Marketplace Morning Report for Friday, December 16, 2011

Segments From This Episode

• The rise of the everywhere mall

  by Jennifer Collins

  Retailers and mobile apps are making it easier for consumers to shop anywhere and everywhere this holiday season.

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• Fitch downgrades major banks

  Ratings agency Fitch has downgraded major banks like Goldman Sachs and Bank of America, but the credibility of such agencies is also waning.

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• Italian lawmakers vote on austerity measures

  by Steve Chiotakis

  A vote today in Italy passes a round of austerity measures suggested by newly appointed Prime Minister Mario Monti. But is it enough to make a dent in the problem?

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• Will Congress soon decide on a budget plan?

  by Jeremy Hobson

  For now, it looks at though leaders in Washington will push back any long lasting decisions on the deficit into next year.

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• A step backward on energy-efficient lighting

  by Scott Tong

  After industry agreed to the terms of making more efficient light bulbs widely available, Congress has back tracked on enforcing the law.

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• Mid-day Extra: More from Alabama

  by Steve Chiotakis

  Governor Robert Bentley of Alabama discusses illegal immigration, the federal budget, and disaster relief spending.

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• Bipartisan legislation on Medicare unveiled

  by John Dimsdale

  Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Paul Ryan released a bipartisan Medicare reform plan. The timing, amid budget and payroll tax fights, could be intentional.

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• More Baby Boomers choosing not to migrate

  by Chris Farrell

  Many are now realizing they'll have to work through their retirement years, which means staying in the areas where they have their career networks, instead of moving to warm states like Arizona.

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• Congress could settle on a two month extension

  by Jill Schlesinger

  Long-term budget issues in Washington are yet to be resolved, but it is likely that leaders will settle on a temporary two month extension of the payroll tax cuts.

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• PODCAST: Austerity for the holidays

  by Mary Dooe

  

  Congress reaches a deal to avoid a government shutdown — and it hinges around light bulbs. Retired Americans are no longer shipping off to Florida when they are done working. On the front lines of the European debt crisis, Italy passes austerity measures proposed by new Prime Minister Mario Monti.

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• Calculating food and gas prices in consumers’ attitudes

  by Stacey Vanek Smith

  

  The Core Consumer Price Index tracks all kinds of spending except on food and gas, even though those prices help indicate consumers' choices and attitudes.

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• Budget deal: Keep incandescent light bulbs on a little longer

  by Scott Tong

  A deal to avoid government shutdown was reached in Washington yesterday, but one of the provisions of the deal means that new laws surrounding light bulbs won't be enforced for the time being.

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• Governor of Alabama on immigration, disaster relief

  by Steve Chiotakis

  Governor Robert Bentley of Alabama discusses the federal budget, disaster relief spending, and why his state is cracking down on immigration

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• Leaders in Washington to vote on a temporary spending deal

  by Scott Tong

  Lawmakers are on track to agree to a temporary budget deal ahead of tonight's midnight deadline.

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• SEC files complaint against former Freddie, Fannie CEOs

  by Scott Tong

  Federal regulators at the Securities and Exchange Commission just this morning charged several former executives at mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with civil fraud

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