Striving For A Safer Table Saw Making the Case for a Safer Table Saw May 31, 2006 • Table-saw accidents send more than 60,000 people to seek medical treatment every year, according to federal estimates. In an effort to get the power-tool industry to adopt safer technology, SawStop inventor Steven Gass visited the Consumer Product Safety Commission near Washington recently.
World Mongolia's Nomads Face Difficult Transition May 31, 2006 • Mongolia's harsh climate and its recent transition to a market economy have made it difficult for some herders to maintain their traditional way of life. They are being encouraged to work together in cooperatives, but the nomads have to learn to trust each other first.
Economy In Congress, Paulson Faces Skeptics on Tax Policy May 31, 2006 • Henry Paulson, President Bush's nominee to be Treasury Secretary, has a challenge in getting the president's competitiveness initiative through Congress. Plans to renew research and development tax credits, as well as credits for math and science education, have run into roadblocks from Republican conservatives.
The Immigration Debate Marketplace Report: A Dunkin' Immigrant Plan May 31, 2006 • Dunkin' Donuts will begin using a new service to check the immigration status of some employees. Madeleine Brand speaks to Janet Babin of Marketplace about the Dunkin Donuts plan.
Economy Global Markets in a Slump May 31, 2006 • Alex Chadwick speaks with Kristin Forbes, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, about the recent downturn in global markets.
Economy Sky-High Housing Prices Boosting Rents in U.S. May 31, 2006 • Housing prices within the United States have reached such highs that many who would like to buy a home are instead forced into the rental market -- and as a result, landlords are finding they can charge higher rents. Is the sky-high cost of housing sparking inflation fears? Madeleine Brand talks with David Laray, chief economist with the National Association of Realtors, about the current real estate picture.
Independent Oilman Takes on Oil Giants May 31, 2006 • Jack Grynberg is the oilman other oilmen love to hate. The veteran oil driller has filed a series of lawsuits claiming that the oil industry is systematically defrauding the government of royalty payments. Grynberg has been in court for years trying to prove his case.
Politics Budget, Value of Dollar Key to Treasury Success May 31, 2006 • President Bush has chosen Wall Street veteran Henry M. Paulson Jr. to be his third treasury secretary. If confirmed, he would succeed John Snow. The Wall Street Journal's David Wessel tells Steve Inskeep that the Goldman Sachs CEO can make a difference at Treasury by taming the federal budget process and the tending to the value of the dollar.
Goldman Sachs Continues Funneling Talent to Washington May 31, 2006 • There is a long list of former Goldman Sachs employees who've left Wall Street to work for the government. It's an unusual history of public service for a financial firm. Frank Langfitt reports.
Utilities Seek Permits for New Nuclear Reactors May 30, 2006 • Utility companies have announced plans to seek permits for more than a dozen nuclear power reactors around the U.S. It's been more than 20 years since the last commercial energy reactor was constructed in the U.S. But growing demand for electricity -- and federal subsidies -- have led to renewed interest in nuclear power.
Economy At Goldman Sachs, Paulson Led a Top Bank Higher May 30, 2006 • The venerable New York investment firm Goldman Sachs has a long track record for producing political bigwigs. Treasury Secretary-nominee Henry M. Paulson Jr. has served as both chairman and CEO since 1999. The company boasts a return on equity of upwards of 40 percent.
Paulson-Snow Swap Signals New Emphasis May 30, 2006 • President Bush nominates Goldman Sachs Chairman Henry Paulson to be the new Treasury Secretary. He is to replace John Snow, whose resignation from the Cabinet will become official in June. Snow's departure had been widely expected.
The Color of Money The Best Way to Handle a Cash Windfall May 30, 2006 • Getting an unexpected cash windfall sends many people on buying sprees. Not so fast, says Day to Day personal finance contributor Michelle Singletary. She speaks with Madeleine Brand about the best way to handle a windfall.
Politics White House Nominates Paulson for Treasury May 30, 2006 • President Bush nominates the head of one of Wall Street's top financial firms to lead the Treasury Department. Henry Paulson Jr. -- chairman of Goldman Sachs -- is slated to replace resigning Secretary John Snow. The White House hopes Paulson will do a better job than Snow selling the president's economic record.
Your Money Foreclosure Rates Rise Across the United States May 30, 2006 • Home foreclosures are up 38 percent across the country this quarter. Adjustable-rate mortgages tied to rising interest rates may be part of the reason.