Jun 18 Watch Lawmakers skeptical that GM can remodel its leadership By PBS News Hour General Motors CEO Mary Barra returned to address Congress about an internal company report on the ignition switch defect that has been linked to at least 13 deaths. Barra announced a new campaign to reward employees who report safety concerns,… Continue watching
Jun 18 Bitcoin processor signs deal to sponsor NCAA bowl game By Diane Jeanty In an effort to bring the digital currency bitcoin more mainstream, BitPay, an Atlanta based bitcoin payment processor, signed a deal with ESPN Events to sponsor the former NCAA Beef O’Brady’s Bowl hosted in St. Petersburg, Florida. Continue reading
Jun 18 Fed reduces stimulus despite slower growth projections By Simone Pathe The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to again reduce its stimulus program by $10 billion to $35 billion in July. Since the financial crisis in 2008, the Federal Reserve has been buying mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasuries… Continue reading
Jun 18 How America can overcome the challenges of an aging population By Milton Ezrati America has always projected virtues of youth, overwhelming the world with its brute force. But demographic challenges, namely an aging workforce and low birth rates, mean the American economy has some adjusting to do. That's a good thing, says economist… Continue reading
Jun 16 Watch Budding recreational pot industry sparks innovation and investment By PBS News Hour Recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado and Washington state, and though it’s still illegal under federal law, more states are considering the move, setting the stage for a potential gold rush that could conceivably rival the repeal of prohibition. Economics… Continue watching
Jun 16 What're they smoking in the next high-finance industry? By Simone Pathe Attending a conference for cannabis entrepreneurs and potential investors, Paul Solman heard the latest product pitches and saw the newest paraphernalia. But what about the people behind this growth industry -- what's their relationship to the substance? For some, it's… Continue reading
Jun 16 What Social Security's Survivors Planner won't tell you about taking widows benefits By Laurence Kotlikoff Thanks to one of Social Security's nasty "gotchas," the survivor benefits that a widow(er) collects depend on when the late spouse took retirement benefits. Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff shows how the collection strategy of one deceased husband makes all… Continue reading
Jun 13 Why not all American youth should go to college By Robert Lerman Traveling to BMW's only American plant, where they've imported the German tradition of apprenticeships, Paul Solman speaks with long-time apprenticeship advocate and American University economist Bob Lerman about how pushing everyone onto the same path of a four-year college degree… Continue reading
Jun 12 Watch How to combat the tightening grip of inequality around the globe By PBS News Hour Income inequality has been rising over the past three decades, in the United States most of all, but also in the United Kingdom, Canada and France, according to new findings by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Judy Woodruff… Continue watching
Jun 12 House approves permanent tax break for small businesses By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The House voted Thursday to make permanent a generous tax break that makes it easier for small businesses to buy new equipment and improve their property, part of an election-year showdown over a series of expired tax breaks… Continue reading