Week of August 17th, 2009

Question: My MasterCard company (Citicards) recently sent me a letter saying that my card number had been compromised by a large-scale theft of…

My weekly podcast, After the Bell, is now available. I don't know about you, but I felt pretty sluggish this week. I think it's the dog days…

The little guy is taking on the big tobacco companies again, but not in the way you might think. This year, there's been a big increase in the…

The social networking site faces two big challenges: It's not making money and its popularity is becoming a liability. So it's considering selling consumer information to businesses. Jeff Tyler reports.

Fortune magazine's Leigh Gallagher and Reuters financial blogger Felix Salmon talk with Tess Vigeland about overly optimistic investors, the impact of Cash for Clunkers, and the health care debate.

China is dealing internally with two lead-poisoning scandals at once. More than 2,000 children have been affected from metal-smelting facilities near rural Chinese villages. Scott Tong reports from Hunan province.

At a meeting of central bankers, Ben Bernanke said a return to growth in the near term appears likely. Tess Vigeland gets an analysis of the Federal Reserve chief's address from Michael Bernstein of Tulane University.

Existing home sales surged in July as buyers took advantage of lower prices. Is it a sign the housing crisis is relenting? Steve Henn reports.

Here comes Michael Moore's take on the financial meltdown. Moore just released the trailer for his new documentary, "Capitalism: A Love Story." …

Ever wonder how hackers do it? Break into your private credit card accounts, spending money on your dime? Marketplace blogger Scott Jagow takes a closer look at a hacker's world.

During these tough economic times, a lot of folks are reaching out for help with their credit cards. Marketplace Money listeners chime in on whether credit counseling has worked for them.

Despite hints that the economy is recovering, job losses continue. But what happens when fathers who pay child support are out of work? Monica Brady-Myerov reports.

We've all fallen victim to impulse shopping. But impulse saving? Commentator Chris Farrell says Americans need to start rolling the dice on putting money away.

President Obama hasn't stopped talking about health-care reform, yet the public is more confused than ever. Tamara Keith reports.

The Securities and Exchange Commission's inspector general is expected to release a report next week on how the SEC failed in the Madoff debacle. Steve Henn reports.

For three decades, the rich have literally been getting richer. But there's statistical and anecdotal evidence that the trend is over. The…

And morning viewing in this case. I'd like to begin with a video produced by the Cleveland Federal Reserve. Snoozer, right? Actually, no….

Question: The rental market in Miami has gotten very soft, and I can get a much better apartment for the same money that I'm paying now. Virtually…

Jeremy Brant, CEO of real estate company 1-800-CASH OFFER, talks with Bill Radke about the big increase in home re-sales, and whether it was helped by a one-time home buyer credit the government is giving out.

Angelo Cammarata, recognized by Guiness as the world's longest-serving bartender, talks with Steve Chiotakis about all those years of serving drinks and what he's looking forward to after retiring.

New York bureau chief Amy Scott talks with Steve Chiotakis about Morgan Stanley's plans to hire as many as 400 traders and sales people, and whether this is happening with other firms.

The Swiss government has sold its stake in UBS, and made a profit on the deal. Stephen Beard reports.

A billion dollars is left to be used in the Cash for Clunkers program, which ends Monday night. But some dealers have already stopped offering incentives. Amy Scott reports.

As the latest existing home sales numbers are released, one place that has seen some positive results is Phoenix, Ariz. Peter O'Dowd reports.

The Washington Nationals will soon introduce their new $15 million pitcher. Tamara Keith reports he could represent a fresh start for a struggling baseball team.

The world's central bankers are gathering in Wyoming to wrestle with the state of the global economy. New York bureau chief Amy Scott talks with Bill Radke about what Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke had to say at the retreat.

Asia correspondent Scott Tong talks with Bill Radke about the latest case of child lead poisoning in China, and how it affects the global economy.

Professor and former Labor Secretary Robert Reich talks with Steve Chiotakis about why Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is considered controversial, and how his potential reappointment may affect the economy.

Marketplace Morning Report for Friday, August 21, 2009

Marketplace Tech Report for August 21, 2009

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture says broadband Internet leads to more and higher-paying jobs in rural areas.

Commentator Rob Walker explains why the Credit Card Reform Act may not spell good news for responsible credit card users — like him.

Las Vegas was one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the nation. But when the housing bubble burst, so did its economy. Host Tess Vigeland talks with Joel Stein, who wrote about Sin City's troubles for Time magazine's cover story this week.

As the recession drags on, more businesses are trying to cut costs by cutting or freezing salaries, or by requiring some employees to take temporary unpaid leaves. Monica Brady-Myerov reports on how some of those affected are adapting.

The reality TV show "Project Runway" moves to the Lifetime channel after a nasty court battle that freed it from NBC-Universal's Bravo channel. Bob Moon reports on whether the big price Lifetime is paying for the show is a winning strategy.

Iceland's parliament is set to vote on a plan to repay more than $5 billion that British and Dutch savers lost in an Icelandic bank's failure last fall. Many of the country's citizens aren't happy about it. Stephen Beard reports.

Spain's second largest bank, BBVA, has reportedly won an auction for a Texas bank that was on the verge of collapse. Other foreign banks may be looking for bargains as well. Jeff Tyler reports.

With some auto dealers backing out of the Cash for Clunkers program because of slow reimbursements from the federal government, car companies are coming to their aid to keep sales going. John Dimsdale reports.

President Obama made the case for his health care overhaul to a fairly skeptical audience — conservative talk-radio listeners. He tried to calm fears that he's seeking a "government takeover" of health care. Joel Rose reports.

