Washington

President Bush has granted his intelligence czar the authority to exempt publicly traded companies from reporting requirements — in the name of national security. Kai Ryssdal talks with BusinessWeek reporter Dawn Kopecki.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is on Capitol Hill today trying to drum up $10 billion so Israel can relocate thousands of settlers from the West Bank. It could be a tough sell, Eric Niiler reports.

The FTC ruled that oil companies didn't manipulate the market after Hurricane Katrina. But it did find 15 situations that could be labeled as price gouging. Commentator and consumer advocate Jamie Court defines the term.

A scathing government report accuses Fannie Mae of "arrogant and unethical" financial practices. Host Kai Ryssdal asks Wall Street Journal reporter James R. Hagerty whether the company really needed to be cooking the books.

Republican Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana is floating a proposal to establish a temporary worker program operated by private industry. His plan would require all applicants to leave the country. Hillary Wicai reports.

FBI officials say they've caught Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson on tape accepting a $100,000 bribe. Agents later found the cash hidden in his freezer. Scott Tong reports.

The Federal Trade Commission says it found some cases of gas price gouging after Hurricane Katrina, but no broad market manipulation by oil companies. It blamed "regional or local market trends" for high prices.

It's prime fund-raising season in Washington, with midterm elections six months away. Some politicians are trying to rise above the mediocre when it comes to entertaining. Scott Tong checked out one of the events.

They're supposed to promote home ownership through more affordable mortgages, but a Fed economist says government-sponsored lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are lining shareholder pockets instead. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.