Sep 2, 2020

Long-term unemployment is looming

Since pandemic lockdowns began, at least 30 million Americans have been approved to receive state or federal unemployment benefits. Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Workers might be facing permanent layoffs. Plus: E-scooters are back, remittances are rebounding and manufacturing is surging.

Segments From this episode

COVID & Unemployment

A spike in long-term unemployment is looming

by Mitchell Hartman

Sep 2, 2020

Temporary layoffs are becoming permanent for more furloughed workers.

A shuttered theater in Los Angeles. People laid off early in the pandemic who are still out of work are approaching what the Labor Department defines as long-term unemployed.

Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

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Manufacturing is doing all right, for now

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Sep 2, 2020

The Purchasing Manager's Index shows growth, but these happy days may not be here to stay.

A face shield manufacturer at work in New York. Manufacturing was up dramatically in August.

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Remittances to some Latin American countries are booming

by Erika Beras

Sep 2, 2020

Latinx migrants tend to work in essential jobs. And their families back home could really use the support.

A woman counts cash outside a U.S. remittance collection agency in El Salvador. Remittances to that nation and others in the region declined sharply, then rebounded.

Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty Images

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United States of Work: How an indie theater reopens in a pandemic

On this segment of our ongoing series “The United States of Work” we hear from Stephanie Silverman, executive director of an independent movie theater in Nashville, Tennessee, about the theater’s first weekend of drive-in screenings.

USOW
united states of work

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COVID-19

Drop your pencils. UC system ordered to eliminate SAT, ACT immediately.

by Jasmine Garsd

Sep 2, 2020

The court order could start to dent the test prep business if more colleges drop the exams.

SAT test prep books at a bookstore in New York. The test-prep industry might not survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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COVID-19

E-scooters and bikes rebound as COVID-19 crisis keeps on rolling

by Scott Tong

Sep 2, 2020

Micromobility is robust despite a dip in ridership early in the pandemic. Those companies have a chance to rethink their role, one expert says.

"There’s this really intense pressure on these e-scooter companies to address these transit deserts," says transportation consultant Courtney Ehrlichman. Above, a commuter rides an electric scooter in Los Angeles in June.

Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

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Shelf Life

When coal miners can't breathe, getting compensation is an uphill legal battle

by Chris Hamby

Sep 2, 2020

In his new book, journalist Chris Hamby describes miners' struggles to receive the health benefits they've been promised.

A coal worker near Welch, West Virginia, in 2017. Miners who are stricken with black lung disease often face obstacles in their efforts to receive benefits.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Planet Telex Radiohead

Chameleon Emancipator, 9 Theory

Big Break Ensemble Entendu

Low Season Poolside

oh baby LCD Soundsystem

Heavy Birdtalker

Vale Maribou State

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

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