NPR People: Chris Arnold
NPR Correspondent Chris Arnold is based in Boston. His reports are heard regularly on NPR's award-winning newsmagazines Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition. He joined NPR in 1996, and was based in San Francisco before moving to Boston in 2001.
Violence Spurs Calls To Rein In The Repo Man
If you don't make your car payments, someone can be hired to repossess it. They might tow it from your driveway or a parking lot. But sometimes repo men go further, breaking into people's garages or homes. Fights can break out. People get hurt, and some have even been killed, prompting some groups to call for greater regulation.
Dream Of A Tropical Resort Inspires Midwest Town
If you build it, they will swim — that's the vision of Elkhart, Ind., where nearly 1 in every 5 people was unemployed a year ago. Situated close to Chicago and Indianapolis, the town is a few hours' drive for 35 million people. So Elkhart is exploring the idea of building a type of tropical resort popular in cold climates in Europe, such as this one in England.
Housing Data Highlight Weakness In Sector
Sales of existing homes fell in January, fresh evidence of stubborn weakness in the housing market. Sales dropped 7.2 percent, falling to their lowest level since the summer. The big drop follows an equally disappointing fall in new home sales earlier in the week. A rebound in home sales and prices is considered vital to a sustained and solid economic recovery.
Dealers Question If Recalls Will Fix Toyota's Problems
In Washington, top Toyota executives are expected to testify at hearings on Capital Hill this week. At the same time, Toyota dealerships across the country are retro-fitting the gas pedals on millions of vehicles. In Boston, a dealership owner discusses his frustration with Toyota's PR missteps. He's trying to grind his way through the recall and get the job done right for his customers.
Airport Snow Days Felt In Warm Weather Areas Too
This past week's nasty winter weather left a lot of travelers stranded. Airline passengers vented their frustration, and airline analysts said the tough winter has been hard on financially squeezed airlines. An inn keeper in Key West, Fla., says those flight cancellations have hurt this business.
Previous Toyota Complaints Being Scrutinized
With Toyota's safety issues under intense scrutiny, more problems could very well come to light. One safety group says the acceleration problems appear to involve more cars than Toyota has recalled so far. And there are rising complaints about the power steering in some Corollas. Still, others say these growing complaints reflect excessive attention to one company, not a serious danger to the public.
Dealers Work Overtime On Toyota Recalls
Toyota dealerships are making their way through a backlog of customers' cars during the massive recall involving the gas pedals on millions of cars. Toyota has said it is working on plans to resolve another possible safety problem — this one involving the anti-lock brakes on the Prius hybrid. So far, Toyota has not announced a recall on the Prius.
Toyota Repairs Costly For Dealers, Drivers
At Expressway Toyota in Boston, mechanics have begun making repairs to customers' cars. The work is being paid for by Toyota, but the dealer may still get hurt as his customers become disillusioned with the automaker. And the car owners are losing time and money waiting around for repairs.
Bakery Holding Its Own After Cutting Workforce
Outside Boston, the Dancing Deer Baking Co. sells all kinds of cookies and brownies to restaurants and stores. Last year, during the worst of the recession, the owner had to lay off some of the employees. Would the bakery be helped by President Obama's efforts to get banks to loan more to small businesses?
Despite Recall, Toyota Dealer Sees Loyalty Ahead
After 4 Years, Housing Market Still Frail
Housing news this week has been mixed. Home prices are beginning to stabilize but the number of sales was worse than expected. Some economists see reason for optimism, while others say the government needs to keep propping up the housing sector.
Wal-Mart Cuts 10,000 Jobs
Wal-Mart has announced it's cutting about 11,000 jobs at its Sams Club stores. Most of those cuts involve people who do in-store product demonstrations. Not all those jobs are going away: Some will be outsourced to another company. But it's unclear how many people will be hired back that way.
Unease Mounts Over Boards' Ultimate Say In Exec Pay
Some investors argue that corporate boards have become beholden to management and approve huge pay packages that siphon money away from shareholders. Because pay packages aren't tied to long-term performance, critics say, they also encourage the reckless risk-taking that created the financial crisis.
Low Mortgage Rates Fuel Demand For Homes
Despite the bad job market, demand for U.S. home loans rose last week for the third straight week. An industry group says home ownership is being helped by low mortgage rates, which fell again to a one-month low. They're below 5 percent in some areas for 30 year fixed rate loans.
U.S. Businesses Donate Cash, Food, More To Haiti
Since the earthquake in Haiti, U.S. businesses have been donating tens of millions of dollars to the aid effort. Big companies, non-profits and small mom and pop stores have been pitching in. Besides giving cash, they have been sending volunteers and supplies to crisis centers set up in American cities for people who have family in Haiti.
- Rain Damage, Detours Hinder Commutes In Northeast
- Senate To Take Up Unemployment Insurance Extension
- Heavy Rain Continues To Pour On Mass.
- Stomach Virus Is Surging In Boston
- Patrick Declares State Of Emergency As Rain Storm Continues
- Why We Gain Weight As We Age
- Rough Weather Hits Southern New England
- Unemployment Rate Doubles For Older Women
- Coffee Party Founder Wants Common Grounds
- Obama's Attorney General Under Attack
- Stomach Virus Is Surging In Boston
- Unemployment Rate Doubles For Older Women
- Heavy Rain Continues To Pour On Mass.
- Why Making Healthful Foods Cheaper Isn't Enough
- UAW Brokers First Union Contract Under Tribal Law
- Why We Gain Weight As We Age
- Rain Damage, Detours Hinder Commutes In Northeast
- With A Signature In Green, St. Patrick’s Day Became A Holiday
- As Construction Alters Closed Church, Jamaica Plain Builds Its Community
- Hospitals Battle Their No. 1 Injury: Falls
- Peter Gabriel: No Guitars, No Drums, All Covers
- Jesus And The Hidden Contradictions Of The Gospels
- Obama Proposes Dismantling No Child Left Behind
- Umm Kulthum: 'The Lady' Of Cairo
- Why We Gain Weight As We Age
- St. Patrick’s Roast As Comedy Club? ‘No, Nay, Never No More’
- Coffee Party Founder Wants Common Grounds
- Obama's Attorney General Under Attack
- Calif. Governor Candidates Clash At GOP Convention
- Amy Ryan: From 'The Office' To The 'Green Zone'
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Andover's Interesting & Obscure Stories
March 16, 2010
At Andover Historical Society' -
Distinguished Writers Series: Francine Prose
March 16, 2010
At Newhouse Center for the Humanities, Wellesley College -
Demystifying the Townsends and Goddards: An Exploration of Newport Cabinetmakers
March 16, 2010
At Doris Duke's Rough Point Mansion -
Atrium School Founder's Lecture with acclaimed author, Tracy Winn
March 16, 2010
At Atrium School


