Stocks were mixed Friday. The Dow declined 43 points, ending the week at 12,681. But positive reports from chipmakers pushed the Nasdaq 24 points higher, to 2,859. The S&P 500 gained a single point, settling at 1,345.

New York State and New York City both saw their June unemployment rates tick up to 8 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively. In the city, the securities industry shed 2,000 jobs last month. Local government took an even bigger hit, losing 2,700 jobs. Restaurants and private schools have added the greatest number of positions since the city hit economic bottom in September 2009.

President Barack Obama said he's now open to a short-term deal to raise the nation's debt ceiling if it will allow time for a broader plan to be put in place. There are 13 days left before the August 2 deadline, when the U.S. risks defaulting on its financial obligations.

After three days of losses, markets returned to positive territory on Wednesday, spurred on by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's comment that the Fed is prepared to do more to stimulate the economy if it falters. News Corporation added 58 cents after the beleaguered media giant announced it will abandon a bid for full control of a British satellite broadcaster.

Wall Street was flat on Tuesday, after resuming trading following Monday's holiday and last week's strong finish. The Dow Jones dropped 13 points, to 12,570. The S&P 500 dipped two points, closing at 1,338. The NASDAQ bucked the trend, gaining 10 points, to end the day at 2,826.

French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde has been chosen to lead the International Monetary Fund after receiving the support of the Obama administration. She will become the first female leader of the organization and steps in after the former chief, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, stepped down after being charged with sexually assaulting a hotel housekeeper in New York City.

A bit of hope returned to Wall Street on Monday, after signs that that the debt crisis in Europe could be avoided. That sent stocks up a percentage point. The Dow Jones gained 109 points, to close at 12,044. The S&P 500 gained 12 points, ending at 1,280. And the NASDAQ added 35 points, to finish at 2,688.

What's the cure for an ailing economy? Time. That's the overwhelming response from several leading economists polled by the Associated Press. The survey found that many of them are now lowering their expectations for job growth and economic expansion for the rest of the year.

Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders said they are negotiating what could be a 5-percent increase in tuition for the State University of New York.If the deal is reached in the final 10 days of the legislative session, most of the 64 campuses would see a 5 percent increase as early as the fall semester. At some campuses, like Buffalo and Stony Brook, tuition would rise even more.But even as students and parents face higher costs, Cuomo is touting public universities as engines of economic growth. He recently announced that challenge grants of as much as $35 million will be available to SUNY campuses that attract private investment.Thomas Gais, director of the Rockefeller Institute of Government at SUNY-Albany, provides insight on the idea that it's practically an article of faith that a university education is money well spent. His institute put out a report today, entitled "How SUNY Matters: Economic Impacts of the State University of New York."MarketsStocks nose-dived Wednesday on new reports suggesting private sector job growth is slowing down. Same for manufacturing.The Dow gave up a whopping 280 points, closing at 12,290. The Nasdaq declined 66 points, ending at 2,769. The S&P 500 slumped to 1,315, a loss of 31 points.

U.S. stocks plunged to monthly lows because of new worries about the growing debt crisis in several European cities. From Spain, where the ruling Socialist party was defeated in weekend elections, to Standard & Poor's warning that it could lower Italy's debt rating, to renewed worries about Greece's ability to pay back more than $150 billion in rescue loans - Wall Street was a little panicked on Monday.

"Skype has developed multiple revenue streams, and overall revenue has grown 20 percent year over year, and I think represents a very significant go-forward opportunity," said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's CEO.

What goes up, also comes down. Crude oil, which has been trading sharply higher this year, plunged nearly nine percent on Thursday. That's the sharpest one-day drop in more than two years.The price of a barrel dipped below $100, as economists voiced concerns about the direction of the U.S. economy. New jobless filings were up last week. Other commodities that have dipped in recent days are silver and gold.

There was really only one major news story on Monday: the death of Osama bin Laden. And as people in New York City and around the nation reacted to this major event, those in the financial industry were trying to sort out what this may mean for the economy.

The Dow Jones added 96 points, to 12,691.The S&P 500 added 8 points, to 1,356.The NASDAQ improved by 22 points, closing at 2,870.

Standard & Poor's warned Monday that it might lower its rating on U.S. government debt, sending stocks on their worst slide in a month.

Get ready to continue paying more some of the basic necessities. Consumer prices rose a half of a percent last month, mostly because of soaring gas and food prices. Luckily, people have a bit more money to spend thanks to a one-year cut to Social Security taxes. But that extra money will probably end up covering the extra it will cost to fill up the tank. AAA said the average price for a gallon of gas in New York is $3.98.

