Samantha Fields

Senior Reporter

SHORT BIO

Samantha Fields is a senior reporter at Marketplace.

She’s particularly interested in how the economy affects people’s everyday lives, and a lot of her coverage focuses on economic inequality, housing and climate change.

She’s also reported and produced for WCAI and The GroundTruth Project, the “NPR Politics Podcast,” NPR’s midday show, “Here & Now,” Vermont Public Radio and Maine Public Radio. She got her start in journalism as a reporter for a community paper, The Wellesley Townsman, and her start in radio as an intern and freelance producer at “The Takeaway” at WNYC. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Latest Stories (523)

Lack of paid sick days takes a toll on rural Americans' health

Nov 23, 2022
Only two states with significant rural populations have laws that require employers to offer sick days.
Americans with long commutes to hospitals and doctors' offices are also less likely to have enough paid time off to make the trip.
Spencer Platt / Getty Images

A pilot shortage means higher airfares and service cuts at regional airports

Nov 21, 2022
Sixty U.S. airports have lost more than half of their flights since 2019, and 14 no longer have any commercial service.
When COVID hit and air travel virtually stopped, many airlines encouraged pilots to take buyouts or early retirement. Now airlines are struggling to play catch-up.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Fuel oil used to heat homes costs 68.5% more than this time last year

Nov 10, 2022
That's one of the standout numbers from the latest consumer price index, and it will mean an expensive winter for many Americans.
"Unfortunately, we're going into this season with lower [fuel oil] inventories than typical," says UC Berkeley’s Severin Borenstein.
koinseb/Getty Images

Inflation hits health insurance premiums this open enrollment season

Nov 9, 2022
But ACA coverage is more affordable to many, thanks to extended government subsidies.
"It's a daunting process to have to go on to the marketplace," said Cynthia Cox at the Kaiser Family Foundation. But if you have ACA coverage, it may be worth your while.
Bongkarn Thanyakij/Getty Images

Credit card debt is back up to pre-pandemic levels, says Equifax report

Nov 7, 2022
Here's why it's rising, and what it says about consumers' finances.
Credit card debt is on the rise.
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Is the era of free returns for online purchases coming to an end?

Nov 4, 2022
Something to keep in mind as you start your online holiday shopping: Many retailers are getting stricter about their return policies.
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White House announces $13 billion to help households with energy costs

Nov 3, 2022
The funding includes $4.5 billion to help very low-income people pay heating bills, and twice that to help low- and middle-income families make their homes more energy efficient.
About $4.5 billion will head to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
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How home appraisal methods can end up perpetuating racial inequality

Nov 2, 2022
There's a significant gap between the appraised price of homes in white neighborhoods and that of similar homes in communities of color, and it's getting worse, one study says.
A new report details racial inequity in home appraisals – and how it's growing.
Saul Loeb/Getty Images

Pay transparency is now the law of the land in New York City

Nov 1, 2022
Starting today, any company in New York City with at least four employees will be required to include salary ranges in their job postings.
A 'help wanted' sign is displayed in a Manhattan store on in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For the first time, homeless victims of a hurricane will be eligible for federal aid

Oct 31, 2022
In the past, aid's been reserved for people who lose their homes, not those who've already lost them.
An excavator is used to clear debris left in the wake of Hurricane Ian on October 06, 2022 on San Carlos Island, Florida.
Win McNamee/Getty Images