Hacking at the social safety net?

Today, Chair Bill Thomas led the House Committee on Ways and Means in its costcutting efforts. Just weeks after the president promised to take on poverty, critics say vital programs are on the block. Scott Tong reports.

Wal-Mart's unsettling benefits memo

WalMart's executive vice president for benefits wrote a 27-page memo that hit the pages of today's NY Times. It lays out the discounter's plan to seize the high ground in the employee benefits war. Helen Palmer reports.

Women in "the pit"

In the commodities markets, less than 2 percent of the brokers at the New York Board of Trade are women. But the spitting and hollering may not last forever. Amy Scott reports.

John Edwards heads to Wall Street

The former vice presidential candidate says he'll be an advisor to a private equity group here. Writer and commentator Amity Shlaes says the move makes sense — for Edwards, and a whole lot of other people, too.

Rock, real estate and Alan Greenspan

The sound of the rock and roll underground recently is defined by two genres: a psychedelic folk revival and what the kids call electroclash. Why this, and why now? Ian Svenonius explains.

Writing checks for the NY Yankees

The Yanks get criticized (not unjustly) for outspending the other major league baseball teams. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Jean Afterman; she helps George Steinbrenner decide how to spend the team's millions.