Jennifer Ludden
Stories
-
National
Child poverty is at a historic low, according to the Census Bureau
Experts say the federal child tax credit was a big reason for the drop. The expanded child tax credit ended in December, just as inflation was starting to climb to historic highs.
-
National
'We have nowhere to go': Many face eviction during a crisis in affordable housing
Most Americans say a lack of affordable housing is a serious problem where they live. An NPR poll also finds nearly twice as many Black renters as white faced an eviction threat in the past year.
-
National
White adults receive the most financial help from older relatives, poll shows
A new poll finds white adults are more than twice as likely as others to get sizable financial help from parents or other elders. It helps explain America's persistent racial wealth gap.
-
National
Corporate landlords used aggressive tactics to push out more tenants than was known
Congress finds four companies appeared to have a strategy to get tenants to leave during the pandemic. Many faced eviction after missing only one payment, and while waiting for emergency rental aid.
-
National
Bonus checks! One year free! How states are trying to fix a broken child care system
There's still a shortage of child care teachers and that's keeping parents out of the workforce. Dozens of states are trying to lure back providers and lower costs for families.
-
National
Abortion rights activists say there's still work to do after Supreme Court leak
Abortion rights opponents are both excited and sobered at the prospect that the Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade, saying they are ready to wage the next battles in both blue and red states.
-
National
Abortion opponents are excited about the Roe v. Wade leak, but say there's work to do
Abortion opponents are both excited and sobered at possibly overturning Roe v. Wade. They say they welcome a new national conversation and want to wage the next battles in blue states as well as red.
-
National
Eviction filings are up sharply as pandemic rental aid starts to run out
The federal rental aid program expects to distribute the rest of its money by mid-summer. Some cities have already run out of funding, pushing eviction filings higher than before the pandemic.
-
National
Millions of Americans are resorting to risky ways to buy an affordable home
Alternative financing arrangements can be the only option for low-income Americans. But they lack the same protections as a mortgage, and many end up paying for years without ever gaining ownership.
-
National
Short staffed from omicron, airlines canceled some Christmas Eve flights last minute
Many holiday travelers had Christmas Eve flights canceled at the last minute because of the surge in the omicron variant. Airlines say a spike in cases has left them short staffed.