Apr 25, 2012

Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Today, President Obama will be in Iowa talking to college students about their student loans. Are the cheaper groceries available wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam's Club worth the price of membership? Residents in two towns -- halfway across the world from one another -- are putting together a tourism partnership based around their less-than-scintillating names. And a study from the group Climate Central says America's energy industry is at risk, because sea levels are rising along the coasts where we produce much of our fuel.

Segments From this episode

Student debt burden hits $1 trillion

by Sally Herships

Apr 25, 2012

At $1 trillion nationally, student debt surpasses credit card debt and car loans, and it can be a serious drag on the economy.

Are wholesale clubs worth the membership price?

by Marketplace Contributor

Apr 25, 2012

More than 120 million Americans are members at wholesale clubs like Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's -- and they're each potentially saving thousands of dollars a year at the register.

Why the U.S. should worry about cyber security

by David Brancaccio

Apr 25, 2012

A former national security official who served in three White Houses explains why the U.S. needs to begin regulating the cyber industry to protect its citizens from theft, or worse.

Mad cow disease found in California

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer

Apr 25, 2012

For the first time in six years, a cow in the U.S. has tested for so-called mad cow disease. While officials say the dairy cow identified in California at no time entered the food supply, the price of cattle futures has moved sharply downward.

Small banks struggling to pay TARP funds back to feds

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer

Apr 25, 2012

In a report to congress, TARP's inspector general says while the program will likely end up making a profit for taxpayers, there's ongoing worry that many small banks are having trouble paying back the feds.

Hundreds of U.S. energy facilities at risk of flooding

by Eve Troeh

Apr 25, 2012

Climate Central combed federal weather and disaster data and found that in the next 20 years, hundreds of coastal oil and gas refineries could end up underwater.

Are small banks in big trouble?

by Marketplace Contributor

Apr 25, 2012

A report out today from the special inspector general who oversees the 2008 bank bailout known as TARP has some bad news about small banks. He says more than 300 small banks that borrowed money from the federal government during the financial crisis have yet to pay it back.

One case of Mad Cow discovered in U.S.

by Marketplace Contributor

Apr 25, 2012

Two big South Korean retailers have pulled American beef off their shelves after a dairy cow here in California was found to have mad cow disease or BSE. It's the first case in the U.S. since 2006.

Mid-day Update

PODCAST: Small banks in TARP trouble, airlines lose money on flights

by Mary Dooe

Apr 25, 2012

A Delta Air Lines plane in Los Angeles, Calif. Delta reported profits this quarter despite actually losing money on the flights portion of its business.

David McNew/Getty Images

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SEC asks Hollywood studios about deals with China

by David Brancaccio

Apr 25, 2012

There's a report that federal authorities in the U.S. have asked some American movie studios about whether they've had to grease the wheels with cash as they try to break into the Chinese market.

Boring and Dull form strategic partnership

by Marketplace Contributor

Apr 25, 2012

Residents in two towns -- halfway across the world from one another -- are putting together a tourism partnership.

Today, President Obama will be in Iowa talking to college students about their student loans. Are the cheaper groceries available wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club worth the price of membership? Residents in two towns — halfway across the world from one another — are putting together a tourism partnership based around their less-than-scintillating names. And a study from the group Climate Central says America’s energy industry is at risk, because sea levels are rising along the coasts where we produce much of our fuel.