National Cities Strain to Cover Budget Gaps January 31, 2005 • Many American cities are struggling with budget shortfalls. Their financial troubles are likely to get worse if expected cuts are made in domestic federal spending. Don Durfee, research editor of CFO magazine points to Pittsburgh and Buffalo as cities in acute financial crises, and Atlanta, San Diego, and Chicago as others with growing budgetary problems.
SBC Agrees to Acquire AT&T January 31, 2005 • San Antonio-based SBC reportedly strikes a deal to buy telecommunications giant AT&T. The cash and dividend deal is valued at $16 billion. The merger would create the nation's largest telecommunications company.
Technology Direct to DVD: Making Videos at Home January 31, 2005 • Technology expert Walter Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal talks about the incompatibility of some home-burned DVDs with certain DVD players. They discuss the kinds of DVD burners that are currently available and what to expect in the future.
Marsh & McLennan Settles Charges of Bid-Rigging January 31, 2005 • Insurance broker Marsh & McLennan agrees to pay $850 million to settle charges the firm engaged in bid-rigging. The company said it was ashamed by "what a few of the tens of thousands of Marsh employees" had done.
Technology The Marketplace Report: Microsoft Dividends January 31, 2005 • NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Bob Moon of Marketplace about Microsoft dividends and the substantial impact they had on personal income for the month of December.
Health Care Group of Companies Plans to Offer Discounted Health Insurance January 31, 2005 • Sixty large companies work with three health insurers to offer a variety of health options to workers who don't qualify for regular coverage. As many as 4 million who lack insurance could be eligible, but some experts say the costs could still be prohibitive for some.
SBC Finalizes Acquisition of AT&T January 31, 2005 • San Antonio-based SBC finalizes a deal to acquire its former parent company AT&T in a deal valued at $16 billion in stock and cash. The companies have not said what will become of the AT&T name, but acknowledged its value as a brand.
Economy Lesotho Textile Industry Feels Effect of New Trade Rules January 31, 2005 • New trade rules lifting quotas on garment exports are having an impact for many countries. One such country is the tiny African nation of Lesotho, where six factories have closed and some 6,000 workers have lost their jobs.
Brazil Makes Move to Open Source Software January 31, 2005 • The government of Brazil says it will switch 300,000 government computers from Microsoft's Windows operating system to open source software like Linux. Microsoft founder Bill Gates wants to meet with Brazil's president to discuss the change. Brazil is dropping all proprietary software.
AT&T and SBC Communications Set to Merge January 30, 2005 • Host Jennifer Ludden interviews Scott Cleland of the "Precursor Group" about today's reports of the pending acquisition of AT&T by SBC Communications.
The Marketplace Report: Procter & Gamble/Gillette Merger January 28, 2005 • NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Bob Moon of Marketplace about the proposed merger between Procter & Gamble and the Gillette Company.
National New York's Plaza Hotel Will Get Makeover January 28, 2005 • A venerable New York institution is closing its doors for a year at least. The Plaza Hotel, made famous in the movies and books, will go dark until 2006 for a major renovation. When it reopens, it will share space with stores and condominiums.
Expert: Retail Consolidation Likely to Continue January 28, 2005 • Nancy Koehn, professor at Harvard Business School, discusses consolidation in the U.S. retail sector. The owner of Macy's and Bloomingdale's and its main competitor are thinking about merging. Koehn talks about the current business climate of department stores and the likely impact of consolidation on consumers.
Law Hip-Hop Executive Charged with Laundering Drug Money January 28, 2005 • One of the biggest executives in hip-hop is indicted on money laundering charges by federal prosecutors in New York. Irving "Gotti" Lorenzo, founder of the music label Murder, Inc., and his brother Christopher, are suspected of being involved in a large drug ring.
Procter & Gamble Plans to Purchase Gillette January 28, 2005 • Household goods giant Procter & Gamble announces plans to buy battery and razor maker Gillette for a reported $55 billion in stock. The friendly transaction will bring together brand names such as Crest, Tide, Duracell and Right Guard.