Ellen Rolfes

Washington, D.C., United States

Writer at Marketplace

Video and audio journalist based in DC. Third Coast native. Now: writing for @Marketplace, proud member of @mplaceunion

Featured in: Favicon

marketplace.org Favicon

pbs.org

vox.com

commercialappeal.com Favicon

scrippsnews.com Favicon

flipboard.com Favicon

newsbreak.com

Articles

Why Delaware is home to corporate America, by the numbers

1 month ago | marketplace.org | Ellen Rolfes

Delaware has long been the go-to state for businesses to incorporate, but competition is heating up. Lawmakers in the First State are voting on a controversial bill that would give companies more leeway — and maintain the state’s competitive edge as a business-friendly haven. Let’s do the numbers. 2.2 millionThat’s the number of registered companies in Delaware, with nearly 300,000 new entities incorporated in 2023.
When should we pay rent with a credit card? - Marketplace

1 month ago | marketplace.org | Ellen Rolfes

We humans are suckers for free stuff. And it can cloud our ability to judge the true value of a deal. That’s why credit card rewards can be so alluring — free concerts, flights and airport lounge access? Yes, please. Spending more earns you more, and housing is most Americans’ biggest monthly expense, so it’s understandable that the country’s 42 million rental households might be tempted to plunk their credit card on the first of the month.
Venezuelan migrants set to lose right to live and work in the U.S.

2 months ago | marketplace.org | Ellen Rolfes

Migrant workers drive key industries but face a growing threat of deportation under President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. That’s especially true for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, who will soon lose the legal right to live and work in the U.S. through the Temporary Protected Status program. Let’s do the numbers. The number of Venezuelans living in the U.S. who are set to lose their TPS protections in April. The Trump administration published the termination notice Wednesday.
Trump's search for a treasury secretary who will support tariffs

Nov 22, 2024 | marketplace.org | Ellen Rolfes

In this week’s “Make Me Smart” newsletter, we delve into the immediate challenges that will face Donald Trump’s treasury secretary, how consumers can prepare for potential new tariffs and we do the numbers on volunteerism during the winter holidays. Who will be the next treasury secretary? As of this morning, we still don’t know.
Ground rules for carbon markets

Nov 15, 2024 | marketplace.org | Ellen Rolfes |Tony Wagner

In this week’s “Make Me Smart” newsletter, we explain the latest moves to establish a credible global market for carbon credits. Plus, we do the numbers on open enrollment and the rising cost of health care. Ground rules for a global carbon market. Delegates from more than 200 countries gathered in Azerbaijan this week for the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
The Trump 2.0 economy

Nov 8, 2024 | marketplace.org | Ellen Rolfes

In this week’s “Make Me Smart” newsletter, we explore how President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign promises could shape the U.S. economy over the next four years. Plus, we do the numbers on 2024 state ballot measures and dig into the potential overuse of tooth implants. Donald Trump won a second term as president this week, promising an end to the “inflation nightmare” through some potentially inflationary policies. Here’s what the economy could look like under Trump 2.0. Tariffs = higher prices.
The big election bet

Nov 1, 2024 | marketplace.org | Ellen Rolfes

In this week’s “Make Me Smart” newsletter, Americans are betting on who they think will win the election. Plus, we do the numbers on budget airlines. The rise of prediction markets. Wonks and traders are looking beyond polls and pundits to get a sense of who’ll win the presidential election. With people spending more money betting on political outcomes, prediction markets are getting more attention.
The push to revive limits on the abortion pill

Oct 25, 2024 | marketplace.org | Ellen Rolfes

In this week’s newsletter, we’re looking at how states are reviving lawsuits to block mail-order abortion pills, the FTC’s new rule that promised to curtail fake consumer reviews, and we do the numbers on down payment assistance programs. A new push to block mail-order abortion pills. Attorneys general in three states have revived a lawsuit to restrict access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used to chemically induce an abortion.
Big Tech goes nuclear

Oct 18, 2024 | marketplace.org | Ellen Rolfes

In this week’s newsletter, we’re looking at the promising, annoying and lucrative ripple effects of AI hype: Nuclear power is back, AI slop is all over Spotify, and a tiny island is making bank off “.ai” websites. Big Tech goes nuclear. Amazon’s cloud computing arm announced Wednesday plans to invest millions in nuclear power projects. And it’s not alone.
Where are the women candidates?

Oct 4, 2024 | marketplace.org | Ellen Rolfes

Women are more than half the population, and underrepresented at every level of government. To fix this, more women need to run for office. “We operate in a world where people see men as candidates. And men see themselves that way. Women – even those who are highly educated, well-credentialed, and politically engaged – often do not,” researchers at the Center for Effective Lawmaking wrote, based on their decennial survey on citizens’ political ambition.