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Business

Holiday Shopping Outlook Glum, Analysts Say

Some Wall Street analysts warn of a "dismal" holiday shopping season. But others point to the 3.1-percent economic growth rate and say the predictions are overly pessimistic. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Holiday Shopping Outlook Glum, Analysts Say

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SEC Probes Accounting Board

The SEC investigates William Webster's selection to head an accounting oversight board after reports suggest SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt failed to disclose problems in Webster's resume to other SEC commissioners. NPR's Jack Speer reports.

SEC Probes Webster Selection to Head Accounting Board

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Nation's Railroads Respond to Terrorism Alert

Allan Rutter, head of the Federal Railroad Administration, says railroads are paying more attention to security in light of a recent FBI warning about a possible terrorist threat to U.S. railways. Rutter speaks to NPR's Bob Edwards.

Nation's Railroads Respond to Terrorism Alert

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Citigroup Moves to Bolster Investor Confidence

Citigroup turns to the head of an independent Wall Street research firm, Sallie Krawcheck, to restructure its stock research and investment banking divisions. The goal: restore investor confidence. NPR's Chris Arnold reports.

Citigroup Moves to Bolster Investor Confidence

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Smokers Head to Internet to Avoid Cigarette Tax Hikes

Recent increases in state cigarette taxes lead to new concerns about illegal tobacco sales. Authorities say more smokers are crossing state lines, or heading online, to buy cheaper cigarettes. Hear NPR's Adam Hochberg.

Smokers Head to Internet to Avoid Cigarette Tax Hikes

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Study:Consumer Confidence Down

As the holiday shopping season approaches, a new study shows consumer confidence plunging to a nine-year low. But some economists question the survey result. NPR's Jack Speer reports.

Study Showing Drop in Consumer Confidence Questioned

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Enron Update

NPR's Peter Overby reports that a lawyer for Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay says Lay did not sell large blocks of company stock because he lost faith in his own company, but because he needed to raise money to pay off debts. The lawyer, in an interview with The New York Times, said Lay had used his stock as collateral on loans. As Enron's stock plunged, he had to sell because the collateral was worth less. There are now 10 Congressional panels looking into the Enron debacle. The first of many hearings gets under way on Thursday.

Enron Update

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Lost & Found Sound

LOST & FOUND SOUND: CIGAR STORIES -- Actor Andy Garcia narrates

7.} {LOST & FOUND SOUND: CIGAR STORIES -- Actor Andy Garcia narrates a story about the "readers" who made life in cigar factories tolerate. This story, produced by The Kitchen Sisters -- Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva -- in collaboration with Laura Folger and Tina Pacheco, tells the story of the men who were paid to read aloud to men and women rolling cigars in Tampa and Ybor City, Florida at the beginning of the century and into the 30s. These "Lectors" would read from classics, revolutionary tracts and labor union magazines to keep the worker's informed and amused. LOST AND FOUND SOUND learned about this profession as the result of a phone call to its QUEST FOR SOUND line (202-408-0300) from a man in Florida who had 78 r.p.m. records of his father, who was a Lector. After a labor dispute the job of Lector was eliminated. The radio came to take the place of the reader. We trace the origins of the practice of readers, which started in Spain. The readers would often read all the way through a novel -- a little bit each day. People would gather outside the factory windows to listen in. LOST & FOUND SOUND executive producers are The Kitchen Sisters, Davia Nelson and Nikki Silva, and Jay Allison. Production help from Kate Volkman, Viki Russell, Darcy Bacon and Sandra Wong. NPR coordinating producer is Art Silverman. FORMAT BREAKER {22:00}

LOST & FOUND SOUND: CIGAR STORIES -- Actor Andy Garcia narrates

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Lost & Found Sound

Lost And Found Sound: The Art Of The Carnival Talker

As part of ALL THINGS CONSIDERED's year-long Friday series, we travel to the world of the Carnival Talker. Many call them "Barkers," but they dislike that term.

Lost And Found Sound: The Art Of The Carnival Talker

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