Young People and the Media For Toddlers, a World Laden with Advertising July 31, 2006 • For many weary parents of preschoolers, television can be a godsend. And some of the programming might even be educational. But some experts say that even the most positive children's television can carry messages that aren't good for children.
Technology Independent Television: Beyond YouTube July 31, 2006 • Producers of independent television gathered in Los Angeles over the weekend to attend what event organizers billed as the first independent television festival.
Technology Affordable Laptop Computer Project Moves Forward July 31, 2006 • Nicholas Negroponte wants to put inexpensive laptops into the hands of children in developing countries. The project is called One Laptop Per Child. Despite setbacks, the program is moving forward.
Credit Card Companies Accused of Antitrust Breach July 31, 2006 • Mastercard and Visa collect billions of dollars in fees each year from the nation's retailers. Merchants have long complained about the way those fees are determined. A lawsuit accusing Mastercard and Visa of antitrust violations is expected to go to trial in Brooklyn soon.
Food Upscale Ice: Frozen, Fashionable: 10 Cents a Cube July 29, 2006 • Scott Simon takes a moment to note a new product coming on the market -- filtered water ice cubes which sell for about 10 cents a piece.
In Chicago, a Fight over Wages for Retail Employees July 29, 2006 • Chicago passes a city ordinance that would require big retailers like Wal-Mart and Target to pay workers at least $13 an hour in wages and benefits within the next few years.Opponents are calling the measure illegal and planning to sue. Even Chicago's mayor is opposed. But for Chicago's poorest neighborhoods, the main question is whether the ordinance will bring better jobs or chase new ones away.
IBM Office Accused of Hacking Law Firm July 28, 2006 • A federal judge is considering whether a lawsuit can go ahead in which a law firm claims that IBM and an employee in its Durham, N.C., facility tried to hack into the law firm's e-mail system. The complaint alleges that more than 42,000 attempts were made to enter the firm's system.
Economy Marketplace Report: Worker Pay Not Keeping Pace July 28, 2006 • The U.S. Department of Commerce reported that employee compensation growth over the past two years has been even weaker than previously assumed, and the pay for many workers isn't keeping up with rising prices. Steve Tripoli of Marketplace talks with Noah Adams about the rising inflation rate and slowing economic growth.
Technology New Chips Lead to Lower Computer Prices July 28, 2006 • Intel had its biggest product roll-out in six years Thursday with the introduction of the Core 2 Duo processor chip. Intel and rival Advanced Micro Devices used the product switch to drop prices on many chips. Computer buyers should see substantially lower costs for powerful desktop PCs in the coming months.
Your Money Soft Housing Market Catches Some Between Homes July 28, 2006 • The housing market is cooling. New figures show that both new and existing home sales are down about 10 percent since last year. Rising inventories and dropping prices are making it tougher to sell a house or condo.
Chicago Passes 'Living Wage' Rule for Retailers July 27, 2006 • Chicago approves a plan requiring big-box retailers to pay a "living wage" to their employees, making it the biggest city in the nation with such a law. The measure requires mega-retailers to pay wages of at least $10 an hour plus $3 in fringe benefits by mid-2010. A court challenge is expected.
Exxon's $10 Billion Profit Leads Oil Industry July 27, 2006 • Exxon Mobil reports quarterly profits of more than $10.3 billion, the second-best quarter ever for a U.S. company. Exxon Mobil's mark is topped only by the company's own record, which it set late last year. When Chevron announces its earnings Friday, it is expected to push the total for the five largest oil companies to well above $30 billion.
Economy Marketplace Report: Oil Profits Up, Car Makers Hurting July 27, 2006 • ExxonMobil announced Thursday that the oil giant had the second-most profitable quarter ever recorded by a publicly-traded company. Shell Oil also came up big. But while these companies are cashing in on high oil prices, some car makers are hurting. Steve Tripoli of Marketplace talks with Alex Chadwick.
City Requires Registration Before Hiring Day Laborers July 27, 2006 • The city of Vista near San Diego is trying a novel way to control the number of day laborers who congregate in shopping centers and on street corners, looking for work. Individuals who want to hire these workers are being required to register first with the city.
Despite Loss, has GM Turned the Corner? July 27, 2006 • Troubled auto giant General Motors lost $3.2 billion in the second quarter. But there are indications that the company's restructuring plan is starting to pay off. Don Gonyea talks to Paul Eisenstein, editorial director of The Car Connection, about GM's prospects.