Marketplace for Thursday, February 18, 2010

Segments From This Episode

• Why Medicare costs are so high

  by Nancy Marshall-Genzer

  A new study published by the Health Affairs organization takes a look at what is pushing Medicare costs through the roof. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.

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• Sears plans to franchise auto centers

  by Bob Moon

  Sears has been working on ways to extend its most popular brands outside its stores. It plans to market Die Hard batteries through other retailers and will franchise its Sears Auto Centers. Bob Moon reports.

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• Man gives company to his employees

  by Marketplace Staff

  Bob Moore, owner of Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, talks with Kai Ryssdal about why he gave his employees a big gift: his company via an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

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• Farmers look for ways to be efficient

  by Marketplace Staff

  Midwest farmers are rattled that rains and cold temperatures will throw planting out of whack. But the crummy weather has been good for some farm equipment manufacturers. Jay Field reports.

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• The big money behind college sports

  by Marketplace Staff

  Mark Yost, author of "Varsity Green," talks with Kai Ryssdal about some of the corruption that occurs in college sports.

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• Unions fight for school control

  by Marketplace Staff

  The city of Los Angeles plans on turning 36 schools over to outside groups like charters and nonprofits. But many of those groups don't want to work with teachers unions, which means thousands of jobs and bargaining power could be at stake. Jennifer Collins reports.

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• Gov’t rethinks role of Fannie, Freddie

  by Marketplace Staff

  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's regulator is proposing to limit their exposure to subprime mortgages. Brett Neely reports.

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