Hiring slows in December to end the weakest year of job growth since the pandemic U.S. employers added 50,000 jobs in December, according to a report from the Labor Department Friday. Measured annually, job gains in 2025 were the slowest since 2020. Scott Horsley
The cautionary tale of how Chicago privatized its parking meters In 2008, Chicago's mayor decided to lease out the city's metered parking system — to privatize all 36,000 of its parking meters. Nick Fountain
It's not just oil: How else Wall Street might benefit from Trump's Venezuela actions Oil companies and their shareholders may benefit from President Trump's military action in Venezuela — but it also could benefit many other U.S. investors. Maria Aspan
The world has too much oil right now. Will companies want Venezuela's? Crude prices are low. Companies are being cautious. But huge reserves — particularly of the heavy, viscous oil Venezuela has in abundance — remain appealing. Camila Domonoske
Trump Mobile's golden phone remains nowhere to be found A golden phone that President Donald Trump's family business promised to release last year remains mysteriously under wraps as the technology industry serves up a glut of new gadgets at CES in Las Vegas this week. The Associated Press
Trump says US to get 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela at market price Trump pledged to use proceeds from the sale of this oil "to benefit the people" of both countries. The Associated Press
Attempting to predict the economy in 2026 Economists may have a pretty dismal record with predictions. But we're still interested in what they see in their non-existent crystal balls. Greg Rosalsky
New redesigned coins marking nation's 250th birthday begin circulating today New coins marking the United States' 250th anniversary begin circulating this week. The Trump administration tweaked the design of some coins and is considering a dollar coin featuring the president. Scott Horsley
Italian pasta brands get relief from Trump's tariffs after threatening to stop exports Americans may still get to enjoy Italian pasta after the Trump administration spared several producers from high-level tariffs. Ruth Sherlock
Is the whiskey industry in trouble? NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with bourbon expert Fred Minnick on what Jim Beam's halting distillation at main distillery reveals about the challenges facing the bourbon industry and the year ahead. John Ketchum