Scorching temperatures and droughts around the country have taken their toll on the corn harvest — and the skyrocketing corn prices could affect nearly every aspect of your life. A new report says that the summer job market for teens is picking up. Meanwhile, companies are cracking down on overtime hours because apparently employees aren’t claiming enough of them. The fanfest known as Comic-Con kicks off in San Diego, but it looks like some of Hollywood’s biggest studios skipping out this year. New York City is rolling out a pilot program that converts payphones into Wi-Fi hot spots. And Kai Ryssdal talks to liberal pundit James Carville about what matters in this year’s presidential election.

House Republicans are set to repeal Obama’s Affordable Care Act tomorrow — but why waste the time and money over the inevitable roadblock? New York bureau chief Heidi Moore says Americans shouldn’t turn away too fast from Britain’s ugly LIBOR scandal. Reporter Mitchell Hartman does some fact-checking on the economic plans of the presidential candidates. China bureau chief Rob Schmitz continues his new series on the Street of Eternal Happiness, introducing us to a flower shop owner there. And how much time do we waste watching cat videos on YouTube?

In the latest installment of Freakonomics Radio, Steven Levitt explains how bribes might actually get kids to do better in school. Neiman Marcus and Target are collaborating on a new collection. An upcoming court case may change whether you have to pay the fee to swipe your card for a purchase. An American tourist company in Paris is offering guided tours through historical places for African Americans. Commentator Justin Wolfers explains the competing narratives in this year’s election. And we look at the tiny news stories that are packing a big punch.

Fender, the guitar-maker famous for its rock star customers, is going public. Two of the largest health care companies are joining together in a $5 billion merger, showing that Medicaid is becoming big business. Pro sports teams are trying to take back control from ticket agents like StubHub. Kai Ryssdal speaks with Vanity Fair’s Kurt Eichenwald about how the competition that once trailed Microsoft successfully knocked the company from the top spot. Debra Lee, the CEO of BET Networks, talks about programming television for an African American audience. And reporter Stacey Vanek Smith looks at the history of the power lunch.

The Barclays LIBOR scandal seems like just another example of banks behaving badly, but in London, many are worried it has tarnished the city’s reputation as the world’s financial center. Here in the U.S., we look at alternative economic indicators to the otherwise drab June jobs report. One small South Texas town is struggling to deal with its oil boom. A new company aims to help people get much-needed loans and build their credit rating at the same time. And Sarah Gardner talks to Eric Klinenberg about the 1995 Chicago heatwave that killed over 700 people, and what we’ve done to prepare for heatwaves since then.

A new report shows that renting might actually be a safer alternative to buying in today’s economy. President Obama kicked off his two-day ‘Betting on America’ bus tour today — Sarah Gardner talks to linguist Ben Zimmer about the psychology behind the name. A review from the House reveals home lender Countrywide gave preferential treatment to members of Congress, their staffs and employees of Fannie Mae in order to win influence in government. Gallup’s Frank Newport discusses consumer attitudes towards summer spending. Taco Bell rolls out its new ‘gourmet menu’ today. And some companies are choosing to advertise directly on people’s bodies.

Former Barclays CEO Bob Diamond testified to British lawmakers today. Sarah Gardner talks to two American ex-pats in Europe about what they are seeing and hearing on the streets of their adopted homes. The FDA in U.S. has approved distribution for the first ever over-the-counter rapid HIV test. Is produce from the farmers market really what’s best for our health and the environment? Hard cider sales have increased more than 20 percent nationwide, while beer sales have dropped.  And reporter Mitchell Hartman looks into what a songs need in order to become a summer hit.

California lawmakers passed a Homeowners Bill of Rights to help with foreclosure relief. A tobacco tax tacked onto a transportation bill now puts smaller tobacco stores under the same rules as Big Tobacco. The City of Niagara Falls has a new incentive to boost population — paying off student loans for young people who move there. The Weather Channel has bought The Weather Underground, a crowdsourcing site for weather enthusiasts. New York bureau chief Heidi Moore explains LIBOR and Bob Diamond’s resignation as CEO of Barclays. And Wealth & Poverty reporter Krissy Clark takes a closer look at what “all men created equal” meant at the time the Declaration of Independence was being written.

Heat waves in the Midwest are exacerbating rough drought conditions for the farming industry there. Meanwhile, storms in the east disrupted Amazon’s data center and cloud service this weekend. Opponents of Obama’s health care plan say that it will be the largest tax in the history of our country — reporter Shereen Marisol Meraji does some fact-checking. Mexicans are hopeful its newly elected president and government will bring better times. And Tess Vigeland talks to Frank Partnoy, author of a new book that explores how slowing down in a fast-paced world can actually help with decision-making.