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Veteran business journalists Paul Kangas and Susie Gharib coanchor television’s most watched daily business news program, Nightly Business Report. The award-winning series combines business and economic news, extensive financial market coverage, corporate profiles, and commentaries by economists in a fast-paced format.

Health Care

Mass. Venture Capitalists Invest In Alzheimer's Research

By Sean Corcoran
A small group of local business leaders who are using their proven investment techniques — and their personal fortunes — to assemble what they believe are the world's most promising researchers to slow, stop or reverse Alzheimer's Disease.

GREATER BOSTON

Customers Worry As Book Fair Goes On Sale

MORE GREATER BOSTON

By Adam Reilly
The New England Mobile Book Fair -- which is neither mobile nor a fair -- is up for sale, and its loyal customers are worried an ownership change could threaten a quirkiness that has taken 50 years to develop.

Economy

Boston Factory Takes Training Into Its Own Hands

By Chris Arnold
Experts say the current educational system and private-sector training efforts aren't preparing workers for job opportunities. So, a metal parts factory near Boston has done something unusual to ensure its workers have the necessary training: It started its own school.

Energy

State Approves National Grid Purchase Of Cape Wind

READ SEAN CORCORAN'S CAPE WIND BLOG

By Sean Corcoran
The state's Department of Public Utilities Monday approved an agreement that will allow power distributor National Grid to buy half of the electricity generated by the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound.

Business

Amid Rising Demand, Price Of Coffee Beans Soar

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By Charlie Herman
Brazil, the world's largest coffee grower, is soon expected to consume more coffee than the U.S. Then there are new coffee drinkers in India and China whose expanding economies have already pushed up prices for raw materials like corn and cotton. Now, it's coffee.

Economy

Defense Spending In Mass. Rockets Upward

By Sarah Birnbaum
Defense spending in Massachusetts has tripled since 2001, bringing 115,000 jobs to the Bay State.

THE WORLD

At Upper Crust, A Good Relationship Goes Sour

By Lisa Mullins
Undocumented workers from Brazil helped buil a high-end pizza chain -- but what was initially a mutually beneficial relationship ended up souring amid allegations of denied pay and exploitation. PRI'S THE WORLD

Economy

Shaws Will Shutter Five Stores

By Jess Bidgood

The Shaws grocery store chain is closing five New England Stores. It's the latest in a string of major retail closures across the state.

America's Test Kitchen Radio

An Insiders View Of The Restaurant Business

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Ever wonder why your favorite restaurant struggles while so many second-grade establishment have lines out the door? America's Test Kitchen Radio presents an insiders view of the restaurant business.

Economy

Lawmaker Wants To "Claw Back" State Aid

By Jess Bidgood
Evergreen Solar is closing its Massachusetts manufacturing plant, terminating 800 jobs it was given $68 million in state aid to create. One lawmaker is filing legislation that would help the state get its money back when companies fail to deliver on state aid.

LOCAL BUSINESS

In Davis Square, Businesses Weather Snow-Related Downturn

STORM COULD BRING 'FLASH-FREEZING'
WHAT TO DO WITH THE SNOW?

By Jared Bowen
On the heels of the holidays, the winter months tend to be slow for restaurants. But season that with a batch of snowstorms and, in the words of one restaurateur, it’s a killer. But some restaurants are trying to take advantage of the snow -- and succeeding.

CLIMATIDE

Setting Catch Limits With Limited Information

LAWMAKERS PLEAD FISHERMAN'S CASE

By Heather Goldstone
At the heart of fisheries management is a delicate balancing act – weighing the needs of fishermen against those of fish. Unfortunately, managers often don’t have the quantity or quality of data one would wish for.

Energy

In Lexington, Solar Is Coming

By Andrea Smardon
One of the state’s largest alternative energy companies, Evergreen Solar, is in the process of closing its manufacturing plant in Devens. But the landscape for solar manufacturing in Massachusetts isn’t all bleak. A solar startup in Lexington, 1366 Technologies, is looking to open a new plant in Massachusetts.

