Mar 13, 2025

The weakening dollar

STR/AFP via Getty Images

After reaching a two-year high in January, one measure of the U.S. currency's value has tumbled. Plus: tariffs and GDP, restaurant productivity and new tech for blind sports fans.

Segments From this episode

What's behind the weakening of the U.S. dollar?

by Mitchell Hartman

Mar 13, 2025

Uncertainties about tariffs and inflation are part of the reason the value of the U.S. dollar has fallen sharply in the last few weeks.

Textbook economics will tell you that significant, sustained shifts in a currency’s value can indicate a country’s economic strength or weakness.

Adem Altan/AFP via Getty Images

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Trade War 2.0

Tariffs are affecting America’s GDP. Here's how.

by Justin Ho

Mar 13, 2025

A January surge in imports will have a negative impact on GDP in the near term. A protracted trade war would drag down economic growth in the long run.

January's surge in imports ahead of Trump administration tariffs isn't likely to become a trend. But exports could decline if the trade war continues.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Amazon finds in-store grocery a harder sell

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Mar 13, 2025

The e-commerce and cloud company has slowed grocery expansion plans and closed half of its convenience stores in recent years.

Amazon's Fresh grocery chain has a relatively small footprint, and the tech giant doesn't appear to be focused on expanding it.

Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

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By some measures, restaurant workers have gotten more productive

by Daniel Ackerman

Mar 13, 2025

Many restaurants are leaning more into takeout, which allows the same number of staff to produce more meals.

An emphasis on takeout orders — a holdover from the height of the pandemic era — has helped boost the productivity of restaurant workers.

Gary He/Getty Images

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Student loan borrowers blocked from more affordable repayment plans, for now

by Samantha Fields

Mar 13, 2025

The Education Department has paused applications to more affordable plans amid lawsuits against a Biden administration program known as SAVE.

The Education Department temporarily stopped accepting and processing applications for income-driven plans because of a court case against a Biden administration program.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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New technology helps blind sports fans level up their arena experience

by Crystal Ligori

Mar 13, 2025

A Seattle tech company has created the first tactile sports broadcast, transforming gameplay into trackable vibrations for visually impaired fans.

Hank Vogel and his dad, Jon, cheer on the Portland Trail Blazers during a game against the Charlotte Hornets. Hank, 11, follows the action on a haptic device.

Crystal Ligori/OPB

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Music from the episode

What You Need KAYTRANADA

Oh Devil Electric Guest

Close the Deal! Louie Zong

Running up that Hill Kate Bush

Feel It Still Portugal. The Man

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Sofia Terenzio Associate Producer I

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

Nicholas Guiang Assistant Producer

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