Thursday, October 9, 2008

AMERICA'S HOST: Steve Inskeep; NEWSCASTS: Paul Brown, Jean Cochran
CALIFORNIA/NEVADA HOST: Donna Apidone; NEWSCASTS: Steve Shadley

Here are some highlights of today's show:

Our series on ballot propositions continues.  This morning we'll examine the high-speed rail measure.  KXJZ's Steve Shadley and Ben Adler report at 6:33 and 8:33.

Do video games encourage violence, or are they harmless entertainment?  The current production at Capital Stage examines this question.  Theatre critic Jeff Hudson reviews "First Person Shooter" at 5:33 and 7:33.

There has been hope and speculation that Asian countries, particularly China, might step in and buy stakes in failing U.S. financial institutions. China is the world's fastest growing economy, and it has the world's largest foreign exchange reserves. But for now, China is likely to keep a tight grip on its purse strings, and not rush to the rescue. We'll hear more at 6:25 and 8:25.

Financial experts say that the current financial crisis isn't an echo of the Great Depression. Instead, it will look more like the worldwide downturn of the early 1980s. Central banks around the world have reduced their official interest rates but little has changed. Central bankers and finance ministers will meet in Washington this week to discuss formulas to end the meltdown. That story airs at 5:10 and 7:10.

Thanks for listening.