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Latest Stories

A closer look at wage measures hints at why consumers still feel gloomy

Jul 4, 2024
Average wage growth has slowed in recent months, though according to the May jobs report, it’s still ahead of inflation.
"While wages have grown across the board, we've actually had the strongest wage growth among the lowest earners," says Valerie Wilson at the Economic Policy Institute.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The precision agriculture revolution is coming, just slowly

Jul 4, 2024
Since the 1990s, precision agriculture has promised to revolutionize farming, by giving growers granular information about what’s happening with the crops in their fields and new technology to actually put that data to good use. But the new developments in precision ag have yet to fully transform farming.
Electrical engineer Cody Hyman prepares for a test of Impossible Sensing’s prototype soil sensor. The machine is designed to be mounted to the back of a planter and can measure soil composition in real time using a powerful laser.
Eric Schmid/STLPR

There’s a new entrant in the “bill scoring” game

Jul 4, 2024
The newly formed “Budget Lab” at Yale plans to focus on the long-term outcomes of proposed legislation.
You could think of the Congressional Budget Office as referees, who have to follow rules set by Congress, and organizations like The Yale Budget Lab as outside sports analysts.
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images

Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum's next steps on energy could make waves in the U.S.

Jul 4, 2024
Whether Sheinbaum follows her predecessor’s lead or strikes a new path could have significant implications for the U.S., particularly for Texas.
Mexico's president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum on June 24.
Lennin Domínguez/ObturadorMX/Getty Images

Hollywood is cracking down on piracy (again)

Jul 3, 2024
As pressure mounts on streaming services to make money, the industry is getting more aggressive about the global problem.
Charles Rivkin, chairman of the Motion Picture Association, making a presentation. The industry group is renewing its legislative efforts on Capitol Hill, says New York Times reporter Brooks Barnes.
David Becker/Getty Images for CinemaCon

Mobile home rent discrimination case raises legal questions in Massachusetts

Jul 3, 2024
The state bans price discrimination at parks. Hometown America argues it should be able to charge new residents more than longtime ones.
Ed and Rose Bartok look at their lilac bush in the front yard of their home at the Miller’s Woods and River Bend manufactured home community in Athol, Massachusetts.
Jesse Costa/WBUR

Fragmented demand means there's not just one beer industry anymore

Jul 3, 2024
It started with the rise of craft beer in the 2010s and has continued with flavored hard seltzers and canned cocktails.
"Beverage alcohol consumers are starting to spread their dollars across alcohol types and categories more than they have in the past," says Matt Gacioch, staff economist with the Brewers Association.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Bond yields owe a debt to presidential politics

Jul 3, 2024
Yields on the 10-year Treasury note rose after the recent debate on the idea that a Trump election win could boost inflation.
A Republican administration's policies might add to inflation and government debt, said David Kelly of J.P. Morgan Asset Management. But Democrats spend a lot too.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Remember what “9 to 5” used to look like?

Jul 3, 2024
“Office jobs involved a lot of paperwork,” recalled Stephanie Sharf, who entered the labor force in 1968.
"Our word processing center, it was the model for the movie '9 to 5,'" said Stephanie Sharf. "Jane Fonda actually came into our office and walked around and observed." Above, a screenshot from the documentary “Still Working 9 to 5.”
Mighty Fine Entertainment

Federal Reserve, assessing inflation-unemployment link, faces an inflection point

Jul 3, 2024
But some economists say the relationship between inflation and employment is not as black and white as it used to be.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images