Yesterday evening we had the opportunity to tape six more upcoming McCuistion TV episodes. In these episodes we highlighted various experts that have been on the program during the last twenty years. They offered outstanding insight into the world that we see today. We were also joined by various experts in the audience that offered their perspective on the subject matter.
We look forward to airing each episode as we share highlights from episodes of the past and fresh insight as to how they relate to what we are seeing now and in the future.
In today’s news update we’ve provided links on the health care filibuster, oil and stem cell therapy.
Democrats Unite to Break GOP Health Care Filibuster
Moderate and liberal Democrats unified behind a health care overhaul bill in the Senate today that critic Sen. John McCain dubbed “one of the great Bernie Maddoff gimmicks.”
Democrats broke a Republican filibuster in the wee hours of the morning and inched their sweeping $871 billion health care package toward passage before Christmas.
Oil hovers above $73 ahead of OPEC meeting
Oil prices hovered above $73 a barrel Monday ahead of an OPEC meeting where investors expect the cartel to keep production levels unchanged.
By mid-afternoon in Europe, benchmark crude for January delivery was up 14 cents to $73.50 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The January contract, which expires later on Monday, rose 71 cents to settle at $73.36 on Friday.
Traders also have begun to watch the February contract, which was up 43 cents to $74.85 on Monday.
Athersys Inks Deal With Pfizer on Stem-Cell Therapy
(Reuters) – Athersys Inc said it sold the rights of its stem-cell therapy to treat inflammatory bowel disease to Pfizer Inc, the world’s biggest drugmaker, and shares of Athersys nearly doubled in value.
Under the agreement, Pfizer will pay Athersys $6 million upfront and up to $105 million in milestones for the investigational stem cell therapy, MultiStem.
Athersys may elect to co-develop the therapy with Pfizer and both the companies will share expenses as well as profits and losses on an agreed basis, beginning at late-stage study, it said in a statement.
In today’s news update, we have links to updates on Citigroup repaying the government for the bailout, climate negotiations and an update on the healthcare debate.
Citigroup to Repay $20 Billion of Government Bailout
Dec. 14 (Bloomberg) — Citigroup Inc., recipient of the biggest U.S. bank bailout, struck a deal with regulators to repay $20 billion to taxpayers and escape government-imposed pay restrictions.
Citigroup, the only major U.S. lender still dependent on what the government calls “exceptional financial assistance,” will raise the funds with a sale of $20.5 billion of equity and debt. The New York-based company also plans to substitute “substantial common stock” for cash compensation, the bank said in a statement today.
Talks Stall as Poorer Nations Threaten to Walk Out
COPENHAGEN — Ongoing climate negotiations were temporarily upended on Monday when dozens of developing countries threatened to walk out in protest, saying that the world’s richer countries were not doing enough to cut their greenhouse gas emissions.
The move seemed to be tactical, as climate talks entered a second, more serious week, and by Monday afternoon, representatives from developing countries said they were ready to return to the table. Still, the threat of nonparticipation underscored the tenuous balance between richer and poorer nations.
Long-Term Care Stirs Health Care Debate
WASHINGTON — Embedded in sweeping health legislation passed by the House and being debated on the Senate floor is a major new federal insurance program for long-term care intended to help people like Anne M. Rader.
Ms. Rader, 45, works at Booz Allen Hamilton as a consultant to federal agencies on emergency preparedness. Even though she has cerebral palsyand multiple sclerosis, she leads a full, active life. But she worries that she will lose her independence if her conditions grow worse.
In today’s news update we provide links to updates on retail sales, the health debate and Democrats splitting based on views on Afghanistan.
Retail Sales in U.S Increase More Than Forecast
Dec. 11 (Bloomberg) — Sales at U.S. retailers rose more than forecast in November, a sign consumer spending is gathering speed heading into 2010.
The 1.3 percent increase followed a 1.1 percent gain the prior month that was smaller than previously estimated, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. Purchases excluding autos climbed 1.2 percent, also more than anticipated and the biggest gain since January.
Senate health debate hits snag over imported drugs
Reporting from Washington – Expanding access to low-cost prescription drugs from overseas might look like a sure winner in the effort to make healthcare more affordable. President Obama supports the idea, as do many Democrats and several Republicans.
