Stacey Vanek Smith

Get a glass of lemon juice, throw in a little maple syrup and a few dashes of cayenne pepper and you've got the latest weight-loss craze. Stacey Vanek Smith examines the dieting industry — and tries the cleansing fast herself.

Sirius and XM have agreed to merge their satellite radio services. With their combined 14 million or so paying customers, the new duo would completely dominate the budding industry. And that's where the FCC steps in.

This week in 1964, the 24th Amendment was ratified to outlaw poll taxation. Good thing, especially considering its origins. . .

The price of art has risen sharply over the past five years thanks to skyrocketing demand from wealthy collectors and investors. But Stacey Vanek-Smith wonders, how long can the boom keep booming?

This week in 1940, Ida May Fuller received the first monthly Social Security check. Stacey Vanek-Smith has the history of one of the most popular federal programs of all-time.

Fine art's been selling like mad. It raked in record profits last year. But for most of us, arriving at a monetary value for art is a mysterious thing. Stacey Vanek Smith takes a look at how it's done.

Acclaimed director and master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock released his first film 80 years ago this week. Stacey Vanek-Smith has the history.

This week in 1848, gold was discovered in California. That lucky strike sparked the largest gold rush ever and an economy was born. Stacey Vanek-Smith has the history.

This week in 1919, the 18th Amendment prohibiting "intoxicating liquors" was added to the U.S. Constitution. Stacey Vanek-Smith has the history.

A prospector struck oil near the city of Beaumont, Texas this week back in 1901. Stacey Vanek-Smith has the history.