Inflation remains stubbornly high for many Americans. Could it get worse under Trump? Consumer prices rose 2.9% in December from a year earlier, marking the third consecutive monthly uptick in annual inflation. Rafael Nam
The L.A. fires are hurting service workers who cared for homes Among the hardest hit labor sectors in Los Angles are service workers, many of whom cleaned and maintained the homes destroyed by fire in wealthy areas. Saul Gonzalez
This skateboarding economist suggests we need more skateparks and less capitalism A skateboarder presented an unusual paper at this year's big meeting of American economists. Greg Rosalsky
NPR shopped for 96 items at Walmart to track how prices are really changing NPR has tracked the prices of dozens of items at the same superstore in Georgia, including eggs, T-shirts, snacks and paper towels. Here's what got cheaper over the past year, and more expensive. Alina Selyukh
China's exports in December up 10.7%, beating estimates as higher U.S. tariffs loom China has raced to fill orders ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's promised tariffs on Chinese goods. Exports have surged in the country since the pandemic. The Associated Press
U.S. stock markets close to honor former President Jimmy Carter The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will both observe Thursday's national day of mourning in a Wall Street tradition dating back to 1865. Maria Aspan
What America's top economists are saying about AI and inequality Planet Money attended the annual meeting of American economists — and the most popular topic this year was artificial intelligence. Greg Rosalsky
Biden makes an 11th-hour move to block coastal oil drilling President Biden has issued an executive order blocking drilling for oil in more than 625 million acres of U.S. ocean. It's the largest such move in history, but is almost guaranteed to be challenged under the incoming Trump administration. Camila Domonoske
Trump points to Gilded Age to push tariffs. Experts say it's a misreading of history In a New Year's Day post on Truth Social, President-elect Trump touted the benefits of tariffs, pointing to the Gilded Age. But economists found tariffs did not make American manufacturing great. Scott Horsley
What's driving the rise in homelessness among seniors The number of seniors who are homeless has increased dramatically. This "gray wave" is being driven by inflation and a lack of affordable housing, especially for older people with disabilities. Aaron Bolton
