Week of July 14th, 2014

Earlier this year, the town of Murrieta California started positioning itself as a culturally diverse and economically strong oasis in the California desert. About an hour north of San Diego, the bedroom community is trying to lure companies in the tech and medical fields. But then, a wave of undocumented immigrants began crossing the border […]

The deadly consequences of Cold War weapons that won't go away.

John Carney from the Wall Street Journal and Nela Richardson from Redfin

Nielsen measured how many apps we use on a regular basis.

More people interact with Twitter than just those who are signed on.

We look at how airlines respond to volatile, violent situations on the ground.

Ukraine told airlines to avoid parts of its airspace. MH17 did that, but was shot down anyway. We look at what happens when countries recommend the closure of flight lanes and how airlines handle the decision and where to fly. Also, It’s almost certain that the missile which downed MH-17 was a 70s-era Buk, or SA-11, a relic of the Cold War era that was Soviet-made, then sold off around the world via the international arms market, following the collapse of the USSR. We follow the long tail of the cold war weapons that point to the sky. And after, Twitter looks to expand the count on its user base beyond monthly users by changing its metrics to reflect tweets that are seen by people who are not logged in. Why?  More users more money 

The Export-Import Bank of the United States might lose it's funding. But does it matter?

Even if you wipe your smartphone, personal data can be recovered.

Their proposed net neutrality rules have caused backlash. But what happens next?

This weekend, Lizzie O’Leary talks with Steve Levine, Washington Correspondent for Quartz, about what Russian sanctions mean for the America economy and for Russia. Kim Davidson, Business Development Manager in Murrieta, Calif., discusses the impact of immigration protests in the city. Certified financial planner Louis Barajas gives some advice on what to do when love and money just aren’t working together. Stand-up comedian Jimmy Pardo talks about how chasing your dream isn’t a choice, it’s an inevitability — one that can ruin you financially. There has been a lot of talk in Congress about shutting down the Export-Import Bank. The House Committee on Oversight and Government reform has launched a probe into possible corruption of the bank.  But what is it? We visit a fabric store in Manhattan that has benefited from the bank in the past. 

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed suit against fradulent student loan debt consolidation companies. Here are a few options for actual help with your student loans.

Will Marvel's big shake-ups to Thor and Captain America draw a new audience?

A look at allegations against FedEx for knowingly shipping illegal packages.

Global no-fly zones, the cap and trade of acid rain, and effective pop up ads.

What I've learned from covering breaking news.

A new report from the Alliance for Excellent Education shows that roughly 500,000 teachers leave the profession every year, with the biggest churn occurring in high-poverty schools. After investing in their training, how can we keep more young teachers from leaving the profession, and the urban schools that need them the most?  Also, you know those tiny ads that pop up on your mobile phone? Does anyone pay attention to them? Well pretty much the answer is no. Leoneda Inge reports on what a little nudge from your phone might actually get you to buy.  

First up, Andrew Frank, an analyst at Gartner, on Google earnings. Then, a new study from Columbia Business School says three quarters of mobile phone ads have no impact. So what about the 25% of ads that people actually pay attention to? What a little nudge from your phone might actually get you to buy. Finally, how well have you kept up with the week in tech news? Julia Turner, who was just named editor-in-chief of Slate.com, joins us to play Silicon Tally, our weekly quiz on the week in tech.

Mobile phone ads work best for practical items like cars and refrigerators.

How well have you kept up on this week's tech news?

The high cost of academic research at business schools.

Lessons from one of the more successful U.S. environmental legislative projects.

What do Manuel Noriega and Lindsay Lohan have in common? They both just sued game developers.

Or maybe a chilly spring in North Carolina. Experts are still puzzling it out.

Just in case you needed social science to prove it.

Microsoft is laying off 14 percent of its staff, 18,000 employees. We look at how you manage a layoff process this big over that kind of time, and what effect it has on productivity and morale. Also, Amazon is preparing to launch an e-book subscription service, according to a page on its website. The service, called  “Kindle Unlimited” would apparently give subscribers access to 600,000 books at a monthly cost of $10. The monthly-subscription model works well with movies but how well will it work in the book world? We investigate? Also, housing starts were down in June, and way down in the South. But as with all monthly data reports, the question is, what does this mean? 

The online retail giant is jockeying for space in a budding market.

"You could sing in the rain, walk in the rain, and then the rain was acid…"

Branding is about logos and slogans, yes – but it's also about scent.

Microsoft announced it’s cutting up to 18,000 jobs over the next year.

In 2011, the FBI discovered dangerous software that was likely Russian in origin.

Microsoft's massive layoffs, and Russian malware in the Nasdaq.

