Thursday, November 20, 2003 The Marketplace Morning Report with Kai Ryssdal and Tess Vigeland is a series of seven 9-minute business news modules airing weekdays. This timely report delivers a global business newscast and a hard-hitting feature report. Visit the archive to browse previous stories. Note: Each of the broadcasts contains some of the newscast items below and one of the features. Since only a few radio markets get all seven broadcasts, we've made them available below.

Broadcasts Listen: 2:50 | 3:50 | 4:50 | 5:50 | 6:50 | 7:50 | 8:50 (times are a.m., Pacific Standard Time)

Newscast Stories From New York: Bob Moon investigates where the government watchdogs were prior to this week's currency trading scandal. From Washington, DC: With AARP's unexpected endorsement of new Medicare legislation, Stephen Henn looks at some of the group's ties to the health insurance industry. From New York: Following a preliminary report on the August blackout, Judy Martin examines what's being done to help prevent such a problem from re-occurring. From New York: Ashley Milne-Tyte explains why rebuilding old areas may be more cost-effective for construction businesses than building more sprawl. From Los Angeles: Though the economy is picking up, Nancy Farghalli explores why companies are scaling back on pay raises. From Beijing: Jocelyn Ford explores a new lawsuit that highlights changing attitudes toward private property in China: A 23-year-old gamer is suing his online provider over "weapons" he said were stolen from him in the virtual world. From London: The SEC has launched an inquiry into Hollinger, the media group that owns Britain's "Daily Telegraph" newspaper. Hollinger's CEO, Lord Conrad Black, resigned this week after a row over unauthorized payments to executives. Stephen Beard Reports. From Paris: Following a visit to the Milipol convention, Genevieve Oger has the latest on what security businesses have to offer this year to fight terrorism. From Washington, DC: It was 20 years ago that the term "glass ceiling" was coined to illustrate the barriers women face in job advancement. But a study out today shows an earnings gap between men and women that has not changed. Gretchen Cook has the details. Features Brewers payroll cuts might not mean net savings In baseball, lowering your payroll doesn't always boost your bottom line. As Marketplace sports commentator Andrew Zimbalist tells host Tess Vigeland, sometimes it does just the opposite.

FTAA protestors see dangers in an agreement Demonstrations are expected in Miami today, as thousands of protestors take to the streets to voice opposition to the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas. Blocks of downtown Miami have been blocked off with armies of police. City officials fear a repeat of the riots that plagued Seattle several years ago, but most of the protestors will be nonviolent -- and they raise valid economic questions. Jeff Tyler has the story.

What to do if your company is merging Mergers can help businesses cut costs, but, often, that translates into lost jobs for employees. Marketplace's personal finance expert Jordan Goodman shares some advice with host Kai Ryssdal on what to do if you find your employer in the midst of merging.