President Barack Obama said the economic recovery could be undermined if a budget deal is not reached by the Friday, and the government is forced into a partial shutdown.

New York legislators reached a final budget early Thursday morning. It's the first on-time budget in five years.

Federal regulators voted to propose new rules that would prevent banks from dumping risky mortgages on to investors. One would require banks to hold five percent of their mortgage loans on their own books. This is supposed to discourage the kind of risk taking that led to the financial crisis.

White House secretary Jay Carney said the Obama Administration "does not support calls to eliminate funding" for NPR and for public television. Carney made the comment hours after NPR CEO Vivian Schiller resigned. Her resignation came a day after another NPR executive was shown on video calling Tea Party Republicans xenophobic and racist.

Federal regulators have charged Rajat Gupta, a former Goldman Sachs board member, with insider trading. The SEC said he gave confidential information to Raj Rajaratnam. Followers of the 411 know that Rajarantnam is the founder of the Galleon Group hedge fund, and is a key figure in the on-going, widespread investigation into insider trading. In this instance, Gupta supposedly told Rajarantnam that investing guru Warren Buffett was going to invest $5 billion in Goldman Sachs before the news was publicly announced. That deal happened at the height of the financial crisis and generated big headlines. Gupta's attorney told the Associated Press that the allegations are "totally baseless."

Reduced spending by state and local governments meant the U.S. economy grew at a slower pace in the final months of 2010 than originally calculated. The Commerce Department said fourth-quarter GDP expanded at an annual rate of 2.8 percent, not 3.2 percent as first estimated. The revised report also found that consumers spent less than previously thought.

As the world watched the growing political unrest in Libya, an OPEC member, crude oil prices spiked. The price of the barrel ended the day at more than $95, up nearly $6. Gasoline prices are rising as well, with the average price of a gallon going for $3.19. Peter Beutel, president of the energy research firm Cameron Hanover, says that fear is taking a toll. "One of the reasons prices have jumped as fast and high as they did this morning was that there is a fear that this could at some point become a Saudi problem."

Budgets and deficits both on the national as well as the local level will be at the top of the business headlines, according to WNYC's Business Editor, Charlie Herman. Congress is debating the funding of this year's budget—four months in. Republicans proposed about $60 billion in cuts that Democrats are likely to dispute. The fight in Wisconsin over union organizations seems like a proxy fight for similar struggles in states across the country.

Regulating Wall Street could be a tough job for the regulators. Congressional Republicans are fighting Democratic attempts to boost funding for the Securities and Exchange Commission. Democrats said the money is needed because of increased responsibilities under the financial law passed last summer. But Republicans said the budget crunch means now is not the time to spend more on SEC monitoring and enforcement.

President Barack Obama has released his $3.7 trillion budget for 2012. It's a mix of spending cuts and tax increases as well as funding for programs the president says will keep the U.S. competitive.

President Barack Obama made the long trip across H Street in Washington, D.C., to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to deliver a message to American businesses: they can speed the recovery if they begin investing the nearly $2 trillion dollars that is accumulating on their balance sheets. He said it would do a lot to speed the economic recovery.

Bernie Madoff has been in jail for more than two years, but we haven't heard the last of the shakeout from his Ponzi scheme. The trustee trying to recover money for bilked investors said executives at JP Morgan Chase knew there were concerns that he was running a massive fraud but ignored the warnings. A lawsuit filed in December has just been unsealed. It says the trustee is seeking $6.4 billion from JP Morgan. The bank said the suit is "meritless" and "based on distortions of both the relevant facts and the governing law."

It's a stand-alone newspaper, minus the paper. With much fanfare today, News Corporation CEO Rupert Murdoch launched The Daily, a news product designed specifically for Apple's hot-selling iPad.Murdoch Launches The Daily

It's a stand-alone newspaper, minus the paper. With much fanfare today, News Corporation CEO Rupert Murdoch launched The Daily, a news product designed specifically for Apple's hot-selling iPad. 

President Barack Obama's State of the Union address is expected to focus on jobs and the economy. WNYC spoke to a small business owner and a former political official to see what they have to say about what the president should cover during tonight's speech.

Earnings season continues this week, with McDonald's among the companies reporting today. The burger people say forth quarter earnings rose more than two percent to $24 billion. That's pretty decent considering rough weather in North America and Europe in December kept diners at home and hurt sales. The world's largest hamburger chain said it may have to raise its prices this year because food costs have increased.

