Marianne McCune

United States

Audio Journalist at New York Magazine

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Articles

Why does the government fund research at universities?

1 week ago | wrvo.org | Erika Beras |Willa Rubin |Marianne McCune

American universities are where people go to learn and teach. They're also where research and development happens. Over the past eight decades, universities have received billions in federal dollars to help that happen. Those dollars have contributed to innovations like: Drone technology. Inhalable Covid vaccines. Google search code. The Trump administration is cutting or threatening to cut federal funding for research. Federal funding for all kinds of science is at its lowest level in decades.
How economists (and TikTok) know if a recession is coming

2 weeks ago | wrvo.org | Kenny Malone |Keith Romer |Marianne McCune |James Sneed

Lately we've noticed that something we think about all the time here at Planet Money is having a viral moment: recession indicators!From the more practical (like sales for lipstick going up and men's underwear going down) to the absurd and nonsensical (like babysitter buns coming back into style?) — people are posting to social media every little sign they see that a recession is coming. And we LOVE it.
How economists (and TikTok) know if a recession is coming : Planet Money

2 weeks ago | npr.org | Kenny Malone |Keith Romer |Marianne McCune |James Sneed

How economists (and TikTok) know if a recession is coming Download Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1252663619/1269345350" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Romain Costaseca/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images Romain Costaseca/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images Lately we've noticed that something we think about all the time here at Planet Money is having a viral moment: recession indicators! From the more practical (like...
Is the reign of the dollar over? : Planet Money

4 weeks ago | npr.org | Greg Rosalsky |Marianne McCune |Emma Peaslee

Is the reign of the dollar over? Download Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1250191994/1269294139" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> A clerk poses with US dollar banknotes at a money changer in Jakarta on May 2, 2024.
Why it's so hard to find a public toilet : Planet Money

1 month ago | npr.org | Erika Beras |Marianne McCune |Willa Rubin

Why it's so hard to find a public toilet Download Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1248664709/1269247904" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> A T-shirt with a logo for CEPTIA. Michael Gessel/Stephen Froikin hide caption toggle caption Michael Gessel/Stephen Froikin A T-shirt with a logo for CEPTIA.
Planet Money complains. To learn.

1 month ago | wrvo.org | Sarah Gonzalez |Marianne McCune |James Sneed

On today's show: we're ... venting. We at Planet Money are an ensemble show – each with different curiosities and styles. But we recently realized many of us have something in common: We're annoyed consumers. So we're going to get ranty ... but then try to understand the people annoying us. Like stingy coffee shops, manufacturers that don't design things for repair ... and stores that send way to many emails every day.
Planet Money complains. To learn. : Planet Money

1 month ago | npr.org | Sarah Gonzalez |Marianne McCune |James Sneed

Planet Money complains. To learn. Download Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1248091506/1269229788" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Screenshot of Sarah Gonzalez' Inbox Sarah Gonzalez hide caption toggle caption Sarah Gonzalez Screenshot of Sarah Gonzalez' Inbox Sarah Gonzalez On today's show: we're ... venting.
How much for that egg : Planet Money

1 month ago | npr.org | Kenny Malone |Jeff Guo |Marianne McCune |Emma Peaslee

Sam Mertens checks on his chickens. Sam Mertens/NPR hide caption toggle caption Sam Mertens/NPR Sam Mertens checks on his chickens. Sam Mertens/NPR Recently, one of our NPR colleagues wrote a message to all of NPR saying he had extra eggs to sell for cheap, but needed a fair way to distribute them during a shortage. What is Planet Money here for if not to get OVERLY involved in this kind of situation?
Do trade deficits matter? : Planet Money

1 month ago | npr.org | Jeff Guo |Kenny Malone |Marianne McCune |Emma Peaslee

Do trade deficits matter? Download Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1243652738/1269051020" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 02: Charts that show the "reciprocal tariffs" the U.S. is charging other countries are on display at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House on April 2, 2025 in Washington, DC.
How the War on Drugs got us ... blueberries

2 months ago | wfae.org | Erika Beras |Keith Romer |Sylvie Douglis |Marianne McCune

Ever wondered why you can buy fresh Peruvian blueberries in the dead of winter? The answer, surprisingly, is tied to cocaine. Today on the show, we look at how the war on drugs led to an American trade policy and a foreign aid initiative that won us blueberries all year round. And for more on trade and tariffs check out Planet Money's homepage. We've got articles looking at how much the new tariffs will raise prices and shows on everything from diamonds to potatoes to why you bought your couch.