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Paid sick leave expands after many pandemic protections vanish

May 7, 2024
The U.S. is among few countries that do not guarantee paid sick leave. But more states are onboard, and it may be on the ballot in others.
The U.S. is among few nations that do not guarantee paid sick leave. But many states do.
designer491/Getty Images

In Barbuda, locals ask: Do the costs of luxury developments outweigh the benefits?

Jan 23, 2024
Luxury residences, a golf course and international airport have harmful environmental impacts, some locals argue. But they're also big job creators in a tourism-driven economy.
Above, an areal view of Dickenson Bay in Antigua and Barbuda. Tourism is hugely important to the island nation of and accounts for 60% of GDP.
cdwheatley/Getty Images

The awkward return of the business meal

Aug 29, 2023
Juggling hors d'oeuvres and handshakes is no easy task.
People are back to making deals over lunch, and that means mastering the art of ordering a meal that won't spray all over your business associates.
Chris J Ratcliffe/AFP via Getty Images

What do people do with stimulus checks? Yes, buy stuff — but also pay down debt

Jul 3, 2023
A recent study from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that people often use government stimulus money to pay off debt — especially if they have a lot of it.
"Paying down your debt actually increases your future consumption, and that gives you a higher lifetime satisfaction," said the New York Fed's  Gizem Koşar.
Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty Images

A Wichita parking lot owner finds a new strategy in online reservations

Jun 6, 2023
"The event parking business was not very great during the pandemic," says Bruce Rowley. "In fact, it was a complete flatline."
"Initially, we were really selling just convenience,” says Bruce Rowley of online parking reservations. “What we found is people were basically paying for certainty. "
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Make-A-Wish works to cut backlog of "wishes" to Disney World

Jun 5, 2023
The pandemic drastically slowed down the number of critically ill children the Make-A-Wish Foundation could send to its top destination.
“More than half of our wishes are Disney wishes," said Chris Winter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina.
Olga Thompson/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images

Building financial stability, one Lego brick at a time

Jun 1, 2023
What one veteran and former bartender found in a new job.
At a retailer specializing in Lego toys, Neil Cairns found a sense of purpose.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

After high school years interrupted by COVID, students calculate the cost of college differently

May 25, 2023
This spring, there were 14.2 million undergraduates in the U.S., about 9% fewer than in spring 2019.
This spring, there were 9% fewer undergraduate students in the U.S. than there were in spring 2019.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

After 9 years, LA cheese shop moves to a space of its own

May 23, 2023
Lydia Clarke's business struggled in the early days of the pandemic. Now, she says, "I know we can do it."
Lydia Clarke in front of her "happy place," the cheese case.
Andie Corban/Marketplace

Why more workers in China are ruling out factory jobs

Apr 17, 2023
Despite high unemployment among young people, most factories are short of workers. It might reflect false promises and poor conditions.
Production in progress at a factory in China's eastern Anhui province. Factory work has lost much of its popularity as a career choice. “The workers just don't trust factory owners,” one former employee said.
STR/AFP via Getty Images