Business & Tech

Newton, Iowa – These days, if you've got something in your home from Iowa, it's probably in a kitchen cupboard, or in the refrigerator. But for a long time it likely was the refrigerator, or the washing machine, or the dryer. Maytag and Amana once two of the largest appliance companies on Earth, sprang from little Iowa towns. Now those communities are scrambling to deal with that industry's sharp decline, and to capitalize Iowa's emerging alternative energy business.

Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City Star publisher Mark Zieman moved from the editor's role to that of publisher earlier this year, a position that has forced him to make very difficult decisions. The Star recently laid off 50 employees in the face of decreasing advertising revenue. KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross sat down with Mr. Zieman to discuss the future of the paper and the industry at large.

Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City city council set the wheels in motion for a comprehensive shared-use trails program yesterday, and resolved to develop more consistent parking policies to minimize downtown tow-aways. But a projected budget shortfall of $60 to 80 million loomed throughout their two meetings.

Federal Reserve economist George Kahn told the council members that fourth quarter sales will likely be down, and real recovery from the recession won't begin till the second half of 2009.

Kansas City, MO – We've seen more discouraging signs in the economy this past week, but Monday, November 17th marks the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week. That's right. Some experts argue that this period of economic downturn may be a good time to start a new business - as long as you're careful. KC Currents' Susan B. Wilson sat down with the Kauffman Foundation's FastTrac program director Monica Doss to find out how it's possible.