NPR Topics: Business Story of the Day http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1095&ft=1&f=1095 NPR's top stories about business, money, Wall Street, companies, and the economy that you can't miss. Subscribe to the Business Story of the Day RSS feed. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Business Story of the Day http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1095&ft=1&f=1095 yes An Investment In Warhol May Hold Its Value A painting by the late pop artist Andy Warhol of 200 $1 bills, recently sold for $44 million. That's one of the highest prices ever paid for one of his paintings. Art writer Sarah Thornton has been exploring why works by Warhol maintain such high prices &mdash; his continued fame is one reason. She talks to Steve Inskeep about her article in <em>The Economist.</em> Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120883829&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120883829&ft=1&f=1095 A painting by the late pop artist Andy Warhol of 200 $1 bills, recently sold for $44 million. That's one of the highest prices ever paid for one of his paintings. Art writer Sarah Thornton has been exploring why works by Warhol maintain such high prices &mdash; his continued fame is one reason. She talks to Steve Inskeep about her article in <em>The Economist.</em> 232 no A painting by the late pop artist Andy Warhol of 200 $1 bills, recently sold for $44 million. That's one of the highest prices ever paid for one of his paintings. Art writer Sarah Thornton has been exploring why works by Warhol maintain such high prices — his continued fame is one reason. She talks to Steve Inskeep about her article in The Economist.

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]]> Nuclear Radiation Worries? There's A Pill For That Fear turns out be a very good thing for certain businesses. When North Korea or Iran mentions the word "nuclear," orders pour in to NukePills.com &mdash; a Web site that sells potassium iodide. The government also stockpiles this FDA-approved drug. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120751935&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120751935&ft=1&f=1095 Fear turns out be a very good thing for certain businesses. When North Korea or Iran mentions the word "nuclear," orders pour in to NukePills.com &mdash; a Web site that sells potassium iodide. The government also stockpiles this FDA-approved drug. 227 no Fear turns out be a very good thing for certain businesses. When North Korea or Iran mentions the word "nuclear," orders pour in to NukePills.com — a Web site that sells potassium iodide. The government also stockpiles this FDA-approved drug.

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]]> Expansion May Be On Tap For Craft Beer Maker A provision in the federal stimulus bill waiving the closing costs of an SBA loan allowed a Colorado brewery owner to buy an additional beer fermenter, which increased the amount of beer he could brew. More beer led to more jobs and more customers, and now Kevin DeLange is looking for more space. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120804581&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120804581&ft=1&f=1095 A provision in the federal stimulus bill waiving the closing costs of an SBA loan allowed a Colorado brewery owner to buy an additional beer fermenter, which increased the amount of beer he could brew. More beer led to more jobs and more customers, and now Kevin DeLange is looking for more space. 195 no A provision in the federal stimulus bill waiving the closing costs of an SBA loan allowed a Colorado brewery owner to buy an additional beer fermenter, which increased the amount of beer he could brew. More beer led to more jobs and more customers, and now Kevin DeLange is looking for more space.

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]]> Children's Furniture Store Struggles To Survive Sales at That's My Room in Salt Lake City have slowed to less than $5,000 a month. Despite making cutbacks, the owners say, they haven't taken a paycheck since the store opened a year and a half ago &mdash; right when the recession hit. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120725739&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120725739&ft=1&f=1095 Sales at That's My Room in Salt Lake City have slowed to less than $5,000 a month. Despite making cutbacks, the owners say, they haven't taken a paycheck since the store opened a year and a half ago &mdash; right when the recession hit. 243 no Sales at That's My Room in Salt Lake City have slowed to less than $5,000 a month. Despite making cutbacks, the owners say, they haven't taken a paycheck since the store opened a year and a half ago — right when the recession hit.

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]]> Small Business Stays 'Attached' To Laid-Off Workers A Charlotte, N.C., construction firm is among an increasing number of small companies trying a strategy that makes the firing process a bit gentler. It's called "attached unemployment," a kind of temporary layoff aimed at softening the blow of job cuts. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120618600&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120618600&ft=1&f=1095 A Charlotte, N.C., construction firm is among an increasing number of small companies trying a strategy that makes the firing process a bit gentler. It's called "attached unemployment," a kind of temporary layoff aimed at softening the blow of job cuts. 230 no A Charlotte, N.C., construction firm is among an increasing number of small companies trying a strategy that makes the firing process a bit gentler. It's called "attached unemployment," a kind of temporary layoff aimed at softening the blow of job cuts.