Business

No Merger For Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts Health Plan

By Jess Bidgood
Two of the state's biggest health insurers have called off talks of a merger. In an email to staff obtained by WGBH, Tufts Health Plan CEO Jim Roosevelt said a review found it would be "ultimately too complex" to merge with Harvard Pilgrim.

Business

Mass. Lawmakers Demand Answers As Fidelity Departs

EARLIER: LAWMAKER WANTS TO 'CLAW BACK' STATE AID

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts lawmakers are demanding answers after Fidelity Investments announced this week that it's closing its Marlboro plant and moving its jobs out of state.

Business

Fidelity To Patrick: It's Not You, It's Me

LAWMAKERS DEMAND ANSWERS AS FIDELITY DEPARTS

By Sarah Birnbaum
Gov. Deval Patrick has confirmed that Fidelity will not reverse its decision to move 1,000 jobs out of Massachusetts — and says the investment company has apologized to him for announcing its decision when he was out of the country.

Business

Internet Sales Tax Loophole Cuts Both Ways On Main Street

By Ralph Ranalli
Lawmakers on Beacon Hill are holding a hearing Thursday on a proposal to close the legal loophole that allows major Internet retailers like Amazon.com and Overstock.com to avoid charging sales tax. But local affiliates of those big online retailers say it will hurt their business.

Business

Cambridge-Based Zipcar Shares Soar In Market Debut

By The Associated Press
Shares of Zipcar Inc. are soaring in their market debut after the initial public offering priced better than the company had predicted.

Economy

Mass. Unemployment Drops To 8 Percent

By The Associated Press
State officials say the Massachusetts unemployment rate dropped to 8 percent in March as 3,200 jobs were added during the month.

Health Care

Coakley: Nonprofit Board-Member Pay Unjustified

By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is filing legislation that would allow her to prohibit nonprofits from paying their board members. The move follows the public uproar over generous salaries and severance packages at the state's largest health insurer.

Business

Fisherman: Catch-Share Sectors 'Eliminate' Some Business

ONE YEAR OLD, CATCH SECTORS 'EFFECTIVE FOR BUSINESS'

By Bob Seay
Fisherman are wrapping up their first full year of compliance with a new set of federal regulations intended to prevent overfishing, called "sectors." Some fisherman say it's helped their businesses, but WGBH's Bob Seay speaks to a Plymouth fisherman who says he's lost 60 percent of his income because of the rules.

Digital Life

Data-Sharing Websites May Facilitate Identity Theft

By Toni Waterman
A South Boston woman is struggling with identity theft — and it may not have been difficult for the theives to get her information. A crop of websites are aggregating personal information and showing it to anyone who wants to see, for free.

CLIMATIDE

A Look At The 2010 Fishing Season

MORE CLIMATIDE

By Heather Goldstone
Scientists from NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Center in Woods Hole have released an upbeat preliminary report on the 2010 fishing season — the first to be managed by catch-shares management. They say the year saw no overfishing and higher revenues for fishermen.

Business

Former State Environmental Chief Gets Into Business

EARLIER: BOWLES STEPS DOWN

By Andrea Smardon
Former Massachusetts Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles is heading into the private sector. He left his post as the state's top environmental official at the beginning of this year, and is now starting a new consulting firm with three other colleagues from the state.

WHERE WE LIVE: JAMAICA PLAIN

Amid Criticism, JP Whole Foods Development Continues

WATCH GREATER BOSTON

By Toni Waterman
When Whole Foods announced in January it was moving into the Hi-Lo Foods supermarket in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, it was met with a firestorm of criticism, igniting a debate over gentrification and business rights. Six months later, the conversation continues — and in some ways, it’s only gotten louder.

Local Politics

Sen. Brown, Rep. Tierney Chastise Federal Fishing Authority

By Sarah Birnbaum
A group of Massachusetts’ lawmakers is coming down hard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the agency at the center of a contentious debate over regional fishing rights — and the subject of a damning Commerce Department investigation last year.

