Marketplace's Brendan Newnam and Rico Gagliano chat with fellow staffers Rafael Cohen, Rod Abid, Stacey Vanek-Smith about under-the-radar stories: Robbing a prison, Spirit's pre-reclined airplane seats, and getting rid of pelicans in Idaho.
The recession hit Seattle later than other cities, but the Emerald City is still trying to decide if its economy is improving or getting worse. Jeff Tyler reports.
Freelance business journalist John Carney and Reuters blogger Felix Salmon talk with Kai Ryssdal about whether efforts to reform Wall Street might get somewhere after the fraud charges brought against Goldman Sachs by the SEC.
Credit rating agencies helped along the financial crisis by evaluating investments built from shaky subprime loans and giving the go-ahead to purchase. Will the financial reform bill do anything to change their relationship with banks? Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Gatorade's U.S. sales dropped more than 10% last year. So the sports drink company is taking on a new strategy, and you might notice it if you tune into the NBA playoffs. Stacey Vanek-Smith explains.
The Federal Reserve monetary policy makers are facing a tough question: Will they be encouraging more risky behavior if they hold the lending rate to banks at, effectively, zero? Bob Moon reports.
Karen Ramsey, a certified financial planner based in Seattle, joins Tess Vigeland to answer listener questions, including one from a woman who wonders whether a yoga studio might be a good business to run in retirement.
How are Greeks responding to Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou's call for an international lifeline? Steve Chiotakis gets the word on the street from reporter Joanna Kakissis in Athens.
Some real estate experts are saying Seattle's commercial sector could get worse before it gets better. Jeff Tyler explores why the local market may have a way to go before it escapes more foreclosures.
World financial officials are in Washington for the annual IMF/World Bank and G20 meeting. A worldwide bank tax is one idea on the table to help fix the potential for another global recession. John Dimsdale reports.
The Senate subcommittee is looking at credit ratings agencies like Moody's and Standard & Poors for allegedly taking bribes instead of keeping an eye on mortgage-backed securities. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Gregory Warner.
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, has formally asked for help with the country's debt. With financial troubles mounting over the last few months, why has the official request just been made now? Steve Chiotakis talks to Stephen Beard.
Arizona is deciding whether or not to veto the country's toughest immigration bill. Some business leaders worry it force some businesses to leave the state. Jill Barshay reports.
Russia has not been involved with the international bond market since its financial system collapsed in 1998. But the government just sold $5 billion worth of Eurobonds — money it no longer even needs. Peter van Dyk reports.
Each week on Marketplace Money, host Tess Vigeland looks at the week's major national and international stories that will impact the average listener's wallet.
Playwright Lucy Prebble talks with Kai Ryssdal about her play, "Enron," what her thought process was as she put pen to paper, and how she personifies debt on stage.
With more than 2 million citizens of Indian extraction, there have been increasing complaints from lower caste Dalits about discrimination. A new law addresses the problem. Stephen Beard reports.
Twenty-five years ago Coca-Cola launched a sweeter Coke as a direct challenge to Pepsi, but its launch was a disaster. BevNET.com President John Craven talks with Kai Ryssdal about whether corporate America has learned its lesson and if it's easier now to launch new products.
European statisticians say the Greek budget deficit is worse than expected, which sent the euro tumbling. Brett Neely reports on the odds of the Greek tragedy becoming an American one.
A new report says monthly sales of previously occupied homes increased 6.8%. With government tax credits about to expire, this may be the last good news the housing market gets for a while. Mitchell Hartman reports.
Word is Goldman Sachs has hired major firepower to try and win any court cases after being charged with fraud by the SEC. But the question for shareholders is to fight or not? Jennifer Collins reports.
During a speech in New York, President Obama made a push for Wall Street reform — just as the Senate prepares to debate its overhaul package. Jeremy Hobson reports momentum appears to be on the president's side.
A lot of communication is hopelessly confusing. Annetta Cheek, director of the Center for Plain Language, talks with Kai Ryssdal about the how the nonprofit started and who the worst offenders are in corporate America.
President Obama moved forward with a push for financial regulation during a speech at Cooper Union in Lower Manhattan. With some of Wall Street's biggest names in attendance, Obama asked bankers to embrace new regulations to avoid another financial crisis. A text version of his speech is available below. Tune in to Marketplace tonight for analysis.
With flights once again taking off in Europe, some airlines are worrying about what required passenger compensation will do to their bottom lines. Some low-budget carriers are openly criticizing the requirement. Stephen Beard reports.
