News
A year since Trump's big tax bill, SNAP enrollment has fallen dramatically
2+ hour, 58+ min ago (674+ words) Even if they're employed, people eligible for SNAP benefits may struggle to prove they're working enough hours to meet work requirements. President Donald Trump signed his big tax and spending bill into law on July 4, 2025. The new law makes it…...
Trump's tax and spending law, one year on
1+ hour, 38+ min ago (417+ words) The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" has been law for about a year. Here's how the provisions have played out. This week, marks one year since Congress passed the Republican tax and spending bill " the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act....
What would make Kevin Warsh consider a "Fed put?"
10+ hour, 48+ min ago (170+ words) With a new Federal Reserve chair, can we expect a "Fed put" to promote stability in financial markets? Plus, teen jobs, home building, prediction markets, rush hour, and cowboy boots. Under new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh, can we expect…...
People can now bet on wildfires on prediction markets. What could go wrong?
17+ hour, 33+ min ago (391+ words) Critics have called it unethical and pointed out that people might start fires to collect on bets. On the other hand, prediction markets can highlight risk and change behaviors in the real world. Prediction markets have entered the natural disaster…...
What's behind a boom in the Western boot business?
16+ hour, 10+ min ago (719+ words) The global western boot market has topped $1 billion and is growing, fueled by what industry observers call the "Yellowstone" effect." There"s a joke among locals in Nashville about how you can spot the tourists: They"re the ones in…...
How the Iran war derailed selling season for homebuilders
16+ hour, 2+ min ago (333+ words) Single-family home construction spending is down 4% from last May, according to new Census Bureau data, as elevated mortgage rates and affordability pressures drag down demand. After months of war-driven economic uncertainty and mortgage rates around 6%, homebuilders are struggling with affordability…...
What fewer working teenagers could mean for the future workforce
16+ hour, 9+ min ago (1265+ words) In the 1980s, about two in every three U. S. teenagers had paying jobs. Now, it's about one in three. This is a pretty tough summer for young job-seekers. Outplacement firm Challenger Gray & Christmas predicts this will be the worst summer for teen…...
Forget rush hour, traffic has become an all-day problem
15+ hour, 51+ min ago (180+ words) With people moving farther from city centers and commuting at more irregular hours, peak traffic times have shifted and stretched. Whether it's stop-and-start traffic or overcrowded subway cars, commuting can be a bit of a nightmare. And frequent travelers may…...
Why consumer confidence is a mixed bag right now
1+ day, 17+ hour ago (442+ words) The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index for June paints a pretty complex pictiure. On Tuesday, the Conference Board released fresh data on consumer confidence. Consumers reported that they're feeling a little better about the economy compared to last month, but…...
As wage growth slows, the gender wage gap is widening
1+ day, 16+ hour ago (622+ words) The gender wage gap has been widening for several years, after it narrowed at the start of the pandemic. That's a drag on the entire economy. We're going to get the government's official employment tally for June in a couple…...