Boston

Boston Has Nation's Highest Ratio Of 20-34 Year-Olds

By Jess Bidgood
Boston is home to a bigger proportion of adults ages 20-34 than any other city in America, with 35 percent of its population falling into the age group. Both Mayor Menino and an independent economist agree that's good for the city.

Local Politics

New Bill Would Curb Toxic Chemicals In Everyday Products

By Sarah Birnbaum
Environmental activists in Massachusetts are pushing for quick passage of a bill that would restrict potentially harmful chemicals found in everyday products from window cleaners to shampoo. The so-called Safer Alternatives Bill had an initial hearing Tuesday on Beacon Hill.

Business

Gambling Bill Looks Good For Mashpee Wampanoags

By Sarah Birnbaum
The casino gambling bill unveiled by Massachusetts legislative leaders earlier this week could give a boost to the Mashpee Wampanoag Native American tribe, but there are caveats.

89.7 WGBH

9/11 Brought 'Complete' Change To Cape Air

89.7 WGBH

State Treasurer Considers Legalizing Online Poker

By Sarah Birnbaum
Momentum may be growing behind efforts to legalize online poker in Massachusetts. State Treasurer Steve Grossman’s Office is considering plans to legalize online poker for state residents.

Innovation

Entrepreneur Walk Of Fame Unveiled In Cambridge

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By Cristina Quinn
The entrepreneurial spirit took over Kendall Square recently, with the unveiling of the Entrepreneur Walk of Fame, next to the Kendall Square/MIT MBTA station. The seven honorees inducted include Thomas Edison, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Apple's Steve Jobs.

Business

Patrick Touts Massachusetts At Biotech Conference

By Phillip Martin
Thousands of biotech and pharmaceutical dealmakers from around the work gathered in Boston this week for a Bio-Pharm America 2011 conference in Boston — and Gov. Deval Patrick is stressing the importance of their work to the Massachusetts economy.

Local Politics

After Credit Bump, Mass Gets Low Bond Interest Rate

By Sarah Birnbaum
After securing what officials say is the highest credit rating in the state’s history, Massachusetts has sold $500 million in bonds at an interest rate of slightly below 3 percent.

THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW

New England Nuclear Plants Face Renewed Scrutiny

THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW

By Will Roseliep
Nuclear plants in New England have come under increased scrutiny since the Fukushima-Daiichi disaster in Japan earlier this year. The scrutiny comes as the Pilgrim plant in Plymouth and the Vermont Yankee plant in Vernon, Vermont look to renew their operating licenses for another 20 years.

Innovation Hub

Innovation Hub: Introducing Ourselves!

By Kara Miller
Welcome to Innovation Hub! Each week on this show, we’ll hear from the most inventive, creative minds around and ask: What are they thinking? Building? Creating?

INNOVATION HUB

Making Green Energy The Norm

MORE INNOVATION HUB

By Kara Miller
This week, we tackle two big questions: What are the newest green-energy technologies available, and how can the United States be encouraged to embrace them? Then, we turn to a conversation on tackling obesity. Find both conversations after the jump.

Greater Boston

Friendly's Files For Bankruptcy

MORE GREATER BOSTON

By Jaclyn Cashman
A Massachusetts-based family-friendly restaurant chain is heading into bankruptcy. Friendly's is shutting down 63 locations across the country after more than 75 years in business.

Boston

Happy Hour Could Return To Mass.

By Sarah Birnbaum
For the first time in most than two decades, bars and restaurants may be able to offer discounted drinks in Massachusetts, under a measure passed by the state Senate on Tuesday.

BUSINESS

Wegmans Enters Mass. Market With A Splash

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By Gary Mott
There’s a new entry in the hyper-competitive world of food shopping in Massachusetts. The N.Y.-based chain Wegmans inspires fierce loyalty among its customers and employees — and now it's opened the largest supermarket in Massachusetts. Can it replicate its success here?

