Wednesday, September 24, 2008

AMERICA'S HOSTS: Steve Inskeep and Linda Wertheimer; NEWSCASTS: Carl Kasell, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testified yesterday before the Senate Banking Committee about their 700 billion dollar rescue plan for the financial sector. Both officials said it was urgent that lawmakers pass the bill this week. But they failed to sway many skeptical members of the committee.  that story airs at 6:10 and 8:10.

Here's a related story:  Co-host Linda Wertheimer talks with Lionel Barber, editor of the Financial Times, about how European markets and leaders are reacting to the US financial crisis. They also discuss the Bush administration s plan to bail out Wall Street.  That's at 5:35 and 7:35.

Researchers are calling for warning labels on energy drinks. The drinks contain substantial amounts of caffeine, which could lead to symptoms associated with a caffeine overdose, including, heart-palpitations and insomnia. The energy drinks are marketed to adolescents, who haven't developed a tolerance to caffeine. We'll listen (quickly) at 6:35 and 8:35.

It's been bad news all around in 2008 and commentator Frank Deford thinks that in this year of mortgage meltdowns, war, and hurricanes, one man symbolizes the grim mood. He's Bill Belichick – the perpetually unsmiling coach of the suddenly hapless New England Patriots. Belichick is a good friend of Jon Bon Jovi, who smiles a lot.  We'll all smile when Frank Deford shows up at 7:51.

Thanks for listening.  Keep smiling.