Week of February 20th, 2006

Cities across the US, including New York and Los Angeles, have banned smoking in restaurants and even bars. Chicago finally caved into that peer pressure last month… perfect timing for the city's new luxury smoking lounge. Diantha Parker reports.

Bird flu fears in Brazil has caused the price of the colorful feathers in carnival costumes to skyrocket. Paulo Prada has more.

Today is D-Day in the lawsuit over whether the makers of the Blackberry PDA are illegally using patented technology to drive their devices. Lisa Napoli has more.

The FDA, under fire for sluggishness in approving generic drugs, announced this week that it had OKed a generic version of the popular nasal spray Flonase. In response, the drug's maker, GlaxoSmithKline, took legal action to halt the move. Helen Palmer reports from the Health Desk at WGBH.

Marketplace Money for February 24, 2006

Marketplace Money for February 24, 2006

Personal finance expert Chris Farrell tells Brian Watt that in some respects, new Fed chief Ben Bernanke is a refreshing change of pace compared to Alan Greenspan.

As consumers, we can get our lettuce pre-washed, our carrots pre-peeled, and now Sunkist is giving us pre-sliced oranges. What's next in our mad dash for convenience? Lisa Napoli takes a look.

A report out today says that 25 million Americans use some kind of food assistance, up 8% from 2001. From the Work and Family Desk, Hillary Wicai reports.

Fox's parent company, News Corporation, is launching a new mini-network on TV stations leftover from the UPN/WB merger. Janet Babin has the details.

The Internal Revenue Service reports millions of taxpayers are due a refund that will revert back to Uncle Sam if they don't claim the money soon. John Dimsdale reports.

A new report out today predicts that healthcare spending will account for 20% of the GPD by 2015. Helen Palmer reports.

Commentator Rudy Maxa looks at the complications of air travelers flying with Fido.

Despite concerns over deaths linked to their current model of stun gun, the makers of the Taser are unveiling a new shotgun version that can immobilize targets from as far away as 100 yards. Dan Grech has more.

The world's largest retailer posts its 4th quarter earnings today. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports that they're expected to be below what analysts had hoped.

President Bush visits the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado today to tout his alternative energy agenda. But as Sam Eaton reports, questions remain over whether the nation's top renewable research facility will face budget cuts.

Looking to cash in on the growing market for energy drinks, Coca Cola is relaunching the Tab brand as a liquid power boost for women. Andrea Gardner reports.

Newsweek Wall Street editor Allan Sloan discusses the Merrill Lynch/BlackRock mega deal, and what it means to investors, with host Scott Jagow.

Casino operator Harrah's plans to throw a benefit concert today to help employees left jobless by Hurricane Katrina. Amy Scott reports that the effort is rare in corporate philanthropy.

The US Chamber of Commerce and other business groups plan to join forces this week to encourage businesses to hire more people in their 50s. Janet Babin has more.

Indian health officials have decided to kill almost a million chickens after detecting their first case of bird flu this weekend. India hasn't yet reported any human cases of the deadly virus, but as Miranda Kennedy reports from New Delhi, the country's generic drug makers are preparing for the worst.