Paul Solman
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Articles by Paul Solman
Why small colleges are closing and the toll on students and communities
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Across the nation, scores of small private colleges and universities are either closing or under threat. As each school shutters, students, faculty, and the surrounding community struggle to find a way forward. Paul Solman reports on one such school and the effects of its demise. It's part of our higher education series, Rethinking College, and produced in collaboration with the Hechinger Report.
Credit card debt surges in U.S. as high interest rates make it harder to pay off
Americans owe more than a trillion dollars in credit card debt, up 60% from just five years ago. Meanwhile, higher interest rates make debt even more difficult to pay off, a downward spiral causing credit card delinquencies to surge. Economics correspondent Paul Solman explains. Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors.
Credit card debt surges in U.S. as high interest rates make it harder to pay off
26-year-old with $45K in debt gets roasted online over his $800 monthly entertainment budget: 'Get your head out of the clouds' Americans have amassed $1.2 trillion in credit card debt and owe $1.69 trillion in car loans. For many, figuring out how to pay off their debt can be …
The science behind using the arts to combat loneliness and social isolation
Full Episodes, Podcasts, Newsletters, Live Aug 4, 2026 6:25 PM EDT, By — Paul Solman and By — Diane Lincoln Estes Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript Audio A new program in Charlotte, North Carolina, is using the arts to tackle loneliness and social isolation. Paul Solman reports on prescriptions for art instead of medicine for our series at the intersection of art and health, part of our CANVAS coverage.
The science behind using the arts to combat loneliness and social isolation
Aug 4, 2026 6:25 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio A new program in Charlotte, North Carolina, is using the arts to tackle loneliness and social isolation. Paul Solman reports on prescriptions for art instead of medicine for our series at the intersection of art and health, part of our CANVAS coverage.
The science behind using the arts to combat loneliness and social isolation
The science behind using the arts to combat loneliness and social isolation A new program in Charlotte, North Carolina, is using the arts to tackle loneliness and social isolation. Paul Solman reports… Beloved author Benjamin Alire Sáenz, first Latino PEN/Faulkner winner, dies at 71 Sáenz, born in New Mexico, was an ordained Catholic priest who came out as gay in his 50s.
Janesville becomes an AI data center battleground
Economy Artificial intelligence is fueling stock market highs, economic growth and a construction boom across the country, but it is also igniting fierce local debates about the benefits, the costs and whether data centers that power AI should be built at all. PBS News Hour Copy and Paste the Following Code to Embed this Video:
Single women are outpacing single men in homeownership, but some face backlash
In the U.S., 20 million single women own homes, almost three million more than single men. Economics correspondent Paul Solman explores why women are deciding to buy and the unexpected fallout some face. Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. Geoff Bennett: Nationwide, 20 million single women own homes in the U.S. That's almost three million more than single men.
Janesville, once a symbol of the Great Recession, becomes AI data center battleground
Jul 21, 2026 6:35 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Artificial intelligence is fueling stock market highs, economic growth and a construction boom across the country. But it is also igniting fierce local debates about the benefits, the costs and whether the data centers that power AI should be built at all. Economics correspondent Paul Solman looks at how one of those battles is playing out in the Midwest.
Police say Flock cameras help solve crimes, but critics call them an invasion of privacy
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Law enforcement agencies in the U.S. use AI-powered cameras to scan billions of vehicles each month, often without drivers ever realizing. Supporters say the technology is a tool for solving crimes. But critics warn it's creating a nationwide surveillance network, raising urgent questions about how much privacy Americans are willing to sacrifice in the name of safety. Paul Solman reports.
As living costs soar, more retirees head back to work
As the cost of living continues to rise in the United States, people are finding it more difficult to make ends meet. Older Americans are feeling it more than most. Paul Solman reports on what's forcing many retirees to unretire. Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. Amna Nawaz: As the cost of living continues to rise in the United States, people are finding it more and more difficult to make ends meet.
