Dec 27, 2022

Unpacking the $1.7 trillion federal spending bill

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Today, we'll look at two components of the bill: a funding advance for the Indian Health Service and a bundle of retirement savings reforms.

Segments From this episode

Race and Economy

Native American advocates welcome advance funding for Indian Health Service

by Savannah Maher

Dec 27, 2022

The agency reduced care offerings during government shutdowns. Advance appropriations would provide a funding bridge when necessary.

Early funding for the Indian Health Service could help clinics serving Native populations prepare for health emergencies. Above, a community bulletin board with COVID-19 information in the To’Hajiilee Indian Reservation in New Mexico, May 2020.

Sam Wasson/Getty Images

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Reforms in latest spending bill could help close gender gap in retirement savings

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Dec 27, 2022

The SECURE Act 2.0 aims to help part-time and lower-wage workers — categories where women are overrepresented — save for retirement.

Because women typically generally earn less over their lifetimes, it can be more difficult for them to save for retirement, says economist Betsey Stevenson.

shapecharge/Getty Images

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After a holiday marked by power failures, what's being done to ensure the lights stay on?

by Lily Jamali

Dec 27, 2022

Experts say the country needs more transmission lines to move power from where it’s being generated to where it’s needed.

A sign for a closed bar in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Dec. 24. Millions spent the holidays without power due to extreme cold.

Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images

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Many low-income parents still struggle to find baby formula, even as production rebounds

by Kimberly Adams and Richard Cunningham

Dec 27, 2022

More than 80% of infants consume formula in their first year. Though supply has improved since the crisis in May, some areas are seeing shortages.

A customer shops for formula at a Walmart in July. "There are certain stores at certain times in certain areas that will be out of stock still," said The 19th's Mariel Padilla.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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University looks to self-driving shuttles to transport students

by Cole del Charco

Dec 27, 2022

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is piloting autonomous transit with vehicles in a project that could take students to and from the historically Black university to downtown Greensboro by the fall.

Four shuttles that will transport students are just part of the NC Transportation Center of Excellence on Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Technology (NC-CAV) fleet.

Cole delCharco

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Biotech sector still hot despite cooling economy

by Lesley McClurg

Dec 27, 2022

The pandemic led to an explosion of interest in and funding of biotech. That continues even as many sectors slow and recession fears grow.

A sign on Oyster Point Boulevard calls South San Francisco the birthplace of biotech.

Beth LaBerge/KQED

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Music from the episode

Headlines DJ Premier

Degrees of Light Taylor McFerrin

Root Juice Chris Joss

Simple Step Vulfpeck

Turnmills Maribou State

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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