Marilyn Geewax

Economists See Trade As Key To World Growth

Marilyn Geewax — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:40:00 +0000

If economists were cheerleaders, their favorite shout-out might be: "What do we want? Growth! When do we want it? Now!"

They won't actually shout those words, but they may be thinking them as global leaders meet this week for a G-8 summit.

No Big Waves In The Labor Pool

Marilyn Geewax — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:19:00 +0000

June is a nice month for treading water — if you happen to be in a swimming pool.

But if you are in the labor pool and trying to make your way toward a job, a stronger current in the right direction would be appreciated.

Unfortunately, the jobs report released Friday by the Labor Department showed that the economy continues to drift along at a languid pace.

"This rate of growth is right in line with the average growth rate of the last year and is a perfect example of t

Can A Huge Hog Deal Pose A National Security Risk?

Marilyn Geewax — Fri, 31 May 2013 15:14:00 +0000

Americans do love their bacon, but is that romance a national security issue?

Maybe.

This week, China's biggest pork producer announced plans to buy Virginia-based Smithfield Foods Inc. Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa wants a national security review by an interagency panel known as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., or CFIUS.

"To have a Chinese food company controlling a major U.S.

What's Under Youngstown May Help What's On Top

Marilyn Geewax — Wed, 29 May 2013 19:21:00 +0000

A century ago, when fiery steel mills were roaring to life in Youngstown, Ohio, builders were racing to put up homes, storefronts, barbershops and more.

Today, many of those buildings sit empty and rotting. With the mills mostly gone and the population down 60 percent from 1960, to just 67,000, the city needs millions of dollars to tear down roughly 4,000 vacant structures.

This year, they may get help. It's possible that what's under the city could be converted into cash to help clear away what's on top.

U.S. Airlines Forecast a Sunnier Summer

Marilyn Geewax — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:09:00 +0000

After a long bumpy ride that started five years ago, the domestic airline industry seems to be pulling up and smoothing out.

The number of passengers planning to fly this summer will tick up 1 percent from 2012, climbing back to the highest level since 2008, an industry group said Thursday.

The airlines' profit outlook is also brighter, as jet fuel prices have settled down a bit.

Comp Time Or Cold Cash. Which Would You Pick?

Marilyn Geewax — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:12:00 +0000

Overtime or comp time? Which one suits you best?

Both you and your boss may agree it would be best for you to work a sixth day when a big project is due in March, and then take off for a long weekend in June. No big deal.

But under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, private employers must pay time and a half to workers who put in more than 40 hours on the job in any one week.

In most cases, workers are eager to get that overtime pay.

Flight Delays Push Congress To End Controller Furloughs

Marilyn Geewax — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:40:00 +0000

The U.S. Congress — a body not exactly known for its swift feet — raced Friday to complete legislation to help travelers avoid delays at airports.

The House voted 361-41 to approve legislation that the Senate passed without objection late Thursday.

Still In The Middle Class, But Standing On A Banana Peel

Marilyn Geewax — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:01:00 +0000

Most U.S.

Airport Delays Raise Questions About Controller Furloughs

Marilyn Geewax — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:28:00 +0000

Some air travelers faced delays Monday as furloughs of air traffic controllers began taking effect.

The Federal Aviation Administration said that with fewer eyes on the skies, it was forced to delay some flights.

An Exploration Of The Changing Lives Of Women

Marilyn Geewax — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:47:00 +0000

Many revolutions begin with the sound of explosions and marching boots.

Now, another revolution is shaking up the world, and it's moving forward to the beep of alarm clocks and the clack of heels heading out.

Legions of women around the world are leaving their homes to join the paid labor force.

Tax Tips for Procrastinators, And You Know Who You Are

Marilyn Geewax — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 11:28:00 +0000

Still haven't filed your taxes, eh?

Well, you have until 11:59 p.m. Monday to get it all done — or at least file for an extension that gets you off the hook until Oct. 15. To help all of you procrastinators, here are answers to a few of your questions.

If I'm filing by mail, can I come skidding into the post office at 11:58 p.m. and still make the deadline?

Maybe — depending on where you live. Most post office locations will keep regular hours; some will stay open until 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. to make sure tax returns get postmarked before midnight.

Will You Be Chained To A Smaller Check In Retirement?

Marilyn Geewax — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:46:00 +0000

When President Obama on Wednesday unveils his blueprint for the government's 2014 budget, he'll offer lots of ideas for changes in taxes and spending.

But the proposal likely to grab the most attention will be the one dealing with cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients.

U.S. Job Growth Slows As Jobless Face Benefit Cuts

Marilyn Geewax — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:43:00 +0000

The 11.7 million Americans searching for work got discouraging news Friday morning when the Labor Department said employers created only 88,000 jobs in March. The weak job growth comes at the same time benefits for the long-term unemployed are shrinking.

The smaller-than-expected increase in payrolls was a big disappointment, coming after a long stretch of much better results.

Cheap Natural Gas Pumping New Life Into U.S. Factories

Marilyn Geewax — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:16:00 +0000

The millions of Americans who lost factory jobs over the past decade may find this hard to believe, but U.S. manufacturing is coming back to life.

The chest compressions are applied by the pumping of cheap, domestic natural gas.

"We are entering a new era," says economist Jerry Jasinowski, a former president of the National Association of Manufacturers, a trade group. He and other optimists are cheered by the increase in industrial production, which has grown at a 5 percent annualized rate since the Great Recession ended.

You Be The Judge: Is The Housing Market Really Improving?

Marilyn Geewax — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:29:00 +0000

This week, optimists had no trouble finding fresh evidence to suggest that the housing market is recovering.

On Thursday, they learned from a Realtors' report that existing home sales hit the highest level in more than 3 years.