After a week that included Facebook's IPO fizzle, talks of a Greek exit, and the impending debt ceiling showdown, the economic landscape may be taking a toll on our psyche. After all the doom and gloom in the worldwide economy, we get a nun's take on the economic recovery in her community and her local service work. The ketchup bottle just got a major upgrade thanks to a team of M.I.T. scientists -- no more whacking the bottle to squeeze out the last dregs. And the automaker Ford cashes in on its logo in the form of toys, T-shirts, and videogames.
The main newspaper in New Orleans, which received praise in its Katrina coverage, has announced budget cuts which will mean staff layoffs and a reduction in print editions to three days a week.
As budget woes continue to plague lawmakers in Washington, D.C., as well as leaders in Europe, we speak to the leader of California, Gov. Jerry Brown, over his state's financial issues. Officials in Houston are trying to figure out what to do with the Astrodome -- renovate it or tear it down. Manufacturers are reporting slowing sales of desktop and laptop PCs suggesting a slow down in economic growth, but computer sales may no longer be a reliable indicator of new hires and overall business growth.
According to a recent survey by TheKnot.com, the average wedding in the U.S. now costs over $27,000. But Americans aren't the only ones throwing their money towards the perfect nuptials.
If you're looking for a safe place to park your money, think Ford. Moody's has boosted the automaker's debt to investment-grade, giving a thumbs up to a long financial turnaround for the company. Today, struggling tech giant Hewlett-Packard will announce whether the company will shed tens of thousands its workers. With Memorial Day approaching, parents begin to consider summer plans and the value of camp for their kids. This week Target launched a line of Gay Pride T-shirts on its website in time for Gay Pride month in June which may help mend fences between the retailer and the gay community.
There's a new warning this morning from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that says the 17 nations that use the euro are at risk of falling into a severe recession. It's been two years since the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and today officials from government are looking at one item central to that spill: the blowout preventer. As soon as next week, Southwest Airlines could get clearance to build a brand new international terminal at Houston's Hobby airport -- but one competitor is doing its best to thwart those plans.
This past weekend, "Battleship" failed to meet expectations while" The Avengers" managed to keep raking in the cash.
Gas prices continue to soar in the U.S., but Americans haven't yet flocked to alternative fuels like natural gas in a big way. Billionaire investor T. Boone Pickens expected us to -- but after being one of the industry's biggest supporters, he's now backed out of natural gas stocks all together. In New York last night, tens of thousands of orthodox Jews gathered at Citi Field to discuss the pros and cons of using the Internet. And America's second largest movie theater chain, AMC, has been bought by one of China's largest real estate developers, creating the world's largest cinema chain.
Happy Facebook IPO Day! The company priced its IPO yesterday at $38 a share, for a market valuation of $104 billion. But just exactly how is Facebook going to live up to that market cap? On the table at the House of Representatives are big budget cuts for the military; one of the casualties of defense budget cutting is the $45 million Technology Innovation Program. The U.S. Commerce Department has announced steep tariffs on solar panels from China. And this year, the cost of going to prom is a bit higher than usual.
The best laid advertising plans could be thwarted by a new service from Dish Network -- the satellite TV operator -- that lets users skip commercials all together.

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PODCAST: A fake sandstorm and Businessweek's advice to 'bang head'

Friday, May 25, 2012
After a week that included Facebook's IPO fizzle, talks of a Greek exit, and the impending debt ceiling showdown, the economic landscape may be taking a toll on our psyche. After all the doom and gloom in the worldwide economy, we get a nun's take on the economic recovery in her community and her local service work. The ketchup bottle just got a major upgrade thanks to a team of M.I.T. scientists -- no more whacking the bottle to squeeze out the last dregs. And the automaker Ford cashes in on its logo in the form of toys, T-shirts, and videogames.
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PODCAST: A run on kosher chocolate chips, Rewriting Korean subtitles

Thursday, May 24, 2012
As budget woes continue to plague lawmakers in Washington, D.C., as well as leaders in Europe, we speak to the leader of California, Gov. Jerry Brown, over his state's financial issues. Officials in Houston are trying to figure out what to do with the Astrodome -- renovate it or tear it down. Manufacturers are reporting slowing sales of desktop and laptop PCs suggesting a slow down in economic growth, but computer sales may no longer be a reliable indicator of new hires and overall business growth.
1

