Latest from Jeff Horwich

• Sep 20, 2012

  PODCAST: Layoffs at BofA, protests in India

  The U.S. seafood catch hit a 17-year high last year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which has just come out with its annual report. When we think of foods that are safe to eat, rice is certainly up there. But Consumer Reports has just recommended that we limit our rice consumption. That's after tests found arsenic in over 60 rice products. And this week, Russian state media announced the existence of a 62-mile-wide diamond deposit in Eastern Siberia. But the big players in the diamond business aren't all that impressed.

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• Sep 20, 2012

  A new way to measure income inequality

  Environmental writer Tim De Chant says gauging income inequality is as simple as looking at a neighborhood's trees.

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• Sep 19, 2012

  PODCAST: Teachers’ strike ends, housing market looks hopeful

  About 350,000 students in Chicago will be back in the classroom this morning. The oil and gas company Anschutz is planning to sell its sports and entertainment operation called AEG, which is about the biggest name in Los Angeles sports, with the possible exception of Kobe Bryant. AEG could fetch several billion dollars. And the National Association of Home Builders says builder sentiment is at the highest level in six years — so what if you want to get into the housing market right now?

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• Sep 19, 2012

  What teachers can expect as Chicago strike ends

  It's back to school today in Chicago. In the next couple of weeks, teachers will vote on the tentative contract deal reached between the union, and negotiators for the school district and Mayor Rahm Emmanuel.

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• Sep 18, 2012

  PODCAST: Romney’s ’47 percent’ and oil prices

  Mitt Romney said 47 percent of Americans pay no income taxes. What are the numbers behind that comment? We take a look at what's going on with oil prices, why sales of Apple's iPhone 5 may help shipping companies, and explore the reasons behind the rise in transit ridership. Plus, researchers have found that there are more jobs than expected that pay between $35,000 and $72,000 without a university degree.

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• Sep 18, 2012

  Questions linger over dropping oil prices

  Mid-day yesterday oil prices dropped three dollars in about a minute — and they have kept falling ever since.

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• Sep 18, 2012

  Transit ridership rises in second quarter

  If you commute to work this morning, how are you getting there? The American Public Transportation Association says lots more of us are taking the bus or the train, according to its latest transit ridership report.

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• Sep 17, 2012

  General Motors hopes to break free of Treasury

  According to a piece in this morning's Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Treasury's welcome at General Motors is wearing thin. GM is reportedly pushing for the government to sell most or all of its remaining stake — currently about a quarter of the company. But the Obama administration seems to be in no hurry to exit.

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• Sep 17, 2012

  Mitt Romney to address U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

  This morning Mitt Romney is set to speak before the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Romney seems to have achieved a small bounce among Hispanics after the Republican National Convention. Today is another chance to reach out to those critical voters.

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• Sep 14, 2012

  Fannie and Freddie to allow principal reductions in California

  This week, Fannie and Freddie quietly put out some "clarifying language" that could mean a lot to some beleaguered homeowners in California and in other states.

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