Business

State Of The Obama Economy: Far Better, But Still With Many Troubles

6:48pm January 11, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

The economy has improved dramatically in the Obama era. But problems still abound because of the soaring national debt, a deformed tax code, shrunken paychecks and a growing skills gap.

New York Court Extends Temporary Stay For DraftKings And FanDuel

6:16pm January 11, 2016

by Laura Wagner

A panel of judges extended the ruling issued last month that allows the daily fantasy sports betting sites to continue operations in the state while they appeal a lower court's order that they stop.

Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller speaks to the media Sunday in Detroit, apologizing for the scandal that has plunged the German auto giant into crisis.

National

'We Didn't Lie,' Volkswagen CEO Says Of Emissions Scandal

6:02pm January 11, 2016

by Sonari Glinton

Speaking with NPR, Matthias Mueller blamed the problem on a misunderstanding of U.S. law and said the company doesn't have an ethics problem. Less than a day later, he asked to clarify those remarks.

Queue Listen Now

More than 300,000 California teachers are represented by unions like the California Teachers Association, seen here protesting proposed budget cuts in 2011. Nine percent of those California teachers have not joined the union, but under state law, any unio

Is It Fair To Have To Pay Fees To A Union You Don't Agree With?

5:45pm January 11, 2016

by Nina Totenberg

At the Supreme Court on Monday, union opponents are seeking to reverse a 1977 decision that allows public employee unions to collect fees from those who don't join the union but are protected by it.

Queue Listen Now

Michigan Steps Up Efforts To Tackle Lead Crisis After Outcry

5:11pm January 11, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Flint residents are suffering from irreversible health effects of elevated lead levels, amid criticism that the government has been too slow to act.

National

Car Companies Show Off New Tech At Detroit Auto Show

4:23pm January 11, 2016

by Sonari Glinton

For years, car geeks have talked a lot about self-driving cars. But this year is different, with record sales and potentially record profits, the industry invested billions on autonomous technology. The major sense in the car world is "we don't want to get disrupted out of business."

One of the banana plants in the collection at the USDA's Tropical Agriculture Research Station in Puerto Rico. It's just one of many banana collections around the world that might just hold the key to stopping the fungus's deadly reach.

Our Favorite Banana May Be Doomed. Can New Varieties Replace It?

4:08pm January 11, 2016

by Dan Charles

The Cavendish banana and other beloved varieties are threatened by a fungus that's spreading around the world. Scientists are trying to find new varieties that will be resistant to the disease.

Global Financial Markets Are Poised For Another Turbulent Week

5:18am January 11, 2016

by Jim Zarroli

After a volatile week in China last week, global markets are braced for more chaos with hopes that healthy U.S. employment numbers may improve the climate.

How $220M Changed A Lottery Winner

8:15am January 10, 2016

NPR's Rachel Martin spoke with Brad Duke a few years ago about his $220 million lottery win in 2005. We called him back this week because numbers for the biggest Powerball jackpot were drawn Saturday.

National

San Diego Stumped On How To Stop The Stink

8:03am January 10, 2016

by Claire Trageser

Sea lion poop is frustrating residents in the San Diego neighborhood of La Jolla who pay top dollar for their ocean views. But fixing the problem isn't as simple as just scraping off the waste.