Segments From This Episode

• Fed offers new mortgage plan

  by Nancy Marshall-Genzer

  The Fed's Board of Governors has endorsed new rules to protect home buyers from shady lending practices. But critics are wondering where the Fed's been since August. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

  ShareDownload

• FCC OKs new media ownership rules

  by Lisa Napoli

  The FCC has voted to relax regulations on media ownership, allowing broadcasters to run newspapers in the top 20 media markets. A decision advocated by its chairman, Kevin Martin. However, as Lisa Napoli reports, we probably haven't seen the last of this decision.

  ShareDownload

• There’s always room for pet projects

  by Jeremy Hobson

  The $516 billion federal spending bill OK'd by the House and now before the Senate funds 14 cabinet agencies and the war in Afghanistan. It's also got 9,000 earmarks in it. Jeremy Hobson has this holiday spending tale.

  ShareDownload

• Inflation worries are the talk of China

  by Scott Tong

  The cost of food is rising in China and that's got everyone a little nervous. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to our Shanghai Bureau Chief Scott Tong about the country's inflation and how the government is trying to control the runaway economy.

  ShareDownload

• Helping shoppers get their groove on

  by Stacey Vanek Smith

  

  Department-store entertainment use to be a guy in a tuxedo tinkling the ivories. But with a stronger focus on young consumers, big retail shops are now bringing in DJs to get shoppers moving. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.

  ShareDownload

• Making a hot stock out of Campbell’s

  by Marketplace Staff

  At the time Doug Conant was hired as CEO of Campbell's, the world's biggest soup company had lost its way in selling soup. He talks with Kai Ryssdal about reviving an iconic brand in this latest installment of Conversations From the Corner Office.

  ShareDownload

• Letters: You write ’em, we read ’em

  by Kai Ryssdal

  Kai Ryssdal reviews your letters about gift cards, plug-in hybrid cars, eco-friendly Christmas tips, and denying "Der Bingle" his due.

  ShareDownload