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]]> Price Fight: Coke Isn't It At Costco If you're a member of Costco, the nation's largest wholesale club, you may be surprised to learn that Coca-Cola's products are no longer on the shelves. The two companies are locked in a rare public dispute over the price consumers pay for beverages. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120590548&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120590548&ft=1&f=1095 If you're a member of Costco, the nation's largest wholesale club, you may be surprised to learn that Coca-Cola's products are no longer on the shelves. The two companies are locked in a rare public dispute over the price consumers pay for beverages. 187 no If you're a member of Costco, the nation's largest wholesale club, you may be surprised to learn that Coca-Cola's products are no longer on the shelves. The two companies are locked in a rare public dispute over the price consumers pay for beverages.

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]]> Suitors Vie For British Candy Maker Cadbury One of Britain's most revered companies is under threat of a takeover. Candy maker Cadbury already rejected a hostile takeover bid by U.S. giant Kraft Foods. Hershey has confirmed it is considering a joint takeover bid for Cadbury, along with Italian chocolate maker Ferrero. But it seems the offers may need to be considerably sweetened to persuade the British. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120562870&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120562870&ft=1&f=1095 One of Britain's most revered companies is under threat of a takeover. Candy maker Cadbury already rejected a hostile takeover bid by U.S. giant Kraft Foods. Hershey has confirmed it is considering a joint takeover bid for Cadbury, along with Italian chocolate maker Ferrero. But it seems the offers may need to be considerably sweetened to persuade the British. 206 no One of Britain's most revered companies is under threat of a takeover. Candy maker Cadbury already rejected a hostile takeover bid by U.S. giant Kraft Foods. Hershey has confirmed it is considering a joint takeover bid for Cadbury, along with Italian chocolate maker Ferrero. But it seems the offers may need to be considerably sweetened to persuade the British.

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]]> Federal Subsidies Keep Small-Town Airports Flying You may not ever take a flight to a place like Hot Springs, Ark. &mdash; but you're paying part of the cost for people who do. Under a decades-old government program, federal money is used to subsidize commercial air service for small communities that can't support it on their own. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:59:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120126620&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120126620&ft=1&f=1095 You may not ever take a flight to a place like Hot Springs, Ark. &mdash; but you're paying part of the cost for people who do. Under a decades-old government program, federal money is used to subsidize commercial air service for small communities that can't support it on their own. 254 no You may not ever take a flight to a place like Hot Springs, Ark. — but you're paying part of the cost for people who do. Under a decades-old government program, federal money is used to subsidize commercial air service for small communities that can't support it on their own.

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]]> Wall Street Now Home To American Indian Firm A Sioux tribe based in Lower Brule, S.D., just bought the Westrock Group, making the company the first fully Native American-owned investment firm. As a tribal business Westrock will gain access to a new pool of money and it won't have to pay federal income tax. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120472035&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120472035&ft=1&f=1095 A Sioux tribe based in Lower Brule, S.D., just bought the Westrock Group, making the company the first fully Native American-owned investment firm. As a tribal business Westrock will gain access to a new pool of money and it won't have to pay federal income tax. 215 no A Sioux tribe based in Lower Brule, S.D., just bought the Westrock Group, making the company the first fully Native American-owned investment firm. As a tribal business Westrock will gain access to a new pool of money and it won't have to pay federal income tax.

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]]> Ink Companies Clamp Down On Counterfeit Cartridges Drop-for-drop, computer printer ink is among the most expensive products on the market. And it's highly profitable for the makers. That's why the CEO of a printer cartridge recycling business has filed an industrial espionage suit. He says a competitor sent a spy to his company posing as a customer with some very exacting questions. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120448236&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120448236&ft=1&f=1095 Drop-for-drop, computer printer ink is among the most expensive products on the market. And it's highly profitable for the makers. That's why the CEO of a printer cartridge recycling business has filed an industrial espionage suit. He says a competitor sent a spy to his company posing as a customer with some very exacting questions. 264 no Drop-for-drop, computer printer ink is among the most expensive products on the market. And it's highly profitable for the makers. That's why the CEO of a printer cartridge recycling business has filed an industrial espionage suit. He says a competitor sent a spy to his company posing as a customer with some very exacting questions.

