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Pandemic

Jobless claims are upbeat, but consumer confidence is still a wild card

by Amanda Peacher
Sep 2, 2021
The delta variant is causing some consumer pullback, and the expiration of pandemic unemployment benefits on Sept. 5 could play a role in spending.
Consumer spending accounts for 70% of the economy.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Why are some restaurants shutting the door on food delivery giants?

by Kai Ryssdal and Minju Park
Aug 18, 2021
Steep third-party food delivery fees are driving some restaurant owners to seek alternatives.
An Uber Eats delivery person hauls food on a bicycle. Jon Sewell says his delivery co-op, which is owned by restaurants, cut delivery costs and improved service.
Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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Business districts face an uncertain future as return-to-office is delayed

by Kristin Schwab
Aug 17, 2021
State Street is closing its two Manhattan offices — a sign of what may be to come as we get closer to many companies' back-to-office target dates.
A year and a half into the pandemic, average office occupancy rates in the U.S. are around 30%, according to commercial real estate firm JLL. Above, an empty street and closed businesses in New York City's financial district in April 2020.
Stephanie Keith via Getty Images
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My Economy

How a travel agency is bouncing back from a devastating year

by Minju Park
Aug 11, 2021
Denver travel agent Sarah Fazendin says clients are spending more on extras than they would have before the pandemic.
Sarah Fazendin, owner of Videre Travel, a Denver-based travel agency, with her family at Machu Picchu in Peru. Her business has seen a massive uptick in travelers looking to navigate changing COVID restrictions.
Courtesy Sarah Fazendin
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Shelf Life

What are the parallels between parenting and running a business?

by Emily Oster
Aug 5, 2021
In her new book, economist Emily Oster presents a framework for data-based parenting decisions.
In her new book, economist Emily Oster argues for a data-based approach to parenting decisions.
Loic Venace/AFP via Getty Images
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My Economy

For this teen, working a summer job is about more than some extra cash

by Minju Park
Aug 2, 2021
Teenagers have been picking up more jobs during this year.
While some teenagers use their summer break to relax from the daily grind of school, many use the free time as an opportunity to pick up a summer job.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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COVID-19

Is fast fashion catching up to real time?

by Kai Ryssdal and Minju Park
Jul 22, 2021
Shein, a fast-growing, China-based clothing brand, relies on a “real-time fashion” model that slashes the time from design to production.
Expanding Chinese clothing brand Shein prioritizes its web presence. Its "real-time fashion" model enables it to capture opportunities quickly.
Antony Jones/Getty Images for Shein
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COVID-19

Fewer students fill out FAFSA, enroll in college since pandemic began

by Samantha Fields
Jul 21, 2021
The National College Attainment Network estimates that about 270,000 fewer high school seniors have filled out the FAFSA since 2019.
People mill about on the City University of New York campus. During the pandemic, the number of FAFSA applicants dropped, which means fewer eligible could students receive grants and loans.
Drew Angerer via Getty images
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COVID-19

How the pandemic affected one paramedic's career

by Reema Khrais and Minju Park
Jul 19, 2021
With the pandemic forcing school and daycare closures around the country, children are spending more time at home — and women are bearing the brunt of that.
Women’s labor force participation fell to 56.2% in June, the lowest levels since 1988, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
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My Economy

Teenagers are flooding the hot summer job market

by Minju Park
Jul 19, 2021
Many employers are turning to younger people to fill labor shortages as business reopen. Two teenagers share their work stories.
The number of 16- to 19-year-olds who work jumped to 31.9% in June from a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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