Story Ideas
It's county or state fair time in much of the country--a great time to dig into some related business stories. If the fair has come and gone, consider some "almost fall harvest time" stories.
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Despite the tough economy, the number of Americans who are have no permanent home has not gone up much. But the number of homeless families has increased dramatically. How are communities responding to the need?
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In an economic downturn, research suggests that fewer people should volunteer their services. But it turns out that more Americans than ever are volunteering in their communities. What's going on?
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The foreclosure tide rolls on across most of the country, with more homes being repossessed or put on notice. The numbers tell only part of the story, so look closer.
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While the unemployment rate hasn't shown much improvement, some types of jobs are increasingly easy to find. Freelance opportunities abound on the Web. Who's hiring and who's doing the work?
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More and more Americans have such low credit scores that they can't qualify to borrow money for big-ticket purchases like cars or major appliances. What's the impact of that situation in your community?
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Last summer, many camps around the country reported enrollment was down because the recession had taken a bite out of family budgets. This year the picture is a little brighter, but plenty of parents still can't afford the cost of sending their kids to traditional camps.
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For many Americans, the dream of a comfortable retirement was shattered by the recession. Plunging home values and investment losses have changed the outlook for millions aged 50 and up, who make up a large part of your audience.
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The new health care law begins to take effect this week, when the federal government starts paying states to set up "high risk" insurance pools. The change could help thousands of people with chronic conditions get coverage they can afford.
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The news isn't great for the class of 2010. College graduates are once again facing a tough job market and many of them are burdened with debt. What's the outlook for these young adults in your community?
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As the economy meanders its way toward recovery, the housing market remains weak. Now that tax credits for new home-buyers are expiring, what's the housing outlook in your community?
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People get married in good economic times and bad but the recession definitely had an impact on the wedding industry. Smaller, less expensive weddings were the norm last year but that trend may be turning around.
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The massive overhaul of the financial industry underway in Washington will affect consumers as well as Wall Street. To help you cover the impact in your area, we've put together some resources and suggestions to get you started.
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Here's an effect of the recession that might have escaped notice so far: Trash collection and recycling rates are down in many communities and that's having an impact on everything from town budgets to energy production.
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The latest good news and bad news on the national jobs front may have left some people just a little confused. So now would be an excellent time to look more closely at the unemployment picture in your community.
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The debate over Arizona's new immigration law opens the door for a closer look at how businesses in your community deal with immigrant workers. We've pulled together resources and suggestions to help you get started.
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As the economy continues to recover, what local stories
should you be looking for? We asked some top-flight economists to tell
us what
they think should be on every local reporter’s radar screen.
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Here we go again. It's income tax time. You've probably already shared
the annual IRS tips with your audience and you'll no doubt cover the
last-minute rush to beat the filing deadline. But if you're looking for
other ideas, you've come to the right place.
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The economic downturn has had an impact on children of all ages. Kids feel the effects when their parents are out of work, and many young adults have been forced to move back in with their parents or even their grandparents.
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Bad economic times cause stress, and stress can put a strain on relationships. But the economic downturn has not led to a spike in divorce rates. Quite the contrary.
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One potential bright spot in the housing market is an uptick in requests for contractors to do remodeling jobs. But while that sounds like good news, it may not tell the whole story.
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When a new small business opens its doors, who's running it? Who's behind the counter? Chances are, in this economy, they're overqualified.
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Millions of students are about to get a week off from classes but will
they take a traditional spring break fun-in-the-sun vacation? If they
don't, the economic impact could be noticeable.
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While solar panels, insulation and other environmental upgrades can
save homeowners money, they can be expensive and it takes a long time
to recoup the installation costs. But new programs are making it more affordable to
go green.
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The word from officials in Washington is that the job market is stabilizing. Some companies are beginning to hire again. Is that a sign that the worst is over? It depends.
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Stock prices in the United States may have rebounded nicely from the depths of the recession, but what about the value of other investments? In the case of some 'collectibles,' the bottom has dropped out.
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Car dealerships are often the economic engines of their communities. When they can't make sales, they're not the only ones who suffer.
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With state and local budgets about as tight as they've ever been, how is it that some localities are considering spending more?
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The recession may be easing, but people are still in need. One indicator: a continuing increase in the number of households receiving food stamps.
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Despite signs of an economic recovery, states across the country are
beginning the new year with serious budget problems. What will that mean for consumers, businesses and state employees?
