Week of September 21st, 2009

My weekly podcast, After the Bell, is now available. This week, Marketplace's Paddy Hirsch and I dig deeper into the week's top stories. Plus, I…

It's mind-boggling how much borrowed money is still sitting on the balance sheets of banks and other companies. All those corporate buyouts and…

Finding work in show biz is tough, especially in this economy. A current member and an alumnus of Chicago's famous Second City theater talk with host Tess Vigeland about the comedy and tragedy of being a performer.

Steve Henn reports on how loan-modification firms are preying on already desperate people who are facing foreclosure. This story is part of a joint investigation by Marketplace and ProPublica.

Host Tess Vigeland and Chris Farrell answer listener questions about personal finance.

Pittsburgh, site of the G-20 conference this past week, was once home to thousands of steelworkers. Rico Gagliano talks to two of them about how they moved on after their industry collapsed.

If you're relying on freelance work to pay the bills, how do you make sure you're getting paid what you deserve for those now-and-again gigs? Host Tess Vigeland gets answers from Tory Johnson, CEO of Women for Hire.

A lot of people are still searching for work and collecting unemployment. But that isn't stopping them from hunting for cash in unusual ways. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

Finance charges, compound interest … the dizzying amount of financial terms can be confusing. That's why commentator Chris Farrell says financial institutions need to offer customers simple products they can understand.

Using a credit card is easy. Writing a check is more time consuming. Host Tess Vigeland talks with personal finance columnist Jason Zweig about how different ways of paying can affect how much we spend.

There's a reason why the toilet paper at the office, the airport or a restaurant is rough while your TP at home might be "ultra plush" or "extra…

Marketplace's Brendan Newnam and Rico Gagliano talk with fellow staffers Jeremy Hobson, Stacey Vanek-Smith and Amy Scott about under-the-radar business stories: a sheriff's big vehicle, warning labels on model's photos, and productive cows.

European correspondent Stephen Beard talks with Kai Ryssdal about what's at stake in the upcoming German elections, and why the economic downturn hasn't hurt Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The recession has a lot of people thinking about the markets, whether to stay in or get out. For commentator Lauren Silverman, things are starting to get a little out of hand.

Fortune's Leigh Gallagher and Clusterstock's John Carney talk with Kai Ryssdal about whether the time for meaningful financial system reform has passed, and where we go from here.

For decades, the governments of the eight economic powers have considered themselves the major decision-makers on the global economy. But from now on all members of the G-20 will be included in discussions. Bob Moon reports.

Iran's acknowledgment of a previously secret nuclear plant garnered strong international reactions. The U.S., U.K. and France want Iran to disclose its nuclear efforts or face new sanctions. Jeremy Hobson reports.

The Pentagon is unveiling bidding rules for a $35 billion contract to build 179 air tankers. Airbus and Boeing are the only firms competing, and Boeing is fearful of the consequences should Airbus win. Steve Henn reports.

I've been invited to do a short presentation to an investing club on "sustainable stuff and investing." My plan is to define socially responsible…

Ford is promoting its new Fiesta subcompact by letting 100 "agents" drive the car for free for six months. All they have to do is blog, tweet and post about the car — and let Ford follow them around. Alisa Roth reports.

This week, Inc magazine is celebrating entrepreneurial companies that have continued to expand in spite of the recession. After all, 75 percent of new U.S. jobs are created by small businesses. Mitchell Hartman reports.

G-20 leaders have agreed on a voting power shift for the International Monetary Fund. The U.S. has been pushing for this change, but an aspect of the plan is causing a rift with European leaders. Stephen Beard reports.

Good morning. Today's slate has a bit of international flair, from Ireland, China and Brazil:…

Congress still has work to do if it wants to prevent another financial meltdown. Steve Chiotakis talks to Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich about what bills are on the table, what's likely to pass and what should be on the radar.

As winter approaches and the price of crude continues to be unpredictable, millions of Americans are wondering if they should commit on their home heating oil at today's price with a pre-buy contract. Bob Moon reports.

On the second day of the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh, leaders are pushing for new bank regulations in the next three years. The rules still need to be written, but leaders have agreed on broad principles. Bill Radke talks to Tamara Keith.

Marketplace Morning Report for Friday, September 25, 2009

Marketplace for Friday, September 25, 2009

Marketplace Tech Report for September 25, 2009

Microsoft is giving away copies of Windows 7 to help promote release parties to show off the new program.

