Jan 4, 2010

Marketplace Morning Report for Monday, January 4, 2010

Segments From this episode

Bernanke: Blame it on lax regulation

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer

Jan 4, 2010

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke is defensive against charges the Fed helped to fuel the bubble in the housing market. But he says interest rate policy wasn't the problem. Nancy Marshall-Genzer reports.

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Organic work aids fertilizer-free crops

by Gregory Warner

Jan 4, 2010

Fertilizer is costly and scarce in Rwanda, and some farmers struggle to produce crops in the barren soil. But some are learning to overcome these conditions by using cost-effective organic techniques. Gregory Warner reports.

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Vaccine could treat nicotine addiction

by Marketplace Staff

Jan 4, 2010

Scientists in Maryland are developing a vaccine to protect smokers against the addictive effects of nicotine. It's possible insurance companies could pay for treatments if the drug is approved. Brett Neely reports.

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Novartis to buy Alcon in $40B deal

by Stephen Beard

Jan 4, 2010

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis is taking full control of the U.S. eye-care company Alcon in a deal worth nearly $40 billion. Stephen Beard explores how Novartis stands to benefit from the deal.

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Automakers race to make new cop car

by Alisa Roth

Jan 4, 2010

Ford's Crown Victoria has been the standard go-to car used by law enforcement. But now that the automaker is discontinuing the model, several other car companies are stepping up their competition. Alisa Roth reports.

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States vie for federal education grants

by John Dimsdale

Jan 4, 2010

The deadline is approaching for states to apply for more than $4 billion in federal education grants. States are scrambling to be eligible as the most innovative reforms will get the largest grants. John Dimsdale reports.

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Exploring the 'January Effect'

by Steve Chiotakis

Jan 4, 2010

Popular belief says the fortune of the markets can be determined by how well they do in January. Steve Chiotakis discusses this phenomenon with Sam Stovall, Chief Investment Strategist at S&P Equity Research.

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Cold weather pushes up oil prices

by Bill Radke

Jan 4, 2010

Oil is up $2 to over $81 a barrel, its highest in more than two months. The main reason: the cold weather. Bill Radke gets more from energy reporter Carola Hoyos with the Financial Times.