Sep 5, 2024

The economics of immigration

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

How immigration affects housing, economic growth and more. Plus, the history of San Francisco's painted ladies.

Segments From this episode

Some small businesses put hiring on back burner as labor market cools

by Justin Ho

Sep 5, 2024

More workers are available, but the need for personnel doesn't seem as pressing as it was two years ago.

Some businesses say they’ve been getting more selective about new hires.

Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

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Is immigration good or bad for the economy? The answer is complex.

by Mitchell Hartman

Sep 5, 2024

Immigrants become consumers, workers and contributors to the U.S. economy. But in some places, an influx can stress budgets and infrastructure.

Many of the workers who rebuilt parts of Florida after Hurricane Ian in 2022 were unauthorized immigrants. Immigrants have a large presence in the U.S. construction industry.

Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images

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Student loan borrowers are in limbo while legal challenges wend through courts

by Samantha Fields

Sep 5, 2024

An appeals court has temporarily blocked a Biden plan that would reduce monthly payments for many to just 5% of their income.

The Biden administration rolled out the SAVE plan last year. The loans of 8 million borrowers were paused when an appeals court suspended the program in July.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

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Battery energy storage is a growing source of electricity

by Elizabeth Trovall

Sep 5, 2024

Using stored renewable energy can help the grid — and be profitable for battery operators — especially when electricity demand is high.

A solar power and battery energy storage system in Daggett, California.

Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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Adventures in Housing

How a row of “Painted Ladies” became San Francisco ambassadors

by Maria Hollenhorst

Sep 5, 2024

The homes represent the city's ideals, a local architectural historian says: cherishing the past and “always looking to the future.”

The juxtaposition of old Victorian homes against a backdrop of skyscrapers makes the "Painted Ladies” of Steiner Street a popular tourist destination.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Adults are cashing in on lemonade stands

by Kristin Schwab and Aleezeh Hasan

Sep 5, 2024

The classic lemonade stand isn't just for kids anymore and young adults are taking advantage of this side hustle.

Running a lemonade stand as an adult has recently gone viral on TikTok, says The Washington Post's Amber Ferguson. But it's not an easy job.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

"Stay This Way" The Brand New Heavies

"Wind Travel" Richard Houghten

"Simmer" Hayley Williams

"Cirrus" Bonobo

"Hold Up" Beyoncé

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 Assistant Producer

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

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