Until Hurricane Katrina ripped through its brewery, Dixie Beer was a New Orleans mainstay. It's being brewed it Wisconsin for the time being. Kai Ryssdal talks with owner Kendra Bruno about how she and her husband, Joe, are bringing their beer back to market.
Cuban elections this weekend are expected to officially position Raul Castro, Fidel's brother, as the next president. Raul is seen as more pragmatic than his older brother, sparking hope that economic change may be on the horizon. Dan Grech reports.
CEO Alan Mulally has been running Ford for the past 15 months, when he was brought in from Boeing to lead the turnaround of the troubled automaker. In an interview with Kai Ryssdal, he says he's got his work cut out for him.
The Dow has dropped nearly 10% since Jan. 1 — almost enough to qualify as a market correction. If you ask money managers, they say to sit tight and wait out the storm. But for a lot of Americans, that doesn't feel like an option. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Pennsylania's governor has reversed an effort to ban milk-container labels that tell consumers the milk comes from cows not treated with a growth hormone. Consumer groups are hailing his decision. Sarah Gardner reports.
President Bush said today he wants about an economic stimulus worth 1% of the gross domestic product — about $140 billion. And he wants it mostly in the form of tax cuts. John Dimsdale reports.
Even with the housing boom at an end, interest rates are at their lowest levels in years. Are we headed for another wave of refinancing? Tess finds out and tells you what you need to know.
Tess reads letters we've received. This month: Chris Farrell for president, defining the middle class, personal responsibility, fees and the history of the gift horse.
In this edition of Getting Personal, Chris and Tess talk about negotiating with collection agencies, comparing mutual fund fees, retirement account myths and teaching finance.
Wall Street breathes a sigh of relief as a buyout spares Countrywide from bankruptcy, but what about its customers? Tess asks Jane D'Arista what a bank merger means for you.
Life is hard enough without having to decipher everything. This week, a phrase that may put some of those mortgage costs back in your pocket: "mortgage insurance deduction."
Housing meltdown or not, home prices are still out of reach in many cities. Rachel Dornhelm reports how friends, and sometimes strangers, are teaming up to buy together.
Economics editor Chris Farrell puts up a fight for the average investor and sets the story straight on recent Supreme Court rulings that limit shareholder's rights to sue.
With the stock market off to an unimpressive start and economic fears at fever pitch, investors are touting the safety of gold. Tess turns to Peter Morici for a fact-check on all the hype.
With oil pushing $100 a barrel, the impact is felt more places than the gas pump. Lisa Napoli takes a look at the less obvious ways the high cost of energy squeezes consumers.
The union representing film directors struck a deal with film studios, but that cordial relationship might not translate into a quick end to the writers' strike. Scott Jagow talks with Tess Vigeland.
The insurance company responded to a new law designed to lower insurance costs by boosting its premium rates. Claims adjusters anticipate major hurricane damage in the future. Dan Grech reports.
Many women risk side-effects from drugs designed to prevent osteoporosis. Drug companies may be hiding bad test results and marketing to patients who don't need them. Stacey Vanek Smith reports.
A surprise boost in the nation's fertility rate means more workers to replace an aging workforce, plus more taxes to keep Social Security afloat a little longer. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
America's primary asset in the world marketplace is innovation and new ideas. The Commerce Department is updating how it measures those hard-to-quantify values. Danielle Karson reports.
Big-name artists are grumbling about massive layoffs and other big changes as the giant record label looks to stay afloat. Billboard's Bill Werde says it's a symptom of an entire industry in crisis.
A tentative contract between a union of film directors and major studios could be the key to ending a crippling writers' guild strike. But the devil is in the details. Renita Jablonski reports.
The American Stock Exchange initially began as a group of investors barred from the New York Stock Exchange. Michael Henry of Accenture says, in the consolidation age, a merger just makes sense.
Washington is in high gear to put together a plan to ward off a recession, and special interest groups are all pressing for a piece of the economic pie. John Dimsdale reports.
The annual International Auto Show is usually where automakers showcase their biggest, shiniest models. But the rising price of gas is putting hybrids in the spotlight. Scott Jagow talks with David Welch.
Raul Castro has been running Cuba for his ailing brother Fidel, and he's opened what some say is a Pandora's Box: a national conversation on economic reform. Dan Grech reports from Miami.
