Marketplace: Friday, July 2, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 51.33 (.50%) ; NASDAQ 8.89 (.44%) ; S&P 500 3.56 (.32%)

Newscast It's like settling for a base hit when you'd been hoping for a homerun. The government came out with its latest update on the job market on this Friday, July 2nd. Here's the latest score from the Labor Department... 112,000 new non-farm job were created in June. But the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.6 percent. Some workers have to stay on the job, whether they want to or not. An appeals court ruled today that federal law forbids Amtrak employees from going on strike to protest what they say is chronic underfunding of the railroad. More than two-and-a-half years after Enron filed for bankruptcy, Kenneth Lay may finally get his day in court. The former chairman of the energy trading company could be indicted as early as next week. No word on what the charges might be. Listen to all newscast items

Features Skip the Auto Dealer, Stick to the Fireworks! So what's on your agenda this weekend--a cookout, fireworks? How about shopping for a new car? The auto industry's made summer sales as much a part of July 4th as the traditional barbeque. But some say if we really want to honor the spirit of 1776, we should stick to the hot dogs and drive right past the car lots. Commentator: Jamie Court Related Story: A look at June 2004 U.S. auto sales Cornman - Kinky Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Mad Cow Markets .... A traditional July 4th menu is heavy on the beef, with burgers, hot dogs, even shish kabobs. But some people may be opting for turkey dogs or tofu burgers this year after a rash of mad cow scares. There was one confirmed case in December. Two more this week turned out to be false alarms. In the meantime, though, cattle prices have plunged, and some shoppers are getting nervous... Reporter: Helen Palmer Related Story: No Mad Cow Disease Found in 2nd Cow Test Brooklyn is Burning - Head Automatica Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Golden Arches Battles Mad Cow Disease? McDonald's wants to be able to trace 10 percent of its beef purchases from farm to table by the end of this year. It's a move aimed at reassuring Mickey D's customers about the safety of the burgers they munch on. Some companies want to take other steps to reassure consumers about the rare, brain-wasting disease called mad cow. Commentator: Len Burman Related Story: McDonald's: Follow that beef! Angry Anymore - Ani DiFranco Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Week That Was, on Wall Street Host Cheryl Glaser talks to Dallas stockbroker David Johnson about the week on Wall Street. Q + A: Cheryl Glaser with David Johnson Related Story: Soft jobs data prompts renewed Wall Street jitters Window Shopping - Eugene Chadbourne Exploring Spiderman's Huge Comercial Web Spiderman 2's been luring crowds to movie theaters, taking in more than $40 million on its opening day. But Spidey's web extends far beyond the multiplex. There are the typical cross promotions with Marvel toys and Burger King. But you can also get Spiderman games and ringers for you cellphone, thanks to Sprint. Q + A: Cheryl Glaser with Scott Donaton Related Story: $40.5 million payday for new and improved 'Spider-Man' Working for Vacation - Cibo Matto Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Legendary German Work Week ... Americans brag that the USA is the greatest nation on earth -- that's what this weekend's celebrations are all about. But American workers may be forgiven if they feel a twinge of envy for their German counterparts, with their fabled 35-hour work week and long summer holidays. However that party may be coming to an end. Reporter: Kyle James Related Story: Experts: Longer Work Week Already Reality

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