Jul 8, 2020

Baltimore’s deadly vacant housing problem

Joseph Snowden, 63, lives down the street from where Thomas Lemmon was killed by a collapsing building. Amy Scott/Marketplace

Plus: How some states are starting to close the racial pay gap, what bankrupted Brooks Brothers and why Disney World is reopening as COVID-19 cases spike.

Segments From this episode

COVID-19

45 states just started a new fiscal year. None are celebrating.

by Erika Beras

Jul 8, 2020

Tax revenue is down, expenditures are up and the future's uncertain.

Public health workers in Denver check in with people waiting to be tested for COVID-19 in March. The fight against the pandemic has contributed to state budget shortfalls.

Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Why Disney wants to reopen its theme parks now

by Kristin Schwab

Jul 8, 2020

The Walt Disney Co.'s other enterprises, including Disney+ and ESPN, may not be generating enough revenue.

You won't see crowds like this at the reopened Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Jacqueline Nell/Disneyland Resort via Getty Images

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COVID-19

Brooks Brothers files for bankruptcy

by Justin Ho

Jul 8, 2020

The 200-year-old company has been hit hard by the pandemic. But suit sales have been on the decline for years.

A Brooks Brothers store in downtown Los Angeles in 2010. Formal menswear was struggling before the pandemic.

Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

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Race and Economy

How salary history bans can raise wages for female and Black workers

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Jul 8, 2020

New research shows evidence that pay gaps are related to salary negotiations.

Salary history bans make it illegal for an employer to ask a prospective employee about their past compensation.

iStock/Getty Images

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The Block

Why can’t Baltimore solve its vacant housing problem?

by Amy Scott

Jul 8, 2020

Despite thousands of demolitions and rehabs, the number of empty buildings has barely budged for a decade.

A vacant house is for sale on North Payson Street in Baltimore. In 2016, an abandoned building down the block collapsed and killed a man.

Amy Scott/Marketplace

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My Economy

Subscription gelato may be one answer to a cool business climate

by Alli Fam

Jul 8, 2020

When impulse buys dropped, Gelateria Uli's owner had to find a new business model to keep the Los Angeles ice creamery afloat.

Courtesy of Uli Nasibova

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Music from the episode

Puff Lah KAYTRANADA

Doppelganger Freddie Joachim, QSTN

Brave New World The Foreign Exchange

Lau's Lament Eric Lau

City Music Kevin Morby

Breaking Your Silence Generationals

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

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