Week of August 25th, 2014

Cities experiment to accommodate the glut of singles and childless couples.

This week, a new app promises to control the air conditioning remotely.

Tales from your first paycheck.

Starting September first, companies in the European Union can't make or import vacuums that generate more than 1600 watts of power. Lizzie O’Leary speaks with vacuum shop owner Patricia Ware.

Reuters’ Ben Walsh and Jessica Pressler from New York Magazine look back on the last week in news and discuss what’s on their plate in the future.

Someone used data to come up with an answer.

In July and August, the bank has been shopping for, and buying, diesel every day.

Spending is weak but income and consumer confidence are high.

Personal income and spending seemed to stall in July, according to figures out today. Yet consumers and businesses both say they’re as confident as they’ve been in the economy in years. We dig into the apparent contradiction in terms. Plus, Morgan Stanley has been buying up diesel contracts in Europe. Big time. What does this say about commodity markets and their players. Also,  Abercrombie and Fitch has decided to take the labels off its clothes. The move reflects a trend amongst younger shoppers who are increasingly buying from brands that don’t use a logo, such as Zara or H&M. But it also reflects the company’s recent poor performance.

Francis is attracting a lot of attention to the Catholic church. But the church has a recruiting problem. A lot of its clergy its aging. Lizzie O’Leary speaks with a young clergy member.

Since the recession, many workers have had to cover for eliminated jobs and reduced resources. Personal Finance writer Farnoosh Torabi gives advice to workers.

Tara Sophia Mohr explains a confidence study for the Harvard Business Review gives her take on women and confidence.

This weekend, we look at work in America. What was your first job? Did you learn anything from it? Starting September first, companies in the European Union can’t make or import vacuums that generate more than 1600 watts of power. Lizzie O’Leary speaks with vacuum shop owner Patricia Ware about what that means for her store. Pope Francis is attracting a lot of attention to the Catholic Church, but the church has a recruiting problem. A lot of its clergy its aging. Lizzie O’Leary speaks with a young clergy member. Since the recession a lot of workers have had to cover for eliminated jobs and reduced headcount. What do you do if you’re wearing one too many hats in the office? Personal Finance writer Farnoosh Torabi gives advice to workers.What do you do when the bubble bursts? Writer Brian Finkelstein explains. And Reuters’ Ben Walsh and Jessica Pressler from New York Magazine look back on the last week in news and discuss what’s on their plate in the future. 

Manufacturing states like North Carolina hope to create similar apprenticeship programs.

You don't have to be a candidate to be the target of an attack ad.

Consultants and app developers are lining up to help schools – and cash in.

The company is making changes to appease current trends and make money.

First up, more on the news that after two terrible disasters this year involving Malayasia Airlines, the government moved today to keep its national airline in business. But thousands of employees will lose their jobs. Plus, the difference between a bonus versus a raise: a raise lives on, abonus can be a one-off. A new survey suggests employers are using bonuses rather than traditional raises to compensate their workers. We ask whether this is an artifact of the recession or a trend that will persist. Also, a Chicago ad agency uses its ground-floor lobby as a gallery, with picture windows facing the street. This summer’s exhibit now wrapping up: The company’s interns, doing their jobs, working around a long, black table. Among the  signs in the windows one that reads “feeding the interns is permitted and appreciated,” which seems less than respectful. “But they’re just interns,” you say.  They are also human beings, for Pete’s sake.

Apple tightens privacy rules, Alibaba hits the road, and Nashville needs parking.

The week that was in business and the economy.

First up, Alibaba is getting ready to go on the road. The company and its banks want to raise $20 billion, which means they need to generate interest to the tune of some $40 billion. That’s a colossal amount of money to raise. How will it change the company’s approach to the process? And how well have you kept up with the week in tech news? This week host Ben Johnson takes on Marketplace senior reporter Stacey Vanek Smith.

With spaces at a premium, restaurateurs are getting help from private companies.

