Jan 4, 2023

A pay bump for 8 million workers

Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images

Twenty-three states raised their minimum wage on Jan. 1. Low-wage workers have already seen healthy pay gains in the tight job market. Plus, the "sneaky practice" of shrinkflation.

Segments From this episode

With salaries rising, how much do minimum wage increases matter?

by Savannah Maher

Jan 4, 2023

Private-sector wages are up about 5% over the past year. But gains guaranteed by government can't be lost during an economic downturn.

Workers in low-wage sectors like fast food have gained higher pay in the hot job market.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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Immigration fees would increase under new USCIS proposal

by Lily Jamali

Jan 4, 2023

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is funded mostly by these fees, which it hasn't raised since 2016.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services hasn't raised filing fees since 2016. Above, new U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony in Philadelphia.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

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As our online behavior changes, companies spend less ad money on Google and Meta

by Kristin Schwab

Jan 4, 2023

Part of the reason: Social media platforms like TikTok are changing the way we shop online.

While Google is still a big part of the ad business, people are turning to sites like Amazon "as a product search engine instead," said Sucharita Kodali, a retail analyst at Forrester.

Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

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The "sneaky practice" of shrinkflation has been driving up your grocery bills for years

by Kai Ryssdal and Sarah Leeson

Jan 4, 2023

Shrinkflation means getting less product for the same price, and it's not going away anytime soon.

Shrinkflation is a tactic manufacturers use to pass on price increases to consumers. For instance: quietly reducing the number of squares of toilet paper per roll.

Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

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Why layoffs are picking up at small businesses

by Justin Ho

Jan 4, 2023

The labor market is still pretty tight, but the smallest businesses are more vulnerable to an economic downturn.

Businesses with fewer than 10 employees tend to have a harder time building up cash to weather a recession, and may turn to layoffs as a cost-cutting measure.

fizkes/Getty Images

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Facing regular floods, a Louisiana town builds higher

by Amy Scott and Hayley Hershman

Jan 4, 2023

Residents see Mandeville as a model for other at-risk communities.

Leonard and Becky Rohrbough stand in front of their lakefront house, which was elevated in 2016 to protect against flooding.

Amy Scott/Marketplace

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Music from the episode

Tightrope Janelle Monae, Big Boi

Flowers The Deli

Empire State of Mind JAY-Z, Alicia Keys

Horizons Bertholet & Elior

Finally Moving Pretty Lights

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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