Business

Meet The myRA — Obama's New Retirement Plan

11:00am January 30, 2014

by Yuki Noguchi

On Wednesday, President Obama directed the Treasury Department to create a new retirement plan called "myRA." The decision, a circumvention of Congress, follows through on one of the promises made by the president in his State of the Union. As Yuki Noguchi reports, the success of the plan may depend on its ability to move beyond the limitations of existing retirement plans.

Queue Listen Now

How Industrial Chemical Regulation Failed West Virginia

7:55pm January 29, 2014

For Charleston Gazette reporter Ken Ward, the recent chemical spill — and sometimes confusing information authorities have provided about the risks to citizens — reflect long-standing regulatory failures in the state. He says West Virginia has "basically ignored" recommendations for stricter oversight.

Queue Listen Now

Is There An Economic Benefit To Hosting The Super Bowl?

12:49pm January 29, 2014

by Joel Rose

Towns in New Jersey, where the Super Bowl will be played, were expecting an economic boost from the game. Local officials grumble the biggest share of spending is happening across the Hudson River in New York City. Economists say the total economic impact of the game is close to zero anyway, despite the NFL's claims to the contrary.

Queue Listen Now

Politics & Government

Capitol Hill Lawmakers Reach Bipartisan Farm Bill

8:20am January 28, 2014

After a more than two-year stall, lawmakers have reached a compromise on the Farm Bill. That mammoth piece of legislation deals with agriculture policy and governs the federal food stamp program. For more on the legislation, Steve Inskeep talks to Derek Wallbank of Bloomberg News.

Queue Listen Now

Taking Stock Of The Northern Plains Oil Boom

6:20pm January 26, 2014

Beginning next week, NPR News will be taking an in-depth look at the unprecedented oil drilling boom happening on the Northern Plains, where the state of North Dakota has fast become one of the nation's most productive drilling regions. NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with NPR reporter Kirk Siegler, back from a recent reporting trip in North Dakota for the series.

Queue Listen Now

Sports

In The Super Bowl Ad Game, One Small Business Will Win Big

8:55pm January 24, 2014

by Elizabeth Blair

This year, one lucky little company's professionally produced commercial will air during the Super Bowl's third quarter — all free — thanks to a contest held by the software firm Intuit. The four finalists include an organic egg farm and a natural compost supplier. For Intuit, it's a smart way to drum up more business.

Queue Listen Now

National

String Of Oil Train Crashes Prompts Push For Safety Rules

7:29pm January 24, 2014

by David Schaper

The National Transportation Safety Board is calling for the swift enactment of tough new standards on trains carrying crude oil. With the huge increase in oil shipped by rail across North America, safety officials warn another major disaster could be looming.

Queue Listen Now

Economy

What Do Americans Think About Income Inequality?

5:32pm January 24, 2014

Robert Siegel speaks with Michael Dimock, vice president of research at the Pew Research Center, about their recent survey on how Americans view income inequality.

Queue Listen Now

The security breaches at Target and Neiman Marcus have raised questions over how quickly companies are required to disclose that customer information was hacked.

Retailers Can Wait To Tell You Your Card Data Have Been Compromised

5:32pm January 24, 2014

by Laura Sydell

The data breaches at Target and Neiman Marcus raised questions over how quickly companies are required to disclose that customer information was hacked. The rules around when a retailer is required to tell you that your data got into the hands of fraudsters vary state by state.

Queue Listen Now

Auto show worker Jorge Martinez details a 2014 Buick Regal in preparation for display Jan. 11. The Regal is equipped with technology that senses a potential accident and slows the car automatically.

National

Putting The Brake On Who Can See Your Car's Data Trail

8:01pm January 22, 2014

by Brian Naylor

Many cars can now track where we are, how fast we go and lots of other nuggets of information that can be accessed and mined. Some lawmakers and at least one car company say it's time to set some rules on driver privacy.

Queue Listen Now