Sep 30, 2020

Recession alphabet soup

President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden taking part in the first presidential debate Tuesday night. OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

On today's show, we'll look at what "V" and "K" say about the recovery. Plus: Massive layoffs at Disney parks, learning pods and taking back the streets in LA.

Segments From this episode

COVID & Unemployment

Where's the safety net for laid-off workers?

by Andy Uhler

Sep 30, 2020

Heading into the third quarter of the COVID economy, companies are shedding thousands of employees with little government relief in sight.

An unemployed airport worker calls for extended unemployment benefits in August. Airline workers are expecting mass layoffs beginning Thursday.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Why do economists compare recessions to letters of the alphabet?

by Marielle Segarra

Sep 30, 2020

Is it a V-shaped recovery? Or a J, L, U, W or K?

What kind of economic recovery are we in, exactly?

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

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COVID-19

Mergers and acquisitions have a very good summer

by Kristin Schwab

Sep 30, 2020

Why has there been a corporate rush to buy and sell, and what do trends within those deals mean.

Recessions can shift what kinds of business deals are made, and corporations see value in diversifying their portfolios.

Justin Heiman/Getty Images

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COVID-19

Want to start a "learning pod" at home? Check insurance and zoning laws

by Erika Beras

Sep 30, 2020

Homeowners policies may not cover the educational groups, and local law may prohibit them.

An instructor walks through a learning hub in Los Angeles for students from various schools and grades while in-person classes remains closed.

Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

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My Economy

"It's night and day from where it was at the beginning of COVID" for one Black-owned business

by Andie Corban

Sep 30, 2020

Nearly four months after a list of Black-owned businesses in Utah was published, Rita Magalde's bakery is booming with new customers.

Rita Magalde with some of her sweet treats. Her business boomed during the holiday season.

Carlos Linares/Photo courtesy of Rita Magalde

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COVID-19

How COVID-19 repurposed city streets

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Sep 30, 2020

“If you ran a business, and you didn't update the way that you use your assets for 50 or 60 years, you'd probably be out of business,” said Seleta Reynolds, the general manager of the LA Department of Transportation.

People enjoy a newly added outdoor dining area created by the city partially blocking a main boulevard. “My big challenge now is, how do I make this permanent?” said Seleta Reynolds, the general manager of the LA Department of Transportation.

Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Necessary Evil Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Light Cycle Yppah

Hotsauce Chelsea Monet

Origins Tennis

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

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