New York City continues to dig itself out from this Sunday's blizzard. Airports are open but finding flights for passengers on canceled planes continues slowly. That has left thousands of people stranded for yet another day.  The blizzard also kept people away from the malls. ShopperTrak reports nearly $1 billion in sales were lost in the two days after Christmas. But retail analysts expect those lost sales to be regained as the weather improves and roads are cleared.

The East Coast blizzard is keeping airports shut, leaving thousands of travelers stranded here and throughout the U.S. More than 6,000 flights have been cancelled and travelers could be waiting days before getting a new flight. Space is tight as existing flights are full, and fewer planes are flying after airlines cut the number of flights to save money.

Did an accounting firm help drive Lehman Brothers into insolvency? New York's Attorney General Andrew Cuomo thinks so. He filed a civil lawsuit Tuesday accusing Ernst & Young of helping the investment bank deceive investors and maybe deceive itself — about its financial health.

The Senate has overwhelmingly passed a sweeping tax package that would save millions of Americans, including the rich, from higher taxes. The legislation reduces Social Security payroll taxes and extends jobless benefits for another 13 months. It also adds almost $1 trillion to the deficit.

It’s a deal: Millions of out-of-work Americans will continue to get unemployment benefits. That's something the Democrats want. In exchange, all Americans, including the wealthiest, will get their Bush-era tax cuts extended for another two years. That's something Republicans want.  

Attorney General Eric Holder has confirmed what many in the financial community have been buzzing about: the U.S. attorney's criminal probe of business practices on Wall Street. At a news conference, Holder declined to say whether the investigation involves hedge funds and allegations of insider trading, as news reports have suggested. A week ago, the FBI searched the offices of three hedge funds, as part of what outside experts say could turn out to be one of the largest probes in Wall Street history.

As we head into one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year, the government has released revised numbers showing that the U.S. economy continues to expand. The Commerce Department says the economy grew 2.5 percent in the third quarter, in part because consumers are spending more and American businesses are exporting more. Mark Vitner is a senior economist at Wells Fargo. He said the story these numbers tell is that the private sector is growing more rapidly than before.

Wells Fargo has agreed to pay $100 million to Citigroup, settling a two-year-old dispute on the acquisition of Wachovia. At the height of the financial crisis, in a deal supported by the U.S. government, Citigroup had agreed to buy Wachovia, which was teetering on the brink of collapse. Days later, Wells Fargo swooped in with a sweeter deal and snatched Wachovia away. The $100 million settlement is just a fraction of what Citigroup originally sought in damages, but the two banks, in a joint statement, said they were glad to put the matter behind them, and look forward to working together in the future.

Equities fell worldwide on bets that the People's Bank of China is preparing to raise interest rates over the weekend to slow inflation. Consumer prices in China topped a two-year high last month. Commodities took a nosedive on the rumors — especially sugar, which fell a record 12 percent in London.

The Dow shed 91 points, to fall to 11,193. The S&P 500 lost 14 points, ending at 1,199. The Nasdaq closed at 2,518, down 37 points.

World leaders are gathered in Seoul, South Korea, for an economic summit aimed at reviving the global economy. But the outlook for any substantial agreement appears increasingly unlikely.

A leading public servant quits Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Administration to work in media, and a well-known media executive takes his place. Mayor Bloomberg has named Heart Magazine Chairman Cathie Black the new chancellor of the city's schools. She replaces Joel Klein, who became the longest-serving chancellor in the city's history. Klein, a former federal prosecutor, is leaving city government to become an executive vice president at News Corporation.

It's official. There will be a second round of quantitative easing. The Federal Reserve says it will buy more of Treasury bonds — $600 billion worth — in an attempt to stimulate the economy.

Stock prices rose today, as investors anticipated the outcome of the today's midterm elections and tomorrow's expected announcement from the Federal Reserve to stimulate the economy.

It's one day before election day, and the markets had some fresh figures for voters to digest.

The nation's economy grew two percent in the three months that ended in September. The tepid growth was largely what economists had forecast. Americans spent more than they did during the summer, and businesses increased spending to restock supplies.

Sales of new homes improved last month, after the worst summer in nearly five decades — but not enough to lift the struggling economy. The Commerce Department says new home sales grew nearly seven percent in September. But they're still off 80 percent from the peak in July of 2005, when a record 1.4 million new homes were sold. Last month's boost was driven, in large part, by sales in the Midwest. The median price of a new home was about $225,000 —  up three percent from a year ago.

According to the Conference Board's monthly survey of consumers, confidence in the economy has risen this month as compared to September, but only slightly.

