Jun 7, 2022

Retailers are in “unprecedented times,” too

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Retailers bet that consumers could keep up their goods shopping spree and lost. Plus, a boost for American solar manufacturers and online schooling's staying power.

Segments From this episode

Airlines might be banking on your premium seat upgrade

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Jun 7, 2022

Would you pay an additional $60 for extra legroom? Airlines are betting that you just might.

Carriers hope travelers will pay up for a little more comfort.

Cooper Neill/AFP via Getty Images

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Virtual school evolves, even as the pandemic wanes

by Stephanie Hughes

Jun 7, 2022

What once was a necessity is now an expanding educational frontier.

Virtual learning used to be less dynamic, with students and teachers accessing materials at different times. The pandemic changed that.

Jon Cherry/Getty Images

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Retailers have an inventory problem as lockdown lifestyle fades

by Savannah Maher

Jun 7, 2022

As inflation hits and consumers abandon pandemic spending habits, Target and others have the wrong kind of stuff on their hands.

The home goods section at a Target store. Now that consumers are getting out and about, stores are left with too much inventory.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Biden moves to restore stability of U.S. solar industry

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Jun 7, 2022

The president also ruled out solar tariffs for two years on several Asian countries the U.S. imports solar panels from.

Chinese workers producing parts for solar panels. The U.S. has been investigating whether Southeast Asian nations have been laundering Chinese panels, which carry U.S. import tariffs.

STR/AFP via Getty Images

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The dollar's strong right now. That's a problem for American companies doing business abroad.

by Justin Ho

Jun 7, 2022

But it's great for Americans who want to buy imports.

A strong U.S. dollar is great for Americans who want to buy foreign products. For American companies that sell products abroad? Not so much.

Matt Cardy/Getty Images

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Can winemakers salvage grapes tainted by wildfire smoke?

by Jerimiah Oetting

Jun 7, 2022

Scientists are looking at ways to determine if grapes from smoky areas can still be used, without adding an unpleasant ashy taste to wine.

Phil Crews at his Pelican Ranch Winery in Scotts Valley. Crews, an organic chemist at UC Santa Cruz, showed that a method pioneered in Australia can detect smoke's impact on California wines.

Jerimiah Oetting/KAZU News

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Music from the episode

Drifting Maverick Sabre

Philodendron Fields Monster Rally

California Sunset Poolside

Sound Is Vibration Atmosphere

Easy Son Lux

Heartbreaker Crazy P

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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