Aug 10, 2022

Here’s what’s fueling that headline inflation number

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

We'll take a look at how gas prices impact inflation readings and why your grocery bill is rising faster than your restaurant check.

Segments From this episode

Gas prices keep falling, but Americans still feel inflation's bite

by Lily Jamali

Aug 10, 2022

Lower prices at the pump are offering some relief from other areas of inflation, like rent and food. But gas prices are a volatile indicator.

Because gas prices are so volatile, they can be misleading when you’re tracking inflation, says Severin Borenstein of UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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Why the price of groceries is going up faster than a meal out

by Samantha Fields

Aug 10, 2022

In part, that’s because restaurants don’t want to scare away customers.

"If consumers were truly, truly worried," says economist Jennifer Lee, discretionary spending on things like restaurant lunches "would be one of the first areas they would cut back on."

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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On tribal lands, broadband access remains a struggle

by Savannah Maher

Aug 10, 2022

More funding for internet access has been made available during the COVID-19 pandemic, but coordination and permitting are still hurdles.

While a lot of schools, workplaces and medical clinics moved their operations online during the pandemic, many Native communities were left behind.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Summer camps are having trouble finding enough staffers; some are cutting back

by Robbie Feinberg

Aug 10, 2022

In Maine, home to many summer camps, a YMCA camp had to limit its capacity to 80 kids due to staffing issues.

Camp Director Chris Shea hands prizes to campers at a day camp operated by the YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston in central Maine.

Robbie Feinberg/Maine Public Radio

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Frustrating user-experience tactics can have real harm, "dark pattern" expert says

by Kimberly Adams and Sarah Leeson

Aug 10, 2022

Website and app design strategies that trick users can cost consumers time and money, Harry Brignull says.

From hidden fees when booking a rental property, to a subscription that seems impossible to cancel, dark patterns are annoyances that can cost you time and money.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

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Two booksellers searching for used books and a storefront

by Anais Amin

Aug 10, 2022

"We actually love the physical retail experience," says Chris Capizzi, who co-owns A Good Used Book with his wife, Jenny Yang.

Jenny Yang, left, and Chris Capizzi are co-owners of A Good Used Book.

Courtesy Dale Samson

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Music from the episode

Agrimony MF Doom

Daydream Mothlight

Waves Pablo Allah

Eyes to the Wind The War on Drugs

Sailing Through Rainbows of Sound Richard Houghten

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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