Darian Woods
Stories
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Economy
The government is trying to help with the apple surplus, but it's hurting some growers
America grows so many apples that the government ends up buying large amounts because there's not enough demand from consumers and processors. The imbalance is driving some producers out of business.
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Business
'The Indicator from Planet Money': Why the publishing industry is hot for romance
Romance is one of the few profitable genres in the self-publishing industry. How romance writers turned e-books into a publishing juggernaut.
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Economy
Are we saying goodbye to the flawless record of this recession predictor?
Two years ago, the yield curve inverted, meaning short-term interest rates on treasury bonds were unusually higher than long term rates. When that's happened in the past, a recession has come.
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Economy
Given how the labor market cooled over summer, is the labor market still on thin ice?
In September, 254,000 jobs were added to the US economy and the unemployment rate ticked down very slightly to 4.1%. It's unexpectedly strong, and relieving news for workers after a pretty lackluster summer. But, given how the labor market cooled over summer, is the labor market still on thin ice? And if there were to be a plummet in jobs, could anything be done to speed up the recovery?
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National
Social Security is expected to run out. What does the future hold?
As a record number of people retire, social security won’t be around for much longer either. We look at the origins of social security and some new ideas to tackle new retirement challenges.
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Economy
Why a lawyer enrolled in trade school
Darnell Epps is a Yale trained lawyer who is bent on solving a non-legal problem: a shortage in manufacturing workers. He enrolled at vocational school to get a better idea of the job market.
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Business
The rise of endless vacation
Over the last decade, more companies have adopted endless leave policies that allow employees to take as much vacation time as they want.
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Business
'The Indicator From Planet Money': A food fight over free school lunch
It costs more than $20 billion a year to feed kids in schools. Some 70% of lunches were served free or reduced but there’s a political divide on whether all school lunches should be free.
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Business
Should tips be taxed? Economists weigh in
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Business
'Indicator from Planet Money': Big banks aren't interested in your savings account
Major banks are paying out more in interest on some deposits. The team at "The Indicator from Planet Money" digs into why big banks aren’t paying you much interest on your plain savings account.