Companies are handing out bonuses, not raises, and that could be bad for you.

An ad agency displays its Instagram-chosen interns like art.

…and other lessons I learned from my first job.

We explore whether this new office business model is here to stay.

Russia is lending cats out to people taking out mortgages because of Russian lore.

We explain how the program called #flightschool will work and what you can learn.

Immigrants fared better on homeownership than the native-born in the recession.

The extremist group ISIS finances itself in part by selling oil on the black market

ISIS is believed to get revenue from selling oil on the black market from fields it’s captured. We look at the black market for oil and how it works. Plus, advertising on Twitter is such an impenetrable mystery that Twitter is giving away free classes to teach vendors how to promote their stuff via its platform. The program is called #flightschool. We explain how it works and what it’s gonna teach. Also, two new studies indicate that immigrants to the U.S. weathered the recent housing slump better than native-born Americans and are also rapidly closing the gap on home ownership rates. We look at why immigrants are doing so well and what it means.

First up, more on the news that the FBI is looking into a major attack by computer hackers directed against more than one major U.S. bank. Bloomberg News was first to report — Sources then told the New York Times that it was JP Morgan and as many as four other financial firms were the target of a sophisticated attacks. Plus, in Detroit, the city’s water department is back to shutting off supplies to residents who are behind on their water bills. Thousands of people — many of them very poor — have already had their water cut off or are at risk of having it shut off. A handful of fundraising campaigns have been launched to assist. We look into whether those efforts are helping. And the Federal Communications Commission is thinking about getting rid of what’s known as the NFL television blackout rule. The rule says NFL games can’t be broadcast locally unless they’re sold out. The Congressional Black Caucus is opposed to the change and here’s why: they say the elimination of the blackout rules will drive the NFL to air games on cable.  

Oil companies spend millions for the right to drill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Most food poisoning isn't reported, so health officials are turning to the web.

Mainly because he is one.

Partnerships between one VA facility and private doctors are paying off for vets.

Market Basket's CEO returns, debuting a larger iPad, and the airport stealing Heathrow's title.

Apple may manufacture larger, 12.9 inch screen iPads. But why?

First up, Apple looks set to manufacture 12.9 inch screen iPads in 2015. The new iPads are larger than the ones on the market, which with 9.7-inch and 7.9-inch displays. Why is Apple taking this direction? Is the company trying to get back into the laptop space? Are they reacting to the success of Microsoft’s ‘Surface’ line, or are there other factors at play? We take a closer look. Then, Matt Austin, Associate Director for Resident Life at UMass Lowell, talks about software that matches incoming freshmen roommates – and interfaces with Facebook – ahead of move-in day at the university on Friday.

How one university is using software to ensure roommate compatibility.

The push is on to pull the plug on yesterday's phones.

The FCC wants to end the rule that says games can't be on TV unless they sell out.

The same week Amazon buys Twitch, one of its users films a dangerous prank.

Back-to-school means different things in different states

There are a bunch of new ways you can sell your own data for profit.

As the way we use our phones changes, pollsters get left behind.

Spiders fuel Suzuki's 19,000 car recall.

New tariffs are another policy win for U.S. growers, and prices will stay high.

How will the withdrawal affect Orbitz? And how does a relationship like this work?

Snapchat has been allocated an impressive valuation…which appears to bear little or no relation to the valuation it had when it was last valued several months ago. So what makes it worth what people think it’s worth today? Plus, American Airlines announced this week that it would pull its fares from any websites run by Orbitz Worldwide. The reason? The companies couldn’t agree on new contract terms. It’s the second contract dispute between the two travel giants and comes at a time when, according to reports, upgraded websites are becoming more popular with consumers. How will American Airlines withdrawal affect Orbitz? And how does a business relationship like this work? Also, the Commerce Department is imposing tariffs on Mexican sugar, after U.S. growers complained the Mexico was dumping cut-rate sugar here. U.S. sugar is already highly protected and is more expensive than in other countries. How will these tariffs affect industrial-scale users of sugar like candy makers?

