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Matt Levin

Senior Reporter

SHORT BIO

Matt covers AI for Marketplace, where he tries to be as polite as he can to every chatbot he meets … because, well, he’s seen sci-fi movies. Matt also covers some crypto and housing, with a taste for stories that make you say: "huh, that's kinda weird.”

Before joining Marketplace Matt was a data and housing reporter for CalMatters, focused on California politics and policy. Before that he was a statistics jockey for a think tank, focused on poverty and inequality. And long before that Matt was a really terrible teenage cashier for Toys R Us.

Matt’s previous honors include awards from the Online News Association and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and SPJ awards.

Latest Stories (301)

Biden wants minerals for electric vehicles mined in the U.S.

by Matt Levin
Apr 4, 2022
The White House invoked the Defense Production Act to foot the bill for mining feasibility studies.
Key parts of electric vehicle batteries utilize nickel and cobalt, which typically come from Russia, China and other countries. Biden now wants to boost domestic supplies of the minerals.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Higher mortgage rates could make the housing supply problem worse

by Matt Levin
Apr 1, 2022
Homebuilders already face higher prices for materials. More expensive loans could affect construction for years.
The Federal Reserve's interest rate policy is upping the cost of home construction and could constrict future inventory.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Labor shortage causes employers to back off drug screenings

by Matt Levin
Mar 31, 2022
The percentage of American workers testing positive for drugs is at a 20-year high
A large proportion of positive test results are driven by marijuana positivity, a senior scientist at Quest Diagnostics said.
RapidEye/Getty Images
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Race and Economy

Who should get reparations? California's task force wrestles with that question.

by Matt Levin
Mar 30, 2022
A California task force weighs which Black residents could be eligible.
Writer Ta-Nehisi Coates shakes hands with House Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Johnson (R-LA) following a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on slavery reparations on June 19, 2019 in Washington, DC. The subcommittee debated the H.R. 40 bill, which proposes a commission be formed to study and develop reparation proposals for African-Americans.
Zach Gibson/Getty Images
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Biden proposes minimum 20% tax on wealthiest American households

by Matt Levin
Mar 29, 2022
The plan would affect households that have more than $100 million in net worth.
Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images
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White House warns companies of growing cyberattack risk

by Matt Levin
Mar 22, 2022
While big energy and financial firms are better defended than they used to be, other critical industries are still vulnerable.
President Joe Biden warned companies against potential Russian cyberattacks this week. Experts say the U.S. is unprepared for such cybersecurity threats.
Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images
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The nickel market has gone bonkers

by Matt Levin
Mar 21, 2022
Russia invading Ukraine is a big reason that prices skyrocketed.. But it's not the whole story.
A worker at a nickel mining company in northwestern Russia. The price of nickel — used in making stainless steel, electric vehicle batteries and more — shot up this month after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images
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Why you should pay attention to diesel prices

by Matt Levin
Mar 15, 2022
Even if you're filling up with regular unleaded, rising diesel costs will find a way to your pocketbook.
Diesel: not just something you see at the gas station.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP Getty Images
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COVID-19

China's COVID outbreak causing new manufacturing slowdowns

by Matt Levin
Mar 14, 2022
China’s zero-tolerance approach to the virus is affecting American as well as Chinese companies.
Strict anti-coronavirus measures are hindering electronics manufacturing and other business in China. Above, workers in protective gear at a mass testing site in Beijing.
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
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Why a gas tax holiday likely wouldn't make a big difference at the pump

by Matt Levin
Mar 9, 2022
The savings would average about $100 a year for drivers, and that's assuming all the savings would get passed on to consumers.
Even if the federal gas tax is paused, there's no guarantee those savings would be passed on to consumers.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
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