Hour 1
On this week's "Radio Times" journalists' roundtable, we turn our focus to goings-on in the city of Philadelphia. Guest host CHRIS SATULLO will talk to a talented trio of local journalists: Philadelphia Daily News columnist ELMER SMITH, It's Our Money blogger BEN WAXMAN of the Philadelphia Daily News and WHYY, and Philadelphia Inquirer City Hall Bureau Chief MARCIA GELBART. Among the topics they might touch upon are the city budget, as well as the big-picture fiscal issues that aren't part of the budget process; row offices and the sheriff succession; party politicking in both local Dems and GOP; ethics and City Council; the scandal over the Family Court construction project and possible conflicts of interest; casino developments; municipal labor contracts; and an early preview of the next mayor's race.

Filed under: politics |

Hour 2
Rebroadcast:
Americans are spending less due to the recent recession, but pinching a penny is a longtime virtue. Our guest journalist LAUREN WEBER grew up with a tightwad father – he didn’t like to use the family car’s brakes as the pads would later need to be replaced; and reused his tea bags up to ten or twelve times. Weber has taken her childhood experiences and has examined our country’s history of thrift and what was behind the aphorisms of famous Americans like Ben Franklin, and has written a book, "In Cheap We Trust: The Story of a Misunderstood American Virtue."

Filed under: author, family issues |