Aug 13, 2020

Grand opening, grand closing

Ben Steele, REI's chief customer officer, at the outfitter's Seattle flagship store in 2015. REI has abandoned plans to move into its new headquarters during the pandemic. Suzi Pratt/Getty Images for REI

Plus: Work-from-home stipends, the latest unemployment claim numbers and cities' budget shortfalls.

Segments From this episode

COVID & Unemployment

Jobless claims see continued dip but recovery not yet within reach

by Mitchell Hartman

Aug 13, 2020

While new jobless claims fell below 1 million for the first time in 21 weeks, we're still a long way away from a "good" economy.

A store advertising a job opening in Venice Beach, California.

David McNew/Getty Images

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COVID-19

City finances are in trouble. Next year could be worse.

by Justin Ho

Aug 13, 2020

A new report from the National League of Cities finds that local governments are seeing big drops in revenue.

The nearly empty streets of New York City in May. City budgets, which fund local infrastructure and services, have been slammed during the pandemic.

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

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COVID-19

REI wants to sell its new headquarters before it moves in

by Andy Uhler

Aug 13, 2020

While retail employees need to be in stores, others don't have to work from an office to be productive.

Ben Steele, REI's chief customer officer, at the outfitter's Seattle flagship store in 2015. REI has abandoned plans to move into its new headquarters during the pandemic.

Suzi Pratt/Getty Images for REI

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COVID-19

Some companies help employees cover costs of working from home

by Erika Beras

Aug 13, 2020

Employees are using the stipends to buy ergonomic chairs, wellness apps, and office equipment.

FreshSplash/Getty Images

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Shelf Life

Youth entrepreneur Mikaila Ulmer on learning to “Bee Fearless”

by Mikaila Ulmer

Aug 13, 2020

The 15-year-old founder and CEO of Me & the Bees Lemonade says youth entrepreneurs like her prove anyone can grow a company.

Mikaila Ulmer, the 15-year-old founder and CEO of Me & the Bees Lemonade in 2019.

Microsoft, courtesy of Me & the Bees

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COVID-19

Feeding America CEO: 'We simply can't do this alone'

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban

Aug 13, 2020

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot of Feeding America said about 40% of the people the organization is serving have never before relied on the charitable food system.

A food distribution event for people in need of food in New York in July.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

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How We Shop

How We Shop: Secondhand

by Marielle Segarra

Aug 13, 2020

How one thrifter is confronting the ethics of buying clothes secondhand and reselling them at a markup.

Tagged clothing at a thrift store in San Francisco.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Already Gone Brett Dennen

Ace of Aces The Fearless Flyers

Candy Walls TR/ST

Everyday Is a New Start Sun Glitters

Passenger Kidsmoke

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

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