WYPR NewsRoom

New 'Work Share' Program Helps Companies Avoid Layoffs Belcamp, MD (2009-07-13) It's a bean counter's dilemma: how to trim a payroll without laying people off. The state of Maryland has a solution. It's a program called "Work Share." Enrolled companies can trim workers hours by up to 50-percent. The state makes up some of the lost wages with unemployment benefits. WYPR's Cathy Duchamp has this profile of a Belcamp Maryland company using Work Share to ride out the recession.

Malls Have Difficulty Weathering the Recession Baltimore, MD (2009-05-25) One of the enduring staples of the American landscape, the shopping mall, has taken its lumps in the current national economic downturn. WYPR's Milton Kent spent a day in an area mall and has this report.

Stimulus to Aid Baltimore Area's Research Institutes Baltimore, MD (2009-05-05) The stimulus bill recently passed by Congress, provides billions in new funding for research and development. That's good news for Baltimore, home to research powerhouse Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland Baltimore. Both are revving up. The government is fast-tracking the R&D timetable to get those stimulus dollars flowing quickly. WYPR's Georgia Samios reports.

Local Auto Workers Worry About Benefits Baltimore, MD (2009-04-06) The Obama Administration has given General Motors until the end of May to come up with a survival plan acceptable to the government, or face bankruptcy. A key part involves striking a deal with the United Auto Workers on benefit costs. Talks are under way in Detroit, and GM retirees in Baltimore are holding their breath. WYPR's Georgia Samios reports.

Profile of a Local Mortgage Meltdown Survivor Baltimore, MD (2009-03-30) These days real estate speculators are about as popular with taxpayers as Wall Street executives. These are people who bought homes to rent or flip, and now want mortgage bailouts from the government. The Obama Administration says no way,' that it's only helping responsible' homeowners. But what does responsible' really mean? WYPR's Cathy Duchamp [do-SHAWM] explores that question in a profile of a man whose dream of re-building Baltimore crumbled into foreclosure.

Port Stays Afloat Amid Economic Downturn Baltimore, MD (2009-03-25) With economies worldwide slumping, international trade is headed for what the World Bank says is likely to be the biggest drop in 80 years. That's not good news for the Port of Baltimore. WYPR's Georgia Samios reports.

Banking Industry Opposes Home Foreclosure Bill Washington, DC (2009-03-18) Congressional Democrats are trying to pass a bill to keep more Maryland residents in their homes. But the banking industry is set against the bill, and it still holds a lot of sway on Capitol Hill. Matt Laslo (laz-low) reports.

O'Malley Calls For Re-Regulation Annapolis, MD (2009-03-02) In the continuing saga over electric bills, Governor Martin O'Malley announced today a plan for what he called "rational re-regulation" of Maryland's utilities. WYPR's Joel McCord reports.

Maryland Experiences Significant Drop in Home Prices Baltimore, MD (2009-02-25) Maryland was one of five states in the nation that showed the biggest percent drop in home prices in the fourth quarter, a new government report shows. WYPR senior news analyst Fraser Smith talks with Georgia Samios about the significance of the new numbers.

An Uncertain Future For Metropolitan Newspapers Baltimore, MD (2009-02-25) The closing of The Baltimore Examiner last week highlighted the economic hardships being felt by newspapers nationwide. And all indicators say that the trouble for newspapers isn't over. Could major cities, like Baltimore, which are now down to one major, daily newspaper, soon end up with none at all? And what would that mean for the affected communities? WYPR's Mike Meno reports.

Stocks dip as investors fret about recovery (2009-11-20) NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell for a third straight day on Friday as investors took weaker-than-expected results from computer maker Dell and homebuilder D.R. Horton as a further sign that the recovery would be anemic.

Hershey mulls $17 billion solo bid for Cadbury: source (2009-11-20) PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - U.S. chocolate maker Hershey Co is considering launching a bid of at least $17 billion for British chocolatier Cadbury Plc as it seeks to trump a hostile offer by Kraft Foods Inc, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.

U.S. Q3 seen revised down on widening trade deficit

(2009-11-20) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy's return to growth in the third quarter was less brisk than previously thought as the trade deficit worsened and companies still aggressively cut inventories, a Reuters survey predicted.

Paulson's golden investors have to commit $10 million (2009-11-20) BOSTON (Reuters) - Investors tempted to put money into star hedge fund manager John Paulson's new gold portfolio will have to commit at least $10 million and leave the money locked up for at least one year, according to a prospectus.

Black Friday deals may not signal retail comeback

(2009-11-20) CHICAGO (Reuters) - When the U.S. holiday shopping season kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving, retailers can expect to see millions of less frightened but even more bargain hungry customers cross their thresholds.

U.S. layoffs fall in October

(2009-11-20) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of mass layoffs reported by U.S. employers fell last month from September, a government report showed on Friday, suggesting job losses were close to bottoming.

Rio's Cloud Peak down in debut, others fare better (2009-11-20) NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors bet on growth opportunity in the IPOs of a Chinese hotel chain and an online education company on Friday, but saw murkier prospects for a spin-off of mining giant Rio Tinto, sending its shares lower.

Cautious optimism as job losses slow

(2009-11-20) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The pace of job losses slowed in many U.S. states in October, and the unemployment rate slipped in hard-hit Michigan, the Labor Department said on Friday, hinting the recession may be easing in some areas.