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December’s jobs report is a head-scratcher
Jan 7, 2022

December’s jobs report is a head-scratcher

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We'll also learn how to interpret the employment diffusion index and why second homes are about to become pricier.

Segments From this episode

The Weekly Wrap

The Washington Post’s Catherine Rampell and Politico’s Kate Davidson join Kai Ryssdal to chat about the latest jobs report, the Fed’s balance sheet and more of this week’s economic news.

Surveys of employers, households paint 2 pictures of the job market

Jan 7, 2022
Despite a disappointing jobs report, the news is still pretty good.
Fewer jobs than expected were added to December payrolls. That can be partly explained by the difficulty in hiring workers these days.
Joe Raedle via Getty Images

Borrowing for second homes to become more expensive

Jan 7, 2022
Demand for vacation homes has crowded out would-be homeowners, but will higher fees make a dent?
Upfront fees for some second-home loans could increase by as much as 3.9% starting in April. Above, beachfront vacation homes in Florida.
felixmizioznikov via Getty Images

The diffusion what?

Veronika Dolar, assistant professor and labor economist at SUNY Old Westbury, talks about what the diffusion index can tell us about the state of the labor market.

IRS tells payment apps to report business transactions over $600

Jan 7, 2022
The threshold used to be much higher.
As the number of self-employed workers expands, the IRS is requiring online payment platforms like PayPal to report transactions greater than $600. The threshold used to be $20,000.
Eric Piermont/AFP via Getty Images

Supply chain issues meet the salon chair

We hear from Ashley Nelson in Boise, Idaho about how the pandemic has changed hair trends.

Music from the episode

Flip Flop Vibe The BREED
House Common Market
Look Both Ways! Birocratic, Flamingosis
Wishing Well Substantial, T.Lucas, Stephanie Gayle

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