European Union member states meet next week to discuss divorce reform. Breaking up in England is particularly hard to do. But if love's not in the air, change is. Geoff Brumfiel reports.
So far nobody's worrying about whether the writers strike will impact the Emmys, which usually fall in September. But commentator and Emmy-nominated writer Doug Cordell says anyone writing TV for kids deserves more than a statue anyway.
The NBA is going to allow its teams to sell their own digital rights. To explain what that will mean to professional basketball fans, we invited in business-of-sports commentator Ed Derse. He talks with host Tess Vigeland.
Time Warner Cable plans to test a system in which Internet subscribers would pay for the amount of data they download. That's bad news for anyone who likes watching movies online. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Wind power grew 45 percent last year and wind turbines generated more than 1 percent of the nation's electricity — a first, according to the American Wind Energy Association. But the industry has a few storms on the horizon. Sarah Gardner reports.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been under close scrutiny the last few years, prompting Congress to call for tighter regulation. But now the Bush administration wants them to ride in and raise more money to buy more mortgages. Jill Barshay reports.
Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke told lawmakers on Capitol Hill today he supports an immediate economic stimulus plan. But he also said the economy is still "resilient." Does anybody believe him? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
According to Bicycling Magazine, Portland, Ore., has the highest number of bike commuters in the country. Ethan Lindsey reports on the industry that's grown up around all those riders.
Robert Howe talks with Doug Krizner about why the Hawaiian Islands are now home to a fast-growing group of hedge fund managers. The time zone and broadband access makes it convenient to work Asian markets.
There are suspicions drug makers are gaming the system to keep cheaper generic versions of profitable pharmaceuticals off the market. Megan Williams reports.
Billions of catalogs find their way into America's mailboxes every year. A new online service aims to slow down that flood of glossy paper. Lenora Chu reports.
All those service industry jobs add up to political capital, even as union membership is on the decline nationwide. Jeremy Hobson reports on how it's a big factor for Clinton and Obama.
Because of runaway inflation, it takes thousands of bills to buy even the most basic items in Zimbabwe. The government is now circulating notes up to 10 million. Scott Jagow talks with correspondent Gretchen Wilson.
Movie execs head to Utah hoping to find the next big box-office hit. And with potentially fewer films on the horizon, the competition could be fierce. Lisa Napoli reports.
The federal government is looking at a staffing crunch as a huge wave of employees readies to retire in the next five years. It could be a great opportunity for older workers. Danielle Karson reports.
The big-and-tall market in menswear is worth $5 billion and growing everyday. Jennifer Collins takes a look at a company that's trying to tackle this big market through some unlikely characters.
New York Times economics columnist David Leonhardt says candidates would be well-advised to pay close attention to the economy in this year's elections — especially if they want to connect with the American middle class. He talks with host Bob Moon.
GOP isn't a ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange and Democrats aren't listed on the Nasdaq, but prediction markets' trading on presidential candidates' chances are seen as trendy oracles of the campaign's outcome. Commentator Dan Drezner cautions, however, they have a mixed record.
These days, when television networks talk about chasing viewers, they mean it literally. Movie theaters, grocery stores, gas stations, sports events…. If you're there, they want to be there. Mary-Rose Abraham reports.
The American Red Cross is reported to be facing a $200 million deficit. It may cut as much as 30 percent of its headquarters workforce and other jobs around the country. As Ashley Milne-Tyte reports, fund-raising just ain't what it used to be.
There's word of a new twist to the mortgage default mess. More home lenders are reportedly walking away from fights over delinquent home equity loans. But, that doesn't necessarily mean a free ride for borrowers. Steve Tripoli reports.
Republican and Democratic leaders huddled on Capitol Hill today and emerged vowing to craft a bipartisan economic stimulus package. But, as much as politicians love to spend money and cut taxes, there's a fight over both. John Dimsdale reports.
The Federal Reserve came out with its "Beige Book" and there's no mention of a looming recession, just a "slower pace" of growth. Jill Barshay turned up more signs that some of America's economic ship is staying above water.
Burger King's two-year battle with Florida tomato pickers over a penny-per-pound raise is coming to a head with the news that BK has begun planning to buy tomatoes elsewhere. Dan Grech tells us more.
All around the world, stock markets are indicating an imminent U.S. recession. Doug Krizner talks to the Times of London's Nick Haysel about the U.K.'s reaction to overnight market drops.
