Ahead of tonight’s presidential debate, we look at the possibilities of economic growth and whether GOP candidate Mitt Romney will discuss his $17,000 tax deduction plan in more detail. Meanwhile in China, workers are moving closer to home because of an improved economy. And stories on who owns the M-22 highway sign in Michigan, Lenovo’s new North Carolina factory, getting paid for tweeting while shopping, and teachers share their Plan B.

When it comes to social media, it’s easy to know what your friends like. But what you may not know is that if you click on one of those things, your “friend” might be getting a commission. We wade into the murky waters of recommendations and advertising. Also, the Chinese computer-maker Lenovo is opening a new factory in Whitsett, North Carolina — hundreds upon hundreds of miles from where most computers are from. Plus we have the latest entry in our Plan B teacher series and visit with our friends over in the world of Freakonomics.

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree — but that’s for the judge to decide, now that JP Morgan Chase is being sued for Bear Stearns’ bad behavior. We chat with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for a breakdown on the lawsuit the state’s filed against Chase. Meanwhile, Nissan is revving up its Datsun brand in emerging countries like Indonesia and India. The cars are $3,000 a pop and among the cheapest in the world — but is it true that you get what you pay for? Plus, we go wild with the founders of Banana Republic and ask what it really means to be energy independent. 

Macy’s has recently announced plans to hire on about 80,000 seasonal workers to staff its stores and call centers in the 2012 Holiday season. Does this mark the economy’s very-merriest Christmas since the Recession? Also, political ads and the ones that sell you corn chips finally collide: Tostitos, USA Today, 7-11, Boston Market are all using the election to sell you stuff. We take a look at what that means for consumers (and voters). Plus, Marketplace’s Rob Schmitz begins his series on China’s migrant workers at the site of the recent Foxconn riot, and Adrienne Hill asks whether the explosion of a Japanese chemical plant is poised to cause the Great Global Diaper Shortage of 2012.  

Apple’s CEO has apologized for the company’s map misstep. Tim Cook suggested Apple users turn to the competition for relief. How might this impact map competitors? Plus, when GM went bankrupt the company left behind a slew of abandoned factories — equipment and all. Now, buyers for the old plants have finally come knocking. And we look at the state of country music, Bank of America’s $2.5 billion settlement, GMO labeling, and why one California judge has ruled that banning non-aggressive panhandling is unconstitutional. 

Defense contractors have warned for months they’ll have to lay off thousands of workers if Congress takes us over the fiscal cliff at year’s end. As crunch time approaches, how serious are they? Sears and Darden Restaurants have a new plan for employees’ health care. The NFL and its referees union have agreed to a new, more lucrative contract. That got us wondering, what does it take to be a ref? Gallup’s Frank Newport discusses why there hasn’t been a major third-party presidential candidate in this election cycle. Plus, we look at Spain’s tough new budget, the bankrupt city of San Bernardino, Calif., and author Nate Silver on statistical modeling.

Want a sure fire way to see the markets take a tumble? Start with street protests, mix in riot police… and toss a few Molotov cocktails in for good measure. U.S., European and Asian markets have all been shaken by more anti-austerity protests in the eurozone. In the latest installment of our “Food for 9 Billion” series, we take a trip to rural Africa, where multinational supermarket chains are racing to serve new customers. Will these new supermarkets be a blessing or a curse for Africa’s small farmers? Plus, we explore why CEOs are predicting a glass-half-empty economy and wonder how to spend the $7 billion we found buried near Baton Rouge.

Controversy hit the football field last night, when a substitute referee called a Seattle Seahawks pass a touchdown — though seemingly everyone else in the world says a Green Bay player intercepted the ball. Besides angering Packers fans, that one call could cost the NFL a whole lot more. Myspace has unveiled a new look and a new mission, but in a Facebook world the question is — who actually uses Myspace? Plus, we look at the Republicans’ modified version of the Buffett Rule bill, the potential invasion of Asian carp into the Great Lakes, apples in China, and how the economic climate affects our music playlists.

In an exclusive broadcast interview, IMF head Christine Lagarde urged U.S. and European policy makers to take action on fixing the global economy. A couple of “Survivor” type stories: What is Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer planning to do to save her company and what does it take to be one of the 30 companies that survives on the Dow? We also have stories about the Village Voice cutting ties with Backpage.com, where the most equal place in the country is,  and hiring data analysis. Plus, what are cows eating these days? Try gummy bears and ice cream sprinkles.