NPR: Business Story of the Day
The top business story of the day from Morning Edition, All Things Considered and other award-winning NPR programs.
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Suitors Vie For British Candy Maker Cadbury
One of Britain's most revered companies is under threat of a takeover. Candy maker Cadbury already rejected a hostile takeover bid by U.S. giant Kraft Foods. Hershey has confirmed it is considering a joint takeover bid for Cadbury, along with Italian chocolate maker Ferrero. But it seems the offers …
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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.
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Wall Street Now Home To American Indian Firm
A Sioux tribe based in Lower Brule, S.D., just bought the Westrock Group, making the company the first fully Native American-owned investment firm. As a tribal business Westrock will gain access to a new pool of money and it won't have to pay federal income tax.
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Ink Companies Clamp Down On Counterfeit Cartridges
Drop-for-drop, computer printer ink is among the most expensive products on the market. And it's highly profitable for the makers. That's why the CEO of a printer cartridge recycling business has filed an industrial espionage suit. He says a competitor sent a spy to his company posing as a customer …
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Calif. Companies Help Ex-Cons Get Back On Track
Though California has the worst recidivism rate in the nation — more than two-thirds of ex-cons in the state return to prison — companies like Goodwill Industries and Tri-CED Community Recycling make a point of hiring people looking for a second chance.
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Vision Groups Want Colleges To Stop Buying Kindle
Amazon's Kindle is taking some knocks from the National Federation for the Blind. The electronic reader can read books aloud, but the federation says that function is difficult to turn on when you can't see. Now, two universities say they won't buy more Kindles for their students unless Amazon comes …
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Bank Failure Leads To Largest Chinese-American Bank
The failure of United Commercial Bank and its FDIC-brokered sale to Pasadena-based East-West Bank creates the largest bank focused on the Chinese-American market. It's also now the largest bank based in Southern California.
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Hotel Building Boom Focuses On Boutique Brands
Despite the economy, hotel companies have been on a building spree — especially when it comes to creating new specialty hotels. Hyatt, Marriott and Starwood are all rolling out new brands and locations to cater to guests who don't want to stay in what they think of as a generic chain.
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How Do You Find A Job? Ask The Algorithm
The state of New York is looking for ways to reduce the time the unemployed spend looking for jobs, and it's turning to a mathematical formula for help. Using an algorithm developed by a Boston technology company, the program directs resumes to the employers most likely to make a hire.
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Battered Company Says 'No' To Job Cuts
The recession sent a New England manufacturer's sales tumbling last year. But Hypertherm avoided layoffs, moving workers to other tasks.
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Madoff's Auditor Denies He knew Of Ponzi Scheme
Bernard Madoff's longtime auditor pleaded guilty to securities fraud charges Tuesday, but said he did not know Madoff was running a Ponzi scheme. David Friehling's plea was part of a cooperation deal with prosecutors. He will be sentenced next year.
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Doll Fight! The Battle For Holiday Season Sales
Three relatively new doll lines are poised to lead the market: Barbie Fashionistas, Moxie Girlz and Liv Dolls. Wall Street Journal toy reporter Ann Zimmerman says the battle is shaping up to be one to watch.
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Doll Makers Compete For Christmas Season Sales
Three relatively new doll lines are poised to lead the market: Barbie Fashionistas, Moxie Girlz and Liv Dolls. Wall Street Journal toy reporter Ann Zimmerman says the battle is shaping up to be one to watch.
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Google's Voice Is Silent In Some Rural Areas
Google Voice, the phone management service offered by Google, is blocking customers' calls to about 100 phone numbers that were generating excessive long distance fees in the Midwest. Lawmakers and AT&T have cried foul, and the dispute is renewing focus on a controversial practice that lets some pho …
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Los Angeles Moves To Gmail And 'Cloud' Computing
The City of Los Angeles has voted to overhaul its e-mail system, converting it all to Gmail. It's a victory for Google, which is trying to replace Microsoft applications in government cubicles everywhere. But some in L.A. are concerned about storing public data on Web-based servers.
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Senate Hearing On Climate Bill Heats Up
A Senate committee has begun hearings on a massive climate bill that would remake the energy economy. Supporters say it will protect the environment and create a new green industry. Opponents say it will kill the fossil fuel industry — costing millions of jobs.
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Google Announcing New Music Search
The new service will be featured within a standard Google search: Plug in the band or musician's name, and bios, videos and images will pop up. The search results will point you to online music retailers Google has partnered with.
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Toxic Chinese Drywall Creates A Housing Disaster
Between 2004 and 2007, an estimated 100,000 homes in more than 20 states were built with toxic drywall imported from China. It's being called a "silent hurricane" because emissions from the drywall destroy plumbing and electrical systems. The Gonzalez family moved out of their home because of drywal …
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Verizon's Droid Phone To Compete With iPhone
The battle for consumers is heating up in the smart phone world. An ad campaign has been launched for the Droid, a new phone by Verizon, Google and Motorola. While Apple's iPhone dominates the market, the Droid hopes to compete.
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House Panel Approves Consumer Protection Agency
Congress moved forward on a major piece of the Obama administration's efforts to overhaul the financial industry. A key House panel approved a bill Thursday to set up a new agency to regulate consumer credit — everything from payday loans to debit cards. The proposal has taken some hits after …
NPR: Business Story of the Day
