Marketplace: Wednesday, September 22, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 135.75 (1.33%) ; NASDAQ 35.47 (1.85%) ; S&P 500 15.74 (1.39%)

Newscast First, we turn to a dramatic reversal of fortune for a big investment bank. Only yesterday, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers reported solid earnings. That was encouraging. But today, one of their sisters on the street had some very bad news about the bottom line. Earlier today, I was on the phone with our own Scott Tong in Washington. He'd been at a news conference hearing some of Capitol Hill's leading advocates for campaign finance reform propose new laws. I asked Scott if there's anything to the rumblings we've been hearing about legislation to eliminate the Federal Election Commission... Another black eye for CBS today, this one, courtesy of the FCC. It's a $550,000 fine for violating indecency rules. Remember Janet Jackson's expose during the Superbowl halftime show? Listen to all newscast items

Features The swing states Florida and Pennsylvania are miles away, and yet so close - if we're talking about elections. That helps explain why President Bush was in the Keystone State today as Senator Kerry stumped in the Sunshine State. Like Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, and West Virginia they're battleground states. Marketplace commentator Robert Reich claims there's something else these states have in common... and it's left him asking questions about the Democrats. Commentator: Robert Reich Related Story: Bush is surging in swing states Reform Institute - Gregory Isaacs All Stars Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Looking for a few good ... dogs This week the feds announced a plan to test how well they've been screening airports for potential terrorists. They've asked the airlines to turn over passenger lists from the month of June. They want to compare names with those on the official watch lists. The name Cat Stevens is not on the watch lists, but his adopted name is. Yesterday, Yusef Islam was denied entry to the U.S. and today he was put on a plane back to the UK. The security clampdown in the U.S. has led to some other surprises too. As Alisa Roth reports from New York, a good nose for trouble is getting hard to find. Reporter: Alisa Roth Related Story: Transport security boosted after bomb Two States - Pavement Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource The check is in the mail What's an easy way for the government to save a hundred million dollars a year? A new report out of Washington today points to a possible answer. And as Marketplace's Lisa Napoli tells us, they're willing to invest $5 million to make it happen. Reporter: Lisa Napoli Related Story: Snow Says U.S. Social Security Needs to Be Changed Burn Down the Parliament - The Herd Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Food stamps on the rise If you believe the numbers from the United States Department of Agriculture, more Americans are using the federal food stamp program. A lot more. Some independent research released today points to a couple of reasons. From our Work and Family Desk, Marketplace's Hillary Wicai reports. Reporter: Hillary Wicai Related Story: Over 50% of U.S. Uses Food Stamps Scratch Yer Head - Squarepusher/DJ Food Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource It's a family affair On many business programs, Wall Street gets the lion share of attention. In fact, a solid argument can be made that it's big business that drives the U.S. economy. Maybe. But while we're on the Work and Family Desk, we note another number which puts that into some perspective. Some 80 percent of all American businesses are family-owned. Not all of them small, but most are. And they face unique problems of the sort one might not learn how to handle at business school. When it's time to pass the company on to the next generation - only a third survive the transition. What's the problem here? Marketplace's Marty Goldensohn tells us some of it is psychological... Reporter: Marty Goldensohn Related Story: Family-owned market closes after 115 years Family Affair - Sly & the Family Stone Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

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