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Black America Web
6 days ago
- Black America Web
TSA Ends Shoe Removal Rule: A Step Forward for Travelers
Source: ROBYN BECK / Getty According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has officially ended its decades-old policy requiring travelers to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints. Effective July 7, 2025, this change applies to all passengers, regardless of TSA PreCheck status, marking a significant evolution in U.S. airport security procedures. The shoe removal rule, introduced in 2001 following the infamous 'Shoe Bomber' incident, has long been a source of frustration for travelers. However, advancements in scanning technology have rendered the practice unnecessary. Caleb Harmon-Marshall, a former TSA officer, explained, 'Modern scanners can now detect potential threats without requiring passengers to take off their shoes.' STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! This update is expected to streamline the airport experience, significantly reducing wait times. Harmon-Marshall predicts, 'This change could cut wait times by more than half, especially for families or groups.' Frequent flyers and travel experts have lauded the move, emphasizing its potential to alleviate stress and improve efficiency. The policy shift also raises questions about the future of TSA PreCheck, as one of its key perks—keeping shoes on—has now been extended to all travelers. Some speculate this could lead to broader changes in TSA's approach to security. READ MORE STORIES: TSA Ends Shoe Removal Rule: A Step Forward for Travelers DOGE Cuts Kill Georgia Internet Access Program For Black People What Is The Mann Act? Understanding Diddy's 'Guilty' Verdict While the TSA has not made an official announcement, the rollout is already underway nationwide. The agency aims to balance improved traveler convenience with robust security measures, signaling a new era in air travel. For millions of passengers, this change eliminates one of the most cumbersome aspects of airport security, making the journey from check-in to boarding a little smoother—and a lot less barefoot. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK . FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER . SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE . STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! HEAD TO THE HOMEPAGE The article 'TSA Ends Shoe Removal Rule: A Step Forward for Travelers' was created with the help of SEE ALSO
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Hundreds of Thousands of Women Are Leaving the Labor Force—Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new labor market analysis based on June 2025 data revealed that a significant number of women have left the U.S. labor force this year. According to the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) review of monthly releases from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 103,000 women aged 20 and over exited the labor force in June, while 163,000 men in the same age group entered. The data indicate that since January, a net 338,000 women have left the labor force, compared to a net gain of 183,000 men joining it during the same period. These trends unfolded as the national unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1 percent, with job gains primarily noted in the state government and healthcare sectors, and continued losses in federal government positions. Why It Matters The exodus of women from the labor force carries significant economic and societal implications, particularly as U.S. workforce participation rates have long served as key indicators of the nation's financial health. The NWLC pointed out that the June labor force changes were entirely attributable to male workers entering the job market, even as women continued to opt out. Compounding these gender disparities, Black men and women experienced heightened volatility in employment figures. While the unemployment rate for Black men aged 20 and over surged from 5.2 percent in May to 6.9 percent in June, the rate for Black women declined from 6.2 percent to 5.8 percent, yet remained markedly elevated compared to their white counterparts. The upward trend in Black women's unemployment since March 2023, following a post-pandemic low of 4.2 percent, signals deeper systemic challenges. Federal sector job cuts and broader labor market pressures appear to be accelerating the disparities. File photo of a woman working in an office. File photo of a woman working in an office. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images What To Know The BLS data showed that all labor force gains in June were among men over the age of 20, with 163,000 joining compared to the 103,000 women who left. The overall labor force participation rate stood little changed at 62.3 percent. Since January, men have gained 183,000 positions in the labor force while 338,000 women have collectively left their jobs. Michael Ryan, a finance expert and founder of attributed the exodus of female workers to the broader child care crisis in America. "It's about economic structures failing, not gender roles," Ryan told Newsweek. "I'd argue we're seeing the real cost of treating child care as a luxury rather than infrastructure. The economy's basically telling half its talent to stay home." Racial disparities were also visible in the June report. The unemployment rate for Black adults rose to 6.8 percent overall, driven in part by a dramatic increase for Black men, whose rate jumped from 5.2 percent to 6.9 percent in one month. Black women experienced a slight decline in the unemployment rate, falling from 6.2 percent in May to 5.8 percent in June; however, this remains notably higher than the rates for white women (3.1 percent) and white men (3.4 percent). Despite this drop, the unemployment trend for Black women has moved upward since spring 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic lows. Roughly 7,000 federal government jobs were lost in June, amounting to a cumulative 69,000 positions eliminated in the federal workforce since January. Notably, BLS labor force data does not count people on administrative leave or those receiving severance pay as unemployed, so the real impact of layoffs, particularly those reportedly initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), may be underestimated in the official numbers. The October 2020 analysis by the National Women's Law Center highlighted that at the pandemic's peak, women departed the workforce at four times the rate of men, a phenomenon largely attributed to caregiving burdens and heightened uncertainty in female-dominated sectors, such as hospitality, education and health care. In just one month in 2020, over 800,000 women aged 20 and over exited the workforce, compared to 216,000 men. This longstanding dynamic continues to influence today's labor trends. "There's been a renewed push, particularly from the current administration, toward traditional family values. This includes the idea that men should be the primary breadwinners while women stay home to raise children," Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek. "But there's also a practical, economic factor: the cost of child care. For many families, especially those with multiple children, it's actually more cost-effective for one parent—typically the mother—to stay home rather than pay for expensive child care services." The 2025 data suggest that, even as traditionally women-populated sectors, such as health care, continue to post job gains, these have not offset broader structural barriers and job losses, particularly in the federal sector. Deep cuts in departments with historically higher employment of Black women, such as Education, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development, have eliminated positions that once provided job security and pay equity. What People Are Saying Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of told Newsweek: "The numbers don't lie. It's about child care costs and impossible choices. Just look at the countries that have subsidized child care. They all have high levels of female labor force participation. "The system's forcing women out, not pulling them. In my view, we're watching educated, skilled women get priced out of working because nobody's solved the childcare equation." Jasmine Tucker, vice president for research at the National Women's Law Center, told Newsweek: "Costs are continuing to rise and the possibility of an upcoming recession is looming on the horizon. Couple that with rising child care prices, with the average family needing to make $180k/year to reasonably afford infant care, and the administration's attacks on the federal child care program Head Start, it's no surprise that women are leaving the labor force." Keith Spencer, a career expert at FlexJobs, told Newsweek: "Many women are still navigating job markets that lack the flexibility, wages, or caregiving support needed to remain consistently employed long term. The increase in men joining the labor force could reflect growth in male-dominated sectors like construction or manufacturing. Over time, without broader workplace shifts and more flexible work options, we risk reinforcing gender gaps in labor force participation." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "When families are financially penalized for both parents working, it discourages labor force participation. At the same time, we're seeing an increase in male labor force participation, driven in part by the deportation of migrant labor. Many of these roles, especially in physical labor and agriculture, are now being filled by domestic workers, often young men." What Happens Next The next Employment Situation report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled for release on August 1 at 8:30 a.m. EST, which may provide additional clarity on the trajectory of women's labor force participation and ongoing trends in unemployment. However, if child care does not become more readily accessible to everyday families, the trends could persist in the coming months. "We're not just talking about fairness anymore; we're talking about economic suicide," Ryan said. "In my opinion, we're voluntarily shrinking our labor pool during a worker shortage, which is about as economically sensible as burning money for heat."
