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Tuesday

Two-Tier Wage System Shortchanging Workers?

When the auto industry was struggling financially, UAW and Detroit's Big Three automakers negotiated a system giving new employees lower wages and fewer benefits than employees hired before the deal was struck. Host Michel Martin speaks with a local reporter, as well as an autoworker who took a buy-out and was rehired at the same plant.

Two-Tier Wage System Shortchanging Workers?

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Business

Treasury To Probe Freddie Mac's Investments

Freddie Mac last month said it would stop making risky bets against homeowners after concerns were raised by its regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The statement by the FHFA was issued in response to an investigation by NPR and ProPublica that disclosed how Freddie Mac bought billions of dollars in securities that turned a profit if homeowners remained stuck in high rate mortgages. The White House said the Treasury Department is looking into Freddie Mac's investments. Steve Inskeep talks with NPR's Chris Arnold and Jesse Eisinger of ProPublica about their report.

Treasury To Probe Freddie Mac's Investments

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Monday

Report Prompts Calls To End Freddie Mac's Conflict Of Interest

A sign for Freddie Mac in front of its headquarters in McLean, Va. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Report Prompts Calls To End Freddie Mac's Conflict Of Interest

Lawmakers and prominent economists on Monday called for changes at the taxpayer-owned mortgage company after NPR, in partnership with ProPublica, revealed that Freddie Mac has placed multibillion-dollar bets against American homeowners.

Report Prompts Calls To End Freddie Mac's Conflict Of Interest

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As Homeowners Struggle, Freddie Mac Benefits

An investigation by ProPublica and NPR finds that Freddie Mac has invested billions of dollars in bets against struggling homeowners. Public records show that Freddie Mac, in a potential conflict of interest, sought to make gains when homeowners failed to qualify for refinancing.

As Homeowners Struggle, Freddie Mac Benefits

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Freddie Mac Betting Against Struggling Homeowners

One of Freddie Mac's restrictions blocks people who have a short sale in their past from refinancing for two to four years following the short sale. Rich Pedroncelli/AP hide caption

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Rich Pedroncelli/AP

Freddie Mac Betting Against Struggling Homeowners

Freddie Mac has invested billions of dollars betting that U.S. homeowners won't be able to refinance their mortgages at today's lower rates, according to an investigation by NPR and ProPublica.

Freddie Mac Betting Against Struggling Homeowners

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Employees To Face 'Term Limits' At Casino

The new Revel casino, which sits along the boardwalk in Atlantic City, has drawn criticism for its employment policies. Emma Jacobs/WHYY hide caption

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Emma Jacobs/WHYY

Employees To Face 'Term Limits' At Casino

WHYY

A new casino set to open in Atlantic City has announced it will set term limits for its front-line staff and employees will have to go through the hiring process again.

Employees To Face 'Term Limits' At Casino

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Friday

Technology

A Mobile Wallet: Cash, Credit, Or ... Cellphone?

Google already offers a way to pay for lunch or groceries using its "Google Wallet" on an Android phone — cell providers and banks aren't far behind with payment systems of their own. Analyst Gilles Ubaghs talks about how coupons and convenience might persuade customers to make the switch.

A Mobile Wallet: Cash, Credit, Or ... Cellphone?

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Thursday

Planning Your Insanity-Free, 'Practical Wedding'

Weddings don't have to be extravagantly expensive to be filled with joy and fun. "Allocating your money to the places that you care the most about can be really helpful," says author Meg Keene. Kriss Russell/iStockphoto.com hide caption

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Kriss Russell/iStockphoto.com

Author Interviews

Planning Your Insanity-Free, 'Practical Wedding'

Couples planning their weddings are forced to make scores of difficult decisions — managing the guest list, the cost and family expectations. In her new book, Meg Keene helps couples focus a little more on the meaning of marriage, and a little less on the flowers and cake.

Planning Your Insanity-Free, 'Practical Wedding'

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Wednesday

How To Avoid 'Bill Shock' From Smartphone Use

A woman uses her smartphone on a street in Seoul. New rules are on the way to protect consumers from expensive data roaming fees, but for now, phone owners can take steps to help themselves. Kim Jae-Hwan/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Kim Jae-Hwan/AFP/Getty Images

How To Avoid 'Bill Shock' From Smartphone Use

Americans who've been traveling abroad are all too often stunned by the size of their mobile phone bill. Even if they aren't actively using their phone, they can rack up hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars in charges as data streams to their phone over foreign networks.

How To Avoid 'Bill Shock' From Smartphone Use

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Friday

Business

Consumer Protection Bureau Takes On Payday Loans

WBHM

The recently created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau went on the road to hold its first public hearing. The bureau traveled to Birmingham, Ala., to talk about payday lenders. In Alabama, there are four times as many store-front payday businesses than there are McDonalds.

Consumer Protection Bureau Takes On Payday Loans

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How Property Taxes Climb, Even If Home Value Drops

Shaker Heights in Cleveland has some of the highest property tax rates in the state (roughly $3,700 per $100,000 of assessed home value). Brian Bull/WCPN hide caption

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Brian Bull/WCPN

Crisis In The Housing Market

How Property Taxes Climb, Even If Home Value Drops

WCPN News

Millions of homeowners are finding out that their property taxes are either holding steady or rising. Their houses, however, may be worth much less, and there may not be much they can do about it. The economic downturn, state laws and property appraisals have created some surprises.

How Property Taxes Climb, Even If Home Value Drops

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Tuesday

Friday

Layoffs Hit Wall Street As Financial Needs Change

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in December. In the past year, banks in New York and around the country have announced tens of thousands of job cuts, as there isn't the same need for some financial services as before. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Economy

Layoffs Hit Wall Street As Financial Needs Change

WNYC

Big banks announced around 60,000 job cuts in 2011. With businesses and consumers still focused on reducing debt, there isn't the same need for financial services as there was before, says one banking analyst. The outlook in the years ahead is for a smaller, more stable and less profitable industry.

Layoffs Hit Wall Street As Financial Needs Change

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Thursday

Luxury Tractor Makes Debut At Detroit Auto Show

Craftsman's CTX tractor series is the first to be featured at the Detroit Auto Show. The newly unveiled line is equipped with many automobile-inspired features, including cup holders. Mercedes Mejia hide caption

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Mercedes Mejia

Business

Luxury Tractor Makes Debut At Detroit Auto Show

Michigan Radio

Craftsman's CTX is fast, powerful and loaded with automobile-inspired features, including cup holders. The company hopes its new line of riding lawn mowers will appeal to consumers of luxury vehicles.

Luxury Tractor Makes Debut At Detroit Auto Show

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