Jul 20, 2020

What will out-of-work Americans do without that extra $600 per week?

The economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic sparked an explosion of Americans filing for unemployment benefits. Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images

Plus: The decline of Black-owned insurance companies, how the pandemic is affecting the auto industry and why this crisis could be the end of tipping.

Segments From this episode

COVID-19

The U.S.- Canada border's been closed for four months, and nearby towns are suffering

by Erika Beras

Jul 20, 2020

Every year, some 20 million Canadians visit the U.S. and spend an average of about $1,000. But not now.

A "Closed" sign in the town of Niagara Falls, Canada. The coronavirus pandemic has hit tourist attractions hard economically.

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Pandemic shifts people's feelings about owning a car

by Jack Stewart

Jul 20, 2020

Many Americans who want to avoid public transit and ride-sharing are tempted to buy a car.

Allen Zimney and his girlfriend, Leila Alvarez, aided by salesman Greg Bowles, shop at the Star Ford car dealership in Glendale, California.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

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Chevron buys Noble Energy, a sign that oil's not dead

by Justin Ho

Jul 20, 2020

Oil has risen to roughly $40 a barrel after plummeting in April. With prices holding steady, big oil companies are likely to pounce on smaller ones.

Chevron recently launched a "news" website in the Permian Basin in Texas, complete with local stories about puppies followed by advertisements for the oil giant.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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COVID & Unemployment

What will losing $600 a week in federal unemployment mean for the jobless?

by Mitchell Hartman

Jul 20, 2020

The extra benefit has been a lifeline for millions of people — and even some small businesses.

The economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic sparked an explosion of Americans filing for unemployment benefits.

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Race and Economy

How the decline of Black-owned insurance firms widened the wealth gap

by Kai Ryssdal and Alli Fam

Jul 20, 2020

Many of the agencies survived the Great Depression but later died out. Their loss meant less money invested into Black communities.

Moyo Studios

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COVID & Unemployment

With tips down, some restaurants have raised wages for servers. Will it last?

by Samantha Fields

Jul 13, 2020

“A lot of workers are saying no, I refuse to go back and put my health at risk and my family's health at risk for $2, $3 or $4 an hour.”

With business slow at most restaurants, some are raising wages to incentivize staff to come back.

Byron Smith/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Switch Cass McCombs

Pyramid Blue Richard Houghten

Reflektor Arcade Fire

Addiction Black Violin

Bustling Freddie Joachim

El Jardin Hermanos Gutierrez

Coffin Nails MF DOOM

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

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