Anthony Brooks

A Little Luck 'Not A Bad Thing' In Baseball

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 06:00:00 -0400

Bill Buckner was an All-Star Gold Glove first baseman who played 22 years in the major leagues, including four seasons for the Boston Red Sox. This summer, Buckner is back in baseball and back in New England, where he's reminded that 22 years of being good can't erase one moment of being unlucky.

Housing Nightmare Upends Family, Enriches Investor

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:01:00 -0500

Massachusetts lenders filed more than 22,000 foreclosure petitions in 2010. When one immigrant family lost their Boston home, they had a rude awakening: The bank auctioned off the family's home to a private investor at a fire-sale price.

Opponents Face Last Chance To Nix Cape Wind Plan

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 04:00:00 -0400

After battling for ten years, Cape Wind is facing its final regulatory hurdle. Proponents of what would be the nation's first off-shore wind farm, are making their case to Massachusetts utility officials that it would be a good deal for consumers and businesses. Opponents say Cape Wind will be bad for consumers, force electric rates up across the state and force many businesses to shut down. Anthony Brooks reports for member station WBUR.

Boston Officials Question Spike In Murder Cases

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 04:00:00 -0400

Boston is reeling from a shocking quadruple murder that has city and community leaders asking what can be done to stop the violence. Early Tuesday, five people were dragged from their home and shot. Four of them, including a 2-year-old, were killed. A fifth victim is not expected to survive. Neighborhood leaders say the murders looked like summary executions designed to "send a message."

State Budget Gaps: Debt Holes Deepen

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:45:00 -0400

States have cut spending and raised taxes to deal with growing deficits. The nation's smallest state, Rhode Island, has the most debt. In Illinois, a state representative was evicted from her district office for late rent payments. Even Tennessee, the state with the lowest total debt, is borrowing.

Fed Survey: Economy Lost Strength In Late Summer

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:00:00 -0400

A new report from the Federal Reserve provides the latest evidence that economic growth is continuing to slow down across much of the country. According to the Fed's Beige Book -- a compilation of data from across the U.S., there were "widespread signs" that economic growth slowed through the summer months.

Counting Calories? There Are Apps For That

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:00:00 -0400

For decades, people who wanted to get serious about losing weight joined Weight Watchers. They used paper and pen to help keep track of their calories with a point system. But today, people have much easier ways to track their calories -- using weight-loss apps. How many calories in an avocado? 300. The mobile apps take away your excuse for not counting calories. NPR's Anthony Brooks reports on the Boston-based company called Lose It!

July's Existing Homes Sales Hit 15-Year Low

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:00:00 -0400

When you think of real estate bubbles bursting, you may imagine Las Vegas, California or South Florida. The Midwest was supposed to be more stable. But new data show that while the housing market never did get that high in the middle of the country, it's now dropping at a surprising rate.

Toyota Presses On, Reconnecting With Customers

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:00:00 -0400

Toyota is picking up the pieces after a huge recall of its vehicles over sticky accelerator pedals. The company has gone from seeming to ignore the problem, to bending over backwards trying to help customers. Toyota has also moved to recall any vehicle with a hint of a problem.

American Apparel Subpoenaed Over Accounting Issue

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:00:00 -0400

Retailer American Apparel is famous for its hip clothes that are made in downtown Los Angeles by workers who are paid a livable wage. American Apparel's accounts have resigned, and the company has received a subpoena from prosecutors.

Can Toyota Regain Its Reputation For Quality?

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:00:00 -0400

Government investigators who looked into sudden-acceleration complaints at Toyota say they have found no evidence of flawed electronics in 58 of the vehicles that crashed. In fact, they found just one case in which an accelerator pedal became trapped under a floor mat, and none in which a pedal became stuck or sprang back too slowly, according to a preliminary report to Congress. Can Toyota now get back its reputation for quality?

Plan To Cut Role Of Credit-Rating Agencies Advances

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:00:00 -0400

The financial overhaul law enacted last month calls for reducing the influence of the private agencies, which gave high marks to the risky securities that helped cause the housing bust. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has taken the first step toward that goal, voting to get public comment on better ways to assess the risks banks are taking.

Research Calls Into Question 'Toning Shoe' Benefits

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:06:00 -0400

Shoe companies that sell "toning shoes" -- a fancy sneaker with an unstable sole -- say that toning shoes can sculpt your legs and reduce the girth of your backside while you walk. But at least two new studies from the American Council on Exercise suggest the claims are untrue.

Rise In Foreclosures Burdens States, Economy

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:40:00 -0400

The foreclosure crisis is deepening in Massachusetts, Florida, Nevada and other states. Some analysts say foreclosures are tied more closely to bad economic conditions than to the type of loan homeowners have. Many troubled homeowners still don't know where to turn for help.

In Mass., A Debate Over 'Right To Repair' Law

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:00:00 -0400

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill that would give independent auto mechanics access to the same repair data as dealerships. This has been a recurring point of tension between the auto companies and companies that make parts and small repair shops.

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