Apr 16, 2020

States under strain with unemployment soaring

Sixteen million people signed up for unemployment benefits in the three weeks before this one. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Context on the millions more who signed up for state unemployment benefits in the last week. Big banks pledge that stimulus checks will not go toward covering overdraft fees and such. Is the current economic narrative a self-fulfilling prophecy?

Segments From this episode

COVID-19

States hit hardest by rising unemployment claims could soon run low on funds

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Apr 16, 2020

Some states like California, New York and Texas could see their unemployment funds running low.

States struggling the most to keep up with unemployment claims, like Texas, may need to tap new funds soon.

Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID-19

Big banks pledge overdraft relief so customers reap full benefits of COVID-19 checks

by Nova Safo

Apr 16, 2020

Big banks say they’ll give customers a temporary break on negative balances.

Stimulus checks are fair game for private debt collectors. But big banks are offering relief for negative balances.

Joe Raedle/Newsmakers

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EEC: Econ 101

The economy is a disaster. Should we stop talking about it?

by David Brancaccio and Rose Conlon

Apr 16, 2020

Nobel economist Robert Shiller discusses the power of narratives during a pandemic.

Nobel economist Robert Shiller says the idea that we're in another Great Depression can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Affirmative Action Nas

The team

David Brancaccio Host

Victoria Craig Host, BBC

Stephen Ryan Senior Producer, BBC

Jonathan Frewin Producer, BBC

Daniel Shin Producer

Jay Siebold Technical Director

Brian Allison Engineer

Meredith Garretson Morbey Senior Producer

Erika Soderstrom Producer

Rose Conlon Producer

Alex Schroeder Producer

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