Days before the start of the Holiday shopping season, we're checking in on the state of the economy with Gretchen Morgenson of the New York Times.

We talk with the store manager and some customers of the Baghdad PX, a Wal-Mart sized store for American soldiers serving in Iraq. We also speak with a sociologist about soldiers' spending abroad, and its effects on their finances.

We check in on airport security measures on this busiest travel day of the season.

"Black Friday," as it's known to some is the day when retailers hope to get into the black, financially.

Within the next 24 hours, chefs will be whipping , mashing, and pureeing, but there are side dishes beyond the squished butternut and smashed potatoes.

We hear from listeners on the past week's stories.

A look at the famous parade in New York City that has become a Thanksgiving tradition on the tube. We talk with the author of a book about the parade.