Marketplace: Monday, August 30, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 72.49 (0.71%) ; NASDAQ 25.60 (1.37%) ; S&P 500 8.62 (0.78%)

Newscast There were worries that the Republican convention would shut down Manhattan but it's mostly business as usual in the Big Apple today... At their recent convention in Boston, the Democrats made a point of how diverse the delegations were - ethnically and economically. But are the Republicans convening in New York today much different? Listen to all newscast items

Features The stakeholder society? The GOP convention is underway! Commentator Amity Shlaes says that despite internal grumbling in the GOP, President Bush's economic plans move the U.S. from an entitlement society to a stakeholder society. Commentator: Amity Shlaes Related Story: Key idea for Bush agenda: Ownership, society I Am So Ordinary - Paula Cole Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Twinkies in the twilight? Times are tough for the Twinkie biz. Today, Interstate Bakeries -- the company that makes those cream-filled, yellow snacks -- announced that it's hiring a "turnaround firm" to help it get back on its feet. Interstate's woes are due in part to increasing competition in the "sweet goods" industry. Reporter: Matthew Algeo Related Story: Twinkies maker delays half-baked results Such Great Heights - The Postal Service Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Buffett legacy ... It's billionaire Warren Buffett's birthday today. Some are starting to wonder when the Oracle of Omaha will retire - and who will replace him. Reporter: Bob Moon Web Resource: "Oracle of Omaha" Documentary Walk Like a Panther - The Pretenders Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource FBI can't tackle white-collar crime The war on terror is taking its toll on fighting corporate fraud. Sources in the FBI's Los Angeles field office say that 60 percent of the agents working white-collar crime cases are now doing stakeouts. Q + A: David Brown with Scott Reckard Related Story: FBI Shift Crimps White-Collar Crime Probes Mr. Jones - Talking Heads Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The Thatcher you didn't know... A verdict is expected tomorrow in the tiny West African state of Equatorial Guinea for nineteen mercenaries accused of plotting a coup against the country's dictatorial leader... On the other side of the continent in South Africa today, two men were also charged in connection with the alleged plot. One of the alleged financiers of the attempted coup is Mark Thatcher, the son of the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Here's an extraordinary tale of oil money, high finance and dirty dealing. Reporter: Stephen Beard Related Story: MI6 AND U.S. 'KNEW OF THATCHER PLOT' Jesus, Etc. - Wilco Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

Coming up on Marketplace... Consumers may be losing out on high gas prices... unless you're from Alaska.