Week of April 22nd, 2013

For one barge line operator, the high waters of the Mississippi mean business as usual (though with a more watchful eye).

Apple’s iTunes turns 10 this weekend. We’re saying happy birthday with a look back at the digital music monster. Plus, kids these days: We’re paying about $1,100 for prom on average, and poorer families are paying more. Should we really look down on folks who spend more on big life events? On a bigger picture, there was a 2.5 percent increase in GDP, but no one seems happy about it. We look at why that number isn’t actually all that bad.

Millions of Americans fall for the same common scams every day. Have you been a victim of one of these cons? Learn how to keep your cash safe by listening to the expert wisdom of those who have lost money to shifty schemers.

The GDP growth of 2.5 percent falls short of what economists had predicted. But does that mean bad news for the economy?

There aren't words for "slapshot" or "puck" in Punjabi, but Hockey Night in Canada is drawing some of the country's 1.1 million speakers in with a Punjabi language broadcast.

With all the dysfunction in government and economies, why should a 2.5 percent increase in GDP sound bad?

A Visa study finds that prom costs about $1,100 — but kids from families with incomes under $50,000, and kids with single parents, spend more on prom. Turns out there’s a long tradition of chastising the poor for spending “too much” on big life events.

‘Fess up: You’ve been the victim of a scam. Whether it’s losing money to someone with a sob story on the street, answering bogus emails, or getting swindled into donating to a fake charity — scams are all around us. We’re here to help you recognize when you’re dealing with a con artist and help you steer clear of swindlers. Plus, remember the sequester? We prefer not to as well. But, sequester-related furloughs are happening — and leaving unpleasant effects on people’s personal finances in its wake.

Ever picked up the phone and heard a woman on the other end with information about your credit card who sounded totally legit? Here is some advice on how to avoid being conned by these calls.

In just a decade, Apple's music-buying service has redefined the music industry and the way we listen.

Four in ten businesses choose to skip extra insurance for acts of terrorism, why?

High interest payday loans are seen by critics as a fast track to endless cycles of debt for borrowers — and there's a new breed of payday loan to watch out for.

Sequester-related furloughs went into effect this week, impacting mostly air traffic controllers employed by the federal government. How can other public servants prepare their personal finances to take on mandatory unpaid leave?

U.S. GDP grew at an annual pace of 2.5 percent in the first quarter, disappointing investors and many economists. But why is GDP growth necessary? And can you get stock tips from Google search?

New research has found a link between Google search terms and the stock market. In other words, check out what people are searching for and then buy or sell.

Los Angeles Times consumer columnist offers sage advice on how to avoid fraud in all forms.

Japan has given the green light to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. Japans two biggest airlines, Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, may resume flying the aircraft, which has been grounded since January.

Yes, it's Arbor Day again. Don't hug a tree, plant one. Or, calculate the value of what a tree is doing for the environment.

A new study by the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project shows that social media and the Internet are not helping much to get poorer people engaged in civic life.

When you think of stress centers around the country, New York City or Washington D.C. may come to mind. But according to a new poll from Gallup, the people of West Virginia, Rhode Island and Kentucky are the most stressed.

The iPhone is like the Golden Gate Bridge: It hogs attention, but the Bay Bridge to and from Oakland gets used more often. So what's the Bay Bridge in this analogy? The Samsung Galaxy.

Tax breaks like the home mortgage deduction confer financial benefits, and some argue they're part of the government safety net.

The Internet is powered by vast banks of computers which chew up energy. That's a big cost for the people who run these servers — and the earth, depending on how all the electricity is generated.

As businesses re-open in the area of the Boston Marathon bombings, some are likely to file insurance claims to make up for lost sales. But if the bombings are officially labeled a terrorist act by the Treasury Department, many businesses could be out of luck. Japan has given the green light to Boeing’s Dreamliner. The plane has been grounded all over the world since January due to battery malfunctions. And when we use the phrase “tax expenditure” what are we really saying?

The Internet is powered by vast banks of computers which eat up energy. That’s expensive for the people who run these servers, and it has a cost to the earth, depending on how all the electricity is generated. Aaron Rallo is CEO of TSO Logic, which offers a software solution to this. Another company working to make the net more efficient is Joyent. Its chief technology office, Jason Hoffman, believes the demands are going to get so high on our digital systems — given all the computer chips going into things — that we’ll need some big technological leaps.

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Millions of Californians will be eligible for healthcare under the new law, and lots of them know nothing about it.

