Charles Ferguson explores the biggest financial catastrophe the world has ever seen brought on by 30 years of deregulation, risky financial instruments, conflicts of interest, fraud, toxic loans and a handful of CEOs who eventually destroyed their own companies.

As the economy begins to slowly piece itself back together after the Great Recession, many are still wondering how it all happened. What went wrong? How could this have been prevented? Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz tackles those questions and more in his analytic book “Freefall: America, Free Markets, and the Sinking of the World Economy.”

Image via Jmtimages/Flickr.com

BY KATIE ROGERS – MEDILL NEWS SERVICE

When we asked you to grade President Obama’s fiscal strategy so far, an overwhelming number — nearly two-thirds — voted for a grade of “F.” A sample of 39 people isn’t a lot to draw conclusive answers from, but with [...]

Image via ILIGHT/Flickr.com

BY JORDAN MELNICK – MEDILL NEWS SERVICE

There’s no question about it: Obamacare is officially under siege. While the president might have hoped August would be a quiet month with Congress in recess, it has been anything but. Early in the month, there were reports of fervent protests at [...]

President Obama's Aug. 5, 2009 Wakarusa, Ind. speech — in Wordle format.

BY KATIE ROGERS – MEDILL REPORTS

Shares of Warrenville, Ill.-based Navistar International Corp. jumped Thursday following a Wednesday visit by President Obama to the company’s Wakarusa, Ind. Monaco RV manufacturing plant.

Navistar shares [[NAV]] were up more than 2 percent [...]

Beer Flag by I am Jacques Strappe/Flickr.com

By Jordan Melnick — Medill News Service

President Obama can’t catch a break lately.

As if he didn’t have enough to worry about with one war winding down, another ramping up and a recession doing one or the other depending on the day (or economic report). Now comes [...]

A substantial portion of the CARD act of 2009, passed on Friday, aims to protect adults under the age of 21 from being prematurely lured into credit card ownership and the associated risks. (iParenting)

BY FELICE BAKER – MEDILL NEWS SERVICE

Many of us remember the first promotional [...]

President Obama is expected to sign a bill into law within the next few days that would prevent credit card companies from enacting certain interest rate hikes and other penalties. The bill passed both the Senate and the House. (The Digerati Life)

BY FELICE BAKER – MEDILL [...]

The federal cigarette excise tax increase passed under the Obama administration earlier this year led to a steep tobacco price increase in April. Will consumers opt to continue to pay the extra dollar and one cent to support their habit? How will the tax hike affect government revenues? Robert Johnson of Morningstar Inc. [...]

Through the Chicago Green Homes program, the city suggests environmentally friendly ways for locals to make home improvements. (City of Chicago site)

BY KATE SHELLNUTT - MEDILL NEWS SERVICE

Green building experts say 2009 has brought ups and downs to the industry—a new administration in the White House offers more favorable environmental [...]