Dec 25, 2017

12/25/2017: Recovering from one of California’s deadliest fires

Smoke billows from a neighborhood that was destroyed by a fast moving wild fire on Oct. 9, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

(U.S. Edition) Markets are closed for the Christmas holiday, but we've still got some economic news for you. Most seniors will get a 2 percent increase in their monthly Social Security checks next year. But while this is the largest jump in a while, we'll discuss why about 37 million won't see the full amount. Plus: We talk to Chris Coursey, the mayor of Santa Rosa, California, about how his town has been coping in the aftermath of the Tubbs Fire, which struck Northern California in October and is one of the deadliest in the state's history.

Segments From this episode

The long recovery: 2017’s biggest natural disasters

Housing is still an issue in Santa Rosa's recovery from wildfires

by Kimberly Adams , Paulina Velasco and Katie Long

Dec 25, 2017

The city lost 5 percent of its housing stock, the mayor says, and was struggling with a shortage before the fire.

Smoke billows from a neighborhood that was destroyed by a fast moving wild fire on Oct. 9, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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A university lab gives members of the public a chance to control a swarm of robots

by Tasnim Shamma

Dec 25, 2017

The Robotarium, a lab at Georgia Tech, allows users to control a swarm of miniature robots remotely, opening up the field to researchers and low-incomes students alike.

The Robotarium has about 100 ground robots that glide along a white surface. Each has a Wi-Fi chip on top and small rubber wheels on the bottom.

Tasnim Shamma/ for Marketplace

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(U.S. Edition) Markets are closed for the Christmas holiday, but we’ve still got some economic news for you. Most seniors will get a 2 percent increase in their monthly Social Security checks next year. But while this is the largest jump in a while, we’ll discuss why about 37 million won’t see the full amount. Plus: We talk to Chris Coursey, the mayor of Santa Rosa, California, about how his town has been coping in the aftermath of the Tubbs Fire, which struck Northern California in October and is one of the deadliest in the state’s history.