Week of August 27th, 2007

In this installment of Conversation from the Corner Office, Marketplace's Kai Ryssdal met up with Enterprise Rent-A-Car CEO Andrew Taylor to find out if they'll really pick you up.

On this week's Day in the Work Life, we sit up straight and act polite for the substitute teacher.

While we're still trying to figure out a way out of the subprime debaucle, one investment that many Americans are finding promising is the good old-fashioned certificate of deposit, or CD. Jill Barshay reports.

Healthcare costs are up so high that many people are forced to consider alternatives. One option is Medicaid, but many experts say it's getting harder to qualify for it. So some couples have figured out a way to get Medicaid coverage by splitting up. Mhari Saito reports.

All year, Marketplace Money host Tess Vigeland has been following around one couple, Tiffany Lee-Youngren and Michael Fox, as they plan their wedding. And now comes the moment of truth.

Two years ago, the world witnessed one of the most devastating natural disasters in history. This week, Marketplace's Sam Eaton went back to New Orleans and talked to three lifelong residents about the Hurricane Katrina, what they learned from it and what they're doing to protect themselves in the future.

Ever wonder what PMI stood for? What about the differences between a bond's yields versus a bond's price? If this sounds Greek to you, then maybe you should check out our new summer feature Financial Summer School. In our latest financial summer school lesson, we learn that balance is key.

An asset bubble refers to the sudden and dangerous rise in the price of an investment or security. Years ago, it was the dot-coms. Now, it's the subprimes.

It's been two years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf region and many homeowners are still awaiting payments from their insurance company. Economics editor Chris Farrell looks into why.

This week, Chris Farrell answers listener questions about dealing with a spouse's debt, planning for retirement after a big income boost and what to do with a child's earnings.

A federal ad campaign a few years ago implied kids would get sick if moms didn't breast feed. The formula industry shot back with its own campaign — just one of many political battles over public health. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

We all might want to extend a helping hand to homeowners on the verge of defaulting. But a study suggests some of these borrowers — house flippers and speculators — might not be so deserving of help. Sam Eaton reports.

Stockbroker and business analyst David Johnson talks with host Tess Vigeland about how the markets are adjusting to the credit crunch and what may lie ahead.

When Congress returns after the Labor Day holiday, it will debate re-authorizing a program to help U.S. workers who lose their jobs due to imports or off-shoring. But a new proposal could damage the middle class, says commentator Beth Shulman.

President Bush rolls out a rescue plan for homeowners facing foreclosure when their adjustable-rate mortgages adjust too far. Is it too little, too late? John Dimsdale reports on potential bailouts for lenders and borrowers.

Vietnam is offering five-year visas to countrymen who live abroad. But many potential applicants fled the country after the war, and anti-communist sentiment is still very high. Jordan Davis reports.

Wall Street can be an incestuous place… When Merrill Lynch downgraded its rating on Lehman Bros. because of Lehman's exposure to the credit turmoil, the investment bank downgraded Merrill Lynch. Amy Scott reports.

That's the word around some water coolers on Wall Street, as economists and investor types await Fed chief Ben Bernanke's speech today. For or against it, they'll all be looking for hints of a rate cut in the near future. Amy Scott reports.

Right now Mexican trucks can only travel about 25 miles inside the U.S. The Bush administration and many companies on both sides of the border want to lift that limit, but you might be surprised who isn't on board.

The British bank Barclays was forced this week to borrow more then $3 billion in emergency funds after what it called a "technical glitch." Now it's working to reassure investors that its finances are fine. Stephen Beard reports.

Standard & Poor's President Kathleen Corbet has stepped down. The official line is "pursue other opportunities" but speculation says this may be just the beginning of the subprime fallout for credit rating companies. Janet Babin reports.

The non-profit sector is waiting nervously to see how much fallout it'll feel from the credit crunch, and steeling itself for leaner times ahead as wallets everywhere tighten. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

One of the worst summers on record for airline flight delays will be capped by a tough Labor Day weekend. That's the word straight from the FAA. That and a warning that fixes don't appear to be coming anytime soon.

Politicians, pop stars and royalty from around world will descend on London today for a memorial service marking the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. But one shopkeeper pays a small tribute to the People's Princess every day. Stephen Beard has his story.

As the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina fades from headlines and federal relief funds remain tied up in red tape, the celebrities who've made the recovery of New Orleans their cause are more important than ever. John Dimsdale reports

Marketplace Money for Friday, August 31, 2007

Are the wild gyrations in the market troubling you? Then I'd suggest picking up a copy of "Worry-Free Investing" by finance professor Zvi Bodie of…

Will Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben Bernanke ciome under criticism for not pricking the residential real estate bubble earlier at this weekend…

Tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, Princess of Wales. But despite the major memorial event, interest in the Princess has waned — as have the profits that grew around her image. Stephen Beard reports.

