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Marketplace for Thursday, August 9, 2012
Aug 9, 2012

Marketplace for Thursday, August 9, 2012

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Kai Ryssdal talks to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to talk about how his department will help farmers affected by the drought. College costs are rising and now a new report shows that even upper-middle-class students are being hit hard. When a JCPenney shut its doors in San Fernando, Calif., recently, residents took to the streets. Bloomingdale's is testing out a new virtual fitting room using the technology found in Xbox consoles. China correspondent Rob Schmitz reports on a pet project of Bo Xilai, a Chinese politician who's now wrapped in scandal. And we kick off our new series on fun in the workplace.

Segments From this episode

The benefits of death for Google employees

Aug 9, 2012
The tech company offers a pretty decent death benefits package for its employees.

Closed JCPenney is an unlikely symbol of civic pride

Aug 9, 2012
It's a familiar story -- a small town rallies to protest a national retail outlet. This isn't that story.

Affluent families take on more college debt

Aug 9, 2012
More upper-middle-class families are borrowing for college so their children can attend high-tuition prestige schools.

Using technology to find the perfect pair of jeans

Aug 9, 2012
The key to finding the perfect fit? Matching your shape to the right pair of jeans. A Bloomingdale's in California thinks it has the high-tech solution.

U.S. ag secretary on the drought's effect on food prices

Aug 9, 2012
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discusses what the drought will mean for farmers and food prices, and the administration's plans to try and help.

Who gets to have fun...at work?

Aug 9, 2012
If fun means fulfilling, education definitely helps.

Dam shows flaws in China's economic model

Aug 9, 2012
Fallen politician Bo Xilai championed the Xiaonanhai Dam but it threatens an ancient fish species. Critics say it's being built just to aid regional growth.

Kai Ryssdal talks to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to talk about how his department will help farmers affected by the drought. College costs are rising and now a new report shows that even upper-middle-class students are being hit hard. When a JCPenney shut its doors in San Fernando, Calif., recently, residents took to the streets. Bloomingdale’s is testing out a new virtual fitting room using the technology found in Xbox consoles. China correspondent Rob Schmitz reports on a pet project of Bo Xilai, a Chinese politician who’s now wrapped in scandal. And we kick off our new series on fun in the workplace.

Music from the episode

Hear My Dear Oddisee
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Whistle While You Work - Heigh Ho (arr. A. Harris for Choir and Orchestra) Larry Morey, Frank Churchill, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Jerold D. Ottley
Direction Sackcloth Fashion
Direction Sackcloth Fashion