Jun 19, 2023

What high mortgage rates means for Black homeownership

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

While Black homeownership climbed early in the pandemic, the rise in mortgage rates could stall progress. Then, a mysterious mold is linked to a boom in whiskey production.

Segments From this episode

Homebuilders' optimism keeps building

by Stephanie Hughes

Jun 19, 2023

More buyers are turning to newly constructed homes as fewer owners of existing homes choose to sell.

New houses currently make up about 1 in 3 homes for sale, a much larger proportion than in the past, housing economist Robert Dietz says.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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Race and Economy

Black homeownership climbed early in the pandemic. Is progress stalling?

by Matt Levin

Jun 19, 2023

Higher mortgage rates could disproportionately hurt Black homebuyers.

Historically low mortgage rates lifted homeownership across racial and ethnic groups. But those rates have more than doubled since 2021.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Water contamination in Black communities doesn't stop at Flint or Jackson

by Kimberly Adams and Sarah Leeson

Jun 19, 2023

"When I was traveling throughout the South, I visited 11 cities. Every single city had water problems, had a water boil notice within the last year, or had reported having brown water trickling through their faucets," said reporter Adam Mahoney.

A resident of Beaumont, Texas looks on as the city attempts to flush out contamination from its water lines.

Courtesy Adam Mahoney

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On Juneteenth, this small business owner makes space for big conversations

by Sarah Leeson

Jun 19, 2023

"As a Black business owner, often I'm asked to share a little bit about my story, or my journey, or my background. And so I get to facilitate conversations around these things while making candles," said Colina Bruce of Noir Lux Candle Co.

Bruce says she's been invited to participate in a variety of local Juneteenth events.

Courtesy @kingnoir31

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The whiskey drinking boom is causing a "whiskey fungus" boom

by Caroline Eggers

Jun 19, 2023

The mysterious mold is spreading in a rural Tennessee town near the expanding Jack Daniel’s operation.

Patrick Long examines a bush covered in “whiskey fungus.” He says the growth of the organism is damaging the grounds of his business, a wedding venue in Tennessee.

Caroline Eggers/Nashville Public Radio

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Coffee nears a crisis point

The U.S. is the second-largest importer of coffee, but the climate crisis is damaging farmers’ coffee crops. The BBC’s Katie Barnfield looks at how a tougher type of coffee bean could replace the traditional arabica.

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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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