The U.S. Army is launching a major investigation into fraud reports in all those private contracts awarded for military operations in Iraq. With 18,000 contracts in four years, they'll be plenty busy. John Dimsdale reports.

Today, YouTube announced a music-sharing agreement with thousands of U.K. songwriters who'll get paid if their music is used. But as Janet Babin reports, some say content providers should choose if they want to be on there in the first place.

Fox is launching its own business channel in mid-October, and CNBC is preparing for the competition by spicing up everything from graphics to programming. Amy Scott reports.

The market goes down, and then up and then back down again, and there's nothing we can do about it, right? Not according to commentator Amity Shlaes, who says unlike weather, crashes and recoveries aren't inevitable.

In exclusive resort towns from Aspen to the Hamptons, where the rich and powerful hobnob with… well, each other, something called Plum TV is all the rage. And advertisers for luxury products are plum tickled. Jill Barshay has the story.

The price of gold has more than doubled in recent years, but that hasn't translated to double the profits for producers and certainly not double the salary for workers. But they are getting 8 to 10 percent raises. Gretchen Wilson reports.

Sure the American mortgage market may be all but flatlining, but that's actually given the housing market south of the border a healthy boost. Dan Grech explains.

When it comes to financial markets, what happens in Asia affects Europe, which affects Street and round and round, sometimes not in positive ways. So now other countries want a say in the oversight of U.S. financial institutions. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Car keys have gotten so high-tech on some models these days that locksmiths will tell you it's better to play it safe and take along not just one but two sets of spares when you go on vacation. Jon Baird has details.

Throughout U.S. history, there has been a deep suspicion of banks, especially big banks. A common refrain from the days of Thomas Jefferson and…

Do you get the feeling the market can't make up its mind? One day the Dow plunges, the next day it rockets back. Emotion is loose in the stock market, and lots of regular investors are getting wary. Steve Tripoli reports.

Latest projections put the U.S. federal deficit at less than $160 billion — the smallest deficit since before the September 11 terrorist attacks. Commentator David Frum says the government need to keep it that way.

Got wrinkles? You can probably get a shot of Botox from a dermatologist within a week. But a new study finds that potentially more serious conditions could have you waiting for a month. Helen Palmer explains why.

The lyrics to "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" call the city the "land of dreamy dreams." But as many put their hearts into rebuilding, Melanie Peeples says those dreams are for sale — now more than ever before…

Two years ago, the hurricane first touched ground at low-lying Plaquemines Parish in Louisiana. Even as most businesses rebuild on higher ground, a new economic core is taking root in Plaquemines. Sam Eaton reports.

Altria Group says Philip Morris, the world's largest private tobacco company, will be split in two. The move frees the company from U.S. regulations to expand more aggressively overseas. Dan Grech reports.

New Orleans tourism is practically back in full swing and tax revenues are approaching 85 percent of pre-Katrina levels. But in its low-income neighborhoods, recovery is as potholed as the streets. Enter the Belles of Bayou Road. Sam Eaton has their story.

The AFL-CIO today launches a campaign to influence national discourse surrounding the 2008 election. And with the weight of 10 million members behind it, the labor federation's push will be hard to ignore. Jeremy Hobson reports.

What'd you pay for that grill? As you enjoy a long weekend and Labor Day barbeques, Robert Reich suggests you think about how we as a nation traded in a unionized workforce with the bargaining clout to get higher wages for cheap goods and services.

Oil-consuming countries want OPEC to put more oil on the market to drive down prices. OPEC really has no interest in that and is quick to point out that refinery constraints in places like the U.S. are the real stopgap. Gretchen Wilson fills us in.

The Internet has already killed AT&T's Time & Temperature service in 48 states and now the phone company's adding California to that list. Not that many people were using it anyway, Janet Babin reports.

It's a simple equation, say some industry watchers. Mining companies from around the world are meeting to review safety technologies and practices, but the heightened demand for coal is stressing the structure of the mines. Janet Babin reports.

The U.S. Census Bureau has some good news and some bad news: There are slightly fewer Americans out of work, but there's also a sharp upturn in the number of people without health insurance. Helen Palmer reports.

Most new college students are preoccupied with dorms, books and classes. But Claremont McKenna College freshman Ben Casnocha has something else on his mind: How to think like an entrepreneur during his four years.

The housing market might be down nationwide, but in Seattle it's riding high. So the Emerald City is working hard to keep its sparkle — it hired 25 buskers to make music in the city's open spaces. Jamala Henderson reports.

Over the past several weeks of market volatility, tech stocks have remained uncharacteristically calm — and some have even seen gains. Ashley Milne-Tyte looks at the where tech sector is headed in an uncertain market.

