Apr 12, 2012

Marketplace Morning Report for Thursday, April 12, 2012

New Orleans is gearing up for its annual Jazz Fest at the end of the month, but it turns out the Crescent City has a little work to do when it comes to the business side of things. Google has been doing a lot of spending lately, but is it also bringing in money from its bread-and-butter business -- those ads it sells next to search results? Elsewhere in the tech world, the Department of Justice is accusing Apple and five publishers fixing prices for electronic books, or e-books.

Segments From this episode

The sinking price of natural gas

by Juli Niemann

Apr 12, 2012

Anyone who’s filled up a gas tank recently would probably conclude there’s not enough supply and there’s too much demand, that’s why it costs almost $4 on average a gallon nationwide to fill up your tank. But when it comes to natural gas the supply demand problem is just the opposite.

Mid-day Update

PODCAST: Inflation could be slowing, natural gas prices hit new low

by Mary Dooe

Apr 12, 2012

$A Cabot Oil and Gas natural gas drill is viewed at a hydraulic fracturing site on January 17, 2012 in Springville, Penn.$

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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Google to announce first-quarter earnings

by Queena Kim

Apr 12, 2012

Investors will be looking at how much the search giant is getting for clicks on mobile ads.

Attitude Check

The time Americans devote to technology

by Frank Newport

Apr 12, 2012

Surprising news from the polling firm Gallup that young people in America are in fact concerned they are spending too much time in front of their phones and computers.

When people leaving their jobs is a good thing

by David Brancaccio

Apr 12, 2012

The number of people signing up for unemployment benefits rose by 13,000 over the last week -- a surprise and not a good one. But more people voluntarily leaving their jobs can also be a good sign for the economy.

The future of currency in Canada

by Jeremy Hobson

Apr 12, 2012

Canada just recently announced plans to phase out the penny, and now it's looking to bring it back -- in digital form.

'Marley' documentary to stream on Facebook while in theaters

by David Brancaccio

Apr 12, 2012

Streaming Media's Dan Rayburn discusses the benefit of streaming a film on social networking sites at the same time as it's playing in theaters.

How working at home factors into the economy

by Diane Swonk

Apr 12, 2012

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits jumped last week by 13,000 to 380,000. But what about all those Americans working at home?

Building business skills in New Orleans' music industry

by Zoe Sullivan

Apr 12, 2012

New Orleans has long been a music Mecca, but it has surprisingly little infrastructure for the business side of the industry. To help fill this gap, two hip-hop entrepreneurs have been sharing the gospel of copyright and licensing with local musicians and producers.

How e-books can move forward after price-fixing lawsuit

by Eve Troeh

Apr 12, 2012

The Department of Justice is accusing Apple and five publishers fixing prices for electronic books, or e-books. Three of the publishers have already settled.

Natural gas prices drop to lowest level in a decade

by Eve Troeh

Apr 12, 2012

The price of gasoline is skyrocketing in the U.S. -- so why is natural gas at its lowest price in years?

Credit unions push for bigger loans to small biz

by Elizabeth Wynne Johnson

Apr 12, 2012

Credit unions have increased small business loans in recent years. Now they want Congress to raise the cap on these loans.

Mid-day Update

Changing the Washington, D.C. skyline

by Jeremy Hobson and David Brancaccio

Apr 12, 2012

Leaders in Washington D.C. are talking about changing the current height regulations on buildings in the city.

New Orleans is gearing up for its annual Jazz Fest at the end of the month, but it turns out the Crescent City has a little work to do when it comes to the business side of things. Google has been doing a lot of spending lately, but is it also bringing in money from its bread-and-butter business — those ads it sells next to search results? Elsewhere in the tech world, the Department of Justice is accusing Apple and five publishers fixing prices for electronic books, or e-books.