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Nova Safo

SHORT BIO

Nova Safo is a Marketplace correspondent covering a wide range of topics with a focus on macroeconomic developments here and abroad, as well as business and economic policy. He can be heard regularly on “Marketplace Morning Report,” with guest appearances co-hosting Marketplace’s “Make Me Smart” podcast.
In addition to Marketplace, Nova has reported for the international news wire service Agence France-Presse, where he was a Midwest correspondent covering 16 states and serving thousands of clients in print, online news, broadcast television and radio. He has also been a correspondent for CNN Radio, a staff journalist at NPR and Yahoo News, and a freelancer for SoundVision Productions, LA Public Media and other outlets.
Nova is based in California and splits his time between Marketplace’s Los Angeles headquarters and the agricultural Central Valley, where in his spare time he is building a nonprofit classical music organization.

Latest Stories (374)

Will converting hotels into apartments ease the affordable housing shortage?

Oct 14, 2024
The renovations necessary to convert hotels into apartments are often cheaper and faster than those needed to convert office buildings.
The Whitelaw Hotel, which historically welcomed Black travelers in Washington, D.C., is now an apartment building.
Michael A. McCoy/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

Economic issues take the stage during the presidential debate

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris sparred over various topics, including tariffs and inflation.
Tariffs and the Affordable Care Act were two issues that received airtime during the presidential debate.
Allison Bailey/AFP via Getty Images

Kamala Harris outlines economic priorities on the last night of the DNC

Among economic themes, Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted the need to protect Social Security and Medicare, and a tax cut for middle-income households.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

High cost of living a key focus as Kamala Harris takes the stage at the DNC

Aug 22, 2024
During her Thursday night convention speech, Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to stick to themes like creating opportunities for the middle class.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Democratic National Convention not the pick-me-up hoped for by Chicago area businesses

Aug 21, 2024
Restaurants near the DNC taking place in downtown Chicago were hoping for a shot in the arm from the event, but some are discouraged.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

With Chicago in the spotlight during the DNC, how is the city's economy faring?

Aug 21, 2024
Chicago has one of the highest unemployment rates of any major U.S. city.
"More access to low-interest capital would help," said  Mary Aregoni, owner of Saigon Sisters restaurant in Chicago.
Nova Safo/Marketplace

At the DNC, mayors underscore need for affordable housing

Aug 20, 2024
"[Housing] is the leading issue that American mayors cite when talking about the big challenges facing their cities," said Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther.
Mayors at the Democratic National Convention on Monday.
Nova Safo/Marketplace

VP Kamala Harris charts her own economic path as presidential hopeful

Aug 19, 2024
At the Democratic convention, Kamala Harris may walk a fine line between lauding Biden's successes and articulating her own vision.
Posters promote nominee Kamala Harris on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Does Social Security increase the national debt? It depends on how you define “debt.”

Jul 4, 2024
The program pays $1.5 trillion a year and aids 70 million Americans. But it has its own budget and by law can't create debt or widen deficits.
Almost 70 million Americans receive Social Security benefits and the program pays out about $1.5 trillion a year, as Marketplace's Kimberly Adams explains.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Why taxpayers keep footing much of the bill for new sports stadiums

Jun 27, 2024
Governments provide big subsidies even if the dollars and cents don't add up, says The Economist's Simon Rabinovitch.
The Kansas City Royals' ballpark, Kauffman Stadium. Officials in Kansas want to lure the team away from Missouri.
Kyle Rivas/Getty Images