Next Economy

Are Companies With Drug Tests Weeding Out Great Candidates?

More than half of Americans report that they have tried marijuana. What does this mean for zero-tolerance workplaces?

• Bourree Lam
• March 4, 2015

Unplanned Births: Another Outcome of Economic Inequality?

Affluent women are likely to have access to more-reliable forms of birth control, and they're more than three times as likely to have an abortion in the case of an accidental pregnancy.

• Gillian B. White
• March 4, 2015

When the Path to Homeownership Runs Through Public Housing

A federal government program is trying to turn our nation of low-income renters into future homeowners by helping them build up savings accounts.

• Nancy Cook and National Journal
• March 4, 2015

Can Labor Survive the Nevada GOP?

For the first time in decades, Republicans control the state's Assembly, Senate, and Governor's Mansion—and they're targeting unions.

• Alana Semuels and National Journal
• March 3, 2015

Even With Debt, College Still Pays Off

A bachelor's degree can help recent graduates earn 83 percent more than peers who only completed high school.

• Gillian B. White and National Journal
• March 3, 2015

What Good Is a Good Economy?

Even as the U.S. recovery ramps up, polling shows Americans are more anxious than ever about being the world's top power.

• David A. Graham
• March 3, 2015

$350 Million Might Not Be Enough to Save Las Vegas

Spending millions to revitalize a struggling portion of the city might seem like a good bet, but the current effort led by a billionaire CEO is facing major challenges.

• Alana Semuels
• March 2, 2015

A Farewell to Mallrats

Malls around the country are closing, leaving teens with one fewer place to just be.

• Julie Beck
• February 28, 2015

Mortgages for Freelancers

A California start-up wants to become the go-to lender for the self-employed and others whose incomes aren't tied to traditional jobs.

• Nancy Cook and National Journal
• February 27, 2015

Why the Gap Between Worker Pay and Productivity Is So Problematic

Labor has become more efficient and profitable, but employees aren't sharing in the benefits.

• Gillian B. White
• February 25, 2015

How 14,000 Workers Managed to Slow Down the Entire Economy

Longshoremen play an indispensable role in getting 90 percent of consumer goods into the country—and they know how to use that to their advantage.

• Joe Pinsker
• February 24, 2015

Why Are Developers Still Building Sprawl?

Boomers and Millennials say they want to live in compact, walkable developments, but builders are putting their money into suburban McMansions.

• Alana Semuels
• February 24, 2015

For Less Corporate Fraud, Hire Female CFOs

Women are less prone to risky tax-avoidance measures that could lead to illegalities.

• Gillian B. White and National Journal
• February 24, 2015

The Guardian Angels of Student Debt

Calling a strike—against college loans

• Terrance F. Ross
• February 23, 2015

Minneapolis's White Lie

Despite being applauded by many, the "miraculous" prosperity of the Twin Cities is only a reality for a certain slice of their population.

• Jessica Nickrand
• February 21, 2015

Even With Debt, College Still Pays Off

A bachelor's degree can help recent graduates earn 83 percent more than peers who only completed high school.

• Gillian B. White
• February 20, 2015

How an Oil Boom Brought Diversity to North Dakota

The number of blacks and Hispanics in the state rose by more than 50 percent between 2010 and 2013.

• Steve Hargreaves and National Journal
• February 19, 2015

Where Have All the Construction Workers Gone?

Nevada now employs 60 percent fewer construction workers than it did during the housing boom. Some found new careers. Others left the country.

• Alana Semuels and National Journal
• February 19, 2015

Baby Steps Toward Home Ownership

First comes better credit. Then, a mortgage?

• Nancy Cook and National Journal
• February 19, 2015