Who could benefit the most from Trump's investment accounts for children
Jul 6, 2026 6:40 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Trump Accounts are officially open. They’re the first federal tax-advantaged investment accounts for kids. Some 87 companies, foundations, individuals and states have announced contributions to the accounts. The question is, can they deliver the benefits that are being promoted? Economics correspondent Paul Solman explains.
As veterinary costs climb, private equity ownership of clinics draws scrutiny
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Veterinary care is becoming increasingly expensive for American pet owners. As prices rise, attention is turning to a major shift in the industry: private equity firms and large corporations buying up veterinary practices across the country. Paul Solman has the story. Watch Watch the Full Episode PBS NewsHour from Jul 01, 2026
Farmers struggle with crops as climate change makes weather less predictable
Jun 23, 2026 6:30 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio More than half of the continental U.S. is facing drought conditions. But other parts of the country are facing the opposite problem. Extreme weather conditions can have major impacts on farmers and their crops at a time when they’re already facing high production costs. Paul Solman recently traveled to southern Georgia to hear from some of those farmers. It's for our series, Tipping Point.
Remembering the legacy of Alan Greenspan, 'maestro' of the U.S. economy
Jun 22, 2026 6:25 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Alan Greenspan, the former chairman of the Federal Reserve, died Monday of complications from Parkinson’s at the age of 100. Greenspan was widely considered the most powerful Fed chair in modern times, largely presiding over a period of long prosperity, but his strong beliefs in the free market came under criticism during the financial crisis. Paul Solman looks back at Greenspan’s legacy.
How to recognize and block AI-powered scam attempts
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio If it feels like it's getting harder and harder to avoid being scammed, that's because it is. In the age of artificial intelligence, scammers are using voice cloning that can sound very real, and seniors are often the target. Paul Solman reports on the problem and what you can do to protect yourself.
Students question value of college as costs rise and AI reshapes jobs
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio This season's college commencement celebrations come at a sobering moment. Students are facing steep loans and dicey job prospects, especially in the AI era. That's led many to question whether a college degree is worth it anymore. Paul Solman visited Michigan to find out how some schools and students are approaching this. It's for our series Rethinking College.
What it takes to create the perfect pitch for the World Cup
As the FIFA World Cup approaches this summer, what does it take to create the perfect pitch — or field — for soccer’s biggest stage? Economics correspondent Paul Solman heads to Tennessee and puts his body on the line to find out. Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. Geoff Bennett: As the FIFA World Cup approaches this summer, a key question: What does it take to create the perfect pitch, or field, for soccer's biggest stage?
How next-gen nuclear could help meet energy demands – and the risks involved
Mar 30, 2026 6:30 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio The Trump administration has rolled back support for many forms of clean energy. One exception is nuclear power. The president wants to quadruple U.S. nuclear capacity by 2050, and a new generation of advanced reactors in development could signal the dawn of a new nuclear age. Paul Solman reports for our series, Tipping Point.
Trump promised a manufacturing boom, but factory jobs continue to decline
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio The U.S. job market has been cooling, and it’s only getting harder for Americans to find a job. One sector that has proved tougher than most is manufacturing. President Trump has promised a manufacturing boom in both of his terms. While he has been able to get pledges for more factory investment, the real job numbers tell a different story so far. Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports.
Trump promised a manufacturing boom, but factory jobs continue to decline
3 hours ago SAN FRANCISCO — A jury has found Elon Musk liable for misleading investors by deliberately driving down Twitter's stock price in the tumultuous months leading up to his 2022 acquisition of the social media company for $44 billion. But it absolved him of some fraud allegations, finding that he did …
How 'zombie mortgages' are coming back to haunt homeowners years later
Feb 5, 2026 6:25 PM EST Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio They’re called “zombie mortgages” — debts that homeowners thought were forgiven long ago, only to learn that they still exist and could cost them their homes. Economics correspondent Paul Solman and producer Diane Lincoln Estes report on these back-from-the-dead debts, in partnership with the documentary news group Retro Report.
