housing costs

a picture of dollar bills stuffed into a model house

A historic housing construction boom may finally moderate rent hikes

BY: - October 18, 2023

An unprecedented surge in the nationwide construction of new housing — mostly apartments — may finally be making a dent in fast-rising rents that have been making life harder for tenants. More than 1.65 million housing units were under construction last year, the highest annual number since federal record-keeping started in 1969. This year, the […]

a "now hiring" sign on a sidewalk

‘Who’s going to work there?’: Lawmakers grapple with labor shortages

BY: - August 22, 2023

INDIANAPOLIS — For years, Indiana’s GOP-controlled legislature has focused on creating a business-friendly climate by pushing favorable tax rates and regulations, aiming to foster the creation of good-paying jobs across the state. The way Republican state Sen. Michael Crider sees it, those moves have worked: Companies such as Amazon and Walmart have built new warehouses and […]

a shopper in front of the fish counter at a grocery store

Consumers seeing relief in some food prices as inflation continues to slow

BY: - August 11, 2023

Consumers are getting some relief from higher prices as core inflation, which excludes food and energy, continues to show signs of cooling — an encouraging sign for the U.S. economy, according to economists. The Department of Labor’s report on Thursday showed the consumer price index rose 0.2% in July, in line with expectations, and 3.2% […]

a box of basic food staples

PW special report: Low pay, high cost of living are sending UNC System grad students to food pantries

BY: - May 11, 2022

Folasewa Olatunde didn’t want to go to the dentist. But sharp pain and inflammation in her mouth told her she should. The dentist told her she needed to have a molar removed and some cavities filled. The cost: more than $3,000.