacles.

Russian invasion upends young, flourishing Ukrainian publishing industry

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Monday

Sunday

TikTok is driving book sales. Here are some titles #BookTok recommends

People are buying a lot more books these days, in part because the pandemic has trapped everyone indoors with little to do. But among younger readers, another factor is driving sales up: The social-media site TikTok, where users post short videos they create themselves. Michele Abercrombie/NPR hide caption

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Michele Abercrombie/NPR

Book News & Features

TikTok is driving book sales. Here are some titles #BookTok recommends

BookTok — the world of book lovers on TikTok — is becoming a major force in the publishing industry.

TikTok is driving book sales. Here are some titles #BookTok recommends

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Wednesday

Wednesday

Obituaries

Bernie Madoff, Whose Ponzi Scheme Bilked Thousands, Dies In Prison

Bernie Madoff, who carried out one of the most notorious Ponzi schemes in history, has died while serving his prison sentence in North Carolina. He bilked thousands of investors out of their savings.

Bernie Madoff, Whose Ponzi Scheme Bilked Thousands, Dies In Prison

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Friday

Business

Extended Paycheck Protection Program May Not Be Enough To Help Small Businesses

Many small businesses are hanging by a thread right now. Congress has approved another round of loans to help keep their doors open, but it won't be enough to help the hardest hit.

Extended Paycheck Protection Program May Not Be Enough To Help Small Businesses

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Thursday

Saturday

The Coronavirus Crisis

Pandemic Relief Will Run Out If President Doesn't Sign Package Into Law

Economic benefits for victims of the pandemic will expire soon if Congress and the president don't act to extend or replace them.

Pandemic Relief Will Run Out If President Doesn't Sign Package Into Law

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Tuesday

Politics

Congress Passes $900 Billion COVID-19 Relief Bill. Is It Enough?

The measure affects millions of Americans. Among other things, it extends additional unemployment benefits of $300 a week through early Spring. Many economists believe additional aid will be needed.

Congress Passes $900 Billion COVID-19 Relief Bill. Is It Enough?

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Monday

Economy

How A New Coronavirus Relief Bill Will Help Americans In The Pandemic

A new pandemic relief bill is expected to contain nearly $1 trillion in spending to keep the economy moving. But critics say it isn't big enough and doesn't address some of the most urgent priorities.

How A New Coronavirus Relief Bill Will Help Americans In The Pandemic

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Wednesday

Economy

Local Governments Across America Say They're Desperate For Federal Help

The National League of Cities says local governments have seen their revenue plunge 21% on average since the beginning of the pandemic. Cities and towns say they desperately need federal help.

Local Governments Across America Say They're Desperate For Federal Help

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In Pandemic, The Most Wonderful Time For Christmas Songs Turned Out To Be ... In July

A toy reindeer is shown on a white background. Radio stations, looking to boost ratings and provide comfort in a pandemic-marred year, started playing songs as early as July. And listeners loved it. mattjeacock/Getty Images hide caption

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mattjeacock/Getty Images

Business

In Pandemic, The Most Wonderful Time For Christmas Songs Turned Out To Be ... In July

Stations have been playing Christmas music earlier than ever this year, as a way of luring in listeners during the pandemic. One Indiana station was doing it in July.

In Pandemic, The Most Wonderful Time For Christmas Songs Turned Out To Be ... In July

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Thursday

There's Rich, And Then There's Jeff Bezos Rich: Meet The World's Centibillionaires

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is the world's wealthiest person, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, with a net worth of $182 billion. Four others also have fortunes over $100 billion. Here, Bezos speaks at a conference in 2018. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Business

There's Rich, And Then There's Jeff Bezos Rich: Meet The World's Centibillionaires

The Amazon CEO and four other billionaires are part of the world's most exclusive club in the midst of the pandemic: those whose fortunes exceed $100 billion.

There's Rich, And Then There's Jeff Bezos Rich: Meet The World's Centibillionaires

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Wednesday

Economy

Soaring Stock Market Creates A Club Of Centibillionaires

This year, five people have achieved the status of centibillionaires, i.e., people worth more than $100 billion. Among them is Tesla founder Elon Musk.

Soaring Stock Market Creates A Club Of Centibillionaires

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Business

Investors Can Now Bet On The Future Of Water Prices In California

Water is a precious resources in California — a state plagued by wildfires and drought. Water there is now a commodity and can now be traded like oil and gas.

Investors Can Now Bet On The Future Of Water Prices In California

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Tuesday

He Thought Day Trading Would Be A Thrill. He Ended Up Losing $127,000

The Robinhood investment app appears on a smartphone in this photo illustration. Day trading has surged during the coronavirus pandemic as stay-at-home people try buying and selling stocks, often for the first time. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Business

He Thought Day Trading Would Be A Thrill. He Ended Up Losing $127,000

With millions stuck at home, more and more people are trying day trading. Most will end up losing money, studies show, while troubling cases of addiction are also on the rise.

He Thought Day Trading Would Be A Thrill. He Ended Up Losing $127,000

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Monday

Business

Former Day Trader Warns Others Of The Risk Of Addiction

During the pandemic, millions of people have turned to trading stocks. Studies say most of them will lose money. One former day trader has taken to YouTube to warn people about the risks.

Former Day Trader Warns Others Of The Risk Of Addiction

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Tuesday

Nasdaq Takes Aim At All-White, Male Company Boards With Diversity Proposal

According to Nasdaq, three-quarters of listed companies would not currently meet the proposed diversity standards. Mark Lennihan/AP hide caption

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Mark Lennihan/AP

America Reckons With Racial Injustice

Nasdaq Takes Aim At All-White, Male Company Boards With Diversity Proposal

The exchange wants to require listed companies to include women and minorities. California and Goldman Sachs have made similar steps recently; some European countries have had such rules for years.

Nasdaq Takes Aim At All-White, Male Company Boards With Diversity Proposal

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Tuesday

Economy

The Dow Surpasses 30,000 For 1st Time Ever

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has surpassed the 30,000 mark. This year, stocks plunged after pandemic lockdowns but came back after drugmakers reported success in developing coronavirus vaccines.

The Dow Surpasses 30,000 For 1st Time Ever

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