Despite problems with immigration and drug cartels, Mexico is growing a middle class and stable economy. One that benefits the United States.

Every workplace tragedy in the developing world elicits promises from U.S. companies to improve oversight of labor conditions. But there’s also a business in creating plausible deniability by having layers of subcontractors. Also, has easy money contributed to America’s gun culture? We look at the world of financing a firearm purchase. In the world of healthcare, California has more uninsured people than other states have residents. In October, the state has to have its health insurance exchange up and running. Getting everyone informed on that? A job for marketers.

Want fresh eggs, but not sure you want the full year-round commitment? There's a business that can help with that.

Calvin Coolidge learned the hard way that cutting taxes doesn't necessarily shrink the size of government.

Every workplace tragedy in the developing world elicits promises from U.S. companies to improve oversight of labor conditions. But these companies also create plausible deniability of workplace ills by having layers of subcontractors.

Not everyone has the cash upfront to buy a new gun. We look at the world of financing a firearm purchase.

ESPN's Andrew Brandt reflects on the draft and why players should have an agent at their side.

An industry is devoted to occupying your time while you're on hold, waiting for customer service. But the best on-hold experience? Not being put on hold.

Airlines look to mitigate delays caused by the sequestration. Italy has a new Prime Minister and he doesn't like austerity. And who bears responsibility for sub-standard safety conditions in overseas factories?

Sequester that, right?

How are airlines managing the flight delays related to sequester furloughs, and their impact on flyer morale and costs?

Enrico Letta, of the center-left Democratic Party, has announced that he intends to fight the move towards austerity in Europe, and investors applauded.

So far, the companies have told us mostly good things this earnings season. But Allan Sloan, senior editor-at-large for Fortune magazine, isn't buying it. He says so-called "tax games" obscure business performance.

Amazon is coming out with its own media box for TVs, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. The device would compete with Apple TV, Roku, and possibly cable and satellite companies.

Big data competes with gut instinct in determining how multimillion dollar contracts are meted out in the NFL draft.

What do you do when your child can't live without their digital tablet?

Italy’s political stalemate may finally be over. Enrico Letta, of the center-left Democratic Party, has been nominated as the country’s next prime minister and will try to move away from austerity. Earnings season continues today, and so far most companies have reported positive results. But should we buy it? The history of ‘Take our Daughters to Work Day’ and why it now includes sons.

Is online retailer Amazon about to do to TV’s what it did to bookstores? A published report says Amazon is coming out with its own box to attach to TV’s. Businessweek says this would compete with Apple TV, Roku and — possibly with cable and satellite companies. And from Britain comes the story of the four-year-old whose parents took her in for therapy when she became “distressed and inconsolable” without her iPad. Research about the early childhood effects of tech is ongoing, but it’s an issue parents have to deal with here and now. 

Observers worry the lack of a full-fledged director undercuts agency's ability to protect consumers.

“Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” isn’t about showing your kids how you make money.

Students at the Culinary Institute of America staged a protest yesterday because they feel their expensive degrees are being devalued by slipping standards and rising enrollment. Is it all the fault of shows like “Iron Chef?” Not to be cooked, Apple is borrowing money, while rewarding shareholders with higher dividends. We explain why this actually makes sense. Also, back to the sequester, we talk to an air traffic controller about what life is life lately.

Immigration is a contentious issue in Britain, but the country recently celebrated one of the most successful immigrant groups — French Protestants or Huguenots.

Air traffic controllers from JFK to LAX have begun their furloughs, making for long and painful delays, especially flying into and out of the big East Coast airports around New York City.

A building collapse at a garment factory in Bangladesh has left at least 100 people dead and injured a thousand more. This is the second disaster at a Bangladeshi garment factory in less than six months.

Rain in Missouri means grass is growing — and that's a good thing for cattle ranchers.

Students at Culinary Institute of America, one of the nation's top cooking schools, say their degrees are being devalued by slipping standards.

An explanation to the puzzle of why Apple is borrowing funds, while also rewarding shareholders with higher dividends.

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Apple disappoints Wall Street. It's the half time show in the earnings game. And Walmart's PR guy explains his work on the company's image.

A building housing several clothing factories collapsed in Bangladesh earlier today. At least 87 people are dead and many others are thought to be trapped in the rubble.

Earnings season continues on Wall Street with Procter & Gamble, Ford, Boeing, Qualcomm, and Eli Lilly & Co. all reporting today.

