Jan 09 Watch December Job Losses Compound Economic Woes Unemployment rose to 7.2 percent in December, the highest since 1993, according to a new report from the Labor Department. Employers cut 524,000 jobs, and some economy-watchers fear more cuts are still to come. Ray Suarez reports. Continue watching
Jan 09 Unemployment Rate Hits Highest Point in 16 Years By Admin, PBS News Hour A day after President-elect Barack Obama warned that the recession could "linger for years" unless Congress pumps money into the economy, a government report released Friday underscored the toll the downturn is having on workers and companies. Continue reading
Jan 08 Watch New President's Economic Plan Faces Numerous Congressional Hurdles President-elect Barack Obama's economic recovery plan may face significant resistance in Congress. Analysts discuss the hurdles the Obama proposal will likely encounter as he pushes his agenda on Capitol Hill. Continue watching
Jan 08 Obama Makes Case for Economic Stimulus By Admin, PBS News Hour President-elect Barack Obama made his case for a large-scale economic stimulus plan in a speech Thursday morning. Mr. Obama warned the recession could "linger for years" unless Congress pumps unprecedented sums into the weakened economy. Continue reading
Jan 07 Watch Federal Budget Deficit Projected to Skyrocket in 2009 New Congressional Budget Office figures released Wednesday predict the federal budget deficit will hit $1.2 trillion in 2009. Analysts mull what the numbers mean. Continue watching
Jan 07 Deficit Projected to Soar to $1.2 Trillion By Admin, PBS News Hour The federal budget deficit will hit an unprecedented $1.2 trillion for the 2009 budget year, new Congressional Budget Office figures show. Continue reading
Jan 07 Why Has the Price of Oil Decreased So Significantly? Question/Comment: Why has the price of gas decreased so significantly? This seems way more than an incremental adjustment to supply and demand. Is there something non-linear going on? Paul Solman: Brace yourself for a very long answer. The price of… Continue reading
Jan 05 What is the Economic Impact of Military Spending? Question/Comment: I would like to know the impact of military spending on our economy. It seems like it’s a pretty hefty percentage of the annual budget, almost equal to that spent on Social Security; more than is spent on Medicare. Continue reading
Jan 02 Previews of Next Week and a Mideast Trip By Arts Desk We continue to receive many wonderful comments and responses to specific stories and to the entire Art Beat effort. But the news is not always good. Continue reading
Jan 01 Watch Journalists Look Back on Tumultuous Financial Year The economy experienced an extraordinary year of volatility in 2008 with the collapse of major financial firms and huge market losses. Financial writers discuss the year's significance and the road ahead in 2009. Continue watching