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Sunday

Phasing Out Pennies In A Bid For Change

There been a long-running debate about the future of America's one-cent coin, and at least one store owner in Berkeley, Calif., has decided to take a personal stand. Alko Office Supply refuses to take any pennies.

Phasing Out Pennies In A Bid For Change

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Saturday

Business

Did Black Friday Put Retailers In The Black?

The day after the Thanksgiving holiday, otherwise known as Black Friday, was the official start of the holiday shopping season. Host Scott Simon talks to Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist for IHS Global Insight, about how much consumers are expected to buy this season, and how that affects the rest of the economy.

Did Black Friday Put Retailers In The Black?

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Friday

'L.A. Times' Travel Editor Snared By Wedding Scam

In May 2008, a bride and groom were scammed out of thousands of dollars paid toward a fake wedding venue. The bride happened to be the travel editor for the Los Angeles Times who'd advised her readers on how not to get hoodwinked on the Internet. The editor, Catharine Hamm tells the story to NPR's Melissa Block.

'L.A. Times' Travel Editor Snared By Wedding Scam

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Economy

'Black Friday' Shoppers Buy But Spend Less Green

This year retailers did their best to lure consumers to open their wallets with lots of early-morning specials. But while the economy has shown some signs of an improvement, analysts say the high rate of unemployment is weighing on people's willingness to spend.

'Black Friday' Shoppers Buy But Spend Less Green

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Thursday

Patient And Provider Perspectives

For Public, Affordability A Key Issue In Health Bill

The debate in Washington over how much the health care overhaul bills will cost has largely centered on the bottom line for the federal government. But polls repeatedly show Americans are much more concerned about how a reshaped health care system will affect their own family's financial situation.

For Public, Affordability A Key Issue In Health Bill

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Monday

Education

Who Needs College, And Who Shouldn't Go?

Many parents and teachers view college as the natural path to success. But diplomas are getting more expensive, and many people succeed without a bachelor's degree. Guests address the value of a college degree, and whether the fields projected to grow require them.

Who Needs College, And Who Shouldn't Go?

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Education

College Graduates Struggle To Repay Loans

The abysmal job market is making it hard for some to start making student loan payments, which come due this month for May graduates. A new law could ease the pain for some: It limits monthly payments to 15 percent of a graduate's income.

College Graduates Struggle To Repay Loans

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Friday

Price Fight: Coke Isn't It At Costco

A shopper buys Coca-Cola at Costco in Mountain View, Calif., in April. Costco, which pulled Coke from its shelves this month, has also removed other products when it got into a dispute with the manufacturer over price. Paul Sakuma/AP hide caption

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Paul Sakuma/AP

Business

Price Fight: Coke Isn't It At Costco

If you're a member of Costco, the nation's largest wholesale club, you may be surprised to learn that Coca-Cola's products are no longer on the shelves. The two companies are locked in a rare public dispute over the price consumers pay for beverages.

Price Fight: Coke Isn't It At Costco

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Wednesday

Business

Federal Subsidies Keep Small-Town Airports Flying

You may not ever take a flight to a place like Hot Springs, Ark. — but you're paying part of the cost for people who do. Under a decades-old government program, federal money is used to subsidize commercial air service for small communities that can't support it on their own.

Federal Subsidies Keep Small-Town Airports Flying

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Monday

Despite Incentives, Outlook Flat For Holiday Sales

A woman walks by Christmas merchandise offered for sale in October at a Home Depot in Niles, Ill. Analysts predict the troubled economy will result in flat retail sales this holiday season. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

Economy

Despite Incentives, Outlook Flat For Holiday Sales

Retailers have been rolling out aggressive TV and online advertisements in an early effort to woo consumers. But economists expect consumers to spend about the same amount as they did last year, during one of the worst holiday retail seasons on record.

Sunday

Americans' Savings Offer Little Shelter For Rainy Day

Many families are living with what one researcher calls "financial fragility." That is they're just one job loss — or even one car breakdown — away from tumbling into real financial trouble.

Americans' Savings Offer Little Shelter For Rainy Day

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Saturday

Health Care

Health Bill Abortion Clause May Derail Insurance

Observers say the ultimate impact of the House abortion amendment could be to change abortion from being a procedure routinely covered by most private insurance plans to a procedure routinely excluded — even in cases of medical emergency.

Health Bill Abortion Clause May Derail Insurance

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Tuesday

Business

Preparing For Retirement 101

The unemployment rate is at a whopping rate of 10.2 percent, with older Americans included in these latest numbers. What does unemployment mean for those who are trying to retire? Jean Stezfand, the director for Financial Security at the AARP, offers tips on how to prepare for retirement.

Preparing For Retirement 101

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Opinion

BackTalk

Cleveland Murders, Obama's Presidency Stir Listeners

Tell Me More host Michel Martin and Lee Hill, the program's "digital media guy," comb through listener feedback and offer important news updates to recent conversations heard on the program. This week, the audience reacts to the gruesome discovery in the home of a man in Cleveland. Also, a recent commentary by Martin exploring whether President Obama is sexist when it comes to his penchant for sports prompted listeners to weigh in with their two-cents.

Cleveland Murders, Obama's Presidency Stir Listeners

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Health Care

Indiana Clinic Lets Patients Work Off Bills

WVPE 88.1 Elkhart/South Bend

Maple City Health Care Center in Goshen, Ind., has a unique business plan that allows patients to pay for treatment with something other than money. The clinic's More Than Money program gives patients $10 off their medical bills for each hour they perform community service.

Indiana Clinic Lets Patients Work Off Bills

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