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Now that Boeing's strike is over, the planemaker faces a massive backlog of orders

Nov 5, 2024
But the problem's industry-wide: Airbus is also dealing with a hefty backlog.
Increased demand and supply chain issues following the pandemic contributed to Boeing's current struggles.
Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images

Why are there so many food recalls?

Oct 31, 2024
Changes in the way we eat are introducing new risks into the food supply chain. Frequent testing and recalls can protect the public.
Ninety E. coli cases have been tied to slivered onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders across 13 states.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

The economy has been stabilizing. But for some small businesses, it also feels a little out of whack.

Oct 30, 2024
Even though inflation has subsided, interest rates are heading down, and the labor market is loosening up, many business owners say the problems that emerged over the last few years haven’t gone away.
One pain point for small business owners in this economy? Shipping and other supply chain parts are more expensive than before the pandemic.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Nationwide IV fluid shortage following Helene leads to postponed surgeries

Oct 17, 2024
It was easier for companies to transition to making PPE at the height of the pandemic than it was to produce something as sterile and specific as IV fluid.
“A product like IV fluids is almost like having water to your house — you need tons, like literal tons of this fluid in America's largest hospitals every day,” said Dr. Chris DeRienzo of the American Hospital Association.
Bevan Goldswain/Getty Images

Will port strikes lead to food shortages? Consumer, business behavior both play role

Oct 3, 2024
If the strike drags on, some imported items could run low. How quickly that happens depends in part on retailers' and consumers' ability to stock up.
If customers rush to stock up, it will "create scarcity more quickly," say experts.
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With East Coast and Gulf ports closed by the strike, West Coast ports are busier than usual

Oct 3, 2024
For months, shippers have been insuring against strike delays by sending their cargo to the other side of the continent.
California's Port of Long Beach side handled 913,000 shipping containers last month, about 18% more than normal.
Art Wager/Getty Images

The U.S. is investing billions of dollars in fiber internet. Here's what makes it run.

Aug 26, 2024
We tour a North Carolina plant where melted glass is pulled into the hair-like strands that power fiber-optic cable.
Manufacturers like Prysmian supply fiber-optic cables to internet service providers.
Andie Corban/Marketplace

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The last time inflation was under 3% was March 2021

Aug 21, 2024
The economy — and life —has changed a lot since.
The world looked very different the last time inflation rates dipped under 3%.
Montinique Monroe/Getty Images

There's a logic to the chaos of the global supply chain

Jun 14, 2024
Peter Goodman of The New York Times discusses the complex inner workings of our fragile system and why it broke down during the pandemic.
Increasing resilience would be costly and reduce profitability at many supply chain businesses, author Peter Goodman explains. Above, shipping containers at the Port of Oakland in California.
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What wholesale inventory says about goods in our economy

May 30, 2024
Wholesalers supply both retailers and manufacturers.
When wholesale inventories run low, they can suggest robust retail sales.
Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images