Housing dominated the day's business news.The National Association of Realtors reports that sales of previously owned homes rose in September, after one of the worst summers in years. Sales increased more than 10 percent from August to September.

The country's largest wireless carrier, Verizon, says its profit fell 25 percent in the third quarter, held back by a one-time charge for a pension settlement. Overall, Verizon's net income was $881 million, in the third quarter, compared with more than $1 billion in the same period last year.

The day brought a fresh batch of corporate earnings statements, most very positive. Among the companies reporting today: Xerox, which more than doubled its third-quarter profit as sales of office equipment continue to bounce back. The company also said it will eliminate 2,500 jobs, or about two percent, of its 133,000 person work force.

The stock market reversed yesterday's losses, following a string of strong earnings reports.

Several sour economic reports this morning reminded traders that the economy is still not in full recovery mode. In particular, weekly unemployment claims rose for the first time in three weeks. Markets ended the day flat, the Dow losing just two points to close at 11,095. The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 also closed close to where they began the day.

The Attorneys General of New York and New Jersey have joined a coordinated probe in all 50 states of possibly improper foreclosure procedures. New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow says she's concerned by news that banks knowingly filed falsified documents. "It undermines the entire integrity of the system, by allowing something like this to happen," she said.

Stocks stalled today, just days after the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose above 11,000 for the first time since early May. The Dow was relatively flat, gaining just four points, to close at 11,010. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq also remained flat, with the S&P closing up just a notch at 1,165, and the Nasdaq ending the day at 2,402. Gold rose to $1,354.40 an ounce, rising by $9.10. It's the 15th record-high for gold in a little over a month.

Stocks rose Friday despite employers cutting 95,000 jobs last month. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.6 percent. For traders and investors, today's government report only strengthened the belief that the Federal Reserve will take action to stimulate the economy when it meets in November. The Dow Jones ended the day at 11,006. It's the first time the Dow has crossed that 11,000 mark since May. The S&P 500 rose, to end the day at 1,165. The NASDAQ ended up at 2,402.

Wells Fargo says it will pay $24 million to New Jersey and seven other states, to end investigations into its "pick-a-payment" loans.  Those loans allowed borrowers to choose how much they wanted to pay each month. Often, those payments did not even cover the interest due. Attorneys general for the states were concerned that Wells Fargo did not disclose those risks, and may have deceived borrowers.

The Treasury Department says the $700 billion financial bailout -- also known as TARP -- will cost taxpayers only $50 billion. The report comes two years and two days after Congress approved the bailout fund that provided billions to hundreds of banks. Critics say that while the program stabilized the financial sector, it did not do enough to prevent foreclosures and keep homeowners in their homes.

WNYC’s Charlie Herman says luxury goods sold well last month, but consumers are still reluctant to spend.

Ryan Severino, economist with REIS, a commercial real estate research firm in New York explains why commercial real estate has been slow to recover. Plus, WNYC’s Bob Hennelly on a bipartisal deal in New Jersey to halt rising property taxes.

It would raise money, but it might not stand up in a court of law, according to Greg David, Director of the Business and Economics Reporting Program at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

Peter Bregman, a management consultant and contributor to the Harvard Business Review online, says it’s better to cultivate your hobbies than to look for work full-time.

The former head of AIG’s financial products defends himself before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. Guest: Louise Story, reporter for The New York Times.

Bloomberg News’ Michael Moore explains a small but significant uptick in finance-sector jobs.

IPhone-mania 4.0 swept the world today as Apple’s latest smart phone went on sale at dawn in Tokyo, Japan, and then followed the rising sun in cities around the world. In New York City, thousands stood in line just to be the first to get their hands on the device, which has left some wondering why. Guest: Nick Bilton, lead technology writer for the The New York Times “Bits Blog.”

Sales of new homes sales fell nearly 33 percent in May, while sales of existing homes were off more than two percent. Guest: Jonathan Miller, president and CEO of Miller Samuel, a New York-based real estate appraisal firm, says the real worry now is what happens to the housing market in the months ahead.

WNYC's Lisa Chow explains how dollar vans are supposed to pick up the slack from transit cuts and a former Wall Street banker is the new deputy mayor for economic development.

Greg David of the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism says the oil blowout is good for some local businesses, and bad for others.

Two bills in Albany would extend common labor protections to domestic workers. WNYC’s Cindy Rodriguez explains.

After 12 years, the company tasked with creating a single timekeeping system for municipal workers is struggling to complete the job. Guest: Jeremy Smerd, writer for Crain’s New York Business.

