Week of April 2nd, 2012

The economy added 120,000 jobs in March, but economists were expecting better. We talk with one of the employed – a factory worker who has seen his wages sink even as that sector of the economy hums along. Plus, New York Bureau Chief Heidi Moore and Sudeep Reddy of the Wall Street Journal examine this month’s job numbers in our Weekly Wrap segment. Also on the show, a Dutch winemaker saves a vineyard in the south of France as skyrocking real estate prices pit grapes against developers. We talk with the director behind a study out of NYU that says new environmental regulations should consider the jobs lost and gained before being passed. And a look at how reforms to Alabama’s immigration laws could help out business but make life harder for undocumented immigrants.

The Labor Department reports the U.S. economy added 120,000 jobs in March, a disappointing number compared to economists’ expectations. Manufacturing, though, continues to play a major role in the U.S.’s economic recovery. Apple users got a wake-up call after 600,000 Macs were reportedly infected with a virus. AT&T workers could strike this weekend if negotiations fail. Youth unemployment in Europe is at dangerous levels. And a financial trader known as the “London Whale” is making a splash on Wall Street for making massive bets on complicated financial markets.  

The Flashback Trojan has infected over 600,000 Mac computers around the world, most of them in the United States, and it shows no signs of slowing down. It is unusual for bad guys to target Mac computers and while the incidents of big Mac attacks are still very slim compared to those on PCs, it’s happening more and more. We look into how it happened, and what to do next. Also, a new game lets you be the road instead of a car on the road.

Lots of older Americans went back to school, hoping to land a better paying job. But now millions of seniors are saddled with student loan debt. We’ll hear what their options are. And, weddings can get pretty pricey for more than just the bride and groom. Flights, hotels, dresses, buying the gift and on and on. How to spend less when toasting the happy couple. Plus, the changing family dynamic when she makes more than he does.

Television’s bare-knuckle competition to rule the morning air is nothing new. But the networks upped the ante this week.

The Flashback Trojan has infected over 600,000 Mac computers around the world, most of them in the United States, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Plus, a new driving game where you are the road.

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Employers hired many fewer workers in March than in previous months, but the unemployment rate fell for the first time since January.

A novel approach to a driving game

Stove Top stuffing launches new advertising campaign: Stuffing is not just for Thanksgiving any more.

While the U.S. continues to see optimistic job gains, the situation in Europe is not looking so hopeful. The worst affected group by far are the young.

Low-income families don't have money to waste. Financial literacy is all about reducing that cost.

The head of the White House Council of Economic Advisers talks about the Labor Department's latest employment report, which showed that only 120,000 jobs were created in March.

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People age 60 and older owe more than $36 billion in student loans. Tess discusses the latest debt bubble with Marketplace Education correspondent Amy Scott.

A laid-off autoworker found a steady job at another factory, but he’s making less

There are reports that 600,000 Apple computers around the world have been infected with a virus. The company has released a fix to protect customers.

I recall hearing about an intro book to wills and estate planning on one of the podcasts. Can you let me know the title or refer me to a good introductory book? I'm looking to put a will together soon for my new family. Thanks, Stacy, Norwalk, CT

The Flashback Trojan has reportedly infected 600,000 Apple computers around the world. Before this, Macs had a reputation for being all but immune to viruses.

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The Orange County Register plans to have at least 70 reporters covering the Angels season opener as the media and fan frenzy reaches a fever pitch.

West Chicago magnet prepares students for high-skill manufacturing jobs, and for college

Marketplace's Jennifer Collins reports that home business owners who haven't paid taxes on their sales risk a contretemps with the IRS.

Women find themselves faced with heavy choices when they become the family breadwinner.

Some 40,000 AT&T workers could strike this weekend if contract negotiations fail.

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Senior business correspondent reports on brokers charging mutual fund companies higher sales fees.

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A financial trader known as the "London Whale" is making a splash on Wall Street, taking a huge bet worth possibly tens of billions of dollars on corporate credit default swaps.

