NPR News: 05-07-2026 10AM EDT

NPR News Now's 10 a.m. EDT broadcast on May 7, 2026, delivers a snapshot of U.S. economic signals, an exclusive investigation into prediction market abuses, initial findings from school policy research, and scattered reports on international diplomacy, public health, and a theater incident. Markets showed early volatility tied to corporate earnings, while broader job and energy trends pointed to uneven recovery ahead of key data releases.

Markets Open Mixed Amid McDonald's Earnings

Stocks began the day divided, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipping about 50 points initially, later narrowing to a 10-point decline while the NASDAQ rose around 90 points. McDonald's drove some optimism, reporting better-than-expected first-quarter results. The company credited a $3 value menu and $4 breakfast discount for attracting cost-conscious diners, boosting sales at existing restaurants by 3.8%. NPR's Scott Horsley noted these moves as key in a price-sensitive environment. Crude oil prices dipped slightly on expectations that tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz might resume soon after snarls. Retail gasoline held firmer, however, with AAA reporting a 2-cent rise in average regular prices. New unemployment benefit applications also ticked up last week to 200,000, offering a partial view of labor market softening. A fuller jobs report from the Labor Department follows tomorrow