Author: Hugo Stern
State budget surpluses that once cushioned pension shortfalls are disappearing, leaving public retirement systems increasingly exposed as revenues soften and investment losses compound.
Rent-to-own housing contracts are surging as mortgage rates and home prices lock first-time buyers out. But the contracts carry serious risks few buyers read closely enough.
Bird flu is driving egg prices up again, straining grocery chains caught between absorbing wholesale cost spikes and passing them to budget-conscious shoppers.
NFIP lapses have disrupted thousands of closings and left flood-zone homeowners in coverage limbo. Here’s what the recurring gaps cost and why Congress keeps punting.
Copper demand forecasts are diverging sharply as EV sales slow in key markets, leaving mining companies and investors navigating conflicting signals about when – and whether – a supply deficit will materialize.
Congress is pushing Medicaid work requirements for childless adults, threatening coverage for millions. Here is what the proposals demand and who stands to lose.
Federal contractor layoffs are hitting suburbs hard, straining local budgets, housing markets, and small businesses built around government spending.
Childcare centers are closing as subsidy reimbursement rates fail to keep pace with actual operating costs, leaving families without options and providers without a viable business model.
Child care subsidy cliffs cut off benefits abruptly when income rises slightly, leaving working parents worse off financially after a raise than before.
Rising student loan defaults are straining federal budget projections as default rates climb and income-driven repayment costs outpace original estimates.