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Economy

Thursday

Selling safety in the fight against wildfires
David McNew/Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

Selling safety in the fight against wildfires

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and serious due to human-caused climate change. This is prompting a new industry focused on residential wildfire preparedness. Today, we consider the new technology addressing wildfire risk and the cost of protecting yourself.

Selling safety in the fight against wildfires

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Builders are finding ways to keep home prices in reach despite high interest rates

Mortgage rates above 7% are weighing on the housing market. But some builders and buyers are finding workarounds. In some cases, that means choosing a little less space.

Builders are finding ways to keep home prices in reach despite high interest rates

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National

Fast approaching UAW strike deadline could expand walkouts to more auto plants

Driving the UAW's tough stance in negotiations with the Big Three automakers is the sense that the union is owed a long-overdue redressal for all the concessions workers made in 2007.

Fast approaching UAW strike deadline could expand walkouts to more auto plants

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Politics

UAW strike may be pivotal to raise workers' living standards, Sen. Sanders says

NPR's A Martinez talks to Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who supports the UAW's strike as a fight for fair wages, but also against growing inequality and corporate greed.

UAW strike may be pivotal to raise workers' living standards, Sen. Sanders says

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Business

How the UAW strike represents the larger problem of a shrinking middle class

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to David Wessel of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution, about headwinds middle-class Americans face as UAW workers and others aim to narrow economic disparity.

How the UAW strike represents the larger problem of a shrinking middle class

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Wednesday

"Based on a true story"
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Planet Money

"Based on a true story"

When a group of amateur investors rallied around the stock for GameStop back in 2021, the story blew up the internet. News outlets around the world, including us here at Planet Money, rushed in to explain why the stock for this retail video game company was suddenly skyrocketing, at times by as much as 1700% in value, and what that meant for the rest of us.

"Based on a true story"

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Politics

Morning news brief

Attorney General Merrick Garland will appear before the House Judiciary Committee. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady. The UAW strike may affect new and used car prices.

Morning news brief

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Tuesday

The Beigie Awards: Manufacturing takes center stage
Miba Industrial Bearings

The Indicator from Planet Money

The Beigie Awards: Manufacturing takes center stage

The Beigies roll around once again to recognize the regional Federal Reserve Bank with the best Beige Book entry. This edition's winner put a spotlight on a company increasing their efforts to recruit young people for an important piece of the manufacturing puzzle.

The Beigie Awards: Manufacturing takes center stage

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Monday

Coca Cola v. Coca Pola
Schneyder Mendoza/AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

Coca Cola v. Coca Pola

The coca leaf has been an important part of Andean culture for thousands of years. But when one indigenous woman decided to use the plant in a drink she calls Coca Pola, she awoke a sleeping giant. Today on the show, a small business goes head to head with Coca-Cola over a trademark dispute.

Coca Cola v. Coca Pola

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Sunday

An economist explains what the data says about how the U.S. economy is doing

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with economist Betsey Stevenson about Bidenomics and the latest economic data.

An economist explains what the data says about how the U.S. economy is doing

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Saturday

How the UAW strike could have ripple effects across the economy

United Auto Workers members attend a solidarity rally in Detroit at the start of the union's strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis on Sept. 15. The union is striking against all three automakers at once for the first time ever, but only at targeted plants for now, making it even harder to assess what the strike's economic effects will be. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images hide caption

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Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

UAW vs. the Detroit Big 3 automakers

How the UAW strike could have ripple effects across the economy

There are several ways the unprecedented United Auto Workers strike could hit the economy, but it will depend on how long the strike lasts and how many plants are affected, among other factors.

How the UAW strike could have ripple effects across the economy

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