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.

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.