The latest BLS data put real hourly wage gains at -0.3% last month, compared to last year. That’s thanks to inflation running hotter than pay raises. To make up for it, some workers are putting in extra hours or dipping into their savings. In this episode, how much longer can Americans cope with what are effectively inflation-driven pay cuts? Plus: The gender wage gap slows economic productivity, housing starts grow in the Northeast as they fall elsewhere, and we weigh the possible outcomes of next week’s FOMC meeting.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:Last call for Fed rate predictionsInflation has devoured pay gains over the past yearWhy the gender pay gap holds back productivityRetiring at age 37 to give back to the communityHousing starts are down in most of the country. Here's why the Northeast is the exception

This morning, we got consumer price index data for August. Prices went up 0.4%, and annual inflation is running at 3.4% — in line with expectations, but still way above what the Fed would like to see. Today, we'll break down the fresh inflation data, as well as rising bond yields, global interest rates, energy price fluctuations, and more of this week's market news. Plus, a Canadian business owner reflects on how his government is handling the trade war.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Haven Greens is a 5-acre indoor farm located in King City, Ontario, Canada. They grow cut baby leaf greens like lettuce. The majority of leafy greens consumed in Canada come from abroad. Since the trade war with the U.S. began, Haven Greens has grown and made big inroads with Canadian supermarkets. This morning, we check in with its CEO and founder. But first: what's ahead for oil prices (as best we can guess).Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace Morning Report 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.

An Anthropic researcher publicly resigned this week, warning on social media that artificial intelligence companies are “gambling with our lives.”It’s part of a growing chorus of insiders pleading to slow down the AI race. One said he believed there was a greater than 10% chance the tech will kill us all in the next decade.The news comes after a fresh wave of troubling details about the OpenAI incident where agents escaped a testing environment and hacked into Hugging Face.Plus, data center developers have their eye on Patagonia — the colder, the better. And Amazon is betting AI lip-syncing can make dubbed video content more watchable.Maria Curi, tech policy reporter at Axios, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino to break down the busy week in tech news.Everything we talked about:Scoop: Sanders convenes senators for AI briefing amid mounting alarm — from Axios Tech explores Argentina's Patagonia for mega data centers — from ReutersGoogle to invest record $15 billion in AI infrastructure in the ‘Texas of Europe’ — from CNBCAmazon Prime Video’s new AI tech matches lips to dubbed audio — from The Verge

Oil industry analysts were hopeful earlier this year that Trump’s war in the Middle East would be short-lived. But it’s become clear that an open flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz will require sustained cooperation between the U.S. and Iran. S&P Global now expects dampered production and choppy prices to continue into 2027. Also in this episode: Trucking costs are pushed up by record-breaking diesel prices and a shortage of English-speaking drivers. And, is it a good idea to use AI to develop pharmaceutical drugs?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:The oil roller coaster reaches new heights — and it's a bumpy ride aheadTrucking costs are rising fast. That could mean even more inflation for consumersThis audio affects business is still waiting on tariff refundsHow this Georgia factory is surviving America's solar policy whiplashIf AI helps speed up drug development, can the FDA keep up?The construction manager who quit his 9-to-5 to build something for himself

Today, the Census Bureau releases its wholesale trade report for July, which could give us some insight into one of the big drivers of economic activity in the U.S. right now: AI data centers. Sales of electrical equipment, computers, and machinery have been really strong as companies build out the infrastructure needed to power artificial intelligence. We hear more. Then, could nixing parking spot requirements help spur new housing construction?Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Less than eight weeks until midterm elections, the economy remains the center of voters' attention. Ipsos and Reuters just released a poll that found 74% of voters think their own cost of living is heading down the wrong track. What’s more, 59% of Americans don’t think their family has a good chance of improving their standard of living. Also on the show: a preview of Friday's consumer price index and the economic impact of Germany's border checks.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Nate Soares has been worried about artificial intelligence longer than almost anyone.He's the president of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute and co-author of the subtly named book, "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All."He's watched with a sort of grim vindication, as increasingly alarming details emerge about the hack of the AI company Hugging Face by OpenAI models in development.OpenAI and third-party investigators recently released reports outlining what went wrong. Soares worries it's not enough.More on this:The Hugging Face incident and the road ahead - From OpenAIBrief independent investigation of agents’ behavior, reasoning and collaboration in the OpenAI / Hugging Face hacking incident - From METR and Redwood Research

Who doesn’t love getting mail? This week on the show, Reema and Alice open up the mailbag and respond to your messages about questionable investments, doomspending, and caring for aging loved ones. Plus, we hear your advice on keeping weddings affordable for your guests and wedding party. Past stories referenced in this episode:”The things we leave behind” “Nicole Chung and the toll of caregiving”“Everything's on fire, might as well get my nails done?”“Would you go broke for a bachelorette?”“Wait...where did my retirement money go?”“Can I monetize my hobby without killing the joy?”If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.orgIf you want to answer our “Uncomfortable Questions” see more info here.Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok!Support This Is Uncomfortable with your donation today: https://bit.ly/mkp_tiu_pod

Healthcare affordability is top-of-mind for many Americans right now. And for a long time, state legislators’ only avenue for easing that burden was through care subsidies. But what about looking at the problem from a whole new angle? In this episode, two states, unalike in their political leanings, try out healthcare price caps. Plus: Rising oil prices push up short-term bond yields, more homebuyers look into adjustable-rate mortgages, and we try to predict Fed Chair Warsh’s next move.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:High oil prices are pushing up short-term bond yieldsWhat will Kevin Warsh do? He's not tellingMore states are trying price caps to tackle healthcare affordabilityAs mortgage rates rise, some homebuyers are choosing adjustable-rate loansOwning a home with a friend means learning how to talk about money