Jan 2, 2025

New Congress, same debt drama

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

What will it take to solve the debt ceiling saga? Plus, river rafting and naming pharmaceuticals.

Segments From this episode

New construction spending figures are mediocre — but some sectors are thriving

by Mitchell Hartman

Jan 2, 2025

Single-family home building and manufacturing plant construction are bright spots in an uninspiring general picture.

Data center construction spending jumped 43% year over year in November. Above, a data center under construction in Eagle Mountain, Utah.

George Frey/Getty Images

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Port automation is a sticking point for dockworkers union

by Henry Epp

Jan 2, 2025

Longshoremen are trying to prevent the adoption of technology that could eliminate jobs. That transition has been underway in other countries.

Port automation has become more common globally in recent years. But the International Longshoremen’s Association does not want ports to adopt technology that could eliminate jobs.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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In Tennessee, railroad repairs after Hurricane Helene put two industries at odds

by Katie Myers

Jan 2, 2025

Hurricane Helene changed the wild Nolichucky River, prized by East Tennessee rafters. Now, railroad repairs may have harmed the river further.

The banks of the Nolichucky River turn to mud where the railroad company has removed rock.

Katie Myers

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National Debt

New year, new Congress, old problem: the debt ceiling

by Caleigh Wells

Jan 2, 2025

The options on the table: cut spending, default on the national debt, raise the ceiling — or eliminate it altogether.

In recent years, congressional debate over raising, lowering or suspending the debt ceiling has grown more common.

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

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Job seekers turn to honesty on social media to find work

by Kristin Schwab and Sarah Leeson

Jan 2, 2025

People are "getting really personal" and leveraging their social media networks, says Danielle Abril of The Washington Post.

Job seekers are using LinkedIn and other social media platforms to show off skills and get in touch with companies they want to work for.

Carl Court/Getty Images

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My Economy

The Tetris of words: naming a pharmaceutical

by Nicholas Guiang

Jan 2, 2025

Behind every name for a business, product or prescription drug is someone writing hundreds of possible names. Lieba Golden-Koulendros has made a career out it.

"There may be regulatory requirements that you have to encode the name of the generic into the pharmaceutical name," said Lieba Golden-Koulendros.

Tim Boyle/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

"Kick, Push" Lupe Fiasco

"Seconds Into Months" MNDLSS

"Spiderweb" Richard Houghten

"Still Grimey" Wu-Tang Clan

"Losing Control" Poolside

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Sofia Terenzio Associate Producer I

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

Nicholas Guiang Assistant Producer

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