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]]> Calif. Companies Help Ex-Cons Get Back On Track Though California has the worst recidivism rate in the nation &mdash; more than two-thirds of ex-cons in the state return to prison &mdash; companies like Goodwill Industries and Tri-CED Community Recycling make a point of hiring people looking for a second chance. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:37:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120019441&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120019441&ft=1&f=1095 Though California has the worst recidivism rate in the nation &mdash; more than two-thirds of ex-cons in the state return to prison &mdash; companies like Goodwill Industries and Tri-CED Community Recycling make a point of hiring people looking for a second chance. 229 no Though California has the worst recidivism rate in the nation — more than two-thirds of ex-cons in the state return to prison — companies like Goodwill Industries and Tri-CED Community Recycling make a point of hiring people looking for a second chance.

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]]> Vision Groups Want Colleges To Stop Buying Kindle Amazon's Kindle is taking some knocks from the National Federation for the Blind. The electronic reader can read books aloud, but the federation says that function is difficult to turn on when you can't see. Now, two universities say they won't buy more Kindles for their students unless Amazon comes up with a fix. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120340625&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120340625&ft=1&f=1095 Amazon's Kindle is taking some knocks from the National Federation for the Blind. The electronic reader can read books aloud, but the federation says that function is difficult to turn on when you can't see. Now, two universities say they won't buy more Kindles for their students unless Amazon comes up with a fix. 92 no Amazon's Kindle is taking some knocks from the National Federation for the Blind. The electronic reader can read books aloud, but the federation says that function is difficult to turn on when you can't see. Now, two universities say they won't buy more Kindles for their students unless Amazon comes up with a fix.

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]]> Bank Failure Leads To Largest Chinese-American Bank The failure of United Commercial Bank and its FDIC-brokered sale to Pasadena-based East-West Bank creates the largest bank focused on the Chinese-American market. It's also now the largest bank based in Southern California. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120300313&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120300313&ft=1&f=1095 The failure of United Commercial Bank and its FDIC-brokered sale to Pasadena-based East-West Bank creates the largest bank focused on the Chinese-American market. It's also now the largest bank based in Southern California. 88 no The failure of United Commercial Bank and its FDIC-brokered sale to Pasadena-based East-West Bank creates the largest bank focused on the Chinese-American market. It's also now the largest bank based in Southern California.

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]]> Indiana Clinic Lets Patients Work Off Bills Maple City Health Care Center in Goshen, Ind., has a unique business plan that allows patients to pay for treatment with something other than money. The clinic's More Than Money program gives patients $10 off their medical bills for each hour they perform community service. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:51:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120248089&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120248089&ft=1&f=1095 Maple City Health Care Center in Goshen, Ind., has a unique business plan that allows patients to pay for treatment with something other than money. The clinic's More Than Money program gives patients $10 off their medical bills for each hour they perform community service. 214 no Maple City Health Care Center in Goshen, Ind., has a unique business plan that allows patients to pay for treatment with something other than money. The clinic's More Than Money program gives patients $10 off their medical bills for each hour they perform community service.

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]]> Hotel Building Boom Focuses On Boutique Brands Despite the economy, hotel companies have been on a building spree &mdash; especially when it comes to creating new specialty hotels. Hyatt, Marriott and Starwood are all rolling out new brands and locations to cater to guests who don't want to stay in what they think of as a generic chain. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120102477&ft=1&f=1095 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120102477&ft=1&f=1095 Despite the economy, hotel companies have been on a building spree &mdash; especially when it comes to creating new specialty hotels. Hyatt, Marriott and Starwood are all rolling out new brands and locations to cater to guests who don't want to stay in what they think of as a generic chain. 221 no Despite the economy, hotel companies have been on a building spree — especially when it comes to creating new specialty hotels. Hyatt, Marriott and Starwood are all rolling out new brands and locations to cater to guests who don't want to stay in what they think of as a generic chain.

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