Chris Arnold http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100196&ft=1&f=2100196 NPR correspondent Chris Arnold is based in Boston. His reports are heard regularly on NPR's award-winning newsmagazines <em>Morning Edition</em>, <em>All Things Considered</em>, and <em>Weekend Edition</em>. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Chris Arnold http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2100196&ft=1&f=2100196 In Boston, Lockdown Became Time To Spend With Friends The long day in Boston left many residents stuck in their homes watching TV. Some chose to congregate, and NPR's Chris Arnold went to a "lock-down party" Friday night, and spoke to happy residents after the capture of the second suspect. Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/20/178090681/in-boston-lockdown-became-time-to-spend-with-friends?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/20/178090681/in-boston-lockdown-became-time-to-spend-with-friends?ft=1&f=2100196 The long day in Boston left many residents stuck in their homes watching TV. Some chose to congregate, and NPR's Chris Arnold went to a "lock-down party" Friday night, and spoke to happy residents after the capture of the second suspect.

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]]> Boston Locked Down During Hunt For Bombing Suspect The city of Boston and several surrounding communities were locked down as authorities conducted a massive search for a remaining suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing. Gov. Deval Patrick asked residents to stay inside. The region's rail, bus and subway system shut down and taxi service was halted.for much of the morning. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/19/178005661/boston-locked-down-during-hunt-for-bombing-suspect?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/19/178005661/boston-locked-down-during-hunt-for-bombing-suspect?ft=1&f=2100196 The city of Boston and several surrounding communities were locked down as authorities conducted a massive search for a remaining suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing. Gov. Deval Patrick asked residents to stay inside. The region's rail, bus and subway system shut down and taxi service was halted.for much of the morning.

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]]> Saving For Retirement? Here's A Tip The stock market hasn't been kind to 401(k) plans in recent years. At an annual economics retreat in Maine, some experts offer up a word of caution: Watch out for fees. Sat, 01 Sep 2012 06:10:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/09/01/160011570/saving-for-retirement-heres-a-tip?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/09/01/160011570/saving-for-retirement-heres-a-tip?ft=1&f=2100196 The stock market hasn't been kind to 401(k) plans in recent years. At an annual economics retreat in Maine, some experts offer up a word of caution: Watch out for fees.

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]]> She's No Man; She's A Lobsterman In New England, more women are breaking through the glass gangway. For generations lobstermen in Maine have been predominantly, well, men — but that's starting to change. Sun, 19 Aug 2012 02:19:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/19/159175781/fishing-for-lobsters-not-just-a-mans-game?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/19/159175781/fishing-for-lobsters-not-just-a-mans-game?ft=1&f=2100196 In New England, more women are breaking through the glass gangway. For generations lobstermen in Maine have been predominantly, well, men — but that's starting to change.

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]]> New Terms Set For Fannie And Freddie The Treasury Department Friday changed the terms of its bailout agreement with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The mortgage giants often had to pay the government back more in interest than it earned in profits, a system at odds with the goal of eventually dismantling the companies. The move appears aimed at calming financial markets. Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/17/159018028/new-terms-set-for-fannie-and-freddie?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/17/159018028/new-terms-set-for-fannie-and-freddie?ft=1&f=2100196 The Treasury Department Friday changed the terms of its bailout agreement with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The mortgage giants often had to pay the government back more in interest than it earned in profits, a system at odds with the goal of eventually dismantling the companies. The move appears aimed at calming financial markets.

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]]> Persuading Banks To Give Homeowners A Break Over the past four years, Bruce Marks has been on a traveling road show to help people avoid foreclosure. He says his nonprofit, the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, has helped more than 200,000 people get their payments lowered so they can afford to keep their homes. Thu, 16 Aug 2012 03:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/16/158877539/persuading-banks-to-give-homeowners-a-break?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/16/158877539/persuading-banks-to-give-homeowners-a-break?ft=1&f=2100196 Over the past four years, Bruce Marks has been on a traveling road show to help people avoid foreclosure. He says his nonprofit, the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, has helped more than 200,000 people get their payments lowered so they can afford to keep their homes.

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]]> Consumer Bureau Targets Improper Floreclosures The head of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau says he wants to "extend new protections to consumers against the kind of shabby customer service and law-breaking by mortgage servicers that has been so thoroughly documented." The bureau has proposed new rules to help homeowners facing foreclosure. But housing advocates say it will all depend on enforcement. Mon, 13 Aug 2012 02:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/13/158677145/consumer-bureau-targets-improper-floreclosures?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/13/158677145/consumer-bureau-targets-improper-floreclosures?ft=1&f=2100196 The head of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau says he wants to "extend new protections to consumers against the kind of shabby customer service and law-breaking by mortgage servicers that has been so thoroughly documented." The bureau has proposed new rules to help homeowners facing foreclosure. But housing advocates say it will all depend on enforcement.

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]]> Maine Lobstermen Give Farming Sea Scallops A Try As more areas are becoming overfished, fishermen and scientists in Maine are developing a way to farm scallops instead of catching them. It's said to be safer for the environment and brings in more money, but the method isn't approved yet. Sun, 12 Aug 2012 09:33:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/12/157674235/maine-lobstermen-give-farming-sea-scallops-a-try?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/12/157674235/maine-lobstermen-give-farming-sea-scallops-a-try?ft=1&f=2100196 As more areas are becoming overfished, fishermen and scientists in Maine are developing a way to farm scallops instead of catching them. It's said to be safer for the environment and brings in more money, but the method isn't approved yet.

