Jul 03 Why Are Newspapers Sold in Vending Machines That Allow You to Take More Than One? Robert Frank: Here’s another product-design question, this one posed by my former student Brendan Quigley. “Why,” he asked, “are newspapers, but not soft drinks, sold in vending machines that allow customers to take more units than they paid for?”… Continue reading
Jul 02 Why Does Your Refrigerator Have a Light, But Not Your Freezer? Robert Frank: Today’s question was posed by my former student Karim Abdallah. “Why,” he asked, “does a light come on when you open the refrigerator but not when you open the freezer?” The cost-benefit principle offers a promising framework… Continue reading
Jun 26 Watch Single-payer Advocates Make Case in Health Reform The projected cost of a health care overhaul has cast doubt over whether lawmakers will be able to reach agreement on a plan while advocates for a single-payer system have been making their case. Betty Ann Bowser reports on the… Continue watching
Jun 19 Watch Health Care Debate May Hinge on Public Insurance Option House Democrats unveiled a draft health care reform bill Friday that includes a "public option" -- a government-run health insurance plan that would compete with private insurers. Betty Ann Bowser examines the debate over the public insurance concept. Continue watching
Jun 15 Watch Doctors Consider Health Care Possibilites as White House Pushes Reform As the health care reform debate heats up on Capitol Hill, health correspondent Betty Ann Bowser speaks with doctors about the pros and cons of a government-funded public plan and other possible changes to the current system. Continue watching
May 25 Watch Summer Travelers Witness Another Rise in Gas Prices As crude oil costs climb higher, summer travelers are watching the price of gasoline increase. Analysts examine the factors pushing oil prices up. Continue watching
May 19 Watch Analysts Mull White House’s New Vehicle Emissions Standards The Obama administration's new vehicle emissions standards would increase the fuel economy of automobiles to a minimum of 35.5 mpg by 2016. Analysts mull the plan's costs and benefits and assess the challenges ahead for the auto industry. Continue watching
Mar 17 Watch Calif. Scientists Advance Toward Producing Fusion Energy Spencer Michels reports on the ongoing efforts of scientists in California, who say they are getting closer to producing fusion energy to help fuel American energy independence. Continue watching
Mar 10 Watch Some Public Transit Agencies Made Risky Financial Deals Some public transport agencies engaged in a similar kind of financial risk-taking that has caused large banks and companies to fail and contributed to the global financial meltdown. Rick Karr reports in the latest installment of the "Blueprint America" series. Continue watching
Feb 20 Watch Some Find Silver Lining in Dark Economic Cloud The economic downturn isn't all bad for everyone. Paul Solman reports on some Americans who have seen their quality of life increase. Continue watching