Aug 18, 2022

A bonus? In this economy?

To help workers deal with high prices, some employers have given bonuses or moved up pay increases. Other approaches include gasoline stipends or additional paid time off. Katsiaryna Voitsik/Getty Images

In an effort to retain employees, businesses are trying new strategies to compensate them for the costs of inflation. Plus, how drought could affect energy bills and why there's no free school lunch (for most students).

Segments From this episode

Why retailers messed up their inventories so badly

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Aug 18, 2022

Target, Walmart and others have struggled to keep up with changes in consumer buying and have had to predict demand further in advance.

Target and other retailers have been marking down prices in hopes of moving their glut of merchandise.

Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

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Employers get creative with inflation compensation

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Aug 18, 2022

From early bonuses to gas cards and free lunch, companies offer perks to retain employees while struggling to keep their costs down.

To help workers deal with high prices, some employers have given bonuses or moved up pay increases. Other approaches include gasoline stipends or additional paid time off.

Katsiaryna Voitsik/Getty Images

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Is everyone back at the office? It depends on where you live.

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Aug 18, 2022

Office occupancy remains low in cities like New York and San Francisco, while places like Columbus, Ohio, are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels.

Office occupancy rates remain low in major urban areas like New York City. Above, a person eats lunch on the terrace of a Manhattan office building.

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

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How drought zaps electricity production and could raise prices

by Andy Uhler

Aug 18, 2022

Coal, natural gas and nuclear plants need water to make the steam that moves turbines, and as a cooling agent.

When power demand peaks, hydropower can be used to meet that demand in short order. Drought conditions make this difficult. Above, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, which was at its lowest level since the 1930s in July.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

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For 2 years, there was such a thing as a free lunch — at public schools. Not anymore.

by Stephanie Hughes

Aug 18, 2022

The pandemic relief program that provided free meals was an outlier in the 75-year history of the federal school lunch program.

The federal government's universal free school lunch program has expired, though the idea is popular with parents.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

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How much tax-funded tourist promotion money does a popular destination need?

by Travis Bubenik

Aug 18, 2022

In the tourist hot spot of the Texas Big Bend, some raise concerns about taxes used to promote even more tourism.

Some locals in the Big Bend area would like to see the hotel occupancy tax go toward housing assistance or building new roads. Above, the entrance to the Terlingua Ghost Town in the Big Bend region.

Hannah Gentiles

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Music from the episode

Beat 100 Benny Sings, Marc Rebillet, Mocky, Cola Boyy

Mobius Streak Hiatus Kaiyote

All Day knowmadic

Higher Noble Oak

Como Me Quieres Khruangbin

Patience Tame Impala

Like We Should Sinnerboy

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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