Scott Horsley

Nickels, dimes, quarters, and pennies aren't circulating the way they normally do since the pandemic. It's forced the Federal Reserve to temporarily ration coins that businesses need to make change.

The pandemic has changed the way Americans spend money, and wealthy families started spending less. Their cautious spending on in-person services may put the brakes on economic recovery.

While retail sales bounced back in May after a deep drop in March and April, the wealthiest Americans are not spending as freely as they did before the pandemic. And that could limit the recovery.

Lainy Morse, a preschool teacher, dreads going back to a classroom filled with kids who don't understand hand-washing or social distancing. And she'd make less than she does on unemployment.

The price of baking flour has fallen along with the price of eggs, suggesting an easing in the baking craze that gripped hungry and housebound consumers in the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic.

Even as restaurants start to re-open, analysts say we're likely to keep eating more of our meals at home for some time to come, which is affecting grocery prices.

The Fed leaves interest rates near zero as expected, and promises to use all of its tools to support the economy. Officials project unemployment above 9% at the end of this year.

A better-than-expected jobs report may have lawmakers feeling less urgency about the need for another round of the pandemic relief. But economists say it is too soon to pull the plug on federal help.

The National Bureau of Economic Research has announced Monday the U.S. economy is officially in a recession. Economists said the recession is unusual, but they hope it could end quickly.

The committee tasked with marking U.S. business cycles says the economy peaked in February and has since been in a recession triggered by the pandemic. But it says the recession could be short-lived.

A monthly job report published Friday has shown signs of strength in the labor market. Unemployment has declined and employers have created millions of new jobs in May.

U.S. employers unexpectedly added jobs last month as the unemployment rate declined, signs that people are returning to work as states reopen their economies. President Trump celebrated the news.

The Labor Department says about 1.9 million people filed for unemployment last week, but there are some signs that people may be returning to their jobs.

There are indications layoffs from the coronavirus pandemic may be easing. Initial claims for unemployment have been slowing, and as businesses start to reopen, some people are going back to work.

African Americans are 40% less likely to own their homes than whites. And blacks are more likely to hold jobs that put them at risk of the coronavirus. The civil unrest follows decades of inequality.

With many stores and restaurants closed last month, consumer spending plunged. That's a big blow for the economy, since consumers are the nation's biggest economic engine.

NPR's chief economics correspondent looks back at the question answered on the National Conversation about the economy. Past callers reconnect to update on how they have fared during the pandemic.

NPR's chief economics correspondent looks back at the question answered on the National Conversation about the economy. Past callers reconnect to update on how they have fared during the pandemic.

Relations between the economic giants have gone downhill fast since they signed a preliminary trade pact four months ago. The latest tussles over the coronavirus and Hong Kong add to the friction.

For more than two out of three unemployed workers, jobless benefits exceed their old pay, researchers say. That can raise awkward questions for workers, bosses and policymakers.