Having a single share is like buying stock in all of Nashville's public companies.

You know a technology's hot when stock market scammers make it part of their pitch.

Kai Ryssdal talks to Katrina Lake, founder and CEO of Stitch Fix.

A look at market psychology, reining in Executives' pay, and the disappearance of lesbian bars.

Sales slow after a 2012 demand surge from gun ethusiasts fearing restrictions.

In a couple weeks, voters in Scotland will vote on whether they want independence from the United Kingdom. In the waning days of a big referendum, the propaganda battle intensifies on both sides. In an open letter published today, about 130 businesses argue that it would be better for Scotland’s economy to stay not go. And there’s new data that millennials are just as likely to use credit and debit cards or smart phone payment apps as they are cash when buying stuff in person (think cappucino, think a bottle of advil). Plus, during a health emergency, depending on where you live, the ambulance that arrives could come from local government, a hospital, a private ambulance company, maybe even a volunteer service. And unlike when the police arrive or most fire trucks, you or your insurance will likely get a bill for that ride. We take a closer look into the often misunderstood business of ambulances.    

A look at a provision in the Affordable Care Act targeting executive compensation.

First, we hear from Andy Tatem, a researcher who looks at cell phone data to predict population movements, about how this kind of data could be used to predict and monitor the spread of Ebola. Then, Brian Tong, an editor at CNET and host of The Apple Byte, talks about the iPhone 6 rumors that are probably true, and the ones he wishes were true. Finally, Patrick Tucker, technology editor for Defense One and author of The Naked Future: What Happens in a World That Anticipates Your Every Move, stops by to talk about two examples of data-driven, predictive policing in action.

The business of ambulances is a tough balancing game.

How looking at data to predict crime trends can help — or harm — citizens.

As cultural attitudes evolve, so does the role played by Lesbian bars.

People living in rural areas, for one. Seniors, too.

More students are banking on the generosity of strangers to foot their bills.

A battle in the war for legroom on a plane.

The durable goods number today came with a mixed message. They were up big, but only because Airline companies bought lots of planes. Take that number out, and things don’t look so rosy. Plus, according to data from the credit agency TransUnion, the national credit card delinquency rate has declined to its lowest level in the last seven years, to 1.16 percent. Banks are known to make revenue from credit card debt and late payments, but how much do they depend on them? Is this latest trend affecting their business – and is the improvement in the payment delinquency rate a blip? Also, CNN is offering buyouts to older employees with several years on board. But what’s the personal calculation when you get an offer in your late 50’s, several years away from retirement, with a comfortable salary. Is it a boon or a jump off a cliff?

The durable goods number today came with a mixed message. They were up big, but only because Airline companies bought lots of planes. Take that number out, and things don’t look so rosy. Plus, according to data from the credit agency TransUnion, the national credit card delinquency rate has declined to its lowest level in the last seven years, to 1.16 percent. Banks are known to make revenue from credit card debt and late payments, but how much do they depend on them? Is this latest trend affecting their business – and is the improvement in the payment delinquency rate a blip? Also, CNN is offering buyouts to older employees with several years on board. But what’s the personal calculation when you get an offer in your late 50’s, several years away from retirement, with a comfortable salary. Is it a boon or a jump off a cliff?

Congratulations, you're being offered a buyout. Is that… good?

Rates are actually "considerably lower" than before the recession hit.

Today's great durable goods number doesn't necessarily mean that all is well.

We talked with Detroiters as they looked for relief at a water affordability fair.

For some students, switching schools can mean a big set back.

It's not just Ebola that's hurting people in West Point, Monrovia.

The hot start-up boasts huge viewership and Amazon is paying big bucks for it.

Though car sales are up, people's satisfaction with their cars is at a low.

Burger King takes over, Pfizer's inversion, and insuring the "sharing economy."