Going over listeners' responses to past broadcasts. This week: the impact of taxes on the community, unnecessary medical tests and procedures, and making matzo more appealing.

The Labor Department reports the U.S. economy added 120,000 jobs in March, a disappointing number compared to economists' expectations. Manufacturing, though, continues to play a major role in the U.S.'s economic recovery. Apple users got a wake-up call after 600,000 Macs were reportedly infected with a virus. AT&T workers could strike this weekend if negotiations fail. Youth unemployment in Europe is at dangerous levels. And a financial trader known as the "London Whale" is making a splash on Wall Street for making massive bets on complicated financial markets.

Going to a wedding can be fun but going to multiple weddings in one year can get expensive. Marketplace Public Insight producer Angela Kim has been to her share of weddings and discusses her experience.

The official start of golf season is in full swing with all the top golfers competing this weekend in The Masters. The retail side of golf was sliced nearly in half by the recession, but some stores are making a return.

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In France, land for development is at a premium, and vineyards are threatened, but Dutch winemaker Cornelius Kamerbeek saved one in the city of Nice.

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Over the past two years, the U.S. has added over 400,000 factory jobs, making a major contribution to the economic recovery.

The Environmental Protection Agency's regulations have long been a object of contention for their impact on jobs. A new report from the Institute for Policy Integrity's hopes to wrap job considerations into the EPA's analyses.

New York Bureau chief Heidi Moore and Sudeep Reddy of the Wall Street Journal check in for our weekly recap of wall street and the economy: Sluggish jobs report, Facebook plays the exchange game, and will IBM's CEO go to the Masters?

State legislators may ease restrictions on employers and tighten enforcement on undocumented immigrants.

The U.S. economy only added 120,000 jobs in March, which is half of what economists had originally expected.

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President Obama is slated to sign the JOBS Act into law later today.  It’s a plan to spur hiring by easing some regulations on small businesses looking for investors, and one provision legalizes something called “crowdfunding.” In Spain, the debt crisis continues to worsen, leaving many worried that it will follow in the footsteps of troubled Greece. The Masters golf tournament starts today, and Tiger Woods is back on the heels of his first PGA win in two years.

The Windows Phone platform is about to get a big boost from Nokia. The Finnish company, which made it big in handset phones is launching the Lumia 900, a smartphone that runs on Windows and will be available (at least for a while) at $99, making it half the price of the average new smartphone. But does the device have what it takes to compete against the big two and give customers a legitimate third major option? Also, we debate pros and cons of Google Glasses.

Amid the recent controversies surrounding Foxconn in China, Shanghai correspondent Rob Schmitz offers a peek into his recent visit into the factories. President Obama signed the JOBS Act today. The government says it’s a way to promote employment by small businesses, but many say the bill opens the door for potential corruption. Discovery re-brands its Planet Green network as Destination America, another sign that green TV is failing to catch on with viewers and advertisers. And with Passover this weekend, there’s a battle brewing between American and Israeli-made matzo.

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Discovery Communications will replace Planet Green cable channel with programs about travel and food.

Widely fluctuating gasoline prices is just one indication that high gas prices are as a much a problem for independent station owners as they are for consumers.

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Marketplace's Rob Schmitz is one of the few reporters to gain access into a Foxconn factory. He discusses what working conditions were like for the workers there.

This morning, the job placement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that the number of planned layoffs dropped last month to a 10-month low — a good sign as we await unemployment numbers from the government tomorrow.

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Government borrowing costs reach a five month high in Spain, having many worried that the country will soon take the biggest problem in Europe crown from Greece.

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There are many DIY software programs for setting up living trusts. Do you recommend going that route vs. utilizing an estate planning lawyer who'll charge full-fee? What is a reasonable fee range for a certified estate planning lawyer to set up a living trust? I am married with three kids. We own a single family home and one rental property. We do not own a business. My wife and I have checking, IRA, Roth IRA and 529 accounts. Thanks, Derek, Stockton, CA

According to Gallup's latest polls, Oklahoma City sits at the top of the list of cities that are hiring. A number of California cities round out the bottom of the list.