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Banks and credit card companies send out a lot of mail this time of year and many consumers just ignore it. But this year, in particular, that may not be a wise decision.
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How will the recession we've been tracking all year change the behavior of those who lived through it? The Great Depression shaped an entire generation. Will this recession have a similar effect?
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Losing a job can come as a shock and being unemployed can be stressful.
Some people say the tough knocks they've suffered during this recession
have led to positive results, but they are the exception, not the
rule.
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Office holiday parties. Year-end bonuses. Some annual traditions are disappearing from the workplace this year, thanks to the recession. Will they ever return?
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It's no surprise, given the state of the economy. Most consumers say they'll be spending less this holiday season. But how does that promise affect their gift lists?
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The cost of keeping health insurance coverage after losing a job is about to go up dramatically. A government subsidy is being phased out for people with COBRA plans, who may soon be in for a huge sticker shock.
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Shoppers pinched for cash this holiday season are still able to buy thanks to the return of
layaway plans. And those plans are now available in some surprising places.
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Some communities in a budget squeeze are up against a serious problem. Their jails are over capacity and they can't afford to send inmates elsewhere.
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In good times, the market for unskilled labor is primarily filled by immigrants, most of whom are in the country illegally. Not any more. Experts say that thanks to the recession more U.S. citizens have joined their ranks.
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With the unemployment rate still stubbornly high, public schools are
facing increased demand for food to help kids whose parents are out
of work or whose hours have been cut.
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Millions of Americans don't have bank accounts for one reason or another, which means they pay through the nose when they need to cash a check. Now, cities and states are launching new programs to help these people do business with commercial banks.
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Is the backyard chicken coop making a comeback? In some cities, including Denver and Portland, Maine., it's legal to keep chickens at home. In others, where it's still prohibited, residents are agitating for change.
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The recession has brought good news to some cities in the form of a lower burglary rate. But others have seen the rate go up. What's happening in your community and why?
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The ads are everywhere, promising to help consumers pay off their debts for just pennies on the dollar. Are these offers too good to be true? New studies say they are--in almost every case--and the government may soon crack down.
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The recession has made it more likely that many Americans won't be as well off when they retire as they are now--if they can even afford to retire, that is.
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The tax credit for first-time homebuyers may be extended, making
millions more Americans eligible. That makes this a good time to look
into how the program has worked so far and what might be in the offing.
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The rising cost of health care is leading some hospitals to cut services. The effect on patients is obvious. But what about the ripple effect on the entire community?
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Halloween spending may be a harbinger of bad news to come for retailers. Consumers are expected to spend less this entire holiday season than they did last year.
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No matter what Congress does to overhaul the health care system, workers will pay more for coverage next year. And they're getting the bad news now, during "open enrollment" season.
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The high unemployment rate is hitting home in some unexpected places. Corporate blood drives are attracting fewer donors, leaving blood banks hurting.
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People who can't borrow from banks or want to avoid high fees are turning to a new source of money: total strangers. How do they do it? By joining a social lending group.
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With housing prices still stubbornly low in much the country, many Americans are holding on to their homes and renting them out. But the decision to become a landlord may not always be the wisest choice.
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The recession has pinched universities, too. As classes resume this fall, students are bracing for higher tuition and fees, as some staff face pay cuts and schools consider other ways of cutting their budgets.
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Most of the federal stimulus funds committed so far are going for "infrastructure," which includes bridge repairs. Is the money being spent where it's most needed?
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Rates are going up for homeowners across the country, as insurance companies raise premiums by as much as 30 percent. What's going on here?
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It's been a year since Lehman Bros. went bankrupt, touching off the global financial crisis.The anniversary may be a good time to look at the local impact of the banking collapse.
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The latest unemployment numbers show some improvement, but economists say it could be a long time before the job market really improves. What effect will a slow recovery have on your community?
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The recession has sparked new interest in teaching high school students about personal finance. Some schools are offering new courses this fall, and in some cases, they're mandatory. But are they effective?
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Tens of thousands of veterans are returning to college this fall under the new GI bill, changing the face of many campuses. But applying for benefits is complicated and slow.
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As large retailers close stores and auto dealerships go out of business,
the result in many communities is a growing number of vacant properties. What's going to happen to them and when?
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To help low-income Americans keep up with the rising cost of living,
many payments are tied to inflation. But what happens when the cost of
living goes down? Some Americans are about to find out.
