For generations, people have looked for small, informal signs that a recession is coming or already here. This phenomenon recently exploded on social media, often in joke form.

In recent decades, America has seen economic opportunities concentrated in superstar cities. Manufacturing boosters hope reshoring factories could help change that. We look at the theory and evidence.

More than half of American workers don't have a college degree. Is manufacturing a ticket for them to the middle class?

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.