Mar 24, 2025

Will tariffs boost U.S. manufacturing?

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

We look at the latest purchasing managers report to see if new trade policies have made an impact. Also: Homeownership rates stall for Gen Z and millennials.

Segments From this episode

PMI data shows a mixed picture for businesses, and mixed emotions

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Mar 24, 2025

Manufacturers are optimistic, partly because of tariffs. In services, execs are glad the winter is over but not bullish on the full year.

Businesses in the service economy say they're bouncing back from a tough start to the year, largely due to harsh weather. Above, a restaurant worker carries eggs.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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Homeownership rates stagnate for young people

by Elizabeth Trovall

Mar 24, 2025

Amid elevated interest rates and high costs, millennials and older members of Gen Z made no gains in owning homes in 2024, Redfin data shows.

Millennials' homeownership rate held steady at 55% last year, more than double that of older members of Gen Z, according to Redfin. Baby boomers and Gen X gained.

Tim Boyle/Getty Images

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What role do Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac play in the U.S. mortgage market?

by Matt Levin

Mar 24, 2025

They don't make loans themselves, but they help banks make more of them.

"They're the grease basically that makes the whole mortgage finance system work, and they've been incredibly successful at it," said David Dworkin, CEO of the National Housing Conference.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

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Inside the $3 billion independent college counseling industry

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban

Mar 24, 2025

Counselors offer services like essay editing, extracurricular guidance and university visit scheduling — sometimes for a six figure price.

Independent college counselors start working with kids as early as middle school, said Nicole LaPorte.

Scott Eisen/Getty Images

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Trump's Second Term

For former federal workers, the move to state or local government can come with drawbacks

by Savannah Peters

Mar 24, 2025

Officials in Maryland, New York, New Mexico and Kansas City are among those launching recruitment campaigns targeting federal workers. But matching those workers’ federal salaries and competing with private sector offers will be tough.

New York is among the states looking to fill vacancies by hiring recently laid-off federal workers.

John Lamparski/Getty Images

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In Baltimore, bridge builders must be economic futurists

by Stephanie Hughes

Mar 24, 2025

The rebuilt Francis Scott Key Bridge will have to accommodate not just the ships and trucks of today, but those of a 100 years from now.

A rendering of the cable-stayed bridge that will replace the truss design of the Francis Key Scott Bridge, which was destroyed a year ago when it was hit by a container ship.

Courtesy Maryland Transportation Authority

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Music from the episode

Becoming a Tree Richard Houghten

Soul Vibration J-Walk

Super Shy NewJeans

Baghdad Sun Apollo Brown

Dear To Me Electric Guest

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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