Search results for

Sixteen-year-old Youth Radio Commentator Rachel Speckman thinks it's ridiculous that she's prevented from buying tickets for R-rated films. She suggests that if she's not considered an adult she shouldn't be paying adult prices at the theater.

NPR's John McChesney examines an online service that's trying to succeed where Napster failed. FullAudio wants to buy the rights from record companies to resell music over the Internet. FullAudio would then give consumers the ability to download the music to their computer, stereo, or even their car radio, and play it until their subscription runs out.

The state of California is spending vast amounts of money to buy electricity. It has already shelled out more than 2-billion-dollars for scarce power on the volatile spot market. And now the state is preparing to borrow a record $10 billion to secure a reliable supply of electricity for the long-term. Scott Horsley of member station KPBS reports.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports consumer groups are expressing concern about consolidation in the airline industry. Yesterday, it was reported that American Airlines is in talks to acquire TWA, and could also buy parts of US Airways. Critics say the wave of mergers could leave the country with two or three dominant carriers and could leave many consumers facing higher fares.

The state of California is considering buying more than 30-thousand miles of high voltage power transmission lines. Governor Gray Davis sees the move as a way to help solve the state's power crisis, by federal regulators are not so sure. From member station KPCC in Los Angeles, Rachael Myrow reports.

NPR's Emily Harris reports on the low income housing issues facing the new Bush administration. President Bush has proposed budgeting more money to provide more down payment help for low income people who can buy a house -- and to provide more subsidies for renters. But housing activists say neither program would address the current shortage of low income housing.

If you are listening while brushing your teeth, here's a story for you: Colgate-Palmolive is buying Tom's of Maine, the leading maker of natural toothpaste. It's just the latest example of a big corporation acquiring a company that succeeded by selling organic or health-oriented products.

Journalist David E. Hoffman's new book is called The Oligarchs: Wealth and Power in the New Russia. He profiles a group of men who became leaders in post-soviet Russia, taking over industry, commanding private armies and buying up television stations. Hoffman is the former Moscow Bureau chief for the Washington Post. Now he is based in D.C. as the newspapers Foreign Editor.

Ted Haggard, the former head of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastor of a "mega-church" in Colorado Springs, Colo., is embroiled in a scandal over his hiring a male prostitute and buying drugs. Previously, Haggard has called homosexuality a violation of God's plan.

Two million adjustable rate mortgages are scheduled to reset to higher rates later this year, making monthly payments unaffordable for many homeowners. Foreclosure agents, who buy homes that have been seized by lenders for resale, are profiting.