Business

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently disclosed that it is sending in people who pose as customers to discover racial discrimination at banks.

'Mystery Shoppers' Help U.S. Regulators Fight Racial Discrimination At Banks

4:17am August 27, 2016

by Chris Arnold

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is sending undercover operatives to ferret out racial discrimination. They're called "testers" or "mystery shoppers" and pose as customers applying for loans.

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Episode 721: Unbuilding A City

7:05pm August 26, 2016

Why is it so hard to knock down 17 vacant houses in a shrinking city?

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National

Thrill Ride Accidents Renew Calls For Regulation

4:29pm August 26, 2016

by Frank Morris

A Kansas waterslide recently decapitated a 10-year-old boy, and the tragedy is raising new questions about thrill ride regulation. No federal agency oversees amusement parks or water parks.

Can Slowing Down Help You Be More Creative?

8:49am August 26, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

Despite being a self-described 'pre-crastinator, psychologist Adam Grant says those who slow down — even procrastinate — tend to be more creative, original thinkers.

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Economy

Examining The Effectiveness Of The Trade Adjustment Assistance Program

6:05am August 26, 2016

by Noel King

There's a part of trade agreements that deals with how to help people in the U.S. who are harmed when jobs move abroad because of trade. It's called Trade Adjustment Assistance. Does it work?

Despite Low Oil Prices, Shell Moves Forward With Pa. Petrochemical Plant

6:04am August 26, 2016

by Reid Frazier

Even in a down time for its oil and gas business, Shell has decided to build a multi-billion dollar ethane cracker — which makes natural gas into plastics and chemicals — in gas-rich Pennsylvania.

Lenny Zimmel puts Colby cheese curds into forms to make 40 pounds blocks of cheese at the Widmer's Cheese Cellars in Theresa, Wis. Record dairy production in the U.S. has produced a record surplus of cheese, causing prices to drop.

National

America's Real Mountain Of Cheese Is On Our Plates

5:04am August 26, 2016

by Dan Charles

To help dairy farmers hurt by a glut, the USDA said this week it'll buy $20 million worth of cheese and give it to food banks. But we eat so much of the stuff, that's hardly a drop in the bucket.

Economy

WhatsApp Will Start Sharing Data, Including Phone Numbers, With Facebook

9:55pm August 25, 2016

by Alina Selyukh

It will also test new ways for businesses to communicate with users on the app. The privacy policy changes mark the long-expected move by Facebook to begin making money from the free app.

Environment

Volkswagen Has Tentative Deal To Compensate U.S. Dealers In Emissions Scandal

8:34pm August 25, 2016

by Sonari Glinton

The negotiations follow VW's installation of software in its diesel vehicles that cheated on pollution tests. The dealers' sales plummeted on the news. VW will give them cash payments under the deal.