The guy who ripped apart Goldman Sachs in Rolling Stone has a new target. The magazine's latest issue has Matt Taibbi eviscerating the health care…

How's this for turnabout? GM plans to "rescue" the federal government's cash for clunkers program by advancing cash to dealerships. It also…

My favorite story of the morning comes from where else (?) but Marketplace. As a promotional campaign and stimulus package, a British telecom…

Doug Foreman, director of equities at Highmark Capital, talks with Steve Chiotakis about why the latest jobless numbers are disappointing but not disastrous, and how our massive federal deficit affects the economy.

Reporter Alisa Roth talks with Steve Chiotakis about a new government program that will give rebates to consumers who buy new, more energy-efficient appliances.

Los Angeles Times business columnist David Lazarus talks with Bill Radke about the health care reform debate, and why he believes it misses the point.

A British telecom company is employing former pickpockets for an usual promotional campaign. Stephen Beard reports.

Big changes could be ahead for Japan as the country's ruling party may have to say sayonara. Scott Tong reports on what each of its top political parties are promising.

The post-9/11 GI Bill provides military veterans with tuition assistance, and other expenses. But that money may not come in time for the start of the school year. Rico Gagliano reports.

The Obama administration says it will release plans shortly for the Cash for Clunkers program to wind down. Alisa Roth reports.

New protections will go into effect under the Credit Card Accountability Act. Mitchell Hartman reports it's the first installment in an overhaul of credit card rules.

Marketplace Tech Report for August 20, 2009

Marketplace Morning Report for Thursday, August 20, 2009

New data finds young people aged 12 to 17 have adopted cell phones at nearly the same rate as adults.

Commentator David Frum says we should all be paying attention to how the baby boomers handle their assets as they enter retirement age, because they will affect what the economic recovery looks like.

School districts from Maryland to California are turning their focus outside the United States to fill certain teaching jobs. Gigi Douban reports from Birmingham, Ala.

Professional medical associations' advocacy for the cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, has closely resembled the marketing campaign by Merck, the drug's manufacturer, according to a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association. Joel Rose reports.

The health care debate has taken several twists and turns, from discussions about covering the nation's uninsured to fights over its costs and screaming matches at town hall meetings. Now President Obama's supporters are advising a return to basics. Tamara Keith reports.

For investors willing to tie up their money for a long time, corporate bonds — essentially long-term loans to companies — have become an attractive investment. But, as Bob Moon reports, your 401(k), pension or mutual fund could be on the line.

An agreement reached between the U.S. and Switzerland over secret American accounts held at the Swiss bank UBS may open the way for revelations of tax evasion at other banks. John Dimsdale reports.

It was 5 years ago today that Google went public with an IPO at $85 a share. At the time, some people scoffed at the price. Today, Google is…

Artificial tongue sweeter than real tongue. Stupid real tongue.

Question: I am considering buying a house (for the first time) – the government incentives to do this are a big factor in this decision- However, I…

Home builders and real estate agents are really pushing the government's $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit. To take advantage of it, people…

The story of the day seems to be how President Obama might save his health care reform plan. Does he need to stop getting bogged down in details…

Some good stuff this morning, from Wall Street to health care to Cash for Clunkers. Let's begin with the lightning rod of the wealthy:…

Richard DeKaser, president of Woodley Park Research, talks with Steve Chiotakis about the latest housing data, which shows mortgage applications rose last week as interest rates hit a five-week low, and when some of the housing deals may go away.

Details may be revealed about the settlement between Swiss bank UBS and the U.S. government. Alisa Roth reports.

European correspondent Stephen Beard talks with Steve Chiotakis about a new inquiry the European Commission is launching into exploding iPods and iPhones.

As the debate over health care rages on, some lawmakers want to know how much is at stake for insurers. Alisa Roth reports they're taking matters into their own hands.

Thousands of legal immigrants in Massachusetts will lose their state-subsidized health insurance. Joel Rose reports on what the cuts will save the state.

NFL legend Brett Favre is delaying retirement yet again. Will the quarterback boost the bottom line for his new team, the Minnesota Vikings? Amy Scott reports.

A new survey reveals that computer company CEOs believe the technology industry will recover more quickly than the rest of the economy. But are consumers ready to start buying new gadgets? John Dimsdale reports.

Oregon recently joined a handful of states that allow farmers to grow hemp. Cash Peters reports on how businesses are turning to the alternative product and the stigma attached to it.

Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Marketplace Tech Report for August 19, 2009

Alan Turing is considered to be the father of modern computer science, but during his life, he was prosecuted by Great Britain for homosexual acts.

New Jersey's public schools have a new funding formula, and it comes with a nutritional twist. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

One segment of the school population is going to be out shopping for the best deals at the back-to-school sales. Commentator and teacher Allen Teng raised his hand to tell us about it.

The NCAA's Southeastern Conference has reversed rules that would have barred ticketed fans from posting game updates on social media sites. The conference's concern is rooted in lucrative TV broadcast rights. Sam Eaton reports.

A new survey says the average family still has a lot of room in the backpack for items on their back-to-school shopping list. Tamara Keith reports.

Hertz is testing a new high-resolution photography system that would scan cars for dents and dings before and after a rental. The new system could mean extra charges for customers. Bob Moon reports.

What does a criminal mastermind do with 130 million credit-card numbers? How exactly do fraudsters make money? Rico Gagliano reports.

I hope Albert Gonzalez goes to prison for a long, long time. He's the guy who was just charged with masterminding the theft of 130 million credit…

If you rent from Hertz, you probably won't be getting away with any dings or scratches from now on. The company plans to start taking pictures of…

The NFL, the Southeastern football conference, ESPN, the Marines, J. Crew. The list of companies and organizations that are banning or trying to…

Question: Do you have an opinion regarding online budgeting websites? I inquire as my fiancée has recently discovered such a website at www.mint…