Dec 21, 2021

In tourist communities, short-term rentals are pricing out locals

milehightraveler via Getty Images

Also: Unionization efforts make their way to college campuses, what double-digit inflation looks like in Turkey and the impact additional seasonal work visas could have on the labor shortage.

Segments From this episode

COVID-19

Biden's COVID home test plan faces supply chain hurdles

by Justin Ho

Dec 21, 2021

But it will be easier than shipping COVID vaccines, and there are more options for delivering the rapid tests, experts say.

President Joe Biden announces that he is planning to distribute half a billion at-home COVID-19 tests in response to the the spread of the coronavirus omicron variant.

Drew Angerer via Getty Images

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Will employers need newly available seasonal visas?

by Kristin Schwab

Dec 21, 2021

Omicron has made businesses reassess staffing this winter.

While many resorts, hotels and restaurants rely on seasonal workers for the winter season, the cost of an H-2B visa can be steep for employers. Above, a worker stores ski shoes.

Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images

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More and more graduate students seek to unionize

by Savannah Peters

Dec 21, 2021

The pandemic has highlighted existing challenges for grad student workers and created new ones.

This year has seen a surge in unionization efforts, increasingly on college campuses — including at MIT, Columbia University and the University of New Mexico.

AndreyPopov via Getty Images

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In the Western wilderness, crowds of vacation renters are pricing out locals

by Amanda Peacher

Dec 21, 2021

Locals who live near national parks, like Joshua Tree, are seeing more and more housing stock become lucrative short-term rentals.

Tiffany Hopkins searches for new rental listings after hearing she has to be out of her triplex in Yucca Valley before Christmas. Hopkins has heard the property will be converted to short-term rentals.

Amanda Peacher/Marketplace

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What does 20% inflation feel like in Turkey?

by Victoria Craig

Dec 21, 2021

A package of eggs recently jumped 60% in a week at one grocery store. Many economists fault the Erdoğan government's policies.

Turkey's economic woes are driving many young people to look abroad for opportunity, which could lead to a damaging brain drain.

BBC/Stephen Ryan

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How 4 families are adjusting their budgets for the holiday season

by Amy Scott and Richard Cunningham

Dec 21, 2021

Many Americans are in better financial condition this year but remain cautious, says Wall Street Journal reporter Veronica Dagher.

For many Americans during the holidays this year, there can be a disconnect between how they are doing financially and how they feel about the economy or how freely they spend.

Mario Tama via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Heartbeats The Knife

Nightlife (Zero dB Reconstruction) Bonobo

Pretty Pimpin Kurt Vile

Chamakay Blood Orange

Occasional Magic Yppah

Super Bass Nicki Minaj

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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