Congress could limit big banks’ proprietary trading. NYU Stern’s Viral Acharya says banks might not like it, but it would lead to a more stable financial system.

How gimmickry could help local governments meet their pension obligations. Guest: Robert Ward, Deputy Director of the Rockefeller Institute at SUNY-Albany.

Why the New York Jets are cutting the cost of personal seat licenses. Guest: Greg David of the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

It's Internet Week in New York, a series of events around town dedicated to the city's tech community. In recent years, companies like Meetup.com, Foursquare and CollegeHumor.com have launched in New York, and many of the city's techies say the online industry is "thriving." Is it? Guest: WNYC's Jim Colgan, digital editor of the Takeaway.

Restaurateurs and wholesalers say prices have been creeping up on shrimp and oysters in New York City. Guest: WNYC's Lisa Chow, who visited the New Fulton Fish Market in the Bronx and talked to buyers and sellers.

ABC News’ Gary Langer says American consumers are gingerly returning to spending.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants the Knicks and the Nets to recruit players who can win basketball championships. Guest: CUNY’s Greg David.

Public Citizen’s Tyson Slocum says Americans should boycott BP. But Jeff Lenard of the National Association of Convenience Stores says that would only hurt neighborhood gas stations.

A year after bankruptcy, GM is in better shape, but the auto business has changed. Guest: Jessica Caldwell, Senior Analyst at Edmunds.com.

Capital Tonights’ Liz Benjamin explains Gov. David Paterson’s plans for layoffs of state workers.

Vacation rentals are up in resort communities around New York. Guest: The Wall Street Journal’s Brittany Hutson.

Candidate Cuomo’s plans to get New York’s fiscal house in order, should he become governor. Greg David of the CUNY Journalism School explains.

Even as the economy starts to recover, local transit systems are making steep cuts. WNYC’s Andrea Bernstein explains.

Facebook today announced major changes to how it manages its users' privacy. The social networking site was responding to growing criticism from users and what CEO Mark Zuckerberg said today was a "need to simplify the controls."

The changes include the following:

A new "simple" mode for adjusting privacy settings. A reduction in the amount of content that is always visible publicly. The ability to block Facebook applications from accessing your information. A clearer way to "opt-out" of a recent feature that shares information with other websites.

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Facebook. (Photo by Kim White/Getty Images)

Facebook had been criticized for having an overly complicated privacy settings page -- it contained more words than the U.S. Constitution -- and for making too much of its user information public. Zuckerberg said earlier this week that the site had "missed the mark" with the policy.

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer released a statement today praising Facebook for the changes, but he cautioned, "We will be monitoring this carefully.” Schumer had issued a letter to the company last month raising concerns about the privacy policy.

Despite the criticism, Facebook's popularity continues to grow. This week, tracking service ComScore said the number of users at the end of April totaled 519 million, up from 400 million in September.

In the minutes after the opening bell, the Dow fell more than 250 points and spent most of the day under 10,000. Investors say there's general anxiety in the air, with Europe's ongoing debt crisis, tension on the Korean peninsula, and the unresolved oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. WNYC’s Amy Eddings talks with Jim Dunigan, who oversees investments at PNC Asset Management Group.

Why more homes are changing hands, and at higher prices. Guest: WNYC’s Charlie Herman.

CUNY’s Greg David on Tavern On The Green and other business news of the week.

Regulators believe the May 6 market panic started in commodity futures, then spread to stocks, and was amplified by computer trading systems. Guest: WNYC’s Charlie Herman.

Contrary to predictions, mortgage rates are falling. Stu Feldstein of SMR Research explains.

The Senate advances two contradictory proposals on fixing the ratings agencies. Guest: CUNY’s Greg David.

Today on the Financial 411, Amy Eddings spoke with Wall Street Journal reporter Amir Efrati about that paper’s report that Morgan Stanley is under investigation for misleading investors about multimillion-dollar investments based on mortgage securities. The reported investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission follows a recent filing by the against Goldman Sachs accusing that firm of fraud.

WNYC’s Lisa Chow on hearings probing last week’s market hiccup. Plus: WNYC’s Ilya Marritz on the paid sick leave proposal that’s making it’s way through a City Council committee.

Why a pension manager prefers human beings do some trading on her behalf. Guest: Janna Sampson, co-chief invest officer for Oak Brook Investments, in Lisle, IL.

CUNY’s Greg David reviews the Continental-United merger, and other news of the week.

The Mayor proposes letting go of 11,000 city workers. WNYC’s Bob Hennelly explains.

