Dec 1, 2020

A clear disconnect between the Treasury and the Fed

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell greet each other as they arrive at Tuesday's Senate Banking Committee hearing. Al Drago/AFP via Getty Images

Mnuchin and Powell testified on the CARES Act Tuesday, and it pretty much sounded like they were talking about two different economies. Plus: Most states have been underpaying pandemic unemployment benefits.

Segments From this episode

COVID-19

Dueling views of the economy we're in

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer

Dec 1, 2020

In their Senate testimony, Treasury chief Steven Mnuchin emphasized progress and Fed Chair Jerome Powell focused on unmet needs. Does their divergence matter?

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell greet each other as they arrive at Tuesday's Senate Banking Committee hearing.

Al Drago/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID & Unemployment

Most states have been underpaying Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits

by Samantha Fields

Dec 1, 2020

Instead of calculating PUA benefits based on people’s income, many states have just been paying the minimum benefit.

Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID-19

Can U.S. businesses count on Chinese consumers?

by Jennifer Pak

Dec 1, 2020

Many American firms are looking to Chinese consumers to keep them afloat, but many of those consumers are trying to keep themselves afloat.

A U.S. startup company hopes Chinese consumers will buy its plant-based egg product. For some, though, cost is a factor.

Courtesy of Eat Just

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My Economy

"All the pandemic has done is shine a horrifyingly clear spotlight on every inequality in our community. And my community is the book community."

by Alli Fam

Dec 1, 2020

Independent bookseller Hannah Oliver Depp is struggling with suppliers in her mission to tell the stories of struggling people.

Courtesy of Hannah Oliver Depp

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OPEC delays and spending cuts: Uncertainty abounds in the oil and gas industry

by Andy Uhler

Dec 1, 2020

OPEC and its allies are having trouble coming to an agreement, because individual countries see thing differently.

The Brega oil port in Libya in September.

AFP via Getty Images

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Race and Economy

Capitol Hill is still overwhelmingly white

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Dec 1, 2020

The 117th Congress will be one of the most racially diverse in history, but what about the lawmakers' staffers? LaShonda Brenson of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is working on it.

Top staffers on Capitol Hill are far less diverse than the people they represent, according to LaShonda Brenson of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

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COVID-19

The pandemic is creating a new kind of community among deferred students

by Ilana Strauss

Dec 1, 2020

These students are fostering friendships and study groups without school.

A quiet MIT campus in July. The coronavirus pandemic is giving many students a reason to defer their school admissions.

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Butterflies Anchorsong

Confessions Sudan Archives

Philedendron Fields Monster Rally

Good To Me Freddie Joachim

Addiction Black Violin

Goodbye, Goodbye Tegan and Sara

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

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