But the seemingly popular proposal brought the Senate healthcare debate to a standstill Thursday, as Democrats divided over whether they should bow to the drug industry’s fierce opposition.
Regulatory reform poised to pass House
WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) — The House is poised to pass legislation aimed at preventing the next big financial crisis and usher in the most sweeping set of changes to the banking regulatory system since the New Deal.
The bill would impose more oversight and stronger capital cushions for the largest banks and Wall Street firms. It would force them to pay a total of as much as $150 billion into an emergency fund that could be tapped when a troubled firm needs to be taken over and broken up.
Health care, Afghan war splits Democrats
Washington (CNN) — Health care reform is a signature issue for Democrats, but the attempt to overhaul the nation’s health system has pitted liberals against centrists, exposing fissures 11 months before the 2010 midterm elections.
A year ago Democrats were united in victory after winning back the White House and picking up additional seats in Congress. But with victory comes expectations that are accentuated when a party controls both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.
After Art Benjamin’s impressive display of the math skills that have given him the title of a mathemagician, we were able to speak with him backstage. Below we have posted a clip from his backstage interview where he discusses his passion for math. He states that he believes that everyone has the potential to do well in math. He expounds on this topic by discussing why he believes some have trouble with math. He ends by explaining the usefulness of practical math and what he feels would make math education more relevant for all. For the five minute clip, see the video below.
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Meeting on Climate Opens With Calls for Urgent Action
COPENHAGEN — A much-anticipated global meeting of nearly 200 nations — all seeking what has so far been elusive common ground on the issue of climate change — got under way here on Monday with an impassioned airing of what leaders here called the political and moral imperatives at hand.
Tightening Fears Send Stock Futures Lower
U.S. stocks rose slightly Monday, as gains in the utilities and health-care sectors were offset by concerns over whether interest-rate increases could come sooner than previously expected.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 8 points, to 10397 in early trading. American Express was one of its best performers, up 1.3% following an upgrade of credit-card companies by analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. However, Bank of America slipped 1.2%, and General Electric fell 1.1%.
How About a Public Option With Private Insurance?
Here’s an angels-on-the-head-of-a-pin question to kick off the week: If the public option offers private insurance, is it still the public option?
To win the favor of few key centrists wary of creating a government-backed insurance plan, Senate Dems may shift from the pure-play public option — a government-run insurance plan — to a plan more like the one used to cover federal employees. The basic idea: Allow people to choose from an array of private non-profit insurance plans, in a system overseen by a government office. To get some idea of how this might work, check out the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
Today’s news update focuses on the current unemployment rate, GM Management, Healthcare and Stocks.
U.S. Economy List Only 11,000 Jobs
Current Unemployment Rate News
In the strongest employment report since the recession began nearly two years ago, the government said Friday that the nation’s employers had all but stopped shedding jobs in November, taking some of the pressure off of President Obama to come up with a jobs creation program.
The Labor Department reported that the United States economy lost 11,000 jobs in November, and the unemployment rate fell to 10 percent, down from 10.2 percent in October.
CEO Whitaker to shakeup GM management: report
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — General Motors Co. will announce sweeping changes to its leadership early Friday that will include promotions for its younger managers to help revitalize the troubled automaker, according to a published report.
The management shakeup follows the sudden departure of Fritz Henderson, 51, as chief executive after just nine months on the job and the ascent of Ed Whitacre, 68, to head the struggling Detroit automaker.
Obama Health Overahaul May Fail to Cut Spending on Medicare
Dec. 4 (Bloomberg) — White House Budget Director Peter Orszag says the medical-system overhaul now being debated in the Senate puts in place “crucial steps” to help slow the growth of U.S. health-care spending.
As the lawmakers struggle to reach consensus on the nation’s most far-reaching health legislation in four decades, some economists and analysts don’t share that confidence in either the Senate or the House bills.
US Stocks Futures Surge After Nonfarm Payrolls Report
NEW YORK (Dow Jones)–U.S. stock futures surged Friday morning as the monthly nonfarm payrolls report shattered expectations, providing a sign the labor market is finally starting to heal.
After trading around 15 points higher prior to the report, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures jumped 123 points to 10475 in recent trading. Standard & Poor’s 500 futures added 15 to 1113 and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 24 to 1805.