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Idaho Group Calls Federal Intervention 'Necessary' To Redraw State Border
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Leaders of a movement to redraw Oregon's state borders so more conservative residents can officially live in Idaho are calling federal intervention "necessary" following years of inaction on behalf of the Democratic-led state Legislature. Why It Matters The Greater Idaho Movement has been successful on ballot measures in 13 Oregon counties as of December 2024, with efforts beginning in 2020 to legally redraw state borders to allow current residents in Eastern Oregon to officially become part of Idaho. Leaders and supporters have been transparent about wanting to promote a "greater Idaho" by adding conservative representation from current Oregon residents. They have also criticized the border line that was established 163 years ago, referring to it as "outdated" and indicative of a current "cultural divide" when juxtaposed with western Oregon. Demonstrators hold signs in favor of the Greater Idaho Movement in Enterprise, Oregon, on May 12, 2023. Demonstrators hold signs in favor of the Greater Idaho Movement in Enterprise, Oregon, on May 12, 2023. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images What To Know State lawmakers from eastern Oregon who sponsored bills this past session to spur a border redrawing "were completely ignored by the Democrat majority in Salem," the Greater Idaho Movement said in a statement on Monday. "This failure to listen to the people of Eastern Oregon or our elected representatives only reinforces why Eastern Oregon counties need the governance of Idaho, a state far more in line with our values and way of life," the statement says. "After five years of hearing from voters and advocating with legislators to respect voter wishes, it is clear to our organization that Oregon leadership is intent on holding Eastern Oregon counties captive as part of a state we no longer wish to be part of and that federal engagement is necessary to achieve self-determination for the people Eastern Oregon." Newsweek reached out to the group for comment. Even with the successful local ballot measures over the years, the longtime Democratic majorities in the Oregon House and Senate have made the group's ultimate intentions to redraw lines and live in Idaho difficult. Democrats have controlled the Oregon House, Senate and governor's office since 2007. Newsweek reached out to Democratic leadership for comment. "The failure of the Oregon Legislature to move either of the Greater Idaho bills in this session is an affront to the people of Eastern Oregon, as well as the democratic process in general," the statement adds. "For five years the people of Eastern Oregon have been making their wishes known at the ballot box. "Those wishes are to have elected leaders investigate letting our counties separate and join Idaho." In December 2024, following the election of President Donald Trump, Greater Idaho Movement President Mike McCarter, Vice President Sandie Gilson and Executive Director Matt McCaw sent the then-president-elect a letter requesting support from the incoming administration. In the letter, the group told Trump that "the people here overwhelmingly voted for you," adding: "We humbly ask you for your support in helping Eastern Oregonians achieve what the people have said they want, and that's to join Idaho." McCaw told Newsweek in 2023 that area voters have been receptive to solving the urban-rural divide, with elections in the eastern portion of Oregon heavily leaning Republican. "Eastern Oregon is far more similar to Idaho in almost every way than it is to western Oregon," McCaw said at the time. "It doesn't make any sense to be getting the state-level government from the state of Oregon, who feels very differently on almost every issue. It would make far more sense to get that government from Idaho." Neither the Trump administration nor the president has not commented on the efforts of the Greater Idaho Movement. What People Are Saying Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, told Newsweek in 2023 that Greater Idaho's efforts are a "dubious siren song" that is unrealistic and contains "multiple fatal flaws beyond its fundamental implausibility," including questions about Oregon landowners' water rights in addition to some Oregonians paying a sales tax in Idaho for the first time in their lives. Senator Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, said during a town hall in 2023 that "there are a whole set of barriers that would make the process very difficult."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Skrmetti Case Could End Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth. These Families Explain Why They Sought It
ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images | Liz Coulbourn Content warning: This article includes descriptions of self-harm and suicide. Resources are listed at the bottom of the story. Eleven days before the state of Missouri ended healthcare for young people with gender dysphoria, then-15-year-old Kai came out to her parents as transgender. Checking on her new daughter that night before bed, her mom Esther told Teen Vogue, was the first time she'd seen her child truly happy. A highly significant Supreme Court decision is approaching, and the lives of trans teens and their families hang in the balance. United States vs Skrmetti will decide, once and for all, whether state bans on gender-affirming treatments are constitutional. If the court sides with Tennessee, its ban and other similar laws will remain in place. Nationally, access to gender affirming care has also been threatened by a presidential executive order and the Republican-dominated congress, but these efforts thus far have fallen short of a full ban. At stake in Skrmetti, advocates say, is safety and stability for trans youth and their families. If the conservative-leaning court upholds state care bans, loving families fear the prospect that their children could be removed by state child protective services. (Due to the seriousness of these potential legal threats, this piece uses pseudonyms for trans youth and their families in states with bans.) Why have some families decided to risk everything for these treatments? The answer, families say, is as simple as love. Those Teen Vogue spoke to describe how decisions to seek gender-affirming treatments sprang from the trust trans youth placed in their parents, and parents' drive to do what's best for the health of their children. In Kai's case, she first began questioning her gender identity many years before she told anyone. 'I'd say between the ages of seven and 10, I had these recurring thoughts of, what if I was a girl? What if I wore more feminine clothing?' she told Teen Vogue on a video call. 'It really ramped up the older I got. The older I got, the more frequently I experienced those thoughts.' Though Kai's family were LGBTQ+ friendly, she attended a religious private school where she says she encountered negative attitudes towards gender and sexuality. These messages led her to push down all thoughts about gender. Hard as she tried, though, these thoughts wouldn't leave her. In the spring of eighth grade, as her body was changing to become more masculine, Kai found herself actually dreaming of hormone therapy. 'I had this dream where I took estrogen, and I was happy. The changes weren't instant, but they were happening, and I was happier for it,' she remembered. 'And I woke up, and I had to go to work, and I was like, oh shit, I can't run away from this. I'm going to have to confront this head on.' For their part, Kai's parents say they knew nothing of this inner struggle. Instead, they saw the effects. Kai had meltdowns at school, and in eighth grade she was discovered while she was hurting herself in a school bathroom. She was rushed to the emergency room, and afterwards her parents got her on medication, and a new therapist. US v. Skrmetti: Trans Teens Like L.W. Just Want to Have a Normal Childhood *Teen Vogue* reports from the Supreme Court on the morning of a landmark case that could change access to gender-affirming care across the US. For Kai, getting help needed to start with coming out. After revealing her secret to her new therapist, she worked up the courage to ask her parents to talk, with her therapist's encouragement. Kai and her mother and father gathered in the parents' bedroom. 'I remember just being stunned and in silence for two minutes and then something clicks, like, it's going to have to come out,' Kai explained. 'And I'm like, okay, so basically I'm trans and I've been thinking this for years and da-da-da-da-da.' In the moment, Kai's parents were stunned, but they did their best to be supportive. After a group hug on their king-sized bed, Esther asked for some time to discuss with Kai's father, saying she'd come by Kai's bedroom to check on her in a few minutes. It was there, in her daughter's bedroom, only a few minutes after learning she had a daughter, that she saw something she had never expected. 'I opened the door, and she was just beaming. She had her headphones in and was just kind of bebopping and like dancing,' Esther said. 'I'd never seen her smile like that. She'd been suffering with depression, [harming] herself, anxiety for years, and just had this heaviness to her. And it was just gone. There was a lightness.' This moment of revelation is what opened Esther's mind to eventually approving medical options for Kai. She did hours of research, spoke with parents and experts, and had Kai formally assessed. This had to happen outside of their home state, far from the world class gender clinic at St. Louis Children's Hospital, which ceased offering medical options due to Missouri's gender-affirming care ban for minors. Despite lengthy travel times for out-of-state treatment, the family persevered, eventually finding a clinic in Illinois that evaluated Kai and prescribed medications to increase estrogen and reduce testosterone levels in her body. Estrogen and testosterone therapy are just two of the treatments