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On their first date, this now-married couple decided to open a business

Dec 30, 2022
Aryn Henning Nichols and Benji Nichols run Inspire(d) magazine from Decorah, Iowa.
Benji Nichols and Aryn Henning Nichols of Decorah, Iowa.
Courtesy Aryn Henning Nichols/Silver Moon Photography

As natural gas prices fall, coal's comeback may be short-lived

Dec 30, 2022
The coal industry filled a gap in the global energy mix after Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent natural gas prices to record highs.
The high prices of natural gas in Europe have sparked a coal comeback. But now gas prices are falling. Above, a coal-fired power plant near Halle, Germany.
Jens Schlueter/Getty Images

Can Southwest regain passengers' trust?

Dec 30, 2022
Leisure travelers may be quick to forgive and forget. Business travelers, not so much.
Southwest Airlines travelers search for their suitcases Wednesday at Denver International Airport. In the past week, the carrier canceled more than 16,000 flights.
Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

How did the pandemic affect the Corona Beer brand?

Dec 30, 2022
Sales of the beer brand went up during the pandemic, despite a small initial dip in favorability.
Corona sales didn't fizzle during the start of the pandemic, despite sharing its name with the coronavirus.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Coming soon: new tax incentives for low-income people to save for retirement

Dec 30, 2022
People who meet certain income requirements will soon be able to get a 50% match from the federal government on up to $2,000 they save in a retirement account.
A 2019 paper found many white Americans don't fully understand the true size of the racial wealth gap.
Getty Images

Federal student aid office has a big to-do list in 2023, but the same budget

Dec 29, 2022
The office will have to manage student loan forgiveness — if that clears Supreme Court challenges — and the resumption of loan payments after a pandemic pause.
The Supreme Court will hear challenges to the administration's student debt forgiveness policy in February.
Paul Morigi/Getty Images for We the 45m

High mortgage rates, recession fears: Who actually wants to buy a house in 2023?

Dec 29, 2022
Pending home sales have dipped, and economists expect the market to continue to droop.
"Overall annual sales next year will be lower," said Lawrence Yun of the National Association of Realtors. 
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

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Crisis at Christmas: Strikes disrupt the U.K. during the festive season

Dec 29, 2022
During a wave of industrial unrest, triggered by the cost of living crisis, striking workers voice their discontent from the picket line.
Workers strike outside a mail-sorting office not far from London. The now-privatized Royal Mail service says it can't afford an inflation-matching pay hike.
Mimisse Beard

One big bank halts new fossil fuel investments. Will others follow?

Dec 29, 2022
HSBC said it will stop investing in new oil and gas fields. Climate activist Bill McKibben calls it a welcome first step.
Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Vehicle demand is finally slowing down

Dec 29, 2022
Demand for autos has been strong throughout the pandemic. But in recent months, demand has been softening, thanks in part to rising interest rates and elevated prices.
Used cars are displayed at a dealership in New York City.