Week of November 18th, 2013

Yet another Obamacare delay.

As Thanksgiving approaches, many people still have to work on the holiday. But not everyone is upset about it.

Nick from Chicago left a voice mail for Marketplace Money host Carmen Wong Ulrich about how to get a higher credit limit without going into debt.

Marketplace Money listener Andrew is expecting his first child. What should he make sure to account for when getting ready financially?

Congress and the White House are weighing what is next for the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Artists are finding more ways to sell their work online.

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A look back at the business and economic news of the week, with Sudeep Reddy of the Wall Street Journal and Leigh Gallagher of Fortune.

Helium is a valuable finite resource that is often wasted just for fun.

There are reports that Charter Communications is looking to swallow up the much larger Time Warner Cable in a leveraged buyout. And Comcast could be interested too.

California says no to letting insurers reissue canceled plans for another year. And it’s not just because the policies are substandard. Without those customers on the exchanges the whole thing could collapse.

The Democrats go nuclear and finally crack the ice on what has amounted to a hiring freeze, since President Obama took office.

This weekend on Marketplace Money, host Carmen Wong Ulrich presents a special collaboration with The New York Times called “The New Math of Healthcare.” The show features interviews with Times and Marketplace reporters who explore the changing landscape of American healthcare, including what the transitions mean for retirees and the uninsured. Plus, how to shop for the right health plan for you. We also check in with folks who have to work on the Thanksgiving holiday and break down what the latest news about the Dow means for the average investor.

Justin Rowlatt of the BBC talks about helium’s impact on the world, and what’s being done to conserve it. Wall Street bankers take a turn on the stand-up comedy stage.  Cable TV has been losing subscribers to satellite and phone companies—not to mention a growing online video presence. How will merging Time Warner with another company affect the cable TV business? Social media art sales are breaking down the white walls of the traditional art gallery business model. Now that the rules for breaking a Senate filibuster have changed, what will be President Obama’s first move?

Critics are complaining the Xbox One isn't backwards compatible.

Starting soon, London Underground riders will be able to enjoy WiFi and other services.

If you're looking for a new credit card, these sites will help you comparison shop before making the plunge.

Is a Dow at 16,000 high enough for now? The Federal Communications Commission is moving toward lifting a long-standing ban on cell phone calls in-flight. It would permit calls once a plane reaches 10,000 feet. And, new rules say that meat must be labeled with where the animal it came from was born, raised, and slaughtered.

The Federal Communications Commission is moving toward lifting a long-standing ban on cell phone calls in-flight. It would permit calls once a plane reaches 10,000 feet.

Senate Democrats made a major change to Senate rules yesterday, and may have also destroyed any chance for a budget compromise.

New rules say that meat must be labeled with where the animal it came from was born, raised, and slaughtered.

A glut of new luxury towers going up in Midtown Manhattan has some residents worried their beloved Central Park will be overshadowed.

Is it possible that after 12 years of negotiation that a new global trade deal could be announced this weekend?

Despite concerns that veterans attending college on the post-9/11 GI Bill would struggle, a new review says they have succeeded at many schools.

3 hours. 20-50 photos. 50 students. 11 percent. 7 billionaires. 3 galaxies. 4 flavors. Do you know what these numbers mean?

This holiday season is all about 'curation': Top 10 gift lists, lists for items under $50, under $100…you get the idea.

Once upon a time, competition in online retailing was about being able to offer you anything you wanted. Then, it was about free shipping, one-day shipping, free returns… Now, online retailers are trying to stand-out by offering “curated lists.” We give you a list of sites that offered “curated” experiences. And, it’s Friday. Hope you’ve been paying attention to this week’s tech news. It’s time for another edition of Silicon Tally, Marketplace Tech’s weekly quiz.

A dozen long years ago, kicking off in the city of Doha in Qatar, negotiations began to further liberalize trade rules. On Monday or even as early as Sunday, the World Trade Organization could announce a Doha deal, but the agenda isn’t as ambitious as it was in the beginning. The transition to college is tough for any student, but especially for veterans going to college on the post-9/11 G-I Bill. A new report today has some recommendations to ease the transition. And, seven new buildings are going up in New York City’s Midtown Manhattan. They are all luxury towers, many just couple of blocks from Central Park. That has some residents concerned about what the buildings will do to open space and light in the park.

Some stores get customers in the door with discounted turkeys, and make their money on the rest of the meal's ingredients.

This week's sign that the apocalypse is upon us.

Bad Religion's singer and biology Ph.D. Greg Graffin talks about what he learned growing up with two professors of parents.