that fall under the umbrella of gender-affirming healthcare. Known as sex hormones, healthy human bodies of all sexes make estrogen and testosterone naturally. However, female bodies usually have higher levels of estrogen, and male bodies higher levels of testosterone. Adjusting those levels to be closer to those of another sex causes changes typical of the puberty of that sex. This includes obvious things like breast growth (with estrogen) or facial hair (with testosterone), but also more subtle changes, for instance to fat distribution, scent, and skin texture. According to the Trevor Project's 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, most trans youth come out after turning 13. For those who come out even younger, there are other medications, drugs that pause puberty, which are often referred to as 'puberty blockers.' These reversible medications are used to give younger adolescents more time to explore their gender without the potentially harmful effects of going through what feels like the wrong puberty. 'I just absolutely refused to even countenance the idea that there was nothing that could be done for my kid.' Puberty blockers, which are generally used to address early puberty in children, have been the subject of widespread misinformation, which paint the drugs as experimental and dangerous. Families of trans youth, including very supportive ones, aren't immune to the effects of this propaganda. Jennifer Harris Dault, who plans to help her 10-year-old trans daughter access puberty blockers once it becomes necessary, absorbed the message that puberty blockers would pose a serious, lifelong change to her child's bone health. In truth, because bone density increases during puberty, puberty blockers pause those changes. The long term effects of the drugs on bone density continue to be studied, however bone density has been found to fully rebound for trans boys and mostly rebound for trans girls after they start hormone therapy. 'I remember just being astounded when the doctor was talking through everything that happens and reporting that [a trans girl's] bone density changes to [be more like] that of a cisgender woman. [Like,] Wait. Isn't… wouldn't [being similar to a cis girl] be the goal?' Harris Dault remembers asking her doctor. 'The more I learned from people whose career was knowing how medications interact with the body, and what their actual purpose is, the less scary things became.' Although adults (and some teens) also access surgeries to further masculinize or feminize their bodies, it's a myth that medical transition is primarily accomplished through surgery. A KFF/Washington Post survey published in 2023 found that only 16% of trans adults report having had gender-affirming surgery. However, for those with severe gender dysphoria, such procedures can be life-changing. That's the case for Reese, a 17-year-old trans boy in Texas who had chest masculinization surgery (also known as 'top surgery') as a teenager. Reese is now a thriving junior at a large public high school. But, when he was 10 years old, his family was afraid they might lose him forever. Reese came out as a boy to his parents at nine, but he'd always been highly masculine, insisting on having a boys' haircut and wearing a boys' uniform at his elementary school. His parents accepted this was how he was and never tried to force him to be feminine but knew nothing about transgender children. Thinking back, Reese's mom, Melanie, says she knew adult trans people took medical steps, but she hadn't thought it could be an option for a child. 'My kid had been telling me all about all of this sort of thing, you know, talking about top surgery, talking about [testosterone], talking about all these things, and I was like okay buddy, sure,' she explained. 'I just hadn't really taken it seriously. I just thought that's something that, like, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.' That changed when her 10 year old confessed to having taken an overdose of over-the-counter medications after getting his period triggered intense gender dysphoria. During the days that followed, Melanie spent hours at Reese's side in the ER, and met medical professionals who were both trans-affirming and disaffirming. The difference, she says, is that the affirming professionals offered her actual solutions. 'Someone said, look, great news, it's super easy to not have a period. We have nailed the medicine on that. We've got lots of different methods and ways of accomplishing that.' This hopeful attitude stood in stark contrast with a non-affirming provider, who suggested long-term psychiatric hospitalization. 'The actively transphobic therapist who came through raised the same issue [of Reese's period]. 'Look this is going to be an issue that your kid has to deal with every 30 days, and so basically you just need to accept that your kid is going to need to be institutionalized,'' is how Melanie remembers the conversation going. She wasn't having it. 