New York

Congressional Democrats announced their 2008 budget plan, totalling $2.9 trillion. But is it worth the reams of paper it's written on? Budget watcher Maya McGuineas takes a look at the details with Kai Ryssdal.

Something just doesn't feel right about having to answer to a boss, no? Freelance speechwriter James Braly explains that you take a big chance putting your livelihood in one person's hands. Better to spread the risk around. And give him a condo already.

People in poor, minority neighborhoods were prime targets for subprime lenders, so when that market crumbled those areas were hardest hit. A nonprofit group has plotted maps showing the disparity in New York City. Ilya Marritz walks us through it.

Critics of a deal that gives 20 NYC private schools dibs on the best practice times at Randall's Island ball fields say it's shutting out low-income kids who would most benefit from the space. Alisa Roth has the story.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to replicate a program being used in Mexico that offers cash incentives to poor families who meet certain goals, like keeping their children in school. Alisa Roth reports.

JP Morgan Chase has said it would be a big part of the post-9/11 recovery of Manhattan's Ground Zero by building a 50-story tower nearby. But now it wants more from the city before it'll commit. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

New York City's Mayor Bloomberg is expected to announce a proposal to charge drivers entering busy parts of Manhattan as much as $8 for the privilege. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani have taken the early lead in polls for the presidential election. If the two New Yorkers end up going head-to-head in 2008, Wall Street might have to hedge its bets.

Broadcast industry mogul John Kluge has given $400 million to Columbia University — just for student financial aid. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports on what kind of aid that amount will come to.

Big-city newspapers may be having their problems, but small community papers are still seen by companies such as News Corp as worthwhile investments. Alisa Roth reports.