Once upon a time the fossil fuel capital of the world was the U.S. — first in Pennsylvania, then in Texas. Then, the center of gravity shifted to the Middle East and beyond. But a new report out today from the International Energy Agency predicts that over the next five years, North America will once again dominate new supplies of oil and natural gas.

Think about what happens when your phone is stolen. You have to go out and buy a new one, then you have to sign up for a new plan with your carrier. With cell phone theft generating new sales for manufacturers, and new contracts for carriers, why would they do anything to stop it?

The housing market is starting to come back in the Southwest, and homebuilders are beginning to build again. But there’s a problem.  During the recession, the country lost more than a million construction jobs. And many of those workers have moved on.