Times-Picayune to cut back jobs and production schedule

Thursday, May 24, 2012
The main newspaper in New Orleans, which received praise in its Katrina coverage, has announced budget cuts which will mean staff layoffs and a reduction in print editions to three days a week.
Posted In: New Orleans, newspapers
0

PODCAST: Chipotle under investigation, OECD's happiest country

Wednesday, May 23, 2012
If you're looking for a safe place to park your money, think Ford. Moody's has boosted the automaker's debt to investment-grade, giving a thumbs up to a long financial turnaround for the company. Today, struggling tech giant Hewlett-Packard will announce whether the company will shed tens of thousands its workers. With Memorial Day approaching, parents begin to consider summer plans and the value of camp for their kids. This week Target launched a line of Gay Pride T-shirts on its website in time for Gay Pride month in June which may help mend fences between the retailer and the gay community.
Posted In: Dell
0

Average wedding price climbs over $27,000

Wednesday, May 23, 2012
According to a recent survey by TheKnot.com, the average wedding in the U.S. now costs over $27,000. But Americans aren't the only ones throwing their money towards the perfect nuptials.
Posted In: weddings
0

PODCAST: Joining forces for Wi-Fi, rebranding drought

Tuesday, May 22, 2012
There's a new warning this morning from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that says the 17 nations that use the euro are at risk of falling into a severe recession. It's been two years since the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and today officials from government are looking at one item central to that spill: the blowout preventer. As soon as next week, Southwest Airlines could get clearance to build a brand new international terminal at Houston's Hobby airport -- but one competitor is doing its best to thwart those plans.
0

PODCAST: Leveling the regional playing field, cutting deals with Chinese companies

Monday, May 21, 2012
Gas prices continue to soar in the U.S., but Americans haven't yet flocked to alternative fuels like natural gas in a big way. Billionaire investor T. Boone Pickens expected us to -- but after being one of the industry's biggest supporters, he's now backed out of natural gas stocks all together. In New York last night, tens of thousands of orthodox Jews gathered at Citi Field to discuss the pros and cons of using the Internet. And America's second largest movie theater chain, AMC, has been bought by one of China's largest real estate developers, creating the world's largest cinema chain.
0

Summer blockbusters: Separating winners from losers

Monday, May 21, 2012
This past weekend, "Battleship" failed to meet expectations while" The Avengers" managed to keep raking in the cash.
Posted In: movies, hollywood, The Avengers
0

PODCAST: The Facebook IPO arrives

Friday, May 18, 2012
Happy Facebook IPO Day! The company priced its IPO yesterday at $38 a share, for a market valuation of $104 billion. But just exactly how is Facebook going to live up to that market cap? On the table at the House of Representatives are big budget cuts for the military; one of the casualties of defense budget cutting is the $45 million Technology Innovation Program. The U.S. Commerce Department has announced steep tariffs on solar panels from China. And this year, the cost of going to prom is a bit higher than usual.
0

PODCAST: Walmart profits up, Dish Network at odds with TV execs

Thursday, May 17, 2012
Shareholders of Chesapeake Energy are asking a judge to delay the company's annual meeting so they can get more information about their CEO's compensation and his personal financial interest in drilling natural gas wells. Chicago is getting ready for all the world leaders who will be in town for the big NATO meeting that starts today -- and for the busloads of people who will be coming into town to protest. What is a joint venture, and why is it worthwhile for companies? And Los Angeles sports fans -- and the Staples Center -- are flying high as three of the city's pro teams are in the playoffs.

Most Commented

17

Dollar coins vs. dollar bills: The debate

Friday, March 2, 2012
All morning long we've been asking for your opinion on coins vs. bills following our interview with Senator Tom Harkin on the subject.
Posted In: coins, dollar
4

Facebook co-founder renounces U.S. citizenship

Monday, May 14, 2012
In letting go of his U.S. citizenship now, Eduardo Saverin will also be able to avoid paying nearly $600 million in U.S. capital gains taxes when Facebook goes public.
Posted In: Facebook, IPO, Taxes

The Mid-Day Update is a five-day-a-week podcast from the Marketplace Morning Report co-hosted by Jeremy Hobson and Steve Chiotakis that wraps up the morning news in a fun little package. Listen here every day at 10 a.m. PT or download it to your iPod by subscribing to the Morning Report Podcast.

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California Gov. Brown talks taxes, cuts and economic fairness

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Times-Picayune to cut back jobs and production schedule

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