Week of July 21st, 2014

The island’s economy is floundering and debt is mounting. How does that affect your wallet?

New tech is hoping to combat texting while driving and texting while walking accidents. Marketplace Tech host Ben Johnson explains

Linnette Lopez of Business Insider and Ben Walsh of Reuters discuss the news.

This weekend, Lizzie O’Leary looks at what’s next for the Affordable Care Act after two different federal appeals courts issued conflicting decisions on whether the federal government can provide health care subsidies. Plus, Linnette Lopez of Business Insider and Ben Walsh of Reuters discuss what’s on their plate this week and what’s next in news. Also, we talk to Jill Schlesinger who gives some tips for handling a kid or relative who is living in your basement and can’t seem to get back on their feet and find their own place. In worldwide news, BBC reporter Rushdi Abualouf discusses the impact of the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict on business in the region. Then, Zillow will translate listings into Mandarin, and New York is trying to combat texting while driving and texting while walking accidents. We’ll visit Puerto Rico who’s economy is currently floundering in debt, and catch up on millennials and why they refuse to invest their money.

Has the automated red light camera system failed to live up to its promise?

Amazon's stock fell 11 percent this morning following another sad earnings report.

We’ve come to expect lousy earnings reports from Amazon, but yesterday’s was beyond lousy, and the stock is  down 11 percent this morning. Has Amazon finally reached a point where it’s going to have to behave like other companies and make some money? Plus, under the Affordable Care Act, healthcare companies are required to spend at least 80 percent of premiums on actual medical care. We’ll explain how these rebates work and who actually gets the money. Also, has the automated red light camera system failed to live up to its promise? The system was created to improve safety on the roads and generate income in cities across the country, but the system has been plagued with controversy; and is increasingly unpopular with drivers. 

A new study says chefs, pharmacists and other professionals prefer generic goods.

Insurers will be issuing $330 million in refunds, but few people will get checks.

On the Farm Bill, infrastructure and chemicals.

Alan Greenberg rose from clerk to CEO of Bear Stearns before its stunning fall.

Why CEOs don't have a pay cap while Mary Poppins can't raise the minimum wage.

The big ideas behind Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz.

President Obama meets with the leaders of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras today at the White House to talk about the child migrant crisis. We’ll look at what options US and Central American leaders have to try to fix it.

FIrst up, we look at  a new, open source privacy tool for developers who want to embed embed easy-to-understand privacy notices in their apps. The notices let users know what data the app collects and how it’ll be used. Plus, Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of Space X, joins us for our Big Thinkers series. Finally, how well have you kept up with the week in tech news? It’s time for Silicon Tally! This week, Ben takes on Marketplace Weekend host Lizzie O’Leary.

SpaceX wants to make going to mars as easy as hopping on a plane.

More students take the comp-sci advanced placement test every year.

Schultz believes in ensuring his company's success with consumers and employees.

Solving the problem requires dealing with the root causes.

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

Catherine Rampell from the Washington Post and Linette Lopez from Business Insider

What are you going to see this weekend? Check your timeline.

The automaker has handled the crisis over faulty ignition switches well. What now?

Facebook’s strong second-quarter earnings were propelled by mobile-ad revenue.

Facebook’s blow-the-roof off earnings report shows that it has figured out mobile, and is set to dominate the mobile ad world. So how did that happen, and what comes next? Plus, in its latest earnings report, automaker GM has revealed that it expects to spend between $400 million and $600 million to compensate victims of its defective ignition switches. We consider the company’s strategy in handling its massive recall. Also, Twitter released its diversity statistics yesterday. Not surprisingly, they were as dismal as those at Google, Facebook and other tech companies. So now that they know the scope of the problem, what are these companies doing to address it?

Lobbyists are among the small number of donors affected by the decision.

More girls and minorities took computer science Advance Placement courses in 2014

We went behind the scenes with Jean McKenzie, executive vice president for American Girl.

The Department of Agriculture is partnering with the private sector to launch a new investment fund.

Changing money market funds, punishment for hiring diversity, and young migrants from Central America.

Companies that insured Detroit's debt also made other bad bets.