3D tech preserves and reproduces masterpieces, raising ethical questions
3D tech preserves and reproduces masterpieces, raising ethical questions 3D scanning technology is being used to examine and replicate classic works of art.
3D tech preserves and reproduces masterpieces, raising ethical questions
Jan 15, 2026 6:20 PM EST Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio 3D scanning technology is being used to examine and replicate classic works of art. It's raising some ethical questions about what it means to preserve authenticity and democratize access in an age when the line between originals and copies grows ever thinner. Paul Solman reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.
K-shaped economy: Why the wealthy are thriving as most Americans fall behind
Each category includes what it covers, why it qualifies as deductible, and any special IRS rules or limits you should know. Knowing which expenses …
Alabama business faces hurdles creating American-made product
Now CNN — President Donald Trump on Thursday continued his extraordinary and targeted verbal attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, calling for a massive 2.5-point reduction in interest rates. Despite appointing Powell to the role in 2017, Trump has frequently chastised the Fed chair for keeping …
Examining Trump’s claims that tariffs will revitalize American manufacturing
6 hours ago White House attacks Independent reporter after being challenged over deportation criteria White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt refused to answer a question about the criteria the administration is using to determine whether an immigrant is a member of the Tren de Argua gang and blamed media outlets for being sympathetic to deported migrants.
Why Trump and Musk want to audit gold reserves at Fort Knox
President Trump and Elon Musk have cast doubt on whether the U.S. gold reserves stored at Fort Knox still exist. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent insists the gold is safe. The conversation led our digital anchor Deema Zein to dig deeper with economics correspondent Paul Solman.
Why so many Americans are dissatisfied with the seemingly solid economy
2 hours ago Florida sheriff Chad Chronister took his name out of the running three days after Trump announced he would nominate him to be the next DEA administrator. Chad Chronister, President-elect Donald Trump's selection to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Tuesday that he would withdraw from …
The potential economic impact of Trump’s mass deportation promise
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Immigration is a key issue of this campaign. Vice President Harris says if elected, she will pass a bipartisan bill strengthening border security. Former President Trump promises a much larger crackdown including mass deportations. Paul Solman examines the potential economic impact of deportations and Trump's claims that immigrants take jobs and lower wages for other Americans.
Developers claim AI can help combat loneliness, but critics say it can’t be trusted
Elon Musk Says Google Co-Founder And One Of His 'Best Friends' Larry Page Thought Eventually We Will All 'Upload Our Minds To The Computer' In an interview on Monday, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk spoke about his now strained relationship with former Google CEO Larry Page and their …
AI and the energy required to power it fuel new climate concerns
Microsoft Corp. has apparently launched a new round of layoffs a month after it was reported that the company was preparing to lay off hundreds of …
Investigation reveals how universities profit off land taken from Indigenous people
There's a new spotlight on some universities and whether they should be helping Native American students more than they are now. It follows a news investigation that found some schools have long profited from land essentially taken from Native American tribes and leased to industries like oil and gas. Stephanie Sy reports on the impact of this legacy on students for our series, Rethinking College. Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy.
Why some universities are returning to standardized testing in admissions process
VIDEO Headlines around higher education this year have centered on protests, free speech and student safety. But some important changes on the academic and admissions front have gotten less attention, including some schools turning back to standardized testing after deciding they would no longer require it. Paul Solman reports for our series, Rethinking College.
Inflation cools but rising prices still dominate Americans' view of economy
VIDEO Inflation cooled somewhat in April, according to new numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The consumer price index rose at an annual rate of 3.4 percent, in line with expectations. But overall, inflation hasn’t yet come down quite to the levels that many people have been hoping for. Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports.
Push for unionizing marks latest challenge to student-athlete model
Amna Nawaz: March Madness is officially under way. But underlying the excitement of brackets and potential upsets is a conversation around athletes' efforts to unionize. Last month, the Dartmouth men's basketball team voted 13-2 to form a union, after the National Labor Relations Board ruled that the players were employees of the private university.