Two years after Bear Stearns' collapse, the former CEO takes the stand in Washington. Guest: William Cohan, author of "House of Cards: A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street."

WNYC's Andrea Bernstein explains a project to ease parking problems through higher meter rates. Also investment adviser Hugh Johnson on why Greece’s debt woes are roiling markets.

Update: After listening to our segment yesterday, a spokesman for the city Department of Transportation called to clarify that the motive in their Park Smart pilots to raise parking rates during peak periods was not to raise revenue but to increase the availability of parking spots. They say information about the pilots is available on their website.

Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand want robust new rules for Wall Street. WNYC’s Lisa Chow reports.

CUNY’s Greg David on the city’s plans to make life easier for small businesses in New York City.

WNYC’s Ailsa Chang on NYC OTB’s plan to appeal to a younger, more upscale clientele. Also – the big pro-regulation rally on Wall Street.

The Wall Street Journal’s Ianthe Jeanne Dugan reports credit default swap speculators are driving up costs.

WNYC’s Amy Eddings reports on some of the most riveting exchanges from today’s Goldman Sachs hearings before a Senate committee.

Why hundreds of New Yorkers want a job fixing lifts. Also: WNYC’s Ilya Marritz on the launch of the Wall Street Journal’s local news section.

Why growing a business sometimes means leaving New York City. Guest: Greg David, Director of the Business & Economics Reporting Program at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

President Barack Obama’s plan to reform Wall Street, and New Jersey Republican Congressman Scott Garrett’s reasons for opposing it.

NPR’s Jennifer Ludden reports on a bill in Congress to make women’s pay equal with men’s – really.

What went wrong at Lehman Brothers depends on how you see the role of markets and regulators. And the future of financial reform hinges on it. Guest: WNYC’s Lisa Chow.

WNYC's Isaac Davy-Aronson talks to New York Times reporter Louise Story about the government's lawsuit against one of the most powerful and profitable banks in the world.

The U.S. Government accuses Goldman Sachs of securities fraud. Guest: Greg David, Director of the Business & Economics Reporting Program at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

The Quadrangle Group severs ties with its founder, Steven Rattner, and settles charges with Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. WNYC’s Ilya Marritz explains what’s behind the ongoing corruption investigation at the state pension fund.

The Parks Department looks for ways to increase revenues. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe and the assistant commissioner for Revenue and Marketing, Betsy Smith, explains.

A new study pegs the underemployment rate among the self-employed. Guest: Sara Horowitz, founder of Freelancers Union.

NPR’s Planet Money team gets a rare interview with president of the New York Fed, Bill Dudley.

Politicians called St. Vincent’s, the soon-to-close Greenwich Village hospital an institution, but figures from the Department of Health suggest many neighborhood residents already went elsewhere. Guest: Greg David, Director of the Business & Economics Reporting Program at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission is looking into the reasons Citigroup hit an iceberg in 2008. WNYC’s Lisa Chow shares the latest from hearings with two top Citi executives.

How one attorney left the law to start a business for large-busted women. WNYC’s Ailsa Chang reports.

Wall Street peddles exotic debt products to Albany legislators. Guest: Aaron Elstein, reporter with Crain’s New York Business.

WNYC’s Lisa Chow discusses first quarter residential real estate numbers.

The U.S. government sells its shares in Citigroup, and other economic news of the week. Guest: Greg David, Director of the Business & Economics Reporting Program at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

WNYC’s Lisa Chow reports people in the magazine business have high hopes for Apple’s iPad.

WNYC’s Ilya Marritz reports the FDIC is mulling legal action against the leaders of a failed bank.

Technology has dented, but not hobbled the video giant, as Sarah McBride reports.

A personal finance columnist turns his furlough days into cash through some housekeeping. Guest: Ron Lieber, “Your Money” columnist for The New York Times.

While the health care overhaul will benefit many New Yorkers, CUNY's Greg David says the package penalizes companies that have more than 25 employees.

Imagining Wall Street with more women. Guest: Sheelah Kolhatkar, author, “What if Women Ran Wall Street?” in New York Magazine.

WNYC’s Amy Eddings speaks to David Kestenbaum of NPR’s Planet Money team, which invested $1,000 in one of the bonds that helped bring down banking giants Bears Stearns and Lehman Brothers.

WNYC’s Matthew Schuerman explains N.Y.U.’s expansion plans. Also: a study says New York State has lost 140,000 manufacturing jobs because of Chinese currency manipulation. WNYC’s Ilya Marritz explains.

With a mixture of incentives and tax breaks, New York City keeps JetBlue from moving to Florida. Guest: Dave Barger, CEO of JetBlue.

