Here's how we're coping with high gas prices, according to Costco and Walmart ^40.7%

KUOW Public Radio - By Alina Selyukh - 5/29/2026, 6:47 PM

Appeal to Authority 29% - Pessimism Bias 20.4% - Post Hoc (False Cause) 19.3%

In the hunt for cheaper gas, people are going out of their way for discounted fuel at Costco and Walmart — many of them visiting for the first time. Drivers also are now filling up more often, but topping up with fewer gallons at a time. As the U.S. war in Iran continues to drive up gas prices, Costco's gas stations have been selling... more

Shein buys Everlane, which sold millennials the dream of ethical, affordable luxury ^44.2%

NPR - By Alina Selyukh - 5/22/2026, 3:36 PM

Framing Effect 24.7% - Negativity Bias 23.9% - Appeal to Authority 22.8%

Shein, the ultrafast-fashion juggernaut, is buying Everlane, a brand that once pitched millennial shoppers on a vision of fashion with "ethical factories" and "radical transparency" into how its clothes were made and priced. "This is the start of a bigger chapter for Everlane and the team behind it," CEO Alfred Chang said in a statement... more

Prices are up, but Mother's Day still means brunch ^15%

KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR - By Alina Selyukh, Scott Horsley - 5/10/2026, 1:27 PM

Appeal to Authority 7.7% - Framing Effect 7.5% - Optimism Bias 7.2%

Sign up for the Planet Money newsletter. The world is confusing. Economics can help. Economist Michael Swanson offers a tip for this Mother's Day: "If you really want to show mom that love and TLC, you can whip up a pretty nice buffet at home for a lot less money" than going out for that classic brunch, says Swanson, who tracks food... more

He recorded his quest for tariff refunds. It shows why billions may never get repaid ^10.5%

STLPR - By Alina Selyukh - 5/3/2026, 10:00 AM

Pessimism Bias 12.6% - Negativity Bias 6.3% - Framing Effect 5.5%

The news on his phone left Richard Brown so stunned he stumbled past the exit of the bagel shop where he was grabbing breakfast. Then, he couldn't find his car in the parking lot. On that February day, the Supreme Court had struck down most of President Trump's tariffs, which business owners like Brown had been paying for almost a year.... more

This tariff-refund portal is about to be America's hottest website ^14.3%

KUOW Public Radio - By Alina Selyukh - 4/19/2026, 10:30 AM

Appeal to Authority 20.9% - Biased Writer Voice 15.4% - Optimism Bias 14.1%

After weeks of waiting to hear how — or whether — the U.S. government might refund the tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court, Monday is the day it finally begins. Imagine tens of thousands of business owners with their fingers hovering over laptops, ready to enter America's hottest new queue: the U.S. tariff refund portal. U.S.... more

This tariff-refund portal is about to be America's hottest website ^26.1%

NPR - By Alina Selyukh - 4/19/2026, 10:30 AM

Appeal to Authority 23.9% - Ambiguity (Equivocation) 21.2% - Appeal to Emotion 17.4%

After weeks of waiting to hear how — or whether — the U.S. government might refund the tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court, Monday is the day it finally begins. Imagine tens of thousands of business owners with their fingers hovering over laptops, ready to enter America's hottest new queue: the U.S. tariff refund portal. U.S.... more

This expert watches shoppers like a hawk. Here's her holiday forecast ^78.3%

NPR - By Alina Selyukh - 11/28/2025, 10:00 AM

PITTSBURGH — Katie Thomas notices everything in her local mall: How clothes in the window display of an athleisure store switched from blues to browns overnight. How Nordstrom aisles are spaced so they seem quiet, but spawn swarms of people carrying the branded bags. How many teenagers — a gaggle of boys! — are here on a school night,... more