What the government can do to prevent companies from reincorporating overseas.

Women who promote other women, and non-white managers who hire diversity candidates, are subject to worse performance reviews. A new study from the University of Colorado also finds that white men who make the same decisions are rewarded. We look at ways to eliminate this bias against… eliminating bias. Plus, some bond insurers are fighting Detroit’s bankruptcy plan – because they can’t afford the lower bond payments the city will make under the agreement. They not only made a bad bet on Detroit’s debt, they also were hit by other bad investments.  

First up, Melissa Parrish, an analyst at Forrester research, stops by to talk Facebook earnings. Then, Thorin Klosowski, a writer for LifeHacker and Amazon super user, talks Amazon’s new Fire Phone and its real-world product identifying feature Firefly. Finally, as part of Marketplace’s Big Thinkers series, we talk to Tessie Guillermo, CEO of Zero Divide, an organization that provides technology adoption services for non-profits.

How Jeff Mangum's bassist taught me about the Rogue Moog.

New study shows women and minority leaders are discouraged from hiring diversity.

How to use technology to improve community groups and serve new communities.

Working more than one job is fairly common for teachers in some states.

A closer look at the influx of young migrants crossing the border into the U.S.

The automaker recalled another 700,000 vehicles today.

Target opened it's smallest store in Minneapolis. What's a Target if it's not big?

Corporate earnings are up. But will these cash-rich companies give you a job?

Airlines have to weigh both safety and economic risks.

Fighting between Israel and Hamas has led some U.S. and European airlines to cancel flights to Israel on safety grounds. We explore how airlines decide when they should or should not fly to a given destination. Plus, Target Corp. opened its first ‘TargetExpress’ store in Dinkytown, Minneapolis today. At 20,000 square feet it’s even smaller than its ‘City  Target’ stores. This physical reduction reflects an expansion by the company into new markets, but why has this big box corporation decided to ‘go small’? Is this part of a larger trend by big box stores to make their mark on smaller communities? Plus, how will this move impact the company’s profit margin? We investigate. Also, corporate earnings continue to go up, up, up. But that doesn’t mean these cash-rich companies are going to give you a job. We explain why.

Kathy Savitt says Yahoo has narrowed its hundreds of products down to four.

Marketers are pushing female strength to capitalize on a national movement.

Beau Willimon spends almost no time with Netflix's legendary stockpiles of data.

Politicians love to say it, but what does it actually mean?

YellowWood Group CEO Olalah Njenga is hopeful about the future of her business

Teen athletes aren't the only ones abusing HGH.

A profits round-up, Netflix goes global, and Manchester United plays stateside.

The drumbeat of scandals involving big banks has been good news for smaller ones. Credit unions and regional banks are gaining customers by emphasizing their local roots and trustworthiness, which is also drawing interest from investors. Plus, it may surprise you to know that Blockbuster stores are still alive and well… in Mexico. That’s because so few Mexicans have an internet connection. But Netflix has a new “gift card” strategy to take over the Mexican market.

It may surprise you to know that Blockbuster stores are still alive and well… in Mexico. That’s because so few Mexicans have an internet connection. Jeff Tyler explores Neflix’s new “gift card” strategy to take over the Mexican market, and further international expansion. Then, Dan Clements, president of IntelCrawler, talks about malware and cyber-theft within Iraq. Finally, Molly Wood, New York Times Tech Columnist, stops by to discuss easy encryption and whether or not people should encrypt ordinary emails.

Nearly half of American children go to preschool, but attendance varies by state.

Making email encryption more user friendly

Netflix will expand into Europe this fall, but the move could be expensive.

People hate big banks, but small banks are struggling to win them over.

Finding economic history in Southern expressions.

Harvard President Drew Faust says salary after college shouldn't be priority.

According to law, Congress is not permitted to work during the month of August.

The latest inflation numbers show prices are not too hot and not too cold.

Giants like Google and Apple and Pfizer are raking it in. But where is the money going?

We explain the implications behind Boeing and Delta's massive fight over the Export-Import bank.