Setting off the gains, U.S. job losses slowed sharply in November and the unemployment rate unexpectedly declined. In its monthly report, the Labor Department said nonfarm payrolls fell by just 11,000 last month, slowing down from a downwardly revised 111,000 drop seen in October. It was the best showing since December 2007, when payrolls rose by 120,000, said a Labor department official. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had expected a payroll decrease of 125,000.
A celebration of 20 years of McCuistion Television Programming…
Thursday, November 19th at 7PM- Arlington Hall at Lee Park was the site of a gala event – the very first, celebrating the McCuistion Program’s success and 20 year run on KERA, Channel 13, Dallas PBS. A success from start to finish- from harp music at the welcome reception, to desert, conversations and a standing ovation for the co-founders, Dennis McCuistion: Host of the program and Niki Nicastro McCuistion: Executive Producer/Producer. Guests included program panelists, loyal viewers, funders and board members.
The event was emceed with grace, humor and style by former board member and close friend, Terry Brock, CPAE, an internationally renowned marketing coach and consultant. He illustrated the last 20 years with inside stories that captured audience attention and highlighted the social media work made possible by a Searle Foundation grant. Terry walked us through the new website and blogging Niki has spearheaded with Orangecast, our new social media consulting firm. He showed us how to easily access past and present programs, comment on blogs and stay tuned even when an airing is missed. This work takes the program to another level, yet is still in progress so we hope you join us, comment and Twitter your friends and associates to follow us.
Conversation at each table was hosted by a lead person and included:
Hasan Pirkul on education, Jerry Fullinwider on oil and energy in Russia, Iran and Iraq, Ed Wallace on world history, John Goodman on healthcare, Terry Brock on technology, Cary Clayborne on capital markets, Steve Pejovich on the Berlin Wall, Larry Steinberg on the Middle East, Dennis on the credit crisis and Niki on terrorism and the Roots of War documentary.
A video of the best of the last 20 years programming Niki had produced for the evening’s event included comments from program guests and supporters from, Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Gail Cooksey and her team and Jim and Carol Young congratulating the host and producer on their 20 year TV anniversary. Highlights included candid clips of what goes on behind the scenes to make the program production work. A fun and surprise ending featured Dennis in makeup, commenting that he didn’t look one day older than when the program started, and attributing it to good makeup and shots. The video is posted at the top of the page.
Terry Brock interviewed Niki as the filmmaker- co-interviewer on the controversial Roots of War documentary. Scheduled to air on KERA in January of 2006, the documentary was funded in part by the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation, one of our major TV funders. It aired first at the Angelika to community leaders. Protested by the Freedom and Justice Foundation, the KERA airing date was postponed. Niki spoke to what had occurred and what was done by her and Phil Smith, lead camera and co-editor of the documentary, in the ensuing years to get the program back on KERA. She felt compelled to honor the funder’s expenditure and trust and took her own time and money to do so. More of this story can be seen at www.therootsofwar.org. The documentary is going to be posted online as well.
Dennis capped off the evening by talking about the future of the program, its collaboration with the University of Texas at Dallas (http://som.utdallas.edu/iecg/) School of Management and the Institute for Excellence in Corporate Governance and how the program will benefit and grow as a result. We recently taped several programs with their assistance in providing us the very best panelists from around the world. Take a look at programs 1807 (Corporate Governance) to 1810 (Wall Street: Capitol of Greed or Builder of Capital – airing on December 27th) for programs that profoundly affect our daily lives.
And of course what would the festivities have been without the host introducing key guests who have been part of our success, from Willis Duff to John Goodman, PhD, CEO of the National Center for Policy Analysis, among others you’ll see on the 
upcoming excerpts of that night. A sterling moment highlighted energy guru Jerry Fullinwider, who in 1942, played with his then band in the very room the evening’s gala was held in. Paid the royal sum of $25 for the evening, Jerry had to spend $5 of that fee to buy the music they played. We learned Jimmy Dorsey had tried to hire him but Jerry decided to stay in college and eventually go into business. As one of our benefactors, we’re sure glad he chose that route. But to show he did indeed have talent then and now, a trumpet magically appeared and Jerry played a few bars to resounding applause.
The evening ended with a standing ovation for the co-founders, Dennis and Niki and a promise of more good programming. Stay tuned where as always we talk about things that matter with people who care…
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Niki Nicastro McCuistion
Executive Producer/Producer
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