Latest from Olie D'Albertanson

• Jun 13, 2023

  What will a collapsed highway cost Philadelphia?

  

  As Philadelphia deals with the collapse of a section of Interstate 95, there’s been a rush to assess the cost of rebuilding the highway and the burden the city might feel in the coming months. We look into how residents and commuters will be affected, as well as what a construction timeline could look like. Plus, we chat with the founder and CEO of the “Disparity Trap” board game which aims to educate people about systemic racism in a more lighthearted way. 

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• Jun 13, 2023

  United Nations: Global food prices to rise following Ukraine dam burst

  

  From the BBC World Service: The Ukrainian government estimates an area the size of almost 2,000 football fields is currently under water, much of it some of the most fertile agricultural land on the planet. The UN’s aid chief, Martin Griffiths warns it will have a huge impact on global food security and prices. Plus, the BBC’s Olie D’Albertanson asks why nearly  half of the soccer teams in the English premier league are now American owned, and Sir Paul McCartney reveals a new Beatles song will be released, thanks to AI.

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• Jun 12, 2023

  Buckle up, it’s inflation week in the U.S. economy

  

  There are two big events that economists will be tracking closely this week: the release of Consumer Price Index inflation data and the Fed’s rate decision shortly thereafter. We delve into the details with Julia Coronado, founder and president of MacroPolicy Perspectives. Plus, moderators across the social media platform Reddit will shut down select forums to protest the company’s move to charge developers using the website’s code. And finally, we talk with The Uncertain Hour host Krissy Clark about the new welfare work requirements passed in the debt ceiling deal. 

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• Jun 12, 2023

  Your burger might come with a side of child labor

  

  If you get a meal from a fast food franchise nowadays, there’s an increasing chance that it’s been prepared by an underaged worker who’s been working too many hours. We look at new Department of Labor data that delves into the surprising rise in child labor law violations in some states, and why it’s been pronounced in the fast food industry. Plus, the failed Credit Suisse has been fully taken over by rival UBS after a Swiss government deal earlier this year. And finally, the BBC’s Leanna Byrne looks into how there’s been a growing wave of food fraud as production costs rise. 

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• Jun 12, 2023

  Reddit? You might have to wait

  

  From the BBC World Service: Thousands of forums on the social media platform Reddit are being made inaccessible globally for 48 hours, as unpaid moderators around the world are protesting over planned changes; the BBC’s Zoe Kleinman explains. Plus, the BBC’s Paul Adams reports on the death of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. And finally, the BBC’s Leanna Byrne hears why high food prices mean food fraud is on the rise.

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• Jun 9, 2023

  It’s nothing but smiles on Wall Street

  

  It’s official: the S&P 500 is officially in “bull market” territory. We get this week’s Low-down on the recent market optimism with Christopher Low, chief economist at FHN Financial. Plus, there are real economic consequences to poor air quality, including higher spending on medical treatment and lower spending on other industries. And finally, Turkey’s recently re-elected president has put together an economic team that looks capable of handling the county’s inflation problem.

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• Jun 9, 2023

  Why the U.S. may actually have two job markets

  

  The U.S. labor market has looked really good in the past year even as inflation bites in the wider economy. But an old theory that’s recently regained ground says that there are actually two job markets that differ substantially in pay, stability, and social mobility. Plus, the recent indictment of Donald Trump on federal charges over classified documents has turned into a fundraising call for the former president — and his Democratic rivals. And finally, Texas is looking to meet projected record-breaking demand for energy with the help of renewable energy.

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• Jun 9, 2023

  Canadian firefighter shortage could spell future wildfire trouble

  

  From the BBC World Service: As Canada battles hundreds of wildfires, fire departments are struggling to recruit enough volunteers to quickly respond to calls; while cities employ career firefighters, small towns and villages rely on volunteers. Plus, Pride Month is well underway and amidst the parties and celebrations, it can also be a time for self-reflection. We chat with an openly gay UK banking chief who is keen to talk about his own experiences in a traditionally conservative industry.

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• Jun 8, 2023

  Corporate America steps up its return-to-office push

  

  Google has become the latest high-profile company to step up its efforts to get employees back into the office. We look at the measures the company is taking to prod people away from remote work, including penalizing workers who refuse to comply with back-to-office mandates. Plus, a look at British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s effort to convene the world’s first international forum on AI regulation. And finally, Afghan refugees in the U.S. are facing numerous challenges with immigration processing, which affects their job searches. 

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• Jun 8, 2023

  Could technology help with wildfire air pollution?

  

  As New York and other cities continue to deal with worsened air quality due to Canadian wildfires, people have been finding ways to adapt with a little help from technology. We look at some ways innovation is meeting necessity as wildfires become a growing problem because of climate change. Plus, President Biden vetoed a bill that would have curbed student loan forgiveness. And finally, a chat with the Peterson Institute for International Economics’ Chad Bown about how the U.S. is placating allies who say recent electric vehicle subsidies are protectionist and unfair. 

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