<p>When high earners ramp up their spending while low earners pull back, that’s a symptom of a "k-shaped" economy. But what about middle-income households? New evidence shows the middle class is also struggling in comparison to the wealthiest Americans. It’s sort of like a K shape within a K shape. After that: Newer firms are more likely to offer work-from-home options, Washington National Opera has financial reasons for splitting from the Kennedy Center, and we check in with a few small businesses ahead of an upcoming inflation report.</p><br/><p><em>Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? </em><em><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters">Subscribe</a></em><em> to our daily or weekly newsletter.</em></p><br/><p><em>Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at </em><em><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/">marketplace.org</a></em><em> — and consider </em><em><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment">making an investment</a></em><em> in our future.</em></p>