Target is the latest low-price retailer to lower expectations because consumers aren’t spending freely. The problem appears to be lower-income consumers, worried about jobs, food and gas. Also on the show: Many would say that the unveiling of Obamacare has been one of the worst product launches in history. Now comes the do-over: New branding (Only refer to it as the ACA — not Obamacare). And finally, United Airlines and Delta are tweaking their frequent flier mileage plans. American and US Airways will to, following their merger. The changes will devalue miles earned by frequent fliers, potentially alienating customers.

"It's a good year for black films" is something we hear every couple of years. Grantland's Wesley Morris says this time, it's different.

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Airlines tweak their frequent flier programs to devalue miles, potentially alienating customers.

Many would say that the unveiling of Obamacare has been one of the worst product launches in history.

Turning a 50-year-old cable provider into an internet and content company.

Target is the latest low-price retailer to lower expectations because consumers aren't spending freely.

At the DREAMer Hackathon, Silicon Valley joined with undocumented immigrants to try to move immigration reform forward.

The White House is throwing cold water on a private investment group’s proposal to recapitalize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. At auction tonight, the domain name mutualfunds.com won't break 2013's record unless it fetches more than$4.7 million. And, are high tech hiring systems keeping Americans out of work?

The White House is throwing cold water on a private investment group’s proposal to recapitalize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the giant government-owned and government–backed mortgage companies.

Marketplace's Chris Farrell is worried that the skilled workers employers say they can't find are there, but algorithms are screening them out.

Graphene is a material that could revolutionize microprocessing

Hydrogen fuel cells worked for Apollo astronauts. Now cars with the technology are bound for showrooms.

California's marketplace is set to decide whether Californians may keep their old insurance policies.

A new campaign on YouTube aims to encourage more students to be the first in their families to go to college.

At auction tonight, the domain name won't break 2013's record unless it fetches more than$4.7 million.

The domain name mutualfunds.com is scheduled to be auctioned off tonight. And you might have to cash in some of your mutual fund to even take part. The minimum bid starts at one million dollars. We look at the lucrative domain name business. Plus, we talk a lot on our show about new materials we’re discovering and experimenting with, and how those materials might help us take big leaps forward when it comes to new technology. Today we look closely at one of those materials — graphene. 

The news from the car shows in Tokyo and Los Angeles: hydrogen-powered cars coming to the market in the coming months. Plus, the latest on the starts and fits of heath care reform in America. It’s been a week since President Obama announced that people with canceled health insurance policies should be able to keep them for another year — that’s if states and insurance companies agreed. So far 13 states have agreed, 8 have said no, and one big one could decide today.  And, First Lady Michelle Obama, a first-generation college graduate, is pushing to get more disadvantaged students into college. About  third of college students today are the first in their families to go. But they’re less likely to graduate than those with parents who went to college. A new YouTube campaign aims to change that.

A photographer and sociologist pair up to document the changing landscape of a once bustling farm region

We don't know when the Federal Reserve will trim its bond-buying policies that boost the economy, but we do know that tapering that program will be intricate work.

It’s shaping up to be a good holiday for people looking to get a deal on consumer electronics. Best Buy says it’s preparing deep discounts – even if they put profit margins at risk – to win the holiday season. Rivals are expected to follow. Next, the FCC is moving toward allowing phone companies to replace their century-old land lines with internet-based phone service. Finally, our series The New Math of Health Care continues with a look at what ‘value’ means in the context of health.

In Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, there's a guy already camped out in front of the local Best Buy.

The F.C.C. is moving toward allowing phone companies to replace their century-old landlines with internet-based phone service.

India launches its first women-only public sector bank this week.

Best Buy says it’s preparing deep discounts – even if they put profit margins at risk – to win the holiday season.

We will draw a line between gas prices and holiday consumption. Dropbox, the online storage firm, is reportedly seeking a new round of funding. And, Fortune Magazine's Allan Sloan's list of the year’s worst deals and financial flops.

Microsoft's Kinect is big with non-gamers and could spur innovation.

Resumption of exports from Libya, rising U.S. stockpiles, and the Iran talks are driving down oil prices.

Fortune Magazine's Allan Sloan's list of the year’s worst deals and financial flops.

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The economic sanctions against Iran could be eased or toughened quite quickly.

Marketplace's health care reporter discussed covering how doctors die, and end of life care.

Dropbox, the online storage firm, is reportedly seeking a new round of funding.

People who have terminal diseases are living longer.

JCPenney is trying to recover from a disastrous attempt to get rid of constant discounts.

The "MythBusters" co-host talks to Marketplace Tech.

Talks between world powers and Iran aimed at persuading Iran ease back on its nuclear program are back underway in Geneva today. Iran is looking for relief from economic sanctions. The last round of talks ran into a disagreement over Iran’s insistence that its right to enrich uranium should be recognized by the international community. JCPenney will announce quarterly profits — or lack thereof — today. The company has been on a roller coaster ride since its previous CEO put the company on a disastrous course. And, more in our special series, The New Math of Health Care. Today, we look at people living longer with terminal illnesses. In addition to the often long and sometimes painful process of dying, the costs for end of life care, even for those with insurance, can quickly deplete a lifetime’s worth of savings — and more.