Tech has never just been about Silicon Valley, and Philadelphia wants the world to know that.

Walmart is losing its image man. Leslie Dach, executive vice president of corporate affairs at Walmart, will be stepping down this summer after seven years on the job.

California Governor Jerry Brown is looking to join other states in basing funding increases at public universities on measures like higher graduation rates.

Jamie Kitman, New York editor of Automobile Magazine, has just completed driving a $240,000 McLaren sports car across the country. Along the way, he made a few pit stops with Marketplace Tech.

Tensions are on the rise this week between China and Japan after Chinese naval ships confronted Japanese fishing boats in the waters surrounding some disputed islands in the East China Sea.

While cigarette usage has dropped, profits for the tobacco industry are expected to be up.

A fake tweet from the AP caused the Dow to fall almost about one percent on Tuesday.

'Welfare' used to simply mean 'well-being'. These days it often has negative connotations and multiple meanings.

Burger King franchises in Chicago, San Francisco and here in L.A. will start delivering Whoppers, et al.

Though cigarette usage is dropping, the tobacco industry is expected to post profits. We take a look at their new product lines. Does the U.S. stand to benefit from Japan’s territorial dispute with China? And, what does the word ‘welfare’ mean to you?

Twitter can be hacked. Who cares, if Twitter is for fun. But consider this: Somebody hacked into the Associated Press Twitter account Tuesday and sent a fake tweet about a bogus explosion at the White House. Investors were watching and the Dow fell about about a percent before the tweet was retracted.  Some experts believe the hack started with a tainted email sent to some unsuspecting AP employee. The strategy is called spearfishing and we are all urged to be alert for suspicious email. And, a final check-in with Jamie Kitman, New York editor of Automobile Magazine, as he completes his cross-country roadtrip.

Grill master Meathead Goldwyn share his tips on charcoal, gas, and how much to spend on a grill.

In his latest book, Michael Pollan emphasizes economic and health benefits of cooking.

Boston Strong started out as a call to support those in Boston, but now some are trying to trademark the phrase. Can you actually do that? And today’s show heads to the kitchen. We’re talking to author Michael Pollan and a guy who set out to review hundreds of grills. 

As Shakespeare fans around the world celebrate his birthday today, academics in his native England say the Bard was as much about avarice as artistry.

FedEx launches more flexible delivery to better cater to customers and nab a bit of UPS's business.

"Boston Strong" was a phrase that came out of the uprising of goodwill for the city after the Boston Marathon bombings. Now, some are trying to trademark it. Can it be done?

It's momument-building time in the land of tech. Apple and Google both have expansive new headquarters on the drawing board.

Terminated employees used to go quietly. But Twitter is becoming a popular site for announcing one's own professional demise. Is that a good thing?

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Netflix adds subscribers, DuPont earnings are up on drought-resistant seed sales, and after Boston, surveillance cameras are hot sellers.

How much do you know about global dietary habits and meat consumption?

Linked by a common currency, the countries in the euro zone are roped together like climbers scaling a cliff face. If one or more loses their footing, the rest could come crashing down.

What can be done to spur growth in the U.S. and the euro zone? Peter Henry, Dean of NYU's Stern School of Business, thinks the answer lies in developing countries.

After Boston, surveillance cameras are hot sellers, and it's not just businesses that are buying.

As for-profit colleges learn to survive with fewer students, the rise of free online courses raises new questions.

Molly Wood, senior editor at CNET, joins Marketplace Tech host David Brancaccio to explain Google Now and how it works.

New data show that the Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" is now the most streamed song on Spotify. Which got us thinking, even though the way we listen to music has changed, the tune has not.

Which companies show up the most on business expense reports?

The euro zone debt crisis may have lost some of the drama we’ve seen in recent years, but new figures out this morning show it is far from over. Peter Henry, dean of NYU’s Stern School of Business, discusses his new book Turnaround: Third World Lessons for First World Growth. And a check in on the for-profit college industry as DeVry reports earnings.

Ever type a random search into Google and watch the system auto-complete just exactly what you were looking for? There is now a hint that Google could soon add even more predictive technology to its search page. A sharp-eyed blogger noticed some software code that suggest a Google Now predictive personal assistant could come to any old browser.

Billionaire Stephen Schwarzman is spearheading a $300 million scholarship fund for top students from the U.S., Europe, and Latin America to spend a year in China. With philanthropy, comes influence.