Home improvement stores feel the pinch

Retail sales jumped 1.2% in August after falling in July. But building materials stores — think Home Depot or Lowe’s — still saw a dip. That’s because stretched consumers are putting off “nice-to-haves,” like home renovations. Also in this episode: The future of global energy demand will be driven by a mix of renewables and fossil fuels, high school students take a new AP class melding business and personal finance, and neighbors organize to cooperatively buy their mobile home park.

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Read the stories in today’s episode:

• The countries driving energy demand growth can't wait for renewables to get cheaper
• Kevin Warsh isn't a "data point-dependent guy"
• Home improvement stores take a housing market hit
• High schoolers take new AP business with personal finance class
• Residents of a mobile home park try to buy their community before someone else does
• Turning a childhood home into a place to share with strangers