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Branson and Trump: Two Business Styles, Televised

Donald Trump's reality show The Apprentice is doing well in its second season, but another telegenic tycoon has surfaced: Virgin CEO Richard Branson now has a reality series called Rebel Billionaire. Hear John Byrne of Fast Company on what the shows reveal about Trump and Branson

Branson and Trump: Two Business Styles, Televised

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Pop Culture

Record Run on 'Jeopardy!' May Be at an End

The unprecedented success of a contestant on Jeopardy! may finally come to a close Tuesday, according to a wide range of rumors. The big winner, Ken Jennings, has accumulated more than $2.5 million over the course of some 70 shows.

Record Run on 'Jeopardy!' May Be at an End

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Bush Nominates Gutierrez to Head Commerce

President Bush nominates Carlos Gutierrez as Commerce secretary. The CEO and chairman of Kellogg's is considered one of the country's most prominent Hispanic executives. Gutierrez built an impressive record at the cereal company and now is called upon to help reform Social Security, simplify the tax code and make life easier for small business owners. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

Bush Nominates Gutierrez to Head Commerce

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Car Device Acts as High-Tech Repo Man

For people with bad credit, getting a car loan can be a challenge. But the auto industry has come up with a novel idea for letting poor creditors drive new cars off the lot: a kindler, gentler and automated repo-man. Hear NPR's Jack Speer.

Car Device Acts as High-Tech Repo Man

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Technology

Verizon Attempts to Block City's Move to Provide Internet Access

Philadelphia wants to hook up the entire city with high-speed, wireless Internet access in order to spur economic development. But Verizon has successfully backed a state bill that would make it illegal for any government entity in to compete with the telecom company in providing high-speed Internet service. NPR's Larry Abramson reports.

Verizon Attempts to Block City's Move to Provide Internet Access

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Low-Wage America

Jeans Plant Gives Hourly Workers a Safety Net

One in four U.S. jobs now qualifies as low income, according to the Census Bureau. NPR's Elaine Korry reports on the efforts of Levi-Strauss and Co., to help workers cope with -- and avoid -- a crisis.

Jeans Plant Gives Hourly Workers a Safety Net

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Major Employers Focus on Benefits for Domestic Partners

Many companies across the country are offering benefits to domestic partners, including two-thirds of the large corporations that make up the Fortune 100. NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports.

Major Employers Focus on Benefits for Domestic Partners

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Analysis

Retailers Face 'Ugly' Future

Retailers will show a modest increase in holiday sales over 2003, predicts analyst Howard Davidowitz. But he says this year's purchases are heavy on luxury items, and stores appealing to the masses are less well off. Meanwhile, rising interest rates and consumer debt make for an "ugly" future. Hear Davidowitz and NPR's Liane Hansen.

Big Retailers May Face an 'Ugly' Future

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Modest Expectations for Retail

Shoppers and retailers are in the thick of the buying season. But at stores in the Washington, D.C., area, retailers are keeping their expectations realistic. And some shoppers say they don't have as much to spend as they did in 2003. NPR's Nancy Marshall-Genzer reports.

Sales Season Starts with Modest Expectations

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