Is inflation dead? Seems fair to say it’s at least comatose. The latest numbers show little movement in consumer prices and that’s unlikely to change soon. Plus, companies like  Comcast and Netflix are raking it in. So what are they doing with all that money? We investigate. Also, Boeing and Delta are in a massive fight right now over this esoteric thing called the Ex-Im bank and how much money ends up in Boeing’s hands. We explain what’s at the core of the fight and how it’s playing out in these two companies that once had a pretty symbiotic relationship.

Mullins, South Carolina is a small town with a big past and a long memory.

Marketplace tests out the speed of ticket apps with a One Direction concert

Johns Hopkins settles with victims of gynecologist who secretly filmed exams.

With tensions increasing between the US and Russia, a look at Europe's response.

Johns Hopkins' settlement, sales of existing homes, and American-made jobs.

Detroit’s bankruptcy created some anxiety about the ability of other U.S. cities to borrow money. We look at whether it’s gotten harder for cities to take out loans in the year since Detroit’s filing. Plus, schools in parts of Texas are trying a new approach to school lunches by offering free meals to all students. How big is the trend, and who will foot the bill? We report.   

First up, Lindsey Turrentine, Editor-in-Chief of Reviews at CNET, talks about Verizon’s new rewards program that gives customers deals in exchange for data about where and how they use their phones. Then, Stephen Cobb, a security researcher at ESET, stops by to talk about canvas fingerprinting, a new, hard-to-detect way for websites to track browsing habits without using cookies. Finally, we discuss with Nilay Patel about what Taylor Swift gets wrong about how the internet is changing the music industry.

If one city doesn't pay up in full, does bond money dry up for everybody else?

After a long separation from working, it’s difficult to find jobs that last.

A look at how high school students compare to their international peers.

We explain the math behind your airline ticket as TSA security fees increase.

A sheriff makes inmates wear striped uniforms after orange jumpsuits became chic.

What sanctions it would take to persuade Russia to change course.

European leaders are angry with Russia and say President Vladimir Putin should do more to rein in the Russian separatists in Ukraine suspected of being involved in bringing down flight MH17. We examine what sanctions it would take to persuade Russia to change course. Plus, TSA security fees on airline tickets are about to go up. We explain the math behind your ticket. Also, Whirlpool is threatening to leave the EnergyStar program, unless Congress grants immunity from class-action lawsuits. How healthy, and vulnerable, is this label now?

There are plenty of ideas floating around in Fadell's head, but here are four.

Straight out of "Arrested Development": Moving in real people helps homes sell.

If Whirlpool pulls out, it's leaving behind a trusted brand.

For online retailers, replacing brick-and-mortar stores is a logistical problem.

At Fed camp, kids play games about personal finance and build economic knowledge.

Stories of helping relatives get back on their feet.

The map, one of the central elements of navigation, has expanded in capability since the form has been translated to digital. Case in point, the MIT Media Lab’s “You Are Here” project is a collection of maps that visualize a variety of datasets over space. Things from bike accidents to coffee shops, graffiti reports, and […]

A look at the progress of the Dodd-Frank Act four years in.

American design schools team up with NGOs to get affordable products to market.

Dodd-Frank's fourth birthday, millennials prefer cash, and social impact bonds.

The sports network’s ESPN 3 will carry a $10 million gaming contest this weekend in Seattle. We investigate. Plus, a report by Bankrate says young people favor saving cash over investing in the stock market. We examine the issue.

With the online sports network ESPN 3 will carried a $10 million gaming contest in Seattle, Leoneda Inge takes a look at competitive gaming hitting the big time. Then, Bridget van Kralingen, Senior Vice President, IBM Global Business Services, talks about the Apple IBM partnership. Plus, Sep Kamvar, LG Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at MIT and the Director of the Social Computing Group at the MIT Media lab, stops by to talk about 100 maps that show only one thing.

ESPN 3 carries a $10 million gaming contest in Seattle.

New data on students who take the ACT shows many end up forgoing school.

SIB's, or social impact bonds, let investors do good and make money

US companies were hit on all sides in the latest food scandal in China.

More than older people, those in their 20s shy away from the stock market.

A cautionary tale about the end game of offshoring.