Economy

September 5, 2014 - In the seventh nationwide day of protest organized over the past two years, 500 fast-food employees and allies were arrested on Sept. 4 as part of the movement to increase the workers' hourly minimum wage to $15 and to secure union organizing rights.

September 5, 2014 - Now that he's stepping down as North Carolina's budget director, conservative kingmaker Art Pope will have more time to devote to his discount retail company, which recently announced controversial plans to open a grocery in a historic black Raleigh neighborhood that's also a food desert. But Pope may face competition from a food cooperative offering a dramatically different business model.

September 3, 2014 - For decades, Florida-based Burger King has been treated as a pawn in the financial machinations of global corporations and buyout firms. Now its owners want U.S. taxpayers to help underwrite the latest scheme.

August 18, 2014 - Organizers of campaigns targeting the policies of North Carolina's legislature and pressing for a $15-an-hour minimum wage for fast food workers take a broad approach to movement building and solidarity -- and provide new reason for hope in the South.

August 11, 2014 - To mark International Youth Day, a personal finance website looked at living and economic conditions for young people in the United States. The findings do not reflect well on the South.

August 4, 2014 - Should companies that reincorporate abroad to avoid federal taxes be able to win federal contracts? A group of Democratic members of Congress has drafted legislation to halt the practice.

August 1, 2014 - Republican governors' and legislatures' refusal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act is leading to hospital closures, job losses and even deaths -- especially in rural Southern communities. But some conservative individuals and groups are calling on GOP leaders to reconsider their stance.