Leaders from both political parties have been working to bring back manufacturing. But American manufacturers say they are struggling to fill the manufacturing jobs we already have.

A new study shows how partisan politics has long influenced whether Americans trust the Fed. And how, with Trump's second term, an old pattern may have changed.

American winemakers tell us why tariffs hurt their industry.

It's not just tariffs. The White House is rethinking the central role of the dollar in the global economy.

A controversial study raised the specter that Girl Scout cookies are unsafe. Authorities say they are safe, but the whole saga highlights a breakdown of trust in American institutions.

A new study finds that after decades of stagnation, fast-food and other restaurants finally saw a surge in productivity.

The rise and potential fall of independent agencies.

Since taking office, the Trump administration and DOGE have been seeking to unilaterally override the spending plans set by Congress. Can they do that under the U.S. Constitution?

The "China Shock" is revisited, and it raises questions about why economists failed to see the costs of free trade.

The primer on Jevons paradox that you didn't know you needed.

An economist's harrowing escape from fire, and her big ideas to rescue California from its insurance doom spiral.

A skateboarder presented an unusual paper at this year's big meeting of American economists.

Planet Money attended the annual meeting of American economists — and the most popular topic this year was artificial intelligence.

A new study suggests that holidays can affect your provider's decision making.

The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first significant crackdown on immigration in American history. We explore the factors that led to the Act and examine what happened to the economy after it passed.