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.

Chinese immigrants sacrificed to create America's first transcontinental railroad. Its completion may have contributed to a backlash that led to the first major immigration clampdown in U.S. history.

A trio of economists just won a Nobel prize for their insights into how democratic and other inclusive institutions are critical for a nation’s prosperity.

A new study finds that Americans have adopted generative AI faster than personal computers and the internet. Does this mean we're about to see a long-awaited increase in productivity growth?

Once the high priests of policy, economists may now be seeing lower demand. But who's taking their place?

Music festivals are canceling their events like maybe never before. Call it the music festival recession.