New York’s Lieutenant Governor says big banks are sweet talking legislators with debt-restructuring vehicles. Guest: Greg David of the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

WNYC’s Kathleen Horan on how some taxi drivers overcharged passengers.

Food aid for poor people with pets. Guest: WNYC’s Cindy Rodriguez.

You can donate food at the Animal Relief Fundor at the Food Bank for New York City.

More on this story here.

Prosecutors allege the former CEO of a small New York bank attempted to defraud the TARP. WNYC’s Ilya Marritz explains.

WNYC’s Matthew Schuerman on the groundbreaking for the Nets Arena, and WNYC’s Ilya Marritz on the foreclosure auction for the Riverton Apartments.

The makers of games for handheld devices are making millions, 99 cents at a time, as WNYC’s Lisa Chow reports.

With banking reform in the works, how come there’s no plan yet for overhauling the mortgage market? Guest: Alyssa Katz, author of Our Lot: How Real Estate Came to Own Us.

Schumer says Treasury, Dodd says Fed. CUNY’s Greg David says it depends on which one you trust less.

Some Haitians believe a trade deal will the U.S. is the key to getting their country out of poverty. Planet Money’s Adam Davidson and Chana Joffe-Walt explain.

Guest: Robin Sidel, reporter with the Wall Street Journal.

Reuters’ finance blogger Felix Salmon says it makes sense to watch food-miles, even if you aren’t concerned about climate change.

WNYC’s Lisa Chow looks at campaign contributions from the financial industry to local politicians.

CUNY’s Greg David on Gov. Paterson as lame duck, and Cuomo’s record on business.

New York's health commissioner, Dr. Richard Daines, wants a tax on soda to fight obesity.

New York City’s 5,000 street food vendors say the city is overzealous in enforcing bathroom breaks. WNYC’s Arun Venugopal reports. Also: Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli on Wall Street bonuses.

WNYC’s Lisa Chow reports that passengers give LaGuardia, Kennedy, and Newark weak scores when it comes to what they want in their airports.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn says she is serious about putting New Yorkers to work. CUNY’s Greg David gives an assessment of her plans.

WNYC’s Lisa Chow explains Walgreen’s’ acquisition of the iconic New York drugstore. Also, Andrea Bernstein on what the economic stimulus has accomplished in our area.

WNYC’s Lisa Chow reports on the costs and benefits of a shadow economy.

CUNY’s Greg David explains what else is in the Larry Seabrook indictment. Plus: questions over the Aqueduct casino contract, and the cost of snow.

An efficiency expert explains how businesses can save money and time. The Planet Money team speaks with Matt LeBlanc.

WNYC’s Lisa Chow speaks to U.S Education Secretary Arne Duncan about President Barack Obama’s proposal for the U.S. government to be the direct lender to student borrowers.

New Jersey debates "wealth flight." Guests: Hans Dekker of the Community Foundation of New Jersey and Mary Forsberg of New Jersey Policy Perspectives

WNYC’s Lisa Chow explains stalled efforts to regulate the over-the-counter derivatives market.

A ballpark name change and what it means for Brooklyn. Guest: Greg David, Director of the Business & Economics Reporting Program at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg says “average” pay in the financial sector is $70k, but it depends how you calculate it. WNYC’s Arun Venugopal explains. Also: Bob Hennelly on Gov. Chirs Christie’s casino challenge.

A Harlem housing complex heads for the auction block as the owner misses his loan payments. Guest: Charles Bagli of The New York Times.

NPR’s Sylvia Poggioli on what ails Greece’s economy.

WNYC’s Lisa Chow explains what’s behind New York City’s "BigApps" competition.

A study suggests there is an epidemic of wage violations among New York City’s low-wage workers. Guest, James DeFilippis, associate professor of Public Policy at Rutgers University and co-author of the study "Working Without Laws" from the National Employment Law Project.

WNYC’s Arun Vengugopal on efforts to weaken the impact of the Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited money in politics.

WNYC’s Cindy Rodriguez and Lisa Chow report on the decision by Tishman Speyer and BlackRock Realty to give up Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village.

As Obama turns bad-cop on banks, Mayor Bloomberg defends the Street. Guest: Greg David of CUNY’s business journalism program.

Jonathan Macey, a securities lawyer at Yale, says the President’s proposals for reining in Wall Street really aren’t all that tough. Also: WNYC’s Lisa Chow on why unemployment is still climbing in New York City.

