Aug 29, 2022

An economic double-take

The closely-watched Index of Leading Economic Indicators fell in its latest report, painting a gloomy macroeconomic picture for the near future. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

As weird as the economy is right now, the dollar and job market remain strong. Plus, OB-GYNs in Tennessee weigh their legal risks amid the state's abortion ban.

Segments From this episode

Why the U.S. dollar is so strong right now

by Mitchell Hartman

Aug 29, 2022

The dollar index hit a 20-year high in European trading, the result of the Fed's rate hikes and the relative strength of the U.S. economy.

The dollar is essentially at par with the euro — lower than it’s been since the European common currency was launched.

mars58/Getty Images

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How long can the job market stay this hot?

by Reema Khrais and Richard Cunningham

Aug 29, 2022

Some laid-off workers are surprised at how fast they were able to find new positions, says Sarah Chaney Cambon of The Wall Street Journal.

"The job market is still this bright spot really and it's overall outperforming kind of the rest of the economy," said Sarah Chaney Cambon, an economics reporter for The Wall Street Journal.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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Proposed Manhattan congestion fee could make return to office even harder

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Aug 29, 2022

Manhattan could soon charge drivers a toll to enter midtown, the financial district and other active areas.

Dense traffic in midtown Manhattan. New York City’s proposed congestion plan could include tolls as high as $23 during peak hours.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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Obstetricians weigh their legal risks under Tennessee's new abortion ban

by Blake Farmer

Aug 29, 2022

The new laws punish those who perform abortions, now criminalized as a felony that comes with a fine.

Dr. Kimberly Looney previously served as chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi. She’s now moved into private practice and expects she will receive more scrutiny because of her experience providing abortions.

Blake Farmer/WPLN News

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Why is modern interior design so gray?

by Reema Khrais and Sarah Leeson

Aug 29, 2022

Amid the rise of HGTV after the real estate meltdown of 2008, investors have remodeled a vast swath of properties to look alike.

The drive to make money from housing, rather than live in it, has entrenched a handful of design tropes that include gray floors and mosaic tiles, observes Amanda Mull of The Atlantic.

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Music from the episode

Black Coffee Elijah

Ndinewe Hope Masike

Esperar Pra Ver Poolside & Fatnotronic

Fishin' Takenobu

Cosmic Sans Cory Wong

Tennis Origins

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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