Starting this Fall, Facebook will begin tracking how its subscribers watch television content on mobile devices. But is comes at a time when some privacy activists are worried about Facebook’s activities. Also, a Trulia analysis out today shows that when you adjust for demographic changes, young Americans are buying houses at the same rate as they did during the 1990s. So if it’s not Millennials who are keeping the market pretty stagnant, where is the shortfall coming from? Evidence shows that is the middle-aged who are letting the market down.

First up, Jeff Roberts of GigaOm joins us to discuss a potential settlement stemming from Apple’s e-book price-fixing case. Then, reporter Leoneda Inge explores a new deal Facebook has made to begin tracking how its subscribers watch television content on mobile devices as part of a deal with ratings-agency Nielsen. Then, Ish Sanchez, a student participating in NASA’s microgravity research program, talks about running experiments in near zero gravity.

Facebook will partner with Nielsen to track how its subscribers watch television.

Young Americans are buying houses at the same rate as they did in the 1990's.

We talk to an engineering student looking to examine manufacturing in space

Customer service from the cable company is a classic joke, and that's not funny.

Stand-up comedian Jimmy Pardo explains how sometimes you don't choose your dreams, but they choose you.

Here's a new economic indicator for you: The frequency of CEO profanity.

Farmers face stark cutbacks in irrigation water but are pumping their own

Apple and IBM have reached an agreement to produce software applications exclusively for iPads and iPhones. But will the biggest impact be on the companies that are not part of the deal? Also, Rupert Murdoch’s reported offer of $80 billion has been turned down by Time Warner. We explain what’s behind the offer. And after, we revisit the California drought, which is expected cost California agriculture a couple billion dollars this year. But it’s far from a disaster. Here and in drought areas like the Ogallala Aquifer, farmers’ unregulated access to underground reservoirs is tapping out a resource that can’t be replaced.

Chairman Richard W. Fisher says the nation's monetary policy needs to sober up.

Most STEM majors are men, but one category has a lot more women majors.

The former rivals' alliance could undermine competitors like Google and Blackberry.

Time Warner turned down Rupert Murdoch's reported $80 billion offer. He'll be back.

Why the two rivals have decided to play nice.

IBM and Apple, Bank of America's earnings report, and maximizing email effectiveness.

Recent reports claim kidney donors face insurances challenges after they donate, which might discourage potential donors in the future. We investigate. Also, we provide a preview on Bank of America earnings report and also look at how much the bank has set aside for mortgage settlements. Plus, to political candidates, e-mail is extremely important. Campaigns spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to maximize the effectiveness of those e-mails. Yeah, they want us to vote, but they also want us to give – early and often. We explore the science of the fundraising e-mail. And after, urban bike-sharing programs have exploded- there are now more than 30 in the U.S., with more in the pipeline. However, there have been growing pains, the biggest of which, users don’t see: the bikes they’re not riding because the biggest supplier went bankrupt six months ago. That’s held back expansion in some of the biggest, most-popular programs, and stalled others in the pipeline.

No access to federal student loans can imperil community college students.

First up, Charlene Li, founder of Altimeter Group, talks about the Apple IBM partnership to sell mobile devices to businesses for their employees. Plus, more on Yahoo’s earnings and why the company’s online ad rates are down 24 percent. Then: to political candidates, e-mail is extremely important. Campaigns spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to maximize the effectiveness of those e-mails. They want us to vote, but they also want us to give – early and often.  David Gura explores the science of the fundraising e-mail. 

Why reducing acid in rain is just the first step in recovery.

One state is offering an opportunity for free college to high school graduates.

The biggest, most-popular programs won't expand in 2014. They can't get new bikes.

Or, how "Meet me for dinner?" translates into millions of dollars.

A look at how much Bank of America has set aside for mortgage settlements.

A stimulus package from Beijing is behind China's higher-than-expected growth.

Washington has been dysfunctional for years now. Will things ever change?

It takes a certain temperament to move corpses to funeral homes for a living.

There are many Archies loose in the world.

In which direct democracy shoots itself in the foot.

Abbvie will pay $53 billion to buy Shire, with a view to cutting its tax burden.

Governing by crisis makes the federal government wasteful and inefficient.

Congress appears headed toward a temporary spending bill to keep the Highway Trust Fund from going broke next month. Lawmakers have been unable to agree on a long-term funding mechanism for repairing and upgrading the national infrastructure. Plus: AbbVie has at last managed to snare Irish pharma company Shire. The merger isn’t about new markets or cool technology – it’s about cutting taxes, using a so-called corporate inversion. We explain what an inversion is, and explore the pros and cons of this strategy. Finally, what to do with a comic-book character who sprang to life as a perpetual teen-ager 73 years ago? Project him into the future. Make him a zombie. Tomorrow, kill Archie.     

“China’s growth model is based on the idea that natural resources are free."

