Rising wheat prices may not yield bounty for U.S. farmers

Mar 28, 2022
The Biden administration is examining the role market consolidation may play in the cost of seeds, fertilizer and other agricultural supplies.
The price of wheat has risen since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but American farmers' business expenses have been increasing.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

White House warns companies of growing cyberattack risk

Mar 22, 2022
While big energy and financial firms are better defended than they used to be, other critical industries are still vulnerable.
President Joe Biden warned companies against potential Russian cyberattacks this week. Experts say the U.S. is unprepared for such cybersecurity threats.
Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. could utilize rule to stop high-tech exports to Russia

Jan 25, 2022
Russia relies on technology imported from the rest of the world, especially the U.S., Europe, Korea and Japan.
Alexander Aksakov/Getty Images

Strapped community colleges to receive additional $198 million in aid from Biden administration

Jan 20, 2022
Enrollment plummeted during the pandemic, which drove many would-be students to choose work – if they could find it – over their studies.
The money from the Biden administration could help students with things like child care or emergency expenses.
Brian A. Jackson/Getty Images

One year in, Biden's clean energy and climate agenda are in the balance

Jan 19, 2022
The bipartisan infrastructure bill’s passage was a win for the administration’s climate agenda, but many think Biden's commitment to climate policy lies at the feet of the Build Back Better bill.
President Joe Biden speaks during the World Leaders' Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow on Nov. 1, 2021.
Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images

The increased child care tax credit has ended — for now

Jan 17, 2022
The payments typically came through about this time, but not this month. Some families had come to depend on that extra money.
A protestor and child in Brooklyn urge Congress to make the expanded child tax credit permanent in July.
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for ParentsTogether

Biden administration pledges $1 billion to help small meatpackers compete

Jan 4, 2022
Just four companies process the lion's share of meat. Critics say that means high prices for consumers and low prices for ranchers.
Though the aid is meant to help smaller meatpackers expand their processing capacity, the industry is hampered by a shortage of workers.
Brent Stirton via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

What makes federal infrastructure jobs "good-paying"?

Dec 6, 2021
The idea that federally funded construction projects must pay a minimum "prevailing wage" goes back to a 1931 law.
The Department of Labor is preparing updates to the regulations of federally funded construction jobs. Above, a crew resurfaces a road in Alhambra, California.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Checking the roads and bridges to grandmother's house

Nov 24, 2021
What will the infrastructure bill do for 60-year-old Putty Hill Avenue Bridge — which supports 17,000 vehicles daily — and similar sites?
Each day, more than 17,000 vehicles use Maryland's 60-year-old Putty Hill Avenue Bridge, which has suffered wear and tear.
Nancy Marshall-Genzer

Biden's release from petroleum reserve probably won't move gas prices

Nov 23, 2021
They're high because oil producers aren't ramping up supply quickly enough.
Oil producers' “incentives are all aligned to keep prices high," an expert says. "And that is going to create some real pain for consumers.”
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images