SHORT BIO
Erika Beras is a former reporter at Marketplace. She has covered wealth & poverty, aging and other beats for Marketplace's programs.
Latest Stories (345)
Fax machines too often an unguarded gateway into corporate data systems
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Erika Beras
Aug 14, 2018
There was a time when the chugging of fax machines was heard in every office. No longer since e-mail and instant messaging services took over our lives. Even so, many of those big, industrial scanner/printer/copiers in offices also have built in fax machines. And a new study says those machines can be very easily hacked. […]
For Americans who rely on public housing, HUD proposals strike fear
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Erika Beras
Aug 10, 2018
In Erie, Pennsylvania, where more than a quarter of residents live in poverty, many are in "chronic crisis mode," one social worker says.
Immigrants use health services at a lower rate than people born in the U.S.
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Erika Beras
Aug 8, 2018
A report out today in the Journal of Health Services contradicts a common narrative.
Mid-luxury brands say no to discounted goods
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Erika Beras
Jul 31, 2018
Ralph Lauren posts earnings bump by leaning in to full priced products
What consolidation among food distributors means for your dinner
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Erika Beras
Jul 30, 2018
U.S. Foods Holding Corp, already among the largest food service distributors in the country, announced today that it is buying five businesses from Service Group of America. It’s a $1.8 billion cash deal that adds up to $3.2 billion in annual sales and 3,400 employees in a push West across the U.S. But what does that mean for your […]
Mr. Conte goes to Washington
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Erika Beras
Jul 30, 2018
Today President Donald Trump will welcome Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to the White House. When Conte and Trump met earlier this year at the G7 and NATO summits, they found common ground on Russia and on anti-immigration policy. But they see things differently when it comes to trade and military spending — two issues […]
In Erie, social services are a lifeline
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Erika Beras
Jul 26, 2018
New work requirements may change things for those who receive food and housing assistance in the Pennsylvania city.
The Trump administration leans on companies to do a better job of training workers
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Erika Beras
Jul 19, 2018
Today, surrounded by executives from some of the country’s best-known companies, President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating the National Council for the American Worker, aimed at developing a stronger workforce. The strategy is heavy on pledges, committees and advisory boards. But who’s going to foot the bill? Click the audio player above to […]
Diverse superheros, cheese plates pumping box office numbers
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Erika Beras
Jul 5, 2018
It’s a record year at the box office. “Black Panther” pulled in theatergoers over the winter and now this summer confirms it — the big screen is hot again. “The Avengers,” “Incredibles 2,” “Jurassic World” and “Ocean’s 8” all are luring millions of moviegoers off of their couches and into the multiplex. Ticket sales are […]
Conagra to buy Pinnacle Foods and more frozen staples
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Erika Beras
Jun 29, 2018
Conagra already owned frozen food aisle staples Healthy Choice and Marie Callender’s. Now with the acquisition of Pinnacle Foods for $8.2 billion, it’ll own other frozen food staples like Hungry Man dinners and Birds Eye vegetables. Together, all those foods will create a conglomerate worth an estimated $11 billion in annual sales. But as customers […]