News today from the U.S. Census had some possibly hopeful signs for the U.S. economy, including the fact that after years curled up in their parents’ dens America’s young adults are finally crawling out into the light (and into employment). Plus, what did America really think of Romney’s 47 percent comment? Frank Newport and the Gallup poll are here to help us parse public opinion. And commentator Scott Walker explores that ancient dilemma in the age of the cell phone: to text… or not to text?

In case you haven’t heard, a little company known AEG was just put up for sale — and for a few billion in loose change, it can be yours. We look at who’s stepping up to the auction block. Plus, American Airlines is hitting some rough turbulence as it makes its way through bankruptcy reorganization. The company’s sending layoff notices to more than 11,000 workers, and union pilots are up in arms over possible union concessions. What does that mean for you? A crazy jump in late and canceled flights. Meanwhile, across the Pacific, Rob Schmitz takes a look at what China’s rural poor think about the country’s coming elections and, back at home, Freakonomic’s Steven Levitt breaks down when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em during online poker.

Mitt Romney said almost half of Americans don’t pay federal income taxes. We look at the numbers behind his remarks. Plus, under health care reform, Medicaid stands to get a whole lot bigger when millions of poor people are added to the docket. So when the feds offer states money to cover the expansion, taking it seems like a no-brainer, right? Not so much. We tell you why at least five governors are saying thanks, but no thanks. We explore why oil prices plummeted yesterday and a Ford executive talks about marketing cars to today’s youth.

China and the United States have filed complaints against one another with the World Trade Organization, so what does that mean for global business? Plus, the Chicago teachers’ strike is slogging onward, but at least one suburb is still going to class. We look at what kind of damage a shortage in the critical gas helium is doing for health care and the military (not just birthday parties). And it’s Sports Monday here at Marketplace as Mark Garrison looks at the NHL lockout, and Zachary Barr inspects golf’s recent — but sharp — slide down the hole.

We’ve seen QE3’s immediate impact on the market — boosting stocks and lowering returns on savings accounts. But what about the rest of us? We look at the ups — and downs — of the latest installment of quantitative easing. It’s been one year since Wall Street was occupied. Dan Bobkoff explores the on-again/off-again relationship between Occupy and pop culture. Plus, you buy your dogs food, toys, occasionally clothes… but what happens to Fido if you die?

The Federal Reserve has announced that it will pump $40 billion a month into mortgage bonds for “as long as it takes” to make buying viable again. It also plans to keep short-term interest rates near zero until at least 2015. Frank Newport breaks down the latest Pew numbers. Plus Marketplace’s Amy Scott checks in with Oyler School, part of the burgeoning “community schools” movement, and China correspondent Rob Schmitz brings us more stories from China’s famous (and infamous) Street of Eternal Happiness.

Apple unveiled the iPhone 5 today; that could mean consumers will see an increase in the price of data plans. More people are taking out longer-term car loans, but this may be a case of one size does not fit all. The killing of Americans in Libya over a YouTube video raises questions about the video site, freedom of speech and corporate ethics. A census study reports that the poverty level in America has stayed the same. Commentator Robert Reich says with the election drawing closer, he’s not sure either candidate for president can revive the job market as people hope. And when the long-term unemployed finally get jobs, are they socially and technologically behind their new colleagues?

World Trade Center developers have brought a lawsuit against United and American Airlines for not doing enough to prevent the September 11th attacks. The IRS awarded $104 million awarded to a banker who blew the whistle on his company, but was also convicted of being part of the conspiracy. There are signs that the luxury goods sector is finally being affected by a weak economy. A North Carolina community college is training students so that they are qualified for manufacturing jobs requiring new skills. And Sarah Gardner talks to journalist Bob Woodward about his new book “The Price of Politics,” which examines the 2011 debt ceiling crisis.

Chicago teachers went on strike today for the first time in 25 years, and it could cost the city $25 million. The United States Treasury is thinking about selling $18 billion worth of its AIG stock. A group from Mexico has traveled to Washington D.C. to plead with elected officials to change the way the U.S. conducts the war on drugs. Kai Ryssdal talks to author Scott Reynolds Nelson about his new book “A Nation of Deadbeats” and about how historically Americans aren’t very good at paying their debt. And we look at why this past weekend’s movie box office was the worst in nearly a decade.