A handful of Midwest farms shoulder the massive U.S. popcorn industry Of the millions of farms across the U.S., fewer than 1,000 grow popcorn.
Inflation rose less than expected in September, the U.S. belatedly reports The federal government recalled some furloughed workers specifically to produce the inflation report, which plays a key role for Social Security beneficiaries. Maria Aspan
Boo to spooky chocolate prices! It's the year of chewy, fruity Halloween treats Sales of non-chocolate candy are growing faster than those of chocolate. With cocoa in shortage, manufacturers are changing pack sizes, adding fillers and dipping candy in "white creme." Alina Selyukh
It's supposed to be payday for many federal workers. Instead, they're getting nothing Roughly 1.4 million federal workers are going without pay due to the government shutdown. About half of them are furloughed, while the other half has been deemed essential and is working without pay. Andrea Hsu
The government shutdown is keeping Montana farmers from the assistance they need Fall is when farmers apply for credit and other assistance ahead of spring planting. The federal shutdown means they can't. Victoria Traxler
Starter homes are scarce. But homebuyers can improve their odds For decades, construction of smaller, entry-level homes has been has been falling. But there are ways to find an affordable first home, and the changing market may help. Scott Neuman
Sports ticket prices are getting more expensive — and pricing out many fans For sports fans, there's nothing as exciting as going to see your team play. But what was once an affordable form of entertainment is becoming increasingly more expensive and pricing some loyal fans out. Rafael Nam
Confused by the U.S. economy? You're not alone How are changing tariffs, the AI boom, immigration policies and uncertainty in employment and the stock market impacting the economy? Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor in chief of The Economist, explains. Terry Gross
Amazon wants to use robots to avoid adding over 500,000 new jobs Amazon believes it can use robots to avoid adding more than half a million jobs in the next eight years, The New York Times reports. NPR's A Martinez speaks to Times reporter Karen Weise. A Martínez
A theory why the internet is going down the toilet A new book diagnoses a sickness affecting some of America's biggest companies. Greg Rosalsky