Erika Soderstrom

Associate Producer

Erika works with a group of extraordinary producers to chase business and economic stories heard on “Marketplace Morning Report.”

Latest from Erika Soderstrom

Mar 22, 2021
A step forward for AstraZeneca’s vaccine
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
The company announced the results of a U.S. trial this morning that find the vaccine is highly effective. Plus, continuing to keep an eye on U.S. Treasury yields and interest rates. And, pandemic relocation to Hawaii for some remote workers.
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Mar 22, 2021
Turkey’s currency plunges to near-record low
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
The Turkish lira plunged more than 15%, with investors worried after the country’s central bank chief was fired Saturday. Plus, could the European Union ban vaccine exports to the U.K.? And, research suggests people in mainland Europe are less confident in the AstraZeneca vaccine than before.
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Mar 22, 2021
Financing a home has been getting more expensive
Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images
Last week, Freddie Mac said the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was at nearly 3.1%, the highest level since June. That could also have an effect on the wave of refinancing we’ve seen throughout the pandemic. Plus, a proposed railroad merger that would link Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. And, adding up the costs of working from home.
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Mar 19, 2021
Debt relief for some student loan borrowers
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
The Biden administration is canceling debt for thousands of people with federal student loans from for-profit schools and students who were defrauded. Plus, despite forecasts of strong economic growth for the U.S. economy, Fed Chair Jerome Powell is taking a more cautious approach. And, the state of our bifurcated economy, where some households have managed to save more during the pandemic and others have had to borrow more and increase debt.
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Mar 19, 2021
Now hiring: Restaurants and bars
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Bars and restaurants added nearly 300,000 jobs in February, and there are signs that’s continuing. But there’s still a long way to go. Plus, two bills revamping immigration have now passed in the House. What might they mean for unauthorized immigrants working in the U.S.? And, a closer look at the part of the COVID relief package that expands Medicaid health insurance for women after they give birth.
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Mar 19, 2021
France heads for another lockdown
EPA
France is the latest European country to begin tightening its lockdown restrictions once more as coronavirus cases surge. Also, the U.K. government sells more of its financial crisis-era shares in one of the country’s largest banks. And, could lab-grown chicken really be the answer to sustainable food?
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Mar 19, 2021
Despite more savings, American households still have a lot of debt
Chainarong Prasertthai via Getty Images
Who’s taking on debt for what reasons, and why paying it down is good for your financial and mental health.
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Mar 18, 2021
A new tax deadline for the entire country
Zach Gibson/Getty Images
May 17 is the big day this year. We have more on what the delay of this deadline means for individual taxpayers. Plus, what the U.S. and China will discuss in two days of meetings. And, how professional baseball factors in the fight over the minimum wage.
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Mar 18, 2021
A move in health care by Amazon
Denis Charlet/AFP via Getty Images
Amazon is going to allow firms across the country to contract for its telemedicine system, so employees of any company that’s signed up can talk to a nurse or doctor remotely. Plus, why the Federal Reserve is keeping its interest rates right where they’ve been, near zero. And, COVID relief money for students and their families filling out applications for federal student aid.
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Mar 18, 2021
China-North America relations back in spotlight
AFP
Two Canadians charged with spying in China are set to go on trial there in the next few days. The detention of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig came shortly after Canada detained Meng Wanzhou, a senior executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei, on a U.S. warrant. The trial puts China’s tense relationships with the U.S. and Canada back in the spotlight. Also, vaccine rollout issues in Germany. And, warnings about global trade’s post-pandemic recovery.
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