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Left behind after a layoff, forced to take a pay cut or unpaid
leave--employees who have kept their jobs may struggle with sagging
morale, and that's bad for business. So companies are looking for new
ways of boosting morale, which can lead to greater productivity.
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When cash-strapped customers try to spend more than they have in the bank, they typically get socked with an overdraft fee. Those fees are good for the banks' bottom lines but are they fair?
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Is your local post office endangered? The economic squeeze on the Postal Service may force hundreds of post offices to close or consolidate services. What would that mean to your community?
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States from Georgia to Vermont are closing rest stops along interstate highways to save money. What's the potential impact of these decisions?
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The recession has changed the face of crime in some American communities. It's also affected the response to crime, thanks to shrinking local budgets.
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Donations to charities are down, for the second year in a row, as a result of the recession. That's not a surprise, perhaps, but the pain is not spread equally.
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The recession has been tough on dairy farmers all over the country. Are they a dying breed?
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A new effort is underway to offer consumers more environmental information about the products they buy. Could it lead to higher prices?
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With states across the country struggling with budget deficits, some are falling behind on processing income tax refunds.
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Counting on a home equity line of credit to bridge a financial gap may be riskier than ever in today's economy. The money some homeowners thought they could rely on may no longer be available.
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The recession is forcing major changes for travelers and tourist destinations across the United States this summer. Who benefits depends on where you look.
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The number of people filing personal bankruptcy has been on the rise for the past two years and there's every indication that it will keep going up. Most people don't know much about how it works, however, nor the consequences of going legally broke.
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Every reporter knows the admonition to "follow the money," but when there's $800 billion to follow, the job may seem overwhelming. Not to worry. We have a trail map.
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Fewer people buying new cars means more people repairing old ones. Service is one of the few sectors of the auto industry that's doing well.
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Unemployed workers and teens are looking for ways to improve their chances of getting a new job. That's led to a boom
in continuing education programs for adults.
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Is the struggling economy forcing kids to stay home this summer? Parents having trouble making ends meet are cutting back on non-necessities, which may include camps and other kids activities.
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Whenever times are tough, there's an uptick in scams aimed at separating people from their money. Inevitably, some people fall for them. Have you warned your viewers?
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As the Obama administration and Congress consider how to reform the US health system, many Americans are struggling with the cost of medical care. What are their options?
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The housing slump and rising foreclosures have lowered property values in much of the country. What effect do those lower property values have on homeowners and communities?
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It’s no secret that Americans are losing their homes to
foreclosure. But what caused that situation is only part of the story.
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The recession has forced more Americans to rely on credit cards for short term cash. Now, a new law limits how and when those companies can increase interest rates and charge late fees. How will that affect consumers and banks?
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The recession has put lots of people out of work and the layoffs and
firings have a ripple effect. For every job lost, there's likely to be
another. Tell the story by following the dominoes.
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Everyone knows new car sales have slumped to their lowest levels in decades. Empty showrooms, frustrated dealers, lucky shoppers getting deep discounts--those are stories you may already have done. But there are plenty of fresh angles on the car sales story you might want to pursue.
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Bad times are boom times for bartering. When cash is tight, trading goods and services is one way for people to get what they need, and it's going on everywhere.
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Despite the recession, people are still going out to eat. But they're
changing their habits and that's affecting more than just what's on
their plates.
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Utility bills have been a double dose of pain for many Americans this
year. Rates have gone up while their ability to pay has gone down. Now, utilities say they're shutting off power to a record number of households.
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Sales of new homes are ticking up slightly but they're still down sharply from a year ago. And one kind of community is particularly hard hit: developments restricted to older residents, typically those 55 and over.
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A sour economy can be frightening and stressful, so it's probably no surprise that more and more people are reaching out for help, and not just for financial advice.
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The second-largest mall owner in the United States has filed for bankruptcy--another indication of how hard the recession has hit the retail sector. Consumers cut back on spending when the economy turns sour, but people still have to buy necessities. Who wins and who loses when retailers compete?
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Many states are hoping the federal stimulus package will help to make up for their own budget shortfalls, but some are facing multimillion dollar deficits they'll have to close themselves. How will they do it?
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The numbers come out like clockwork but they're not the whole story. Yet many stations will simply report the jobless rate and move on. Consider different angles on the story to explain what the numbers mean and how they affect people in your community.
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With the price of gold near an all-time high and the economy still on the skids, people who need help to get through the recession have become more willing to part with their jewelry to bring in extra cash.
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