Apr 20, 2012

Marketplace Morning Report for Friday, April 20, 2012

While there's been some not-so-great economic news lately, Marketplace economics correspondent Chris Farrell says to forget all you're hearing from Wall Street and Washington and focus on what's going on in America's 'middleweight cities.' There are new details today in a major political scandal in China involving the case of the once powerful Chinese official Bo Xilai. Stadiums are often put into bad parts of town to make them better, and Fenway Park in Boston -- which turns 100 today -- was no exception. And U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talks about the Farm Bill.

Segments From this episode

Young women value high-paying careers more than men

by David Brancaccio

Apr 20, 2012

A new Pew Research study finds that priorities for young women have changed. Women aged 18-34 now surpass young men in the importance they place on having a high-paying career.

Runner calls attention to advertising ban

by Elizabeth Wynne Johnson

Apr 20, 2012

Olympic athlete Nick Symmonds wants runners to sport personal sponsorships. Meet officials fear angering event sponsors.

Why the middleweight cities matter

by Chris Farrell

Apr 20, 2012

Forget those mega-cities like Los Angeles and New York -- a new study shows the economic dynamism of middleweight cities like Pittsburgh and the Twin Cities.

BBC World Service

Bo Xilai scandal continues in China

by Juliana Liu

Apr 20, 2012

There are new details today in a major political scandal in China. The case of Bo Xilai, the once powerful Chinese official who was fired from the government as part of a murder investigation.

A new French president could disrupt global markets

by Stephen Beard

Apr 20, 2012

On Sunday, France will hold the first round of its presidential election. Polls indicate the incumbent conservative, Nicolas Sarkozy, is in a close race with socialist Francois Hollande, and the economic ripples could spread across Europe and around the world.

BBC World Service

Bahrain car race presses on despite nearby demonstrations

by David Brancaccio

Apr 20, 2012

In the Middle East, organizers of the big Formula 1 Grand Prix of Bahrain are trying to press ahead despite demonstrations against the Bahrain regime’s human rights record.

Boston's Fenway Park turns 100

by Curt Nickisch

Apr 20, 2012

Nowadays, stadiums are put into bad parts of town to make them better. A century ago, the area called the "Fens" was bad -- real bad.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Farm Bill

by David Brancaccio

Apr 20, 2012

For now, the Farm Bill has stalled in Congress. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack talks about why the bill is vital to farmers, and the agriculture industry as a whole.

Mid-day Update

PODCAST: GE earnings, a possible US Airways merger, and a fight in the northern states

by Mary Dooe

Apr 20, 2012

General Electric clothes driers are sold at a department store in Los Angeles, Calif. The company reports earnings today.

David McNew/Getty Images

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Mid-day Update

Is IMAX making a comeback?

by Jeremy Hobson and David Brancaccio

Apr 23, 2012

After a few years of 3D mania, this summer might be shaping up to mean the return of IMAX.

General Electric, McDonald's report earnings

by Jeremy Hobson

Apr 23, 2012

McDonald's said today its profits were up 7 percent last quarter, thanks to a 9 percent rise in U.S. restaurant sales and a 5 percent boost in Europe. Also General Electric reported an 11 percent drop in profit during the first three months of the year.

Supreme Court to hear arguments on Arizona immigration law

by John Dimsdale

Apr 23, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court next week hears arguments for and against several contested sections of Arizona's new immigration law -- which makes it a crime for undocumented immigrants to live or work in that state.

While there’s been some not-so-great economic news lately, Marketplace economics correspondent Chris Farrell says to forget all you’re hearing from Wall Street and Washington and focus on what’s going on in America’s ‘middleweight cities.’ There are new details today in a major political scandal in China involving the case of the once powerful Chinese official Bo Xilai. Stadiums are often put into bad parts of town to make them better, and Fenway Park in Boston — which turns 100 today — was no exception. And U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talks about the Farm Bill.

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