Stacey Vanek Smith

Southwest Airlines is on track to become the biggest airline in the world by the end of this year, as measured by the number of passengers carried. What's its key to success? Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.

Mattel is spinning its damage control wheels as fast as it can following back-to-back recalls of millions of its China-made toys. Meanwhile, American toymakers are cashing in - and dreaming of a red, white and blue Christmas. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.

Some in Congress and the mortgage industry want the government to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy up bigger loans. So far, no deal. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports on how that's affecting potential homebuyers in some of the country's most expensive housing markets.

Wall Street wants a rate cut, but some folks are still stuck on inflation worries and hoping to see a bump in the other direction. Meanwhile, the Fed's been happily holding steady. What next? Stacey Vanek-Smith sorts through the speculation.

College administrators always say tuition alone doesn't cover their costs. So they have to raise money elsewhere. Some are turning to new and controversial sources. Stacey Vanek Smith has a lesson in education economics.

Audiences have returned to movie theaters in huge numbers this year. We may even see record-breaking attendance, but studios had to shell out big bucks to produce the blockbusters that are reeling people in. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.

In the last decade, states have been coming down harder on crime and that's caused a prison population explosion. Many are running out of places to put them. Enter the booming private prison industry. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.

Northwest Airlines says it had to cancel so many flights during peak travel season this summer because pilots were calling in sick and skipping work. Pilots blame post-bankruptcy cost-cutting measures. But a new deal could make it all better, Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.

Oil prices were at an all-time intra-day high of almost $80 a barrel today -- shooting up from just six weeks ago, when prices were in the mid-60s. Stacey Vanek-Smith looks into why.

The FTC today kicks off a two-day hearing on whether Whole Foods' pending buyout of rival organic retailer Wild Oats constitutes a monopoly. And industry watchers are divided on this one, Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.