Nov 9, 2023

More Americans than ever are enrolled in ACA coverage

brizmaker/Getty Images

That's in part because subsidies for those plans became more generous. Plus, the folk school boom.

Segments From this episode

Content creator economy is everywhere, but labor data and protections are sparse

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Nov 9, 2023

The government has virtually no data on this mostly unregulated, $250 billion global industry, says Drew Harwell of The Washington Post.

"This is a market of millions of people around the world who work as creators or influencers," said Drew Harwell at The Washington Post.

Phillippe Lopez/AFP via Getty Images

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Higher subsidies drive record ACA enrollment

by Samantha Fields

Nov 9, 2023

The government has extended pandemic-era subsidies for the Affordable Care Act marketplace until 2025 — and even higher-income families are eligible.

Just about everyone looking for an ACA plan is eligible for a higher subsidy than before, said Vivian Ho at Rice University.

Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

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"The biggest challenge that I didn't anticipate was not having people know you"

by Sean McHenry

Zoe Bennett, who graduated from the University of Alabama earlier this year, describes what it was like to move to Rome, Georgia, for a new job. For Bennett, meeting people has been one of the biggest challenges. “Especially in a new job where I’m trying really hard to establish myself and earn people’s respect,” she said.

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Should public transit be a free service? One city just said yes.

by Savannah Maher

Nov 9, 2023

Albuquerque, New Mexico, makes its free-bus-fare experiment permanent. In many cities, though, riders value quality of service over cost.

Investments in the quality of transit are more likely to boost ridership than low-cost or free fares, says Sarah Kaufman of NYU.

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In a world of hybrid work, hot desking is becoming more prevalent

by Stephanie Hughes

Nov 9, 2023

It’s a cost-saving measure that’s more common now than it was pre-pandemic, but not all workers like it.

A report from Morgan Stanley found that while "hot desking" saves employers money, not all workers are a fan.

Edwin Tan/Getty Images

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Low tech and high touch: Folk schools boom as people crave working with their hands

by Dan Kraker

Nov 16, 2023

In an increasingly digital world, folk schools are sprouting in Minnesota and beyond, teaching traditional crafts and other lifelong skills.

Scott Uhl, a former timber framing student at North House Folk School, returned in October to help build a new welcome center for the school.

Derek Montgomery/MPR

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Music from the episode

Glimmer Tame Impala

93 'Til Infinity Souls of Mischief

Make It Better Anderson .Paak

Falafel Tom Misch

Toad Lick East Forest

Fail Safe William Tyler

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

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

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