Marketplace

Ahead of the holiday travel season, pilots at two major airlines rejected tentative contracts this week, and a third voted to authorize a strike. Pilots are bargaining for better wages and quality-of-life provisions, all while clocking record-high overtime and grappling with staff shortages. Also in this episode, worker productivity gets a boost, graphite shortages are bad news for EVs, and extreme heat threatens low-income households in Miami.

The Federal Reserve announced another interest rate increase today. On the program, we’ll unpack the key questions on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s mind as he guides the central bank in its quest to quell rising prices. Then, it’s back to Buffalo, New York, where we visit a food truck providing better access to fresh produce and reflect on what economists could learn from the people behind macroeconomic data.

A cooling labor market means cooling inflation — at least in theory. But fresh data shows that job openings are growing and the quits rate remains high. Today, we’ll dig into the implications for workers and the Federal Reserve. Then, we’ll travel back to Buffalo, New York, to hear how the pandemic has altered the trajectories of a global hospitality company, a small inn and a young worker.

We spend a lot of time on this program talking about the big-picture data of this economy. But data doesn’t tell the whole story. Today, we travel to Buffalo, New York — a city where low-wage workers have enjoyed wage growth of more than 40% in the past few years — and hear how workers along one street are navigating inflation, the labor market and recovery from the pandemic.

Inflation is the unwanted guest who somehow has not taken the hint. Prices are still rising month over month. And though the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes are being felt throughout the economy, we’ll likely be asking that question for a while before prices start to stabilize. Plus, a race toward I bonds, a plan to keep college students in STEM and the economic woes of going on tour.

Last quarter’s gross domestic product showed better-than-expected growth. Problem is, GDP is backward-facing, and a strong dollar, rising mortgage rates and slowing consumer spending all hint at trouble ahead. Later in the program: how schools are prepping to train chip production workers, why investment is pouring into quantum computer development and how a dark chapter of history spawned a booming tourism industry in Salem, Massachusetts.

We’re in the throngs of earnings season. Corporate ​​earnings releases are kind of like report cards for large companies, and while many have beaten quarterly expectations so far, their outlooks tend to be a little less rosy. Today, we’ll check the mood of corporate America. Plus, schools weigh spending options for COVID relief funds, short-term mortgages worry British homeowners and small businesses see supply chain relief.

The last few years have been a roller coaster for renters. Though  rents are up roughly 9% year over year, that’s an improvement from the increases seen last year. Is this a sign that the rental market is finally moderating, or just a temporary seasonal dip? Plus, a boost in new car inventory, new pay transparency laws that encourage fair compensation and banks’ role in the racial wealth gap.        

The Fed’s interest rate hikes continue to be felt across the economy. First, we’ll hear how those higher rates are luring investors away from tech companies, then we’ll see how decades-high mortgage rates are stretching the time houses remain on the market. Also on the program: Medicare recipients foot the bill for a rejected Alzheimer’s drug, and artificial intelligence rocks the digital art world.

Last spring, the worst wildfire in New Mexico’s history grew from prescribed burns lit by the U.S. Forest Service. It cost the federal government billions and devastated hundreds of homes and businesses. Now, liability concerns are making the Forest Service more cautious about using the wildfire prevention tool — just as experts say it’s needed most. Plus, persistent global recession fears and the intentional dryness of earnings calls.

The United Kingdom’s economy was sent into a tailspin during Liz Truss’ six short weeks as prime minister. Today, we’ll check in with Marketplace’s London bureau chief to discuss the political and economic fallout of Truss’ resignation and hear what’s next for 10 Downing Street. We’ll also dissect the corporate strategies for price hikes, follow the money in midterm elections and weigh infrastructure improvement options for cash-strapped towns.

It’s been a rough year for the stock market. But the stock market doesn’t always provide a clear roadmap of where the economy is headed. Today, the factors behind stock market volatility and how much we can read into the ups and downs. Also in the program: Europe turns to coal to avoid an energy crisis and a look at natural disaster modeling following Hurricane Ian.

Across the economy, companies are bracing for a cold economic winter. While banks are stockpiling cash to cover defaulted loans, tech companies like Microsoft are slimming staff and scaling back recruitment. In today’s episode, a look at how companies are prepping for an economic downturn. Plus, a silver lining for supply chains, second lives for school buildings and a nationalized green energy company proposal in the U.K.

The Department of Education recently opened its application for student loan forgiveness. With over 40 million people eligible for debt relief, it’s the largest operation of its kind in the department’s history. Today, we take a look at the logistics, hurdles and stakes for the federal government. Plus, a pricier holiday shopping season, a flawed economic indicator and a boost in accessibility for hearing aids.

Think of inflation as a runner. In parts of the economy, that runner is slowing — still going forward, just not as fast. Today, we’ll unpack which sectors are leading the race and which are faltering. Plus, how the Fed is tackling that persistent inflation, what a Kroger-Albertsons merger means for your grocery bill and how China’s economy is doing on the eve of its 20th Communist congress.