inflation

COMMENTARY
a new car at the Detroit auto show

Three important truths about the U.S. economy

BY: - November 21, 2023

It’s not surprising that the political right continues to gripe about the U.S economy and, in particular, inflation. In a nation that’s overcome a devastating pandemic, charted a course to a dramatic and sustained economic recovery, rebuilt its international reputation as an opponent of tyranny, and returned competence and honesty to the federal government, critics […]

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 fast-food employee sets up a help wanted sign

Jobs report surprises as employers add 336,000 jobs in September

BY: - October 9, 2023

Employers continued their hiring streak in September, surprising economists by boosting jobs for workers in restaurants, health care, and government. The Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly jobs report, released Friday, showed a gain of 336,000 jobs. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.8%. The BLS also revised up the jobs added in July and August […]

Ron Pringle and Ashley McCumber

The state of hunger in North Carolina

BY: - September 11, 2023

When it comes to the current economic well-being of average Americans, it’s clear that the nation has made great progress in recent years. Unemployment and poverty are down, wages are up and recently, even inflation has started to cool. Despite this encouraging progress, however, the number of people struggling to stay afloat and avoid hunger […]

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 food service worker walks through restaurant tables

Despite pandemic pay boost, low-wage workers still can’t afford basic needs

BY: - July 12, 2023

Employers grappling with a nationwide labor shortage gave low-wage workers the largest pay increases in most states between 2019 and last year. But even so, many of those workers — more than 40% of all U.S. households, by one estimate — are struggling to cover the inflated costs of basic expenses. In the past several […]

grocery shelves in the dairy department

Wage growth remains high, jobs are steady and inflation is falling so why are people worried?

BY: - June 26, 2023

Economists have been predicting a recession for months, but the labor market has remained resilient, wage growth is higher than before the pandemic, and inflation continues to drop, now at 4% compared to 9.1% in June of last year. Despite this good news, consumers don’t feel confident about the future, according to the consumer confidence […]

COMMENTARY
the North Carolina Legislative Building

Senate budget would take education funding to destructive new depths

BY: - May 20, 2023

“Fund students, not systems” has become the rallying cry of the country’s most extreme school choice zealots. It’s a silly motto for many reasons. Notably, private schools and public schools are both “systems,” and systems are necessary to efficiently provide students with high quality education serving the public good. Despite the motto’s obvious ridiculousness, it […]

Senator Bernie Sanders speaks outside the U.S. Capitol

Bernie Sanders unveils push for $17-an-hour federal minimum wage, citing state increases

BY: - May 4, 2023

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday announced Democrats’ plans to mark up legislation to increase the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour, pointing to an increase in the cost of living. Outside the U.S. Capitol, Sanders, a Vermont independent and chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said the panel […]

a customer at a Mobil gas station pump

Here’s where gas prices are headed (for now) and why

BY: - April 27, 2023

Higher temperatures. Higher gas prices.  Drivers across the country have seen that seasonal given play out in recent weeks. The national average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.64 on April 26, up 21 cents over the previous month, according to AAA.  The good news is that gas is 49 cents below where it […]

A jobs available sign

Powell signals higher interest rates. Here’s why Friday’s jobs report will affect Fed’s decision.

BY: - March 9, 2023

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said this week that interest rate increases could be higher and come faster if Friday’s unemployment data shows the nation’s labor market isn’t cooling off. Stock indexes fell after his comments.