WNYC’s Ilya Marritz on New York City’s First new credit union in ten years and The New York Times’ Dave Itzkoff explains why Sherlock Holmes is still protected by copyright in the United States.

One former aid worker says there are problems with donations via text message. Guest: Saundra Schimmelpfennig, director of the soon to be launched organization Charity Rater. She blogs at Good Intentions are Not Enough Good Intentions are Not Enough.

WNYC's Lisa Chow reports on the challenges of workplace diversity.

Obama’s proposal to assess a fee on bank liabilities. Guest: Greg David of the CUNY Journalism program.

Lawmakers consider a ban on museums selling art to cover operating expenses. Guest: Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester)

New York state zeroes in on businesses that classify employees as independent contractors. WNYC’s Ilya Marritz explains.

The titans of Wall Street are in Washington tomorrow to answer questions from members of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. Guests: Richard Sylla, of NYU Stern School of Business, and Simon Johnson, professor at MIT Sloan of Management.

WNYC’s Lisa Chow reports on New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation’s plan to restructure itself and emerge from bankruptcy protection.

The owners of Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village defaulted on their mortgage today, and bankruptcy filings rose 44 percent in 2009. Guest: Greg David of CUNY’s Journalism School.

WNYC’s Arun Venugopal discusses the city’s new $3,200 fee for filiming in certain buildings, which has some producers antsy.

WNYC’s Ilya Marritz reports on the “Move Your Money” campaign, aimed at getting Americans to switch their deposits from big banks to community banks.

How Kenneth Feinberg bargained down executive pay at big banks, and why he didn’t get deeper concessions. Guest: Steven Brill, contributor to The New York Times Sunday Magazine

The estate tax expires January 1. Laura Saunders of The Wall Street Journal explains.

Fox and Time Warner dare each other to walk away from a valued relationship. Guest: WNYC’s Lisa Chow.

WNYC’s Ilya Marritz reports sloppiness and bad luck doomed a New Jersey bank.

In this tough year, some entrepreneurs made their visions reality. Guest: Greg David of CUNY’s Journalism School.

And some economists believe New Yorkers are the least happy people in the nation. Guest: Stephen Wu, associate professor of economics at Hamilton College.

The Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger moves one step forward. But Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) is fervently opposed.

The UES has the city’s lowest unemployment rate. Black and Hispanic New Yorkers, and people living in poor neighborhoods, are the most likely to be out of work. Guest: James Parrott, chief economist of the Fiscal Policy Institute

Citigroup tries to repay TARP, but its stock offering comes up short. Guest: Greg David of CUNY Journalism School.

Unemployment drops in New York State and New York City. Guest: WNYC’s Lisa Chow.

Why retailers cluster, rather than disperse. Planet Money’s Chana Joffe-Walt and Adam Davidson explain.

The fiscal crisis at the MTA and in the state budget. Guest: Kathy Wylde, President of the Partnership for New York City.

The City Council resoundingly defeats a plan for a shopping center in the Bronx after a “living wage” compromise collapses. WNYC’s Matthew Schuerman explains what it means.

Guest Greg David of Crain's New York on Goldman Sachs' holiday bonuses, Gov. Paterson's Wall Street speech, and the MTA's budget woes.

WNYC’s Cindy Rodriguez on how Bronx residents are taking advantaged of a juiced-up food stamps program.

City officials tout an unsual arrangement to create “living wage” jobs in the Bronx. Guest: WNYC’s Matthew Schuerman.

The administration’s “cash for caulkers” plan wants to do for home weatherization what “cash for clunkers” did for cars. The New York Times’ David Leonhardt explains.

An economist argues against holiday gift giving. Planet Money interviews Joel Waldfogel, business professor at Wharton and author, Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the Holidays.

A new study suggests Wall Street’s boffo results will help New York City’s coffers. Guest: Greg David, director of the business and economics reporting program at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

Corcoran and a fired broker fight over a list of clients. Guest: Amanda Fung, reporter for Crain’s New York Business.

One attendee at tomorrow’s White House “Jobs Summit” gives her view on how to increase employment. Guest: Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.

Tim Arango, reporter for The New York Times, on why GE wants to lose NBC (well, mostly).

Greg David of Crain’s New York Business on why stories about holiday shopping are usually wrong.

A husband and wife go into business together, and are forced to cut their spending at home. Jenny Brundin of member station KUER in Salt Lake City in Utah.

WNYC’s Lisa Chow explains why bus operators are offering $1 tickets to destinations around the northeast.

The state’s highest court OKs the use of eminent domain to clear the way for the Atlantic Yards project. WNYC’s Matthew Schuerman explains.