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The weakening dollar
Mar 13, 2025

The weakening dollar

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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?

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

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

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

Amazon finds in-store grocery a harder sell

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

By some measures, restaurant workers have gotten more productive

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

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

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

New technology helps blind sports fans level up their arena experience

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

Music from the episode

What You Need KAYTRANADA
Oh Devil Electric Guest
Close the Deal! Louie Zong
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