Greater Boston

Consignment Shopping To Stay Stylish In A Down Economy

MORE GREATER BOSTON

By Jaclyn Cashman
Most shoppers, even label lovers, agree that clothing doesn't give you a great return on your investment, only your sense of style. To stay stylish in this rugged economy, people are turning more to second hand clothing.

LOCAL POLITICS

State Investigates Controversial Lottery Game

By Sarah Birnbaum
State Treasurer Steve Grossman called for an investigation into a state lottery game called Cash WinFall after a handful of gamblers exploited a flaw and raked in millions.

Greater Boston

Municipal Choice: A Power Play In The Bay State

MORE GREATER BOSTON

By Adam Reilly
An investigative report on how big utility companies are pulling the plug on competition in Massachusetts.

Business

State Lures Bargain Shoppers With Online Auction

MORE NEWS

By Sarah Birnbaum
Just in time for early holiday shopping, the Massachusetts Abandoned Property Division is auctioning off unclaimed valuables on eBay.

INNOVATION

MIT Signs Historic Deal With New Russian Technology Hub

MIT HELPS BUILD THE 'SILICON VALLEY' OF RUSSIA

By Phillip Martin
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is teaming with a Russian government–sponsored foundation to build a world-class graduate school of technology, known as SkTech, just outside Moscow.

Greater Boston

RelayRides: Car Sharing On The Rise In Boston

MORE GREATER BOSTON

By Jaclyn Cashman
Rental car companies beware! A new peer-to-peer car sharing program allows neighbors to borrow each other's cars instead of owning one. See how RelayRides has shaken up the car-sharing marketplace.

INNOVATION

Inventing The Future: Learning From The Epic Fail

WGBH RADIO: INNOVATION HUB

By WGBH News
Many successful startups — including Rovio, creator of "Angry Birds" — had to experience a lot of failure first.

LOCAL NEWS

Luxury Housing And The Rental Crisis

CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW: BOSTON'S SKYROCKETING RENTS

By Danielle Dreilinger
It's harder than ever to find an affordable place to live in greater Boston — and a research institute chalks it up partly to growing income inequality.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Resurrection Unlikely For Boston Icon

VOICES FROM THE BASEMENT
EMILY ROONEY SHOW: FILENE'S CLOSING FOR GOOD

By Jordan Weinstein

With parent company Syms filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, is it finally time to give up hope for the survival of Filene's Basement?

Xconomy

Xconomy Report For Nov. 4, 2011

By Xconomy.com
On Monday, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook is recruiting at Harvard and MIT to tap into Boston's hot startup market — epitomized by fast-growing upstarts such as HubSpot, Gemvara, Kayak, TripAdvisor and Wayfair.

Technology

Facebook Founder's 'Fans' Flock To See Him IRL

INNOVATION HUB: ZUCKERBERG RETURNS

By Cristina Quinn and WGBH News
Harvard students and the media crowded around to hear Mark Zuckerberg explain his plans for Facebook — which do not involve opening a Boston office any time soon. UPDATE: Listen to his speech to students.

Energy

Energy In The Ether?

By Bob Seay
Wireless electricity offers the promise of a life free from the worry of losing one's phone charger — or maybe even losing power after a storm.

Innovation Hub

Finding The Next Big Thing

By Kara Miller
We welcome two nationally-known business insiders for a wide-ranging conversation about seeding new companies, technologies on the rise and, of course, the next big thing.

Gambling

Final Gambling Bill Almost There

WGBH NEWS: HAPPY HOUR IN MASS.? NOT SO FAST

By Sarah Birnbaum
The consensus bill licenses three resort-style casinos and one slots parlor in Massachusetts.

WHERE WE LIVE

Worcester Plans A New Economy

WHERE WE LIVE: COMPLETE SERIES

By Sarah Birnbaum
The amenities that have attracted biotech execs to Worcester are no accident: Starting 30 years ago, the city has been working to attract new industries. But will it be enough?

