The US Department of Agriculture is expected to announce today that it's scaling back inspections of American cattle for signs of mad cow disease. Some cattlemen think that's a mistake, Helen Palmer reports.

With yesterday's verdict in New Jersey, Merck has now won more than half of the Vioxx liability lawsuits filed against it. Is the decision to fight individual cases paying off? Helen Palmer reports.

The Food and Drug Administration is said to be close to lifting the 14-year ban on silicone breast implants. Cosmetic surgeons — and some of their patients — can hardly wait. Helen Palmer reports.

HSBC said today a call center employee in India was arrested for handing over people's bank information to thieves.Host Scott Jagow talks to David Wells of the Financial Times about just how secure these call centers are — or aren't.

On this week's A Day In the Work Life, our look at how folks trade their time for money, we couch surf with an interior designer.

The Fed is allergic to inflation. But is inflation really in the air? And how can it irritate your family budget? Scott Tong finds out.

Tom Lutz talks to host Kai Ryssdal about his new book on the history of slackers in America. You know, like Benjamin Franklin.

Today Congress looks at an audit that found massive abuse of FEMA relief money. As much $1.4 billion — or 16% — of the money was spent on things like tropical vacations, football tickets, even a sex change.

With the year's first named storm battering the Gulf Coast, Sam Eaton checks in on how the region's oyster industry has recovered from last year's storms.

Commentator David Frum argues the US doesn't need a strong manufacturing sector to remain the dominant player in the world economy.