| The economy is … very confusing right now. Inflation is soaring. The job market is piping hot. The Federal Reserve is trying to slow the economy down. People are still spending. As an economics reporter, it's my job to keep a pulse on slivers of the economy that can turn on a dime and challenge policymakers on their decisions to raise interest rates or their claims that the economy isn't headed for a downturn.  (Nam Y. Huh/AP) | But sometimes, especially recently, my reporting leaves me with more questions than answers. Are we in a recession? Are we headed for one? How is inflation going to come down? Is the labor market going to shed jobs? A lot of these concepts are quite wonky, so we've created the Econ 101 series — which is a collaboration between a bunch of us at The Post, including Deputy Business Editor Damian Paletta, Senior Design Editor Virginia Singarayar and news designer Emily Wright. Our aim is to explain what is happening and give readers a way to think about the forces shaping their daily lives. The latest installment asks a simple but very weighty question. What causes a recession? The answer depends on what you can think of as a flowing set of dominoes. One problem bumps into another. Then another. Inflation spikes. The Federal Reserve must hike rates. People pull back on spending and jobs hang in the balance. There are certain moments when the Federal Reserve or White House might be able to keep the dominoes from falling. But those moments can be fleeting, and eventually, it may be too late. Throughout the coronavirus crisis, so much of what we know about the economy has become clearer in hindsight. Now, it's paramount that we reach out — to families, workers and businesses nationwide and for them to reach out to us — to understand what they're experiencing before the data itself starts to shift. It's more crucial than ever as the risks of a recession rise.  (Peter Crowther for The Post) What causes a recession and what happens next? There are two scenarios that could play out. By Rachel Siegel and Emily Wright ● Read more » |    | | | | The unsubstantiated claim led to a backlash against sex ed that helped topple local Republican Party leaders and propelled a wave of far-right candidates for local and statewide school board. By Beth Reinhard and Emma Brown ● Read more » | | | | | "Norman has so much to give us, I don't think 100 is nearly enough," says Lear's close friend Mel Brooks. By Travis M. Andrews ● Read more » | | |  (Rafael Vilela for The Post) In the Amazon, there's little political cost to destroying the rainforest. By Terrence McCoy ● Read more » | | | | | | Many doubted the story of a young rape victim who had to cross state lines for an abortion. But journalists on the ground kept reporting. By Elahe Izadi ● Read more » | | | | |  (April Greer for The Post) Many Americans are reconsidering their relationship to alcohol. But if we drink less, is that automatically a good thing? From The Magazine ● By Jason Wilson ● Read more » | | | | | This is what disparities look like in accessing testing, vaccines and treatment for monkeypox, the latest viral threat hanging over gay life. By Fenit Nirappil ● Read more » | | |  (AJ Mast for The Post) As youth sports has exploded into a multi-billion dollar industry, communities are building sprawling sports complexes to attract teams, tournaments – and revenues. By Roman Stubbs ● Read more » | | | | | | The role of Trump lawyer John Eastman in trying to overturn the 2020 election has divided the followers of the Claremont Institute, which has stood by him. By Marc Fisher and Isaac Stanley-Becker ● Read more » | | | | | | Sales soared in the past decade at Daniel Defense, the maker of the gun used in the Uvalde shooting, as it employed aggressive marketing tactics to sell AR-style rifles. By Shawn Boburg and Jon Swaine ● Read more » | | | | | |
Photo of the week  (Photo for The Post) | WNBA star Brittney Griner appeared Tuesday in a Moscow court where she is facing a trial on drug charges. This week, her defense team called witnesses to support their case for leniency after she pleaded guilty to carrying cannabis oil into Russia. She could be sent to prison for up to 10 years. Griner has been detained in Russia since February after authorities found two vape cartridges in her luggage at Moscow's airport. On Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by telephone about what the Biden administration has called a "substantial offer" in exchange for the release of Griner and security consultant Paul Whelan. Earlier this month, Griner appealed directly to President Biden in a letter that was delivered to the White House on July 4. "As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I'm terrified I might be here forever." See more of the week's most compelling photos here. |
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