Scott Horsley

Fed policymakers cast another vote on interest rates in three weeks, and thanks to the government shutdown, they may have to do so without the benefit of updated information on the job market or inflation.

Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano will add the new title of CEO at the IRS, while Treasury Secretary Scott Besson continues to serve as acting IRS commissioner.

Besson's held that role since August when the former IRS commissioner, Billy Long, was fired.

The Treasury Department said in a statement that the tax collection agency and Social Security share many of the same goals for technology and customer service, making Bisignano a natural choice to run both sprawling agencies.

But critics warn Bisignano is likely to be stretched too thin.

They say Social Security recipients deserve a full-time commissioner, and they warn his split role does not bode well for a smooth tax filing season next year.

Scott Horsley, Empire News, Washington.

U.S. employers added 139,000 jobs in May, down slightly from the previous month. Job gains for March and April were revised down by a total of 95,000 jobs. There was a sizable drop in the workforce last month as 625,000 people stopped working or looking for work. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent. Many of the jobs added in May were in health care and hospitality.

U.S. employers added 139,000 jobs in May, down slightly from the previous month. Job gains for March and April were revised down by a total of 95,000 jobs. There was a sizable drop in the workforce last month as 625,000 people stopped working or looking for work. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent. Many of the jobs added in May were in health care and hospitality.

The manufacturing sector cut 8,000 jobs last month, and retail employment fell by 6,500. Average hourly wages in May were up 3.9 percent from a year ago. Wages have been climbing faster than prices for the last two years. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

The manufacturing sector cut 8,000 jobs last month, and retail employment fell by 6,500. Average hourly wages in May were up 3.9 percent from a year ago. Wages have been climbing faster than prices for the last two years. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Trump is traveling to Pittsburgh today to celebrate a deal between U.S. Steel and the Japanese company Nippon Steel. As NPR's Tamara Keith explains, there are still a lot of missing details.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Trump is traveling to Pittsburgh today to celebrate a deal between U.S. Steel and the Japanese company Nippon Steel. As NPR's Tamara Keith explains, there are still a lot of missing details.

His short but turbulent involvement in the U.S. government coming to an end. President Trump today gave billionaire Elon Musk a send-off at the White House. Trump praising Musk for his role as government cost-cutter-in-chief. Musk sported a Dogefather t-shirt and stood by as Trump did most of the talking. Musk returns to running his companies at a time his association with politics.

His short but turbulent involvement in the U.S. government coming to an end. President Trump today gave billionaire Elon Musk a send-off at the White House. Trump praising Musk for his role as government cost-cutter-in-chief. Musk sported a Dogefather t-shirt and stood by as Trump did most of the talking. Musk returns to running his companies at a time his association with politics.

has clearly damaged the brand of his electric vehicle company, Tesla. In Kentucky, one person was killed, at least seven others injured today when a powerful tornado touched down just before 7 this morning in the central part of the state. John McGarry of member station WEKU has more.

has clearly damaged the brand of his electric vehicle company, Tesla. In Kentucky, one person was killed, at least seven others injured today when a powerful tornado touched down just before 7 this morning in the central part of the state. John McGarry of member station WEKU has more.

Inflation was lower in April than forecasters anticipated. NPR's Scott Horsley has more.

Inflation was lower in April than forecasters anticipated. NPR's Scott Horsley has more.