Marketplace

This economy added twice the amount of jobs expected in August, which is good news for the labor market. Still, the latest jobs report showed average hourly earnings were up just 3.1% annually — the slowest growth in more than five years. In this episode, when we can expect wages to start keeping up with inflation. Plus: American tourism to Europe is up, some farmers rely on decades-old machinery as budgets tighten, and one mom goes back to school 15 years after she started.

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Read the stories in today’s episode:

Jobs are steady. Prices are high. What will the Fed do?
Wage growth can't compete with inflation right now
Squeezed by a tough economy, many farmers are relying on decades-old machinery
More American tourists are visiting Europe
This mom of six is rewriting her career by going back to school

American oil giant Chevron plans to funnel $7 billion into its Venezuela operations over the next five years, with a goal of more than doubling its production in the country. In this episode, we explain what Chevron has to gain from the deal and why other oil companies are hesitant to follow. After that: Can zero job growth be part of a healthy labor market? Are diesel prices affecting railroad freighting demand? And, will better-fitted windows turn into energy savings?

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

Chevron's $7 billion bet on Venezuelan oil
Can zero job growth really be a sign of a healthy labor market?
How the cost of childcare pushed this twin mom out of the labor force
Why more companies are choosing trains over trucks for shipping
"Buy now, pay later" loans creep into essentials for many consumers
Your house's windows are probably leaky. Replacing them saves on utility bills

The average cost of a gallon of diesel was $5.68 on Wednesday — just 13 cents shy of a record high. Tariffs and ongoing wars are both to blame. But so is a seasonal upswing that happens every fall. In this episode, why diesel prices are likely going to get even steeper before they cool off. Plus: A computer model helps make the case for fewer mandated parking spots in city construction projects, Uber wants to shrink its middle management, and Alaska families celebrate dipnetting season.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

Why high diesel prices are coming at a particularly bad time
What it takes to reopen 19 months after a wildfire
Uber lays off 10% of their workforce to make the company "simpler and faster"
To spur more housing construction, Denver changed its parking rules
Male loneliness epidemic? Try economic loneliness epidemic
In Alaska, dipnetting for salmon is about more than what’s caught

Bond yields jumped to multi-decade highs in some countries this week, as market anxiety about inflation and the Iran war grows. The U.S. is not exempt from this turmoil. Borrowing rates could balloon, affecting the Fed and your wallet. We’ll explain. Also in this episode: The labor market barely budges in July job openings and labor turnover data, U.S. solar energy storage capacity nearly doubles under President Trump, and Reddit becomes valuable internet real estate in the age of AI.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

Rising global bond yields will put pressure on U.S. interest rates, too
The labor market in July showed very little movement
For this Mississippi barge line, labor is more of a concern than tariffs
Why solar energy storage capacity has nearly doubled since Trump took office
"The heart of the internet": AI has marketers flocking to Reddit
From medicine to HVAC: one entrepreneur's journey

In Texas oil country, September usually marks the beginning of maintenance season. But with refineries running at near-100% capacity to meet increased demand, this fall might look a bit different. In this episode, can the global oil market weather an even tighter supply squeeze? Plus: Fed watchers expect an interest rate hike in September despite Trump’s opposition, U.S. consumers keep up spending in the face of mediocre jobs data, and ski resorts hoard snow for the warmish winter.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

Why interest rate expectations are pointing north
The 'meh' job market hasn't slowed consumer spending much
Inside the business of selling people their own family photo albums
After a disastrous foray into real estate, this first-time buyer didn't let fear hold her back
Can U.S. refineries afford to slow down for maintenance season?
Ski resorts keep some snow in the bank this summer