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker testified to Congress today about President Obama's plan for regulating the financial industry. …

Question: My wife and I are in our mid 30s and we decided to take a gamble back in Jan 09 when everyone said the world was coming to an end. We…

Dubious mortgage-modification firms like 21st Century Legal Services help homeowners renegotiate their mortgages, but only in exchange for big upfront fees. Steve Henn reports on how these companies rip off desperate homeowners, then disappear.

NYU Professor Lawrence J. White talks with Kai Ryssdal about the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, why the government plunged so much money into them, and how it can unwind from the mortgage giants.

Lawmakers may try to regulate Wall Street compensation, but commentator Andy Kessler says no amount of meddling is going to fix the pay scales.

Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein recently denounced huge Wall Street bonuses. But there are reports the bank's own bonus pool has ballooned to near record levels this year. Amy Scott reports.

Retail analysts say stores could suffer the worst holiday sales in decades this year. But things may not be as bad as they look. Joel Rose reports.

Many banks remain too big to fail, and some are even bigger than they were before. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Steven Dunaway, fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, talks with Kai Ryssdal about the G-20's plans to rebalance global economic growth, and what happens if nothing is done.

I can't believe Christmas is three months from tomorrow. But it is, and the pressure's on retailers to figure out how to avoid a second straight…

Citigroup may be planning to scale back its retail branches. With just about 1,000 right now, the bank is reportedly planning to focus on the six major cities where it has the strongest presence. Tamara Keith reports.

Which junk food has seen its consumption decrease the most among U.S. children? Stephan Richter of TheGlobalist.com quizzes Bill Radke, and also shares some good news about Americans' junk food intake.

(numstead, via Flickr) I didn't think so. A coalition of international environmental groups established the "Forest Stewardship Council" (FSC) …

Did you know that Washington Mutual's stock gained 64% earlier this week? Lehman Brothers shares have quadrupled the past month. The stock of the…

Yesterday, the Fed said it plans to spend a total of $1.25 trillion on propping up the housing market by buying mortgage-backed securities. As the market shows signs of recovery, the Fed says it will slow down the pace of purchases. Amy Scott reports.

Good morning. Among today's items: Katie Couric's ridiculous salary, protectionism, inflation, and a very disturbing crime….

Researchers said this morning they have a breakthrough in the search for an AIDS vaccine. In a human trial in Thailand, an experimental vaccine has for the first time cut the risk of HIV infection. Steve Chiotakis talks to Stephen Beard.

Today's young adults have a great deal of spending power. Steve Chiotakis talks to author Kit Yarrow, whose book "Gen Buy" explores how teens and 20-somethings are spending their money and shaping retail.

The world's economic leaders are in Pittsburgh, Penn. today for the G20 summit and the White House will be pushing for new banking and financial regulations and an end to fossil fuel subsidies. Joel Rose reports.

TARP special inspector general Neil Barofsky's testimony to the Treasury Department says taxpayers aren't likely to see a full return on their bailout investment. He's also advocating for more Treasury transparency. Tamara Keith reports.

Marketplace Tech Report for September 24, 2009

Marketplace Morning Report for Thursday, September 24, 2009

Marketplace for Thursday, September 24, 2009

Are you as safe as you think online? A new scholarly paper says those secret questions may not be secure.

The Federal Reserve just made its announcement on interest rates. The Fed said it would leave rates near zero and will in fact keep them low for…

Big law firms used to recruit new lawyers early to lock in the best students. But with the recession drying up business, the legal profession has had to rethink its old way of doing things. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

Kai Ryssdal reviews what listeners had to say about stories involving clean diesel, hating voicemail, and a commentary on health care rumors.

The Dow Industrials has made a run at hitting the 10,000 mark recently. Commentator Robert Reich says the rally isn't really helping working Americans.

Alice Rivlin, former vice chair of the Federal Reserve Board, talks with Kai Ryssdal about the different bailouts sponsored by the Fed, and whether the financial system is still dependent on its programs.

As students head back to school for the start of fall semester, store owners are hoping to cash in on sales of college essentials. One retailer is even throwing a party. Monica Brady-Myerov reports.

Dunkin' Donuts franchisees are accusing the company of using lawsuits and huge fees to push stores out and get new ones into the chain. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Dignitaries traveling to New York for the U.N. General Assembly are piling up on carbon emissions. But one day of the assembly will actually end up carbon neutral. Jeremy Hobson reports.

At a House committee hearing on how to reform the financial industry, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said he'd like regulation proposals to be tougher. Bob Moon reports on what the White House can do on its own.

Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly for the first time, President Obama proclaimed a new spirit of cooperation in tackling global problems. Steve Chiotakis dissects his speech with Marketplace's John Dimsdale.

The Federal Reserve wraps up its two-day meeting this afternoon and will make an announcement on interest rates and the health of the economy. Steve Chiotakis talks to Richard DeKaser of Woodley Park Research.

Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase have announced new rules on overdrafts, and they favor the customer. Uh, some customers….

Pacific Gas and Electric has withdrawn from the Chamber of Commerce to protest its environmental policies. The major utility company is the latest in a number of companies criticizing business lobby groups. John Dimsdale reports.

Today the E.U. unveiled a plan to overhaul the way banks and financial markets are overseen. Officials hope to present the plan to the G20 in Pittsburgh as a blueprint for averting financial crises. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Stephen Beard.

One of the big topics at this week's G-20 summit will be banker compensation. World leaders seem in unison on this topic — outrageous bonuses led…

When Pittsburgh's steel industry began to fall apart, steel workers needed to find a new way to survive. Marketplace's Rico Gagliano spoke with former steel workers to see if they had any advice for autoworkers in Detroit.

U.S. fund manager BlackRock was given the OK to buy a chunk of assets from major British bank Barclays. The new firm will have $2.8 trillion worth of funds under its belt, making it the world's biggest money manager. Stephen Beard reports.

Today, the House begins two weeks of hearings on banking reform. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner will defend a plan to merge two of the four federal regulators. But the move is drawing its fair share of debate. John Dimsdale reports.

ConAgra and General Mills report earnings this week, and things seem to be looking up. Why? The short answer: it costs less to buy what it takes for companies to make the food. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase announced late yesterday they would cap the size and frequency of penalties they impose on overdrafts. Will other banks follow suit? Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's John Dimsdale.

Question: What movie premiere after-party was held at an extremely swanky Soho apartment with two suites, two balconies, a hot tub and a steak bar…

Marketplace Tech Report for September 23, 2009

Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Marketplace for Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Soviet scientists had designed a device in the mid-1980s to retaliate against a nuclear attack in the U.S.

Question: After listening twice to your recent commentary about Wall Street and having recently read Robert Reich's blog titled 'The Continuing…

This week, Pittsburgh hosts the gathering of world leaders known as the G-20 Summit. Pittsburgh? I'm trying to imagine Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela…

The relationship between the U.S. and China has grown tense over trade policy issues. Commentator Dan Drezner says the Obama administration's recent actions signal things could get even worse.

With the G20 Summit beginning later this week in Pittsburgh, Pa., Rico Gagliano reports on how years of population losses have affected his hometown, and how it's bouncing back.

A new study says America's elderly are in a tough spot when it comes to finding work, and that's leaving many of them vulnerable. Jeff Tyler reports.

Makers of a new product called an E-cigarette claim it's a safer way to get a nicotine fix than regular cigarettes — without emitting second-hand smoke. The FDA isn't so sure. Jeremy Hobson reports.

Professor Tony Sanders talks with Tess Vigeland about where we are with the TARP program, whether the financial system is still dependent on it, and how long it will take for firms to pay back funds.

China's President Hu Jintao announced his country's ambitious strategy to combat global warming at the U.N. General Assembly. Alisa Roth reports on what he had to say.

Every year the Census Bureau gives a snapshot of the U.S. population. This year it shows some of the ways the recession is changing the way we live. Amy Scott reports.

At the U.N.'s climate change summit today, President Obama declared that the U.S. is a serious partner in combating global warming. Bill Radke explores the president's message to world leaders with Marketplace's Tamara Keith.

A couple months ago, I wrote about the debate over putting up road signs that promote the stimulus projects. Well, the Senate has given its…

It's hard to believe, but admissions to journalism schools are up significantly. I know that defies logic, considering the state of the industry,…

The Senate Finance Committee takes up a health care overhaul bill today as the administration continues to push for reform. Meanwhile, a new report says insurance premiums continue to rise. Marketplace's Tamara Keith talks to Bill Radke.

The Federal Reserve Board kicks off a two-day meeting to discuss interest rates today, and it doesn't look like they'll be raised any time soon. And some economists say a little inflation may be a good thing. John Dimsdale reports.

Cadbury has asked the British Takeover Panel to help in its battle against Kraft's takeover bid. The confectioner wants the panel to impose a deadline on Kraft to make a formal offer by a certain date or drop its bid. Stephen Beard reports.