The cost of making a comedy film in Hollywood has dropped about 50%

China's crackdown on criticism of a $6 billion petrochemical plant.

A study says some leaders give preferential treatment to their home regions.

First there was Google Glass. Now, there might be Google contact lenses.

What drives you nuts about your partner when it comes to money?

Home Depot is selling 3D printers starting at $1400 apiece. We have questions.

Janet Yellen's New Yorker profile, Airplanes for sale, and Home Depot sells 3D printers.

Home Depot is selling 3D printers for $1400-3000 each. Who’s buying them, and why? What do they print? What about the cartridges? So many questions. So little time! Also, President Obama is trying to stir up some passion for shoring up the national infrastructure. The White House released a report Monday afternoon touting the long-term economic benefits of fixing the nation’s roads and bridges. And Tuesday, he visits Virginia to talk about it again.  But chances are good that his efforts will fall flat.  Even though everybody hates driving on potholed roads, or wants to avoid sewage pipe ruptures, the American public just doesn’t care much about this issue.

First up, Marvin Ammori, a lawyer and internet policy expert, talks about what’s next in the net neutrality debate after the end of the FCC’s public comment period. Plus, a look at Home Depot’s plans to sell 3D printers for $1400 to $3000 dollars each — Who’s buying them, and why? What do they print? Finally, Topher White, CEO and founder of Rainforest Connection, talks about using recycled cell phones to monitor for the sound of illegal logging.

Some states are already moving forward with their own infrastructure funding.

Urban bike share's low-carbon, high-tech vision … requires a few gas guzzlers.

And no, it's not a trick question.

A new casino promises $300 million to Boston, even though it won't be in the city.

Delaware Steel President Lisa Goldenberg says she's hopeful for a better year.

Customs officials seized a live shipment of the animals which can carry disease.

People who sat out the years-long bull market are joining in. Is that a bad sign?

The Illinois Attorney General claims debt-settlement companies fleeced students

Officials hope a new manager can help avoid a rerun of last year's website fiasco.

The markets are near record levels and individual investors who have sat out until now are belatedly joining in, an indication that the real money has already been made. But where else is there to invest in our zero-interest world? That’s one big reason the markets are so high. Also, those debt-settlement scam artists who promise to help you get out of credit card debt have found a new target—students having trouble paying off their loans. Illinois becomes the first state to crack down on them today. We look at the business, and how widespread the problem is. And finally, Swiss chocolate company Lindt is buying Russell Stover. That brings up a lot for some people.

A venerable old auction house brand meets online bidding.

A study suggests residents of Rust Belt cities tend to say they aren't happy.

Sotheby's and eBay team up, GM pays out of pocket, and racing cars go electric.

How can the Chinese live with terrible air pollution? One answer: Americans did.

A new study finds that “unhappy” cities in the U.S. may include many that might be expected – declining Rust Belt cities, for example – but many “happy” cities have similar economic attributes: low wages and low housing costs. What are the differences? Plus, GM says its victim compensation fund will be paid for out-of-pocket, not through liability insurance. Which made us wonder, what is liability insurance? What does it cover? Are there good and bad times to draw on it? We’ll explain. Also, today Marketplace’s Sustainability Desk kicks off a brand new series called “We Used to be China.” Our reporters are digging not only into China’s air pollution crisis….but looking back at our own.  And one thread they found running through the fight for clean air here in the U.S….…. WOMEN.  Not the  “ladies who lunch,”  exactly…but the ladies who club…and organize. And after, the smell of petrol. The sound of revving internal combustion engines. There are certain experiences common to all types of motor sport around the world. But later this year, racing fans will be presented with an alternative, when the Formula E world championship – designed exclusively for electric cars – is launched. The cars recently took to the track in anger for the first time, at the Donington Park circuit in Britain. The BBC’s – Theo Leggett – a confirmed petrol head – went along to find out more.

First up, Carl Howe, vice president at 451 Research, gives us a preview of Tuesdays’ Yahoo’s earnings report. PLus, Jonathan Zittrain, Professor of Law at Harvard and co-founder of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, talks about the similarities between Facebook’s emotional manipulation study and the EU ruling on the right to be forgotten on Google. And finally: the smell of petrol. The sound of revving internal combustion engines. There are certain experiences common to all types of motor sport around the world. But later this year, racing fans will be presented with an alternative, when the Formula E world championship – designed exclusively for electric cars – is launched. The cars recently took to the track for the first time, at the Donington Park circuit in Britain. The BBC’s – Theo Leggett – a confirmed petrol head – went along to find out more.  

General Motors isn't using liability insurance to pay ignition switch claims.

Some countries are more financially literate than others.

For Google, the ECJ's "Right to Be Forgotten" ruling is a logistical challenge.

Women often partnered with scientists to make their case for cleaner air.