Tonight is round 1 of the NFL Draft, and the St. Louis Rams are making the first pick. But that may not necessarily give them the advantage. Steve Chiotakis talks to Yale professor Cade Massey.
A Senate committee passed a bill that calls for tougher rules on derivatives trading, which would include revealing prices on a public exchange. Steve Chiotakis delves deeper into the bill with Marketplace's Gregory Warner.
The Metro North line between New York City and Stamford, Conn. has a bar car that allows Wall Street types to have a commuter happy hour. But the state legislature is nixing them in favor of more seats. Jill Barshay reports.
President Obama is sharing the message to Wall Street that without change, we're due to repeat the crisis. Is that true? Bill Radke talks to economics editor Chris Farrell about the potential for global regulation.
DVD sales dropped 13 percent last year, but the entertainment industry is looking towards future sales of 3D DVDs to help stabilize revenue. But first, more people need to buy 3D TVs. Jennifer Collins reports.
The Senate is expected to start a floor debate on financial reform soon. Commentator Robert Reich says the bill under consideration is a good start, but lacks some important reforms.
Author Josh Axelrad talks with Kai Ryssdal about his book "Repeat Until Rich," how he ended up as a professional blackjack player, and how card counting works.
The Senate Agriculture Committee voted to bank banks from trading in derivatives. Bank lobbyists may not be pleased with the decision, but the vote recognizes that derivatives do have some legitimate uses. Brett Neely reports.
The U.S. $100 bill is a favorite for counterfeiters abroad. So the U.S. Treasury is giving Ben Franklin a facelift with embedded images, making it harder to duplicate. The actual bills are due out later this year. Mitchell Hartman reports.
Russia's version of a "Cash for Clunkers" program has the intended benefit of boosting the country's slumping car sales. But it also has the potential long-term effect of producing an organized junk yard culture. Peter van Dyk reports.
The International Monetary Fund is sussing out a plan for two global taxes on banks. One would take a portion of profits and pay, while another would raise a reserve. Banks aren't expected to like it. Stephen Beard reports.
The Securities and Exchange Commission says it will continue its enforcement efforts on questionable investment bank activities, including the practice of hiding debt. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Gregory Warner.
Today Chrysler issue its first financial results since Italian car maker Fiat took it over. But analysts don't expect a large improvement yet; the new Fiat-designed cars won't come out until next year. John Dimsdale reports.
The Senate is considering legislation tackling derivatives. One bill would require the instruments be traded on a public exchange, while another determines that banks wouldn't handle risky behavior at all. Jennifer Collins reports.
You only need to open your mail to see how complicated businesses can word documents. Here are some examples of complicated language simplified, and add your own.
Jason Chen, editor of technology website Gizmodo.com, talks with Kai Ryssdal about how the new ended iPhone up in his hands months before its release and what's so special about it.
Asia correspondent Scott Tong talks with Kai Ryssdal about whether the mood for foreign businesses is getting a little tense in China, and how much longer it can go on being factory to the world.
The Institute of Medicine has recommended that the FDA force a gradual cutback in how much salt is allowed to be processed in foods. Dr. Benjamin Jones, a flavor chemist at David Michael & Co., talks with Kai Ryssdal about how that might affect the taste in your favorite foods.
Derivatives contracts were first used by farmers as a way to sell their crops in advance. Derivatives trading has gotten much more complex since then — as has the plan to regulate them. Brett Neely reports.
With a quarterly profit of nearly $3.5 billion, no one's questioning Goldman's ability to service its loans. But its all-important reputation is still under attack. Alisa Roth reports.
Former Lehman Brothers CEO Dick Fuld is testifying to the House Financial Services Committee as they delve further into its financial collapse. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Gregory Warner.
Steve Chiotakis talks to senior BusinessWeek writer and ex-Goldman Sachs employee Robin Farzad about the Wall Street bank's $3.3 billion first-quarter earnings.
The town of Tusuyan, Ariz. only has about 500 people, but Italian developers spent over $300,000 to influence a local election. The real reason: the town is situated a mile from the Grand Canyon. Claudine LoMonaco reports.
Nissan starts taking orders today for the Leaf, it's new all-electric vehicle. While it's family-friendly and cost-competitive with the Honda Civic, Alisa Roth reports the car faces two big challenges.
Airports in Europe are allowing flights to take off again as the plume of volcanic ash becomes less of a threat. But early estimates project a cost of $1.5 billion to the airlines. Stephen Beard reports.
