Online Social Networks Create Communities December 31, 2003 • Meetup.com and Friendster.com are two of the fastest-growing online social services. By relying on users to recruit other members, the web sites have transformed the political and social scene for millions of Americans. NPR's Michele Norris talks with Meetup.com Communications Director Myles Weissleder and Friendster.com founder Jonathan Abrams.
Industry Seeks Voice in Mad Cow Rules December 31, 2003 • With the first confirmed case of U.S. mad cow disease, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is moving to reassure consumers and control the disease. As the department devises new rules and procedures, many expect beef producers -- and the meat industry in general -- to influence how those rules are enforced. NPR's Peter Overby reports.
Wind Industry, Environmentalists Split on Energy Bill December 31, 2003 • Alternative energy companies are at odds with environmental groups over support for the energy bill currently stalled in Congress. The wind energy industry says passage of the bill is needed to renew tax credits, which expire today, crucial to their industry's survival. But environmental groups say the rest of the bill will do more harm than good. Jeff Young reports.
Culture DVDs Give New Life to TV Shows December 30, 2003 • A growing number of TV series are now available on the DVD market. Television shows on DVD make up a reported 10 percent of all DVD sales and rake in $1.5 billion, a rise of roughly 60 percent over the previous year. TK Arnold of Video Store magazine says more than 3,300 titles are currently available. Hear NPR's Michele Norris and Arnold.
FedEx to Acquire Kinko's Chain December 30, 2003 • FedEx, the largest express shipping company in the world, has agreed to acquire the copy shop chain Kinko's, for $2.4 billion. FedEx says the deal will broaden the company's retail reach. FedEx already offers services at many Kinko's shops; after the deal, it will have full-service counters at all 1,200 Kinko's stores. NPR's Adam Hochberg reports.
U.S. Mad Cow Case a Blow for Canadian Beef Industry December 30, 2003 • The finding that the Washington state cow infected with mad cow disease came from a Canadian ranch hits the cattle industry there hard. The revelation comes seven months after Canada's first -- and so far only -- mad cow case, and hurts Canadian efforts to convince the world that its beef industry remains safe. Hear Richard Reynolds.
The Best Business Books of 2003 December 30, 2003 • Not surprisingly, books about scandals dominated the best-selling business books of 2003. "The number of Enron books alone would fill a small library," says Randall Rothenberg, editor-in-chief of strategy+business magazine. He reviews the magazine's list of the best business books of the year with NPR's Bob Edwards.
Ethanol Business Booms December 30, 2003 • Ethanol producers were among the groups most disappointed last month when the Senate failed to pass a comprehensive energy bill. A key provision would have nearly doubled the amount of ethanol required to be added to the nation's gasoline. But even without the bill's subsidies, the ethanol industry is booming. NPR's Greg Allen reports.
Zimbabwe's Beef Industry Can't Respond to U.S. Crisis December 29, 2003 • Several years ago, cattle farmers in Zimbabwe would have been in a strong position to profit from the mad cow concerns over beef in the United States. But the government's seizure of commercial farms over the past three years has devastated the nation's commercial beef industry. NPR's Jason Beaubien reports.
U.S. Airline Inspections Roil Lost-Luggage Process December 29, 2003 • The Transportation Security Administration's increased scrutiny of commercial air baggage exposes the agency to potential claims by passengers losing all or part of their luggage in transit. Those in the industry say compensation claims for lost or damaged luggage are less likely to be resolved as a result. NPR's Jeff Brady reports.
Music News CD Copy-Protection Technology Falters December 29, 2003 • Record labels have spent years trying to install technology on compact discs to prevent them from being illegally copied. But most of these protections can be readily circumvented, and the vast majority of CDs are still easily burned. NPR's Rick Karr reports.
Wal-Mart Prices Put Onus on Suppliers December 27, 2003 • Wal-Mart's unmatched low prices place severe demands on the discount chain's suppliers, according to a magazine report. A demand to cut prices 5 percent every year has forced some suppliers into bankruptcy and prompted others to shut down American factories for cheaper labor abroad. Hear NPR's Scott Simon and Charles Fishman of Fast Company magazine.
Consumers Shrug at Mad Cow Case December 26, 2003 • At first glance, consumer confidence in American beef remains steady despite the first confirmed report of mad cow disease in the United States. Lines were long at fast food restaurants and most people questioned said they weren't worried about encountering contaminated meat. NPR's Ari Shapiro reports.
Uneven Holiday Sales Disappoint Retailers December 26, 2003 • Retailers are hoping a rush for post-Christmas bargains will provide a final boost for the holiday shopping season. So far, sales appear to be only a bit better than last year. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.
Trading in Cattle Futures Halted December 26, 2003 • Trading in cattle futures effectively ground to a halt today at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, after prices fell the maximum allowed. NPR's Melissa Block talks with Chuck Leavitt, senior livestock and meat analyst at Alaron Trading Group in Chicago.