'I just absolutely refused to even countenance the idea that there was nothing that could be done for my kid.' Dear Trans Kids, You Don't Need the Government's Permission to Exist In youth transition, as in all trans healthcare, individualized treatment is key. The affirming experts Melanie spoke with didn't describe a single, one-size-fits-all transition plan. Instead, they suggested starting small by stopping Reese's periods with well-known birth control methods, starting therapy, and waiting to see how he responded. This slow, careful, individualized process is the opposite of the rushed process anti-trans activists have often described to justify the bans on care at the heart of the Supreme Court case. After stopping his period and a long stretch of therapy, Reese's family eventually decided testosterone was right for him. Each step seemed to help Reese's mood and adjustment, but his chest continued to be a major source of dysphoria. His mother noticed he was avoiding showering, wearing multiple binders and sleeping with a binder on — even developing skin problems because he never took his binder off. 'I remember that those conversations happened. I remember even saying, 'I need top surgery,'' Reese explained. 'And, my mom was, obviously, like, no. Not because she was unsupportive but because I really was just incredibly young.' During that time, although he was grateful for his family's support, Reese struggled. 'I was very, very depressed,' he says now. 'I don't even think I was expressly suicidal, if anything, because I didn't want to hurt my family … I didn't want that to happen again, not because I wasn't suicidal or depressed again, but because I almost felt like it would be ungrateful.' After extensive research and consultation with experts, Reese's parents and doctors decided that the step of chest masculinization surgery, though very rare for a minor, was necessary due to the severity of his dysphoria, which was presenting a clear risk to his medical and emotional health. Today, Melanie is incredibly glad they finally went forward, but she says the decision to okay surgery for her child was agonizing. She spoke with multiple experts and even read some of the medical literature on chest masculinization. Fears about whether Reese might regret the decision loomed large, but looming even larger, she says, were her concerns that his low quality of life was causing him to miss out on being a teenager. Now seventeen, Reese is thriving. 'I am doing fantastic. I go to a school that I love, I have a bunch of friends, my grades are fantastic. I'm just doing great,' he told Teen Vogue. 'I'm excited, and I'm figuring out what I want to do after high school and into a post-secondary school, all that. But as for the transness, it's not a big deal anymore. It's not a thing. It's just sort of been addressed.' These stories represent the reality of many trans youth accessing health care in the U. S. — a reality characterized by careful consideration, individualized care, and remarkable transformations. The Supreme Court is expected to announce whether states can ban families from choosing these treatments in June. If you're in crisis or experiencing suicidal ideations, help is available. You can reach the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988. To reach an LGBTQ+-trained crisis counselor, dial 988 and press 3. You can also text with an LGBTQ+-trained counselor by sending the word PRIDE to 988, or you can chat online here. You can also reach out to the Trevor Project's crisis services here, by calling 1-866-488-7386, or by texting 'START' to 678678. Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want to read more Teen Vogue LGBTQ coverage? 12 Things People Get Wrong About Being Nonbinary How to Have Sex if You're Queer 'What Does LGBTQ Stand For?' Your (Colorful) LGBTQIA+ Glossary 7 Trans People Share What Brings Them Joy
Newsweek
28-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Could the Recession Shift Housing Sales? What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Rising concerns over a possible recession have prompted many Americans to question how such an economic downturn could reshape the U.S. housing market. A new report found that nearly 30 percent of prospective homebuyers believe a recession could make them more likely to purchase a property. Experts have noted that recessions have historically led to shifts in housing sales, prices, and mortgage rates. Whether these changes benefit buyers or strain current homeowners remains to be seen. Why It Matters A potential 2025 recession could impact Americans facing inflation, leading to volatile interest rates and widespread economic uncertainty. A recession has the potential to lower home prices and mortgage rates, offering discounted buying opportunities. However, broad economic impacts could challenge financial stability for homeowners and reshape the real estate landscape. Understanding who stands to gain or lose—and why—could help buyers, sellers, and policymakers navigate upcoming changes in the U.S. housing market. What To Know Past recessions have generally led to reduced demand in the housing sector, slowing sales and, in several cases, causing prices to dip. During downturns, consumer confidence declines, leading to fewer major purchases. Sellers may respond by lowering expectations, potentially giving buyers more negotiating power. A For Sale sign outside a multimillion dollar residential home in Reno, Nevada, on May 6, 2024. A For Sale sign outside a multimillion dollar residential home in Reno, Nevada, on May 6, 2024. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images Danielle Hale, chief economist at previously told Newsweek the market's reaction varies; while the 2020 recession saw a quick rebound, the 2007–2009 financial crisis led to steep price drops and a lengthy recovery. She said that if a recession emerges in 2025, existing home sales might not fall much further, but greater financial challenges for homeowners could increase supply and soften prices. Potential for Buyer Incentives Amid Falling Mortgage Rates In response to economic slowdowns, the Federal Reserve typically lowers interest rates to stimulate economic activity, which often results in decreased mortgage rates. This can make home loans more affordable, increasing buyers' purchasing power. Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, previously told Newsweek that mortgage rates generally decline during recessions, noting that the rate of decline hinges on the severity of the downturn. Survey: Buyers See Opportunity in a Recession The site visitor survey from the first quarter of 2025 found nearly 30 percent of surveyed homebuyers said a recession would make them more likely to purchase a home. Lower prices and more flexible sellers appear to be key factors driving this sentiment, according to the survey's findings. Whether the U.S. will enter a recession in 2025 remains a matter of debate. Some economic indicators, such as slowing retail sales and policy uncertainty—including impacts from tariffs—suggest a possible downturn, while other measures indicate ongoing resilience. The national median sale price for a home reached $438,357 in April, according to Redfin data. However, regions such as West Virginia, Ohio, and Michigan continue to offer lower median home prices, with West Virginia at $249,000 as of December 2024, according to This contrast presents options for buyers seeking affordability versus those facing higher costs in other states. What People Are Saying Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "Some buyers could be associating a recession with opportunity, as prior recessions have produced declining home prices. However, it's difficult to say if a potential one in this economic environment would produce some of the dramatic declines we've seen in the past. "Inventory remains low in some locations, and with prices and interest rates hovering around all-time highs, there's not as much incentive to sell and relocate unless you have to. The unfortunate reality is while you may see some minor dips in prices, there's housing market will more than likely remain unchanged." Drew Powers, the founder of Illinois-based Powers Financial Group, told Newsweek: "For those who believe their careers are relatively recession-proof and who have already been home shopping or waiting on the sidelines for the right time, a home purchase may feel like the right move. While the stock and interest rate markets may decline during a recession, a bright spot may appear in home buying: there may be fewer bidding wars, there may be more motivated sellers, and holding a hard asset like real estate may feel like a better place to put your money at that time." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "In a recession, we'd likely see downward pressure on home prices. As more homeowners fall behind on their mortgages, some will be forced to sell or face eviction. That brings supply back onto the market, which usually leads to declining prices." What Happens Next Market participants are monitoring Federal Reserve policy moves, employment data, and inflation numbers for indications of a possible 2025 recession. "Right now there are many homebuyers with moderately strong cash positions who have been outbid by someone with deeper pockets. That bidding war may not happen during a recession, and even the playing field for everyone," Powers said. Any sustained changes in interest rates, employment trends, or housing supply could rapidly reshape buying and selling conditions in the coming months. "Recessions can reset overheated markets. If inflation cools and the Fed lowers interest rates, that could open the door for buyers who've been priced out," Thompson said. "Lower prices plus a potential drop in mortgage rates, even a modest one, could improve affordability." Americans should anticipate a recession potentially in the next quarter, Thompson said, which could translate to changes in the housing market. "The wild card is tariffs," Thompson said. "While tariffs could raise the cost of materials and construction, Trump's unpredictable trade policies have many unsure how much impact they'll really have on housing."
