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Unemployment Insurance And Vaccines: Who's Left Behind?
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Unemployment Insurance And Vaccines: Who's Left Behind?

Two of the most important ways the government is supporting Americans right now is through distributing vaccines and providing unemployment insurance. But are there cracks in the system?

Unemployment Insurance And Vaccines: Who's Left Behind?

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College Tuition Sparked A Mental Health Crisis. Then The Hefty Hospital Bill Arrived

Hofstra University student Divya Singh found herself beset by a double whammy of bills from two of the costliest kinds of institutions in America — colleges and hospitals. After experiencing anxiety when her family had trouble coming up with the money for her tuition, she sought counseling and ended up with a weeklong stay in a psychiatric hospital — and a resulting $3,413 bill. Jackie Molloy for KHN hide caption

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Jackie Molloy for KHN

Shots - Health News

College Tuition Sparked A Mental Health Crisis. Then The Hefty Hospital Bill Arrived

Kaiser Health News

A student sought counseling help after panicking over a tuition bill. A weeklong stay in a psychiatric hospital followed — along with a $3,413 bill. The hospital soft-pedaled its charity care policy.

College Tuition Sparked A Mental Health Crisis. Then The Hefty Hospital Bill Arrived

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2021: The Year Of The Recovery?
Cindy Ord/Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

2021: The Year Of The Recovery?

2020 was a horrific year for the economy. We're hoping 2021 will be better, but will it? We discuss 3 indicators that suggest this year is shaping up to be better than last year.

2021: The Year Of The Recovery?

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The $1,000 Power Bill
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The Indicator from Planet Money

The $1,000 Power Bill

The recent winter storm caused thousands of Texans to see their power bill climb to hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Can economics explain what happened?

The $1,000 Power Bill

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How to ask for a raise: Know your value (and bring the evidence)
Jenn Liv for NPR

Life Kit

How to ask for a raise: Know your value (and bring the evidence)

Negotiations expert Mori Taheripour shares her tips on asking for more money at work — and what to do when the answer is no, or there's just not money in the budget.

How to ask for a raise: Know your value (and bring the evidence)

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Seeking Refuge On The Open Road
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Seeking Refuge On The Open Road

Living on the open road is more than just an Instagram photo opportunity; for many it's both an economic necessity and a countercultural movement. Just ask Bob Wells, the evangelist of nomad life.

Seeking Refuge On The Open Road

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Alabama: The Newest Union Battleground
Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

Alabama: The Newest Union Battleground

Amazon workers in Alabama are voting on whether to form the company's FIRST U.S. union. We explain how the union has succeeded in getting this far, and the potential ramifications of the vote.

Alabama: The Newest Union Battleground

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After Days Of Mass Outages, Some Texas Residents Now Face Huge Electricity Bills

Power lines near Houston on Feb. 16. Some Texas residents are facing enormous power bills after wholesale prices for electricity skyrocketed amid last week's massive grid failure. David J. Phillip/AP hide caption

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David J. Phillip/AP

Live Updates: Winter Storms 2021

After Days Of Mass Outages, Some Texas Residents Now Face Huge Electricity Bills

Texas allows companies to sell electricity at wholesale prices. When the price of electricity skyrocketed last week, that meant exorbitant bills for many residents who had been trying to save money.

A Bicycle. A Trip. Or Just Pants: The Things We Buy When Pining For Normal Times

Ordinary items such as bicycles or hair extensions are gaining symbolic significance as we use them to project to a time when we can finally use them with others or show them off. Kaz Fantone for NPR hide caption

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Kaz Fantone for NPR

Coronavirus Updates

A Bicycle. A Trip. Or Just Pants: The Things We Buy When Pining For Normal Times

Even the most mundane purchases are becoming objects of hope as we crave the routines and experiences of daily life in this period of isolation.

A Bicycle. A Trip. Or Just Pants: The Things We Buy When Pining For Normal Times

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Cold Fronts, Propane And New Jobs - Indicators Of The Week
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

Cold Fronts, Propane And New Jobs - Indicators Of The Week

For our indicators of the week, we're talking about shortages of heating sources during the recent cold snap and trends amongst unemployed Americans.

Cold Fronts, Propane and New Jobs - Indicators of the Week

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Behind The Pandemic Purchases We Won't Use Until Later

What's the point of buying something now that you can't even use during the pandemic? Social scientists say there is value in anticipation — in giving yourself a concrete way to look forward.

Behind The Pandemic Purchases We Won't Use Until Later

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Bitcoin - The Religion
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Bitcoin - The Religion

As the value of a bitcoin recently passed $50,000, market watchers struggled to explain how a virtual currency could reach such dizzy heights. One possible answer? It's kind of like a religion.

Bitcoin - The Religion

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Debate Over Student Loan Forgiveness Hinges On 2 Numbers: $10,000 Vs. $50,000
Franziska Barczyk for NPR

Education

Debate Over Student Loan Forgiveness Hinges On 2 Numbers: $10,000 Vs. $50,000

The Biden administration is trying to figure out how much student debt to forgive and how to go about doing it — through executive action or legislation.

Debate Over Student Loan Forgiveness Hinges On 2 Numbers: $10,000 Vs. $50,000

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