Commentator P. J. O'Rourke says the sheer complexity of the tax code makes it one giant con.

The Masters golf tournament starts today, and Tiger Woods is back in form on the heels of his first PGA win in two years. Regardless of whether he wins, TV executives are counting on Tiger to pump up the ratings.

The city of Detroit has a projected a deficit of more than $200 million his year — and it could run out of money by June. Last night, Detroit's city council narrowly passed a controversial deal with the State of Michigan.

Housing an Aging Population: Are We Prepared?

The Windows Phone platform is about to get a big boost from Nokia. The Finnish company is launching the Lumia 900, a smartphone that runs on Windows. Also, Google wants to put a computer in your glasses.

President Obama signed the JOBS Act today, but the law poses some questions about investor protection.

Supermarkets regularly take losses on matzo sales to bring in Passover shoppers, and often turn to cheaper Israeli manufacturers to minimize those losses. While American matzo producers are hurting, shoppers don't seem to mind where their matzo came from.

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Major companies increasingly want M.B.A.s to help them make financial, environmental and social gains.

Today, President Obama signs the JOBS Act. The legislation could provide more investment for small business. But critics say the bill could rollback regulations.

Friends of Traditional Banking wants to target a few close Congressional elections rather than spreading their money around to a lot of politicians hoping they'll vote in their interests.

Are some cities doing better than others when it comes to recovery, and a positive outlook for jobs in the near future?

With the JOBS Act, small companies can now get off the ground by selling stock on the Internet to everyday people — without going through the hassle of a stock exchange.

Today, the Greek Athletics Federation laid out what it sees as a "bleak future" for sports. The federation has suspended track and field events as part of budget cutbacks. That puts into question Greece's ability compete in the London Olympics this summer.

There are some economic headwinds blowing strong right now. And one of them is coming from Spain where a disappointing bond auction yesterday sent government borrowing costs to a 5 month high and renewed fears about the European Debt Crisis.

The Federal Reserve has released its latest minutes as well as the results of an investigation which found that the Fed didn’t contribute funds to Watergate, or other scandalous causes. The U.S. is increasing pressure on Iran to curb its nuclear program, but India — a long-time U.S. ally — is reluctant to go along. And last year, Starbucks initiated the Create Jobs for USA Fund; because of its success, Google and Gap are ready to join in.  

Yahoo announces its laying off 14 percent of its employees today — the sixth major layoff in four years at the tech company. Burger King is planning on going public again. Commentator Robert Reich discusses whether large banks should be broken up. Despite an economic crisis and high unemployment, Spanish consumers are buying iPhones and iPads like mad. And in our Food for 9 Billion series, a look at Brazil’s Zero Hunger program.

A new report from the American Civil Liberties Union says that law enforcement agencies are frequently using cell phone tracking information provided by wireless carriers. The ACLU claims the information is readily available, and that police are interested in figuring out where people go and what they do. But what is that info being used for? Finally, scientists at MIT have developed these tiny magnetic blocks that can communicate with one another and come together to replicate objects.

Marketplace's Rob Schmitz takes you behind the scenes of Foxconn for exclusive access into what life is like for the workers who help assemble your Apple products.

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A panel of doctors is recommending that physicians and patients think twice before performing several common medical tests.

Google Offers and Banana Republic are the first businesses to join Starbucks in raising money for its U.S. job creation fund.

At the Federal Reserve's latest meeting, only two of 10 voting committee members support additional stimulus. The Fed inspector general, meanwhile, released a report that Fed money didn't contribute to the Watergate burglary, or to Saddam Hussein and Iraq getting weapons in the 1980s.

She claims it was a tip; police are keeping the money as part of a drug investigation.

The daily deals website Groupon is being sued by a shareholder who says the company misled investors about its finances. Last week Groupon revised its fourth quarter earnings saying it failed to set aside enough money for customer refunds.

Proctor & Gamble has shut down access to Pandora and Netflix for all its employees globally.