A new plan could give insurance companies a billion-dollar break on payments to the California Earthquake Authority. Amy Bach of United Policyholders talks about what it means for the industry as a whole.

Ratings agencies once touted investments in subprime mortgages. Now the pain of that market's meltdown is spreading, and many are wondering why the watchdogs fell asleep at the switch. Steve Tripoli reports.

Two years after Hurricane Katrina, much of the Gulf Coast is still in ruins. Half of the $100 billion in aid is tied up in bureaucracy and funds are slow in getting to the hardest-hit areas. Sam Eaton reports.

It's almost exactly like The Venetian in Las Vegas, only this one's in Macao and it's bigger — in fact now the biggest gambling resort in the world. The Financial Times' Robin Quong tells us about the new resort's ambitions.

Researchers predict that 2006 data will show a dwindling middle class when the census bureau releases its annual report on income, poverty and health insurance today. And that's bad news for folks above the $75,000 line too. Jeremy Hobson explains.

Aside from annual news specials looking back at the fury of Hurricane Katrina, you don't hear much about New Orleans these days. That might lead you to believe the city's getting back to normal. But you'd be wrong by author Billy Sothern's account. Really wrong.

A wildfire in Idaho is threatening billions of dollars worth of high-end real estate and that has inspired one insurance company to go to unusual measures to avoid getting burned. Elizabeth Wynne Johnson has details.

Later this week the Houston Museum of Natural will display the remains of Lucy, a 3 million-year-old fossil discovered in Ethiopia, but the exhibit is stirring controversy is some scientific circles. Janet Babin reports.

For first time in a long time, the U.S. Open is without a big-name American player on the courts. But is star power the only thing that can keep U.S. tennis fans in their seats? By some counts, interest this year is greater than ever. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

Reports are coming in from South Africa that miners yesterday unearthed a light green diamond more than double the size of what was the world's biggest. If it's assessed to be a similar quality gem, the bidding will be fast and furious, Gretchen Wilson reports.

Many Americans have embraced medical tourism in places like Thailand and India, but some are eyeing a new destination much closer to home. Only problem is, going there might very well land you in jail. Cuba, anyone? Helen Palmer has the story.

Delays are already a regular part of flying, and the number of takeoffs and landings at U.S. airports is only going to grow — by nearly 1.5 million a year. The government has a plan to ease congestion. But it'll cost us, John Dimsdale reports.

Venezuela has been promising enough aid to its Latin American neighbors to make U.S. donations look a little paltry. But some U.S. policymakers say the country can't keep all of its promises. Dan Grech reports.

Last Friday, the Bush Administration introduced coal-mining policy change that would loosen the requirement that coal operators prove their strip mining doesn't damage streams and wildlife. Commentator Jeff Biggers sees devestating results in the form of mountaintop removal.

Wal-Mart's on the lookout for an executive to help shape a smaller-store strategy, and analysts have been expecting Wal-Mart to get bigger by going smaller with their new stores. Steve Tripoli reports.

A South African group has added a twist to its mircofinancing practice by providing additional training to its entrepreneurs — which is allowing some women to say "no" to their husbands for the first time. Gretchen Wilson reports.

Cars damaged by Hurricane Katrina have been making their way into Bolivia for sale. "Katrina cars" are sold cheaply and look almost new on the outside, but have serious mechanical problems. Ruxandra Guidi has more.

Survey says: Economists now cite massive defaults on subprime mortgages and heavy debts as the top threat to the U.S. economy. As recently as March, the possibility of a terrorist attack was still the greatest worry. Janet Babin has more.

It'll still be published online, but today's issue of Weekly World News will be the last to hit newsstands. For 28 years the paper greeted shoppers in the grocery checkout line with fantastical, OK, ludicrous tales, and commentator John Booth is going to miss it.

Bank of America got a lot of attention on Wall Street last week for a timely loan that saved mortgage lender Countrywide Financial. But it also got a heckuva deal, says Allan Sloan, the kind taxpayers can only wish the Fed and the ECB were getting.

The recent problems terrorizing the mortgage market are likely to scare off some investors for some time to come. But sale prices in the aftermath could also lure in bargain hunters. Steve Henn reports.

Indian steel and auto conglomerate Tata will likely be the proud new owner of luxury car brands Jaguar and Land Rover. And it could be a good match all around, Stephen Beard reports.

Dozens of officials in Brazil are accused of getting their palms greased to support the policies of President Lula da Silva. This week that nation's high court takes up the case that's been simmering for years. Dan Grech reports.

Even as the subprime mortgage sector crumbles and lenders like Countrywide take out multi-billion dollar lines of credit to stay in business, ads appealing to people with bad credit are still surfacing on the Internet. Say what? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

The housing market is nowhere near bottom. The Wall Street Journal had a good story on the meltdown in the condominium market on Saturday….