Aug 24, 2021

Inequality is on the Fed’s agenda at Jackson Hole

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell arrives to testify at a House Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus hearing June 22, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Saul Loeb-Pool via Getty Images

Plus: An eco-friendly energy program in Texas, Walmart's bet on "last-mile" deliveries and one woman's attempt to break into the voice-over industry.

Segments From this episode

Debate over Fed's role in shaping unequal economy expected at Jackson Hole

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Aug 24, 2021

Wrapped up in this year's theme — "Macroeconomic Policy in an Uneven Economy" — is years of debate and controversy over who the economy serves.

People walk outside of the New York Stock Exchange in August 2016. At the Fed's Jackson Hole summit, economists expect discussions about the Fed's role in minimizing inequality.

Spencer Platt via Getty Images

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How the "economic fundamentals" of opium undermined U.S. strategy in Afghanistan

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Aug 24, 2021

The U.S. spent billions trying to suppress Afghanistan’s illicit opium and heroin trade. It didn’t work.

A U.S. Marine sergeant patrols in an Afghan poppy field in 2011. With many farmers dependent on the opium trade, Jeffrey Clemens says, "the effort to win hearts and minds" was set back by the U.S. eradication program.

Bay Ismoyo/AFP via Getty Images

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Walmart will make local "white label" deliveries for other retailers

by Kimberly Adams

Aug 24, 2021

The retail giant already has a well developed "last-mile" delivery network in parts of the country.

Walmart announced Tuesday that it will be expanding its delivery service to handle shipments from other businesses in a "white label" shipping service called GoLocal.

George Frey via Getty Images

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The world's largest container-shipping company wants to go green

by Andy Uhler

Aug 24, 2021

Danish company Maersk said it has ordered eight vessels that run on green methanol, a carbon-neutral fuel.

In a step toward creating a carbon-neutral shipping fleet, Maersk will purchase eight vessels that run on green methanol.

Spencer Platt via Getty Images

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Renewable energy startup aims to help Texans lower electric bills

by Katie Watkins

Aug 24, 2021

Households with less disposable income often pay higher rates. Energy Well Texas is addressing that as well as emergency preparedness.

Antonio Martinez shows how the solar-powered backup battery works. Energy Well Texas wants to help residents save money on electric power and stay safe during emergencies.

Lucio Vasquez/Houston Public Media

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My Economy

After losing her job, this woman turned to at-home voiceover work

by Sean McHenry

Aug 24, 2021

Carol Wrobleski got a coach and turned her closet into a studio. Then a different full-time opportunity came along.

An interior of Carol Wrobleski's home studio. "I had a lot of people come in, drill nails in my walls and set up all kinds of foam," Wroblesk said. "The hard part is getting a studio space that has the sound quality that you need."

Photo courtesy of Carol Wrobleski

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The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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