As mutual funds struggled in 2007, the average hedge fund returned more than 10 percent. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports on the growing interest in hedge funds for 2008.
Congress may be tempted to threaten China with tariffs unless they raise the value of the yuan, but commentator Robert Reich says this sort of move misses the real source of the problem.
The Transportation Department is proposing that airports charge airlines more to land flights during peak hours in an effort to ease congestion. Nancy Marshall Genzer explains.
The Republicans begin their winter meeting in Washington today, but with three different winners in three primary states, they're struggling to present a unified front. Jeremy Hobson reports.
A growing class of Chinese entrepreneurs is running small businesses in Africa. And Lesotho, one of the poorest countries in the world, has become a flash point for new tensions between local Africans and Chinese businesspeople. Gretchen Wilson reports.
The drug Vytorin has been a multibillion-dollar blockbuster — although it hasn't exactly been the cholesterol buster it was supposed to be. Commentator and physician Dr. Stefan Kertesz says it's a cautionary tale about the process of approving new pharmaceuticals.
The FDA has decided food from cloned animals — cows, pigs, goats — is safe, despite protests from consumer groups and Congress. And as Sarah Gardner reports, some of the country's biggest food companies don't have much appetite for the technology, either.
Major studios are sending their strongest signals yet that the current TV season is now beyond rescue due to the Writers Guild stand-off. Joe Adalian, TV editor for Variety, talks with host Bob Moon about the cutbacks and cancellations at this important time of year.
Everyone knows politicians play games. But gamers playing politics? The video game industry, worth $14 billion a year, is looking for some clout. As Lisa Napoli explains, it's got a new game in Washington.
Steve Jobs unveiled some new Apple widgets at the Macworld expo. A super-thin laptop turned out to be the hot new product. Which raises the question: So what? Host Bob Moon has more.
A new report says the federal gas tax needs to go up to foot the bill to fix America's aging bridges and roads. Think you can afford another 40 cents a gallon? Janet Babin reports.
Two sets of economic figures out today might be giving economists flashbacks of the 1970s. Could a hit of "stagflation" — combining high inflation with a slowing economy — be felt again today? Jill Barshay reports.
Speculation over what will be revealed at this year's Macworld has the tech industry buzzing. Dan Grech reports Apple thrives on this kind of pre-show hype, using talk as part of its market research.
Health care reform is the second largest issue this campaign season, and plans offered by presidential candidates are gaining some approval across party lines. Danielle Karson has more.
In Saudi Arabia, banks and insurance companies have no rights in court because of the judges' adherence to a strict form of Islam. Kelly McEvers reports King Abdullah has promised billions to reform the courts.
With not much new on TV during the entertainment writers' strike, viewers may be lured towards the seventh season of American Idol. Lisa Napoli reports Fox's cash cow will likely make more than it did last year.
The European Commission has opened a new anti-trust campaign against Microsoft. Two European software makers have the company of blocking users from choosing rival software. Megan Williams has more.
Marketplace's Geoff Brumfiel is one of a half a million London cyclists who pedal to work in the morning. He gives us the benefits of biking to work — and details the discomfort of being crammed by a double-decker.
Congress is looking for ways to stimulate the economy, but Republicans and Democrats think it could use a kickstart for different reasons. John Dimsdale reports where the sides disagree.
A study out suggests people associate the taste of wine with the price on the bottle, and will enjoy the wine more if they think it's expensive. Rose Hoban explores how tasters were tested.
Ford Motor Co. shareholders are hoping CEO Alan Mulally can drive a turnaround that will halt the company's flood of red ink and declining market share. He talks with Kai Ryssdal about the challenges facing the automaker.
Iranians live under strict rules that govern their public lives, but inside people's homes and businesses the scene is quite different. Borzou Daragahi tells the tale of two women who used their different backgrounds to stitch together a business.
President Bush arrived in Saudi Arabia today bearing gifts, including a proposed multibillion-dollar arms deal intended to counter Iran's military clout. He also addressed some issues with the falling dollar. Marketplace's Stephen Beard discusses the details with host Tess Vigeland.
Some of the biggest Internet companies are growing like weeds, serving millions of customers a day and operating globally. But, as commentator Nicholas Carr points out, they tend to employ very few people.
Violence and protests in Kenya continue over its disputed presidential election. Reporter Sara Nics recently traveled with a Red Cross aid mission there. She talks with host Tess Vigeland about what she saw.