WHERE WE LIVE

Where You Live: 'Always Christmas' In Georgetown

WHERE WE LIVE: COMPLETE SERIES

By Terry and Rick Palardy
Despite health challenges, Terry Palardy is living her retirement dream in the North Shore town where she and her husband have made toys and gifts since the '70s.

INNOVATION

Xconomy Report For Nov. 18, 2011

By Xconomy.com
Will the new Harvard Innovation Lab, opening today, keep the next Zuck or Gates in Boston? That's the $20 million question.

INNOVATION

Xconomy Report For Nov. 25, 2011

By Xconomy.com
AOL co-founder Steve Case has invested in a Boston startup that's created a smartphone app popular among runners.

Business

Bob Slate And The Case Of The Paper Letter

GREATER BOSTON: BOB SLATE REOPENS

By Danielle Dreilinger
As the holiday shopping season starts, one familiar face is back in Cambridge: Bob Slate Stationer, which closed earlier this year. If its demise represented the death of local retail, paper and Harvard Square, what does the store's revival mean?

Innovation Hub

Local Frontiers In Sustainable Farming

MORE: SUSTAINABILITY IS SERVED

By Kara Miller
We look at new frontiers in sustainable food. Is a new model of food production changing the way we eat? The way we think about food? How do you run a green, 21st-century farm? How can you compete with inexpensive imports?

Xconomy

Xconomy Report: Treatment For Parkinson's

By Xconomy.com
In this week's top life sciences and innovation news, Michael J. Fox's charity has given a local startup funding to improve Parkinson's treatment.

Innovation Hub

Boston's Young Entrepreneurs

MORE INNOVATION HUB

By Kara Miller
Today, we look at what it takes for young people to start their own businesses in tough economic times. What ideas are viable? Where do you get money? And how do you cater to financially-strapped consumers? We talk to some of the most creative young minds in the Boston area.

Gambling

Predicting Casinos' Impact On The Bay State

MORE CALLIE CROSSLEY

By WGBH News
Observers say that casinos will have a major impact on both the state's bottom line and politicians' careers.

Business

State's Innovation Economy Draws International Deals

By WGBH News
Gov. Deval Patrick is finishing his nine-day trade mission to South America excited by new collaborations with countries there.

Innovation Hub

A Home -- And An Adrenaline Shot -- For Startups

MORE INNOVATION HUB

By Kara Miller
This week, we look at how to create spaces that encourage creativity and inventiveness. What happens when you put hundreds of ambitious entrepreneurs in one building? Do great minds feed off each other? What can they teach us about success — and about potential pitfalls?

Innovation Hub

The Power Of Purse: Funding A Start-Up In Boston

By Kara Miller
We hear from the people with the purse. Some of the Boston area’s most knowledgeable venture capitalists, seed-funders and prize-givers join us to talk about what they’re investing in, how to spot great talent, and whether the economy is finally springing back to life in Boston. MORE INNOVATION HUB

This Week On Beacon Hill

Gov. Seeks Gambling Head, Hears Revenue Forecast

By Sarah Birnbaum
The Governor is back on Beacon Hill Monday, fresh from a trade mission to Brazil and Chile. This week, he'll weigh a pick for the casino-gaming commission and hear a tax-revenue forecast. Meanwhile, some are pushing to legalize the sale of alcohol in Mass. on the day after Christmas.

Innovation Hub

Morning Edition Extra: Finding Young, Specific Talent For Boston

By Kara Miller
Over the past few weeks at Innovation Hub, we have spoken with a number of young entrepreneurs, and the people who help their businesses grow, with space and money. And, no matter how you slice it, there's one fact we can't get away from: Young people today are flocking toward start-ups and entrepreneurship at newly high levels. MORE INNOVATION HUB

U.S.

Post Office Agrees To Delay Closings

WGBH NEWS: SIGNED, SEALED, DISCONTINUED?

By WGBH News & Wires
The U.S. Postal Service has agreed to delay the closing of 252 mail processing centers and 3,700 local post offices until mid-May. This week, WGBH News explores the question of whether two of these offices matter to the people of Cambridge, Mass.

Business

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