Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Waymo will recall software after its self-driving cars passed stopped school buses

421. Waymo will recall software after its self-driving cars passed stopped school buses

Jeff Brady discusses Waymo's decision to recall software for its self-driving cars following incidents where the vehicles did not stop for school buses.

7 deaths and hundreds of injuries are linked to faulty Abbott glucose monitors

422. 7 deaths and hundreds of injuries are linked to faulty Abbott glucose monitors

A production error in glucose monitors has led to seven deaths and hundreds of injuries due to inaccurate low glucose readings.

Talking With Paul Kedrosky

423. Talking With Paul Kedrosky

Paul Krugman discusses U.S. trade policy and the complexities of AI with Paul Kedrosky, seeking to understand their implications for the economy.

Schedule for Week of December 7, 2025

424. Schedule for Week of December 7, 2025

The post outlines the economic schedule for the week, highlighting key reports and the anticipated Federal Reserve rate cut.

Two things that really matter

425. Two things that really matter

An argument that emphasizes the importance of human capital and market alignment in economic analysis, particularly regarding the UK's current economic challenges.

Business Cycle Indicators: Series at or Below Prior Peak

426. Business Cycle Indicators: Series at or Below Prior Peak

An argument that recent economic indicators suggest the business cycle may be nearing or past its peak, highlighting trends in income, spending, and employment.

Deceleration in Nowcasted Final Sales to Private Domestic Purchasers, GDP [Updated]

427. Deceleration in Nowcasted Final Sales to Private Domestic Purchasers, GDP [Updated]

Menzie Chinn discusses a slowdown in the nowcasted final sales to private domestic purchasers, indicating potential implications for GDP growth.

The Future of Data

428. The Future of Data

The discussion highlights the importance of alternative data in economic analysis, emphasizing its role in complementing traditional statistics for better policymaking and understanding economic conditions.

429. Medicaid: What It Has Become

Timothy Taylor discusses the evolution of Medicaid into a major health insurance program, its funding structure, and implications for beneficiaries and providers.

Appeals court hands Trump a victory, OK'ing firings of two independent agency heads

430. Appeals court hands Trump a victory, OK'ing firings of two independent agency heads

Andrea Hsu discusses a D.C. Circuit Court ruling that upheld President Trump's firings of Democratic agency heads.

EU hits Elon Musk's X with $140 million fine over business practices

431. EU hits Elon Musk's X with $140 million fine over business practices

The post discusses a significant fine imposed on X for misleading practices regarding user verification and transparency in advertising and data access.

Welcome to the Crazy CAFE

432. Welcome to the Crazy CAFE

An argument that fuel-efficiency standards favor larger vehicles, complicating the market for smaller, more efficient cars, and how recent policy changes could alter this dynamic.

MAGA’s Affordability Crisis Will Soon Get Worse

433. MAGA’s Affordability Crisis Will Soon Get Worse

Paul Krugman discusses how rising prices and economic dissatisfaction contributed to Trump's electoral success and the implications for future political dynamics.

Housing: Supply vs. Quantity

434. Housing: Supply vs. Quantity

David Hebert discusses the misconceptions in housing policy regarding demand and supply, emphasizing that new mortgage proposals will likely increase prices rather than affordability.

PCE Measure of Shelter Declined to 3.7% YoY in September

435. PCE Measure of Shelter Declined to 3.7% YoY in September

The post discusses the year-over-year changes in shelter costs according to CPI and PCE reports, highlighting a decline in shelter inflation rates.

Netflix will buy Warner Bros' studio and streaming businesses for $72 billion

436. Netflix will buy Warner Bros' studio and streaming businesses for $72 billion

The Associated Press discusses Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros' studio and streaming businesses for $72 billion, highlighting the significance of the merger in the entertainment industry.

They need to make you hate some group

437. They need to make you hate some group

The discussion centers on the shifting perspectives regarding racial judgment, individualism, and group blame in political discourse, particularly in relation to immigration and social issues.

Personal Income Increased 0.4% in September; Spending Increased 0.3%

438. Personal Income Increased 0.4% in September; Spending Increased 0.3%

Bill McBride discusses the increase in personal income and spending in September, along with details on inflation and personal saving rates.

NPR battles Trump executive order in court

439. NPR battles Trump executive order in court

A legal dispute centers on NPR's claim that the Trump administration violated laws regarding public media treatment.

Cotality: House Price Growth Slowed to 1.1% YoY in October

440. Cotality: House Price Growth Slowed to 1.1% YoY in October

Bill McBride discusses the slowdown in US home price growth to 1.1% YoY in October 2025, highlighting market adjustments and affordability challenges.