Nov 24, 2017

11/24/2017: Black Friday becomes Black November

Mario Tama/Getty Images

(U.S. Edition) Black Friday sales are now here, but Sears decided to get a headstart by offering discounts on Nov. 1. We'll discuss why the company has been so aggressive with sales and how it might fare in the future. Afterwards, we'll take a look at one popular toy item that families may be clamoring to find this holiday season: the new Women of NASA Lego set. Shoppers won't just be competing with other parents, but collectors and resellers. Plus: We explore Los Angeles' push to create a city bank, and what it would take to get one set up.

Segments From this episode

Los Angeles looks into what it would take to create a municipal bank

by Alex Cohen

Nov 24, 2017

The LA City Council president thinks a city-run bank would be run differently than a commercial one.

LA City Council President Herb Wesson says he would like the city to create a municipal bank, with a mission to make Los Angeles a better place by providing loans for local businesses and for affordable housing.

Photo courtesy of the City of Los Angeles

LISTEN

EMBED

Loans in the balance as international community weighs corruption in Guatemala

by Lorne Matalon

Nov 24, 2017

Corruption and political instability in Guatemala threaten to impact its ability to receive international monetary aid.

A banner left by Guatemalan prosecutors at ranch seized in a corruption probe reads "Evidence." Guatemalan prosecutors are working with foreign counterparts in the International Commission Against Impunity In Guatemala to stem corruption.

Lorne Matalon/ for Marketplace

LISTEN

EMBED

Sears’ strategy: Everything on sale, all month

by Jed Kim

Nov 24, 2017

The holiday season is here, and for Americans, it’s all about sales. One company in particular has an unusual strategy this year. Sears Holdings began sales on Nov. 1, and it’s offering discounts on everything in its Sears and Kmart stores. Click the above audio player to hear the full story.

LISTEN

EMBED

Teens are taking longer to grow up

by Amy Scott

Nov 24, 2017

A major study of teenagers and their activities has found that adolescents are growing up more slowly than previous generations. We look at one aspect in particular: they’re less likely to have paying jobs (the number of eighth graders who work for pay has been cut in half). How does that affect them now, and […]

LISTEN

EMBED

(U.S. Edition) Black Friday sales are now here, but Sears decided to get a headstart by offering discounts on Nov. 1. We’ll discuss why the company has been so aggressive with sales and how it might fare in the future. Afterwards, we’ll take a look at one popular toy item that families may be clamoring to find this holiday season: the new Women of NASA Lego set. Shoppers won’t just be competing with other parents, but collectors and resellers. Plus: We explore Los Angeles’ push to create a city bank, and what it would take to get one set up.

Latest Episodes From Our Shows

8:27 AM PST