First up, more on news that the World Health Organization has increased by six fold the amount of money it needs from world governments to fight the Ebola virus in Africa. Plus, nine years ago this morning, a big storm was creeping west across the Gulf, after smashing through Florida. Its name: Katrina. Since then, we’ve not had a gargantuan hurricane (if you define Sandy as a superstorm, not a hurricane, and you regard Irene in 2011 as awful but not gargantuan). So where does this leaves the insurance industry? Elsewhere, volcanic rumblings in Iceland have raised fears of a major threat to air travel across Europe. Four years ago an Icelandic eruption grounded thousands of flights, costing several billion dollars. But there are reasons to believe history isn’t about to repeat itself.  

Without the occasional natural disaster, insurance companies must compete on price.

First, we hear from Brian Blau, Research Director at Gartner, about why Amazon paid $970 million for a platform that lets people watch other people playing video games. Then, as the sharing economy continues to grow, companies are forced to determine what kind of insurance they need and how much liability to take on. We explore what challenges this poses for businesses and insurance companies.  Finally, PC Mag columnist Ibrahim Abdul-Matin joins us to talk about how big data can be used to improve policing.

Pfizer, Merck, Microsoft, Apple and others store money overseas for tax advantage.

How the use of data collection and analysis tools could improve policing.

Activity at Iceland's Bardabunga volcano raises fear of flight restrictions.

What Burger King stands to gain from Tim Hortons.

My Friend's Place raised a lot of money in one day, but experts say "don't get used to it."

Yes, a cake.

Burger King is looking to merge with Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons. It’s the latest chapter in Burger King’s patterned history. It’s gone in and out of private hands over the last few years and has a famously young leadership team. We look at what Burger King stands to gain from Tim Hortons’ heft in the breakfast market. Plus, the American Academy of Pediatrics has become the latest group to declare that most middle and high school classes start too early for teenagers. The AAP says classes should begin no earlier than 8:30 am because adolescents are naturally wired to fall asleep after 11 pm and wake up later than most school start times allow for. But few school districts are likely to follow through, because everything from their bus schedules to extracurricular activities is dependent on the current schedule. Also, Miley Cyrus pointed to a longstanding problem when she had a young homeless person go on stage in her place at the VMAs. Lots of young people come to Los Angeles hoping to make it in the entertainment business and then get shipwrecked. She’s chosen My Friend’s Place, which works with young homeless people, as her beneficiary. 

Google Doodles have been around since 1998, and the operation has grown.

Sperling was an intellectual, a socialist, and eventually a billionaire.

People like what's in the Common Core much better when it's not called "Common Core."

You won't learn how to break into systems at most universities – the skills many companies want.

A twitter user both claimed responsibility for the attack and tweeted a bomb scare.

Hacking into Sony, a new Windows, and Fukushima exports rice.

What’s called a “Black Swan event” is when something hard to predict rears up and creates extreme havoc. Now, the man who runs an international umbrella organization for financial markets is quoted warning about future cyber attacks. Plus, there’s word now of a possible merger between Burger King of Florida and Tim Horton’s of Ontario, Canada. Reuters is reporting the deal, if it happens, would be move Burger King’s tax headquarters out of the US using a controversial but legal tax maneuver known as an “inversion.” These inversions allow corporations to escape high U.S. corporate taxes. But they also saddle shareholders with higher tax bills.  

First, we look ahead to Microsoft’s unveiling of Windows 9. The OS is still an important cash cow to the company. Now that Satya Nadella has replaced Steve Ballmer as CEO, what will Windows 9 say about his vision? Then, Julie Äsk, Vice President at Forrester Research, talks about why so few people are downloading new mobile apps. Finally, Adrienne LaFrance, an editor and technology reporter at The Atlantic, joins us to talk about why Pandora has better diversity numbers than other Silicon Valley tech companies.

STEM students learn to mix it up.

Gas prices often rise just in time for summer road trips, but not this year.