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]]> Economists Cautiously Applaud Jobs Report In a much needed sign of hope for the U.S. economy, the Labor Department reported Friday that the country gained 163,000 jobs in July, which was better than expected. Still, unemployment rose a bit to 8.3 percent. NPR's Chris Arnold reports from an annual economics retreat in Maine with reaction from some of the country's top economists and analysts there. Sat, 04 Aug 2012 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/04/158127231/economists-cautiously-applaud-jobs-report?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/04/158127231/economists-cautiously-applaud-jobs-report?ft=1&f=2100196 In a much needed sign of hope for the U.S. economy, the Labor Department reported Friday that the country gained 163,000 jobs in July, which was better than expected. Still, unemployment rose a bit to 8.3 percent. NPR's Chris Arnold reports from an annual economics retreat in Maine with reaction from some of the country's top economists and analysts there.

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]]> Fed Considering Steps To Boost Economy The Federal Reserve is meeting this week and could decide Wednesday whether to take further action to boost the economy. Or, it may wait until its next meeting in September. With the unemployment rate stalled out above 8 percent and no longer falling, and other signs of ongoing weakness, more analysts think the Fed will move to take additional action. Wed, 01 Aug 2012 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/01/157699854/fed-considering-steps-to-boost-economy?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/08/01/157699854/fed-considering-steps-to-boost-economy?ft=1&f=2100196 The Federal Reserve is meeting this week and could decide Wednesday whether to take further action to boost the economy. Or, it may wait until its next meeting in September. With the unemployment rate stalled out above 8 percent and no longer falling, and other signs of ongoing weakness, more analysts think the Fed will move to take additional action.

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]]> Fannie, Freddie Regulator Holds Firm Against Mortgage Write-Downs A federal regulator is blocking the government-owned mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from reducing the principal that homeowners owe on their mortgages in order to avoid foreclosures. Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:20:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/07/31/157675159/fannie-freddie-regulator-holds-firm-against-mortgage-write-downs?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/07/31/157675159/fannie-freddie-regulator-holds-firm-against-mortgage-write-downs?ft=1&f=2100196 A federal regulator is blocking the government-owned mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from reducing the principal that homeowners owe on their mortgages in order to avoid foreclosures.

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]]> June Brought 80,000 Jobs, 8.2 Percent Unemployment The Labor Department on Friday reported the nation's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.2 percent in June, as employers created 80,000 jobs. The figures fall short of expectations and indicate a weakening job market amid sluggish economic growth. Fri, 06 Jul 2012 02:44:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/07/06/156354737/washington-wall-street-wait-for-jobless-report?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/07/06/156354737/washington-wall-street-wait-for-jobless-report?ft=1&f=2100196 The Labor Department on Friday reported the nation's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.2 percent in June, as employers created 80,000 jobs. The figures fall short of expectations and indicate a weakening job market amid sluggish economic growth.

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]]> Factories Scaling Back Amid Economic Slide Manufacturing, seen as a recent bright spot in the economy, contracted in June. It was the first monthly downturn in three years. Analysts cited several factors for the surprising downturn, including recession in Europe and slower growth in China. A pullback in factory activity could spell trouble for the U.S. economy unless another key sector — construction — gains true momentum. Mon, 02 Jul 2012 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/07/02/156144443/factories-scaling-back-amid-economic-slide?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/07/02/156144443/factories-scaling-back-amid-economic-slide?ft=1&f=2100196 Manufacturing, seen as a recent bright spot in the economy, contracted in June. It was the first monthly downturn in three years. Analysts cited several factors for the surprising downturn, including recession in Europe and slower growth in China. A pullback in factory activity could spell trouble for the U.S. economy unless another key sector — construction — gains true momentum.

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]]> Sales Tax In Health Law Targets Medical Devices Some industries stand to benefit now that the health care law has been upheld by the Supreme Court. For makers of medical devices, the ruling means frustration because a sales tax on their equipment stays in place. Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:50:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/07/02/156096945/sales-tax-in-health-law-targets-medical-devices?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/07/02/156096945/sales-tax-in-health-law-targets-medical-devices?ft=1&f=2100196 Some industries stand to benefit now that the health care law has been upheld by the Supreme Court. For makers of medical devices, the ruling means frustration because a sales tax on their equipment stays in place.

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]]> Morale Takes A Hit At Beleaguered Fannie, Freddie Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been vilified for their role in the housing collapse. Key employees have left as morale has plummeted. But the two organizations are key to the functioning of the U.S. housing market, leaving some observers concerned about the ongoing brain drain. Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/06/27/155761696/morale-takes-a-hit-at-beleaguered-fannie-freddie?ft=1&f=2100196 http://www.npr.org/2012/06/27/155761696/morale-takes-a-hit-at-beleaguered-fannie-freddie?ft=1&f=2100196 Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been vilified for their role in the housing collapse. Key employees have left as morale has plummeted. But the two organizations are key to the functioning of the U.S. housing market, leaving some observers concerned about the ongoing brain drain.

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