Business and Finance

• Economic Growth Spurs Concerns Over Inflation
  With higher than expected economic growth, economists remain concerned about inflation. Some think the economy is facing enough head winds to keep it in check. Others say the strong GDP numbers mean the economy hasn't slowed down enough yet to curb inflation.
• Florida's Tourism Executives Revisit Offshore Drilling
  Florida's biggest business is tourism, and its beaches are the state's crown jewel. The state's tourism industry has strongly opposed offshore oil drilling, but in September, an annual tourism convention will focus on the risks and rewards of this practice.
• In Minnesota, Two Dreams
  On the anniversary of Martin Luther King's <em>I Have a Dream</em> speech, we meet with two families &mdash; each striving for the American dream. Though they live just 10 miles apart, they face very different circumstances. One is well off, the other poor; one is black, one white. But they both value education and want a better life for their children.
• 'Marketplace' Report: Relief For Porn Addicts
  In the newest test version of Microsoft's forthcoming Internet Explorer, consumers will have the option to surf without a "history." There are benefits to this feature beyond just prolonging marriages.
• Real Estate Agents Cater To Bicycle Commuters
  With gasoline prices still high, many people are looking to move to areas with good bike lanes and bicycle stores. Real estate agents are catering to the niche market by donning helmets and hopping on two wheels to show off houses in bike-friendly neighborhoods. But not all agents are so eager to ditch their suits and cars.
• Bankruptcy Filings Jump, Most For Individuals
  Nearly a million people filed for bankruptcy in the year ending in June, up nearly 30 percent from the same period last year. Some of the bankruptcies are businesses, but most are individuals. Analysts say the weak housing market and widespread credit card debt are forcing more people to seek court protection from their creditors.
• U.S. Economy Beats Growth Expectations
  The U.S. economy grew at a better than expected 3.3 percent rate in the second quarter, according to a report Thursday from the Commerce Department. But tax rebate checks and the weak dollar fueled the boost, and experts don't expect the healthy economic growth to last.
• Newspaper's Woes Hit Journalists' Training Ground
  For a century, University of Missouri journalism students have learned the craft by working at the <em>Columbia Missourian</em>. But now that newspaper's troubles could lead to big changes and take away a training ground for student journalists.
• Bracing For A Second Wave Of Home Foreclosures
  There is growing concern that the home foreclosure crisis may worsen next year as lenders are hit by a new category of loans that haven't caused much trouble. Bank analysts say they expect delinquency rates on so-called "option ARMs" to continue rising, and those loans could cause as much trouble as subprime loans did.
• Fannie Mae Shuffles Top Executives
  Troubled mortgage finance giant Fannie Mae has announced a management shakeup, but its chief executive will keep his job. Fannie Mae has been struggling to persuade investors that it has the capital to keep operating and avoid a government bailout.
• The McEnroe Rule: Less Punditry Is More
  Sportscaster John McEnroe, who as a tennis champ was known for his temper tantrums, has declared that in covering a great match, sometimes the key is to withhold comment till things play out. If only his brethren in the cable news world followed suit more often in covering politics.
• 'Marketplace' Report: Broke Banks
  The number of shaky U.S. banks is at the highest level in about five years and bank profits plunged by 86 percent in the second quarter according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Madeleine Brand talks to Marketplace's Bob Moon about how to keep your money safe.
• A Battle To Be The Biggest Stadium
  For decades, University of Michigan's football stadium, known as "The Big House," has had the largest capacity of any venue in the country. An accessibility lawsuit is reducing its capacity, leaving the title to Penn State's Beaver Stadium. So Michigan is spending $226 million on improvements to include more seats.
• Barbie's Maker Wins $100 M In Bratz Lawsuit
  A federal jury awarded $100 million to Mattel, maker of Barbie dolls, after a long-running legal battle with a smaller toy company, MGA, that sells Barbie's competitor. Mattel says the Bratz dolls' designer conceived the idea while on Mattel's payroll, meaning Bratz and their earnings should belong to Mattel. Mattel had sought nearly $2 billion.
• Poverty Rate Reflects Stalled Economy, Experts Say
  The U.S. Census Bureau reports real median household income rose slightly last year, and the official poverty rate stayed roughly the same as in the previous survey. The share of people without health insurance dropped slightly, as well. Some budget experts say the numbers demonstrate that the economy has stopped expanding.

---

Motley Fool

• NPR RSS Error
  This is an invalid RSS feed address. For the most up-to-date list, please go to: http://www.npr.org/rss/

You can hear the Motley Fool each week on KJZZ at 5pm on Sunday afternoon.