Vision for new affordable city in California meets skepticism from locals
Cities worldwide are becoming overcrowded, overpriced and a source of global warming. That's why a group called "California Forever" is looking to build a livable, affordable, and eco-friendly community near San Francisco. But some local officials and residents are skeptical about the proposal. Paul Solman visited the area to find out if the developers' dreams could come true. Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors.
Half of American renters pay more than 30% of income on housing, study shows
Rental prices are unaffordable for a record number of Americans with half of all renters paying more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Stephanie Sy reached out to renters across the country to hear how these soaring prices are impacting their lives and discussed their issues with Whitney Airgood-Obrycki. Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors.
Why women are drawn to solo travel and how the tourism industry is responding
Stephanie Sy is a PBS NewsHour correspondent and serves as anchor of PBS NewsHour West. Throughout her career, she served in anchor and correspondent capacities for ABC News, Al Jazeera America, CBSN, CNN International, and PBS NewsHour Weekend. Prior to joining NewsHour, she was with Yahoo News where she anchored coverage of the 2018 Midterm Elections and reported from Donald Trump’s victory party on Election Day 2016.
Why reports of a surge in retail theft may be overblown
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The historic struggle between workers and the technology that could put them out of a job
PBS NewsHour The last year has seen headlines of hope and outright fear around the rapid development of artificial intelligence. It creates questions about whether the innovations can lead to broad gains for everyone or just a select few.
Lawsuits challenging real estate commission could shake up housing market
PBS NewsHour The Federal Reserve is projecting as many as three interest rate cuts next year. That could help lower mortgage rates, which have been at a two-decade high this year, and help improve the affordability of buying a home. But a landmark jury decision could also change the costs of buying and selling a home and its overall price tag. Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports from Missouri. Share Include playlist An error occurred while retrieving sharing information.
Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin’s takeaways from her research on women and work
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Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin’s takeaways from her research on women and work
PBS NewsHour This year’s Nobel laureates are set to receive their medals Sunday in a time-honored ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden. Among them will be Harvard professor Claudia Goldin, winner of the Nobel Prize in economics for her research on women in the American workforce. Economics correspondent Paul Solman speaks with Goldin about her trailblazing work. Share Include playlist An error occurred while retrieving sharing information. Please try again later.
Michael Lewis on his controversial book documenting the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried
PBS NewsHour The man at the center of a major fraud trial in New York right now, Sam Bankman-Fried, is also the subject of a new book by the best-selling author Michael Lewis. Economics correspondent Paul Solman talked with him about “Going Infinite” and the reaction to a story that changed dramatically as he was writing it. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Share Include playlist An error occurred while retrieving sharing information. Please try again later.
Job growth defies expectations but questions remain about overall health of economy
Amna Nawaz: The strength of the jobs market stunned again today with a report surpassing most expectations. Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, while unemployment remained at 3.8 percent. And we learned that nearly 120,000 more jobs were created in July and August than originally reported. Paul Solman reports on a job market that continues to defy economic headwinds. Paul Solman: This morning, a jobs report that blew expectations out of the water.
Is art a good investment? Experts weigh in on stock markets for artwork
Is art a good investment?
U.S. health officials recommend moving marijuana to lower-risk drug classification
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Chicago Federal Reserve president on inflation and economic uncertainty
PBS NewsHour The Federal Reserve has been laser-focused on bringing down prices, raising interest rates 10 times in the last 14 months. But economic uncertainties remain, including the consequences of much higher interest rates, a debt limit standoff and recent bank collapses. Geoff Bennett discussed the challenges ahead with Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
Jobs report shows strong employment growth but many still choosing gig economy
Geoff Bennett: Good evening, and welcome to the "NewsHour." The U.S. labor market is again showing its resilience amid other economic obstacles, including recent banking failures. The latest jobs report found job growth was higher than expected last month, with 253,000 new jobs spread throughout many sectors of the economy. The unemployment rate dipped to 3.4 percent, matching the lowest rate since 1969.
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