An online video shows a man running in slow motion while drunk on a treadmill recently and being slapped across the face. Apparently the slap is more likely to sober you up than a treadmill. The man sacrificing his body in the name of science was Adam Savage, who, along with Jamie Hyneman, is host of the Discovery Channel’s “MythBusters.” Savage and his crew employ a lot of technology in their myth busting. And starting tomorrow they’ll set out on a tech-y month-long live tour.

When Wall Street tries to get some laughs.

Changes in the insurance system are leading more consumers to consider what they expect in their health care and how much it is worth to them.

For many people, complying with the new health care law will become a financial decision.

Tips to evaluate your options under the plans offered by the Affordable Care Act.

Most banks with legal exposure to the financial crisis are dealing with the lawsuits one-by-one. But today, J.P. Morgan Chase decided to deal with the whole issue in one go, and settle for $13 billion. We begin a special collaboration with the New York Times that we’re calling The New Health Care Math. Plus, meatpackers and ranchers are fighting each other over new labeling rules that take effect Saturday, requiring packaged meat to state where the animal that contributed said meat was raised, slaughtered and processed. And finally, the Obama administration launches a $100 million race-to-the-top-style competition meant to overhaul career and tech education by pairing high schools with colleges and employers. 

A bit of advice on the McDonald's website.

As the American population ages and insurers try to rein in costs, the share of health and medical costs that retirees can expect to shoulder is becoming more formidable.

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Most banks with legal exposure to the financial crisis are dealing with the lawsuits one-by-one. Not J.P. Morgan Chase.

The Obama administration launches a $100 million race-to-the-top-style competition meant to overhaul career and technical education.

Meatpackers and ranchers are fighting each other over new labeling rules.

President Lincoln gave one of his most famous speeches 150 years ago today. Harvard Business School's Nancy Koehn on why every CEO should have it memorized.

The Justice Department will announce a record-setting settlement with J.P. Morgan Chase over mortgages and mortgage-backed bonds. Dow 16,000. S&P 1,800. What does it all mean? And, a byproduct of refining gasoline is clouding the skies of a South Side Chicago neighborhood.

Dropbox is the latest tech company to get caught up in the investment wave in Silicon Valley

Sites like Pinterest and Instagram inspire young shoppers to mix and match. That's putting pressure on teen mall-store brands.

A town in England will have a fleet of self-driving cars by 2015.

There have been seven cases of type B meningitis at the university since March.

The Justice Department is expected to announce a record-setting settlement with J.P. Morgan Chase over mortgages and mortgage-backed bonds.

Besides the physical and emotional strains of caring for an elderly parent, there are the financial effects.

Best Buy avoided the fate of other big box electronics retailers like Circuit City, but the company is still threatened.

A new report: Parents still supporting their adult children — but not budgeting for it.

The security implications for the botched ACA exchange rollout.

For a time, drugs losing their patent protection and getting cheaper cut into medicine sales around the world. But according to a new forecast from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, spending on medicines will for the first time top a trillion dollars next year — and it’s the growing middle class overseas. Best Buy has a profit report on the way this morning. About a year ago, business reporters beginning to craft obituaries, as the company seemed headed the way of Circuit City. But Best Buy stock has soared this year. And, one of the great emotional and logistical challenges for baby boomers — caring for parents at a distance: There are the costs of travel and time missed from work. Then there’s the worry and guilt when you can’t be there for sick parents.

On Capitol Hill today, the House Transportation Subcommittee holds a hearing on autonomous vehicles, or self-driving cars. Across the pond though, the town of Milton Keynes in England is already planning to have a whole fleet by 2015. Plus, the ongoing fight between Apple and Samsung. And, what are the security implications of the botched HealthCare.gov roll out.

Founder and former CEO of Blackwater, Erik Prince says "I'm done keeping quiet" about the War on Terror.

Businesses that rely on government subcontract work are wary of budget cuts potentially set for next year, even as they continue to deal with the fallout from last month's partial government shutdown.

Medicare is wasting hundreds of millions of dollars a year by failing to rein in doctors who routinely give patients pricey name-brand drugs when cheaper generic alternatives are available.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit 16,000 today. The record-high means something to the trading and investing community, but how important is that mark to the rest of us? Also, Walmart has signaled that the ACA requirement that most Americans either carry insurance or pay a penalty could hurt sales. Plus, a Senate committee is trying to understand Bitcoin today. Will the rest of us have to understand the idea of a virtual currency some day? Right now Bitcoin functions mainly among early Bitcoin adopters – who have pushed the currency’s value to a record level.

The record-high Dow performance means something to the trading and investing community, but to you and me?