Jan 19, 2023

Is it time for the Fed to slow interest rate hikes?

Alex Wong/Getty Images

That question will be top of mind at the Federal Reserve's next meeting on Feb. 1. Plus, where did the debt ceiling come from?

Segments From this episode

Should the Federal Reserve slow interest rate hikes?

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Jan 19, 2023

We don’t yet know if the Fed's rate hikes have fully shown up in the economy. That could take many months.

For now, markets are assuming the Federal Reserve will ease up on rate hikes at its next meeting on Feb. 1.

Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Raising the Debt Ceiling

The origin of the U.S. debt ceiling

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Jan 19, 2023

The U.S. government hit its debt ceiling Thursday and must raise the debt limit to avoid defaulting. How did we get here?

With the debt ceiling reached, the U.S. Treasury initiated "extraordinary measures" to avert a government default.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Helium's been rising — in price — and it's bringing businesses down

by Matt Levin

Jan 19, 2023

High helium prices, driven by shortages, played a role in Party City's bankruptcy. Here's what it means for businesses that rely on balloons.

Party City recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with the high cost of helium partly to blame.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

How a Buffalo business weathered a record-breaking storm

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Jan 19, 2023

Inventory loss “could have been a lot worse,” said Johanna Dominguez of Put a Plant on It. But merchants suffered as shoppers stayed home.

Vehicles sit buried in snow and abandoned in downtown Buffalo, New York, the day after Christmas. The storm's cost surpassed $1 billion.

Joed Viera/AFP via Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Harvard Medical School is the latest institution to opt out of U.S. News rankings

by Stephanie Hughes

Jan 19, 2023

Harvard Med joins a number of prestigious schools boycotting the rankings, saying education is too complex to be ranked numerically.

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Esports have exploded, but the profits haven't followed

by Kai Ryssdal and Nicholas Guiang

Jan 19, 2023

Over the past decade, esports have grown to a point where events sell out NBA stadiums. But as popularity has boomed, esports leagues still face major business barriers.

The League of Legends World Championship at San Francisco's Chase Center in November 2022.

Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Music from the episode

Tiki Room Rendezvous Lee Rosevere

Pigstep (Stereo Mix) Lena Raine

Told You So Paramore

Dancing With a Stranger Sam Smith, Normani

STYLE Tatsuya Maruyama

Phantom Persona Five

It's Not Me Arthur Benson

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

Andie Corban Associate Producer

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

Latest Episodes From Our Shows

4:00 AM PST