Nov 7th, 2008 · Five school districts in Wisconsin invested $200 million in what they say they believed were safe corporate bonds. Instead, the schools ended up acting as insurers to companies that became some of Wall Street's worst bets.
Nov 4th, 2008 · As the global economic crisis unfolds, a group of school districts in Wisconsin has found itself at one end of a chain of exotic and risky financial products. At the other end is a German bank beset by problems — one whose fortunes could affect municipalities across the United States.
Nov 2nd, 2008 · In 2006, five school districts in Wisconsin invested some $200 million in what board members say they believed were safe corporate bonds. Now those investments have lost more than 90 percent of their value. A story in The New York Times Sunday, co-reported by NPR's global economics unit, Planet Money, draws the links between the schools and banks in several countries.
Oct 30th, 2008 · In Florida's 21st and 25th congressional districts, Democrats believe they see signs that South Florida's strong Republican Cuban-American voting bloc may be crumbling. The seats have been long held by brothers Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart.
Oct 30th, 2008 · Two artists temporarily decorated Wall Street. They created an ice sculpture weighing 1,500 pounds. And they placed it in Manhattan's financial district. Like most ice sculptures, it's on display in above freezing temperatures. And in this case, the slow destruction of the sculpture is part of the point. The artists cut the ice so that it spells the word economy, and people passing by can watch it slowly melting.
Oct 21st, 2008 · The Washington, D.C., school system is paying students who work hard and get good grades. The idea is the brainchild of a Harvard economist who has persuaded several school districts around the country that disruptive, unmotivated students will change their ways if cash is a carrot.
Oct 14th, 2008 · A federal appeals panel hears oral arguments in the Clinton-era case accusing the tobacco industry of violating civil racketeering laws by defrauding the public about the deadly nature of cigarettes. A district court ruled for the government, but not for the remedy sought. Both sides appealed.
Oct 10th, 2008 · Ten days ago, Rep. Jim Marshall (D-GA) voted in favor of the bailout package. He is now campaigning back in his conservative district home district and he is doing a lot of explaining about his vote to the constituents. Marshall talks about what he is now hearing from voters.