Sep 12, 2023

Poverty rose last year. Inflation’s only part of the story.

People line up at a West Virginia food pantry. Spencer Platt/Getty Image

We do the numbers on poverty data released by the Census Bureau. Plus, what does the rise of electric vehicles mean for infrastructure funding?

Segments From this episode

Why are businesses pessimistic about the economy?

by Kristin Schwab

Sep 12, 2023

In August, for the 20th straight month, business owners scored their outlook below average.

Rising labor costs and the inflation of prices for necessary goods are two factors making business owners less optimistic.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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Census: Income fell, poverty increased in 2022

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Sep 12, 2023

The expiration of pandemic-era government benefits is partially responsible for the increases in poverty.

Above, a food pantry, in Queens, New York. With pandemic-era benefits ending, post-tax real incomes fell 14% for the lowest earners in the U.S. in 2022.

Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images

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Apple's new iPhone 15 is just one example of how EU regulation is changing tech

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Sep 12, 2023

On issues from data privacy to content moderation, as Europe goes, so goes the tech industry.

Attendees of an Apple event look at the new iPhone 15 on Tuesday. The new iPhone features a USB-C charging port, a change that comes ahead of an EU law requiring common charging systems.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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As gas taxes dwindle, states seek ways to charge EVs

by Elizabeth Trovall

Sep 12, 2023

With electric vehicles becoming more common, some states, like Texas, are levying flat fees to make up the shortfall.

Some road maintenance is funded by gasoline tax revenue, so the increasing popularity of electric vehicles may require new ways to bring in cash.

Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

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Patents are about to get more enforceable

by Kai Ryssdal and Livi Burdette

Sep 12, 2023

You've probably infringed several patents today.

Patented items are everywhere, and the current system "depends on most people in most situations ignoring patents and ignoring patent infringement," says Janet Freilich, law professor at Fordham University.

Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

I Do It for the Music spring gang

Tangerine Beach Fossils

Chosen Blood Orange

Cruise Control Jeffrey Paradise

Lost In Yesterday Tame Impala

Deceptacon Le Tigre

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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