Free America Network

Christoph Waltz is an Austrian-born actor who found success in the movies somewhat late in life. Not long ago, our Seth Doane caught up with him on a foreign stage, in an unlikely role:  Usually it’s the music that draws opera-goers. Or maybe it’s the set, or the performers. But […]

On a cold Colorado morning, moms, dads and kids lined up for something to warm their holiday: a free Christmas tree. For most, caught in tough economic circumstances, this would be the only way to have a tree.   The trees were all donated. Each family got one and then […]

It’s called L.O.L. Surprise, and it’s THE toy story of the season. Much in demand, it’s a little complicated to explain why. So we’re leaving that to John Blackstone, who reports our Cover Story:  As the surprise hit of this holiday season, L.O.L. Surprise has its own surprising backstory. It […]

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The fourth-largest wildfire in California history continues to grow and threaten thousands of homes despite armies of fire crews and fleets of bulldozers and aircraft. Although Santa Ana winds eased on Friday amid the blaze northwest of Los Angeles, they are expected to return with a […]

Last Updated Dec 16, 2017 10:54 AM EST SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The third-largest wildfire in California history continues to grow and threaten thousands of homes despite armies of fire crews and fleets of bulldozers and aircraft. Although Santa Ana winds eased on Friday amid the blaze northwest of Los […]

NEW YORK — ‘Tis the season to be shopping and shipping at Li-Lac Chocolates in Brooklyn where more than 20 percent of their sales will be shipped for the holidays. “Getting gifts on time is super important they just can’t be late, we really rely on the carrier to deliver […]

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange started trading bitcoin futures Sunday evening, becoming the second major U.S. exchange to do so. Its competitor, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, started trading bitcoin futures last week. According to The Associated Press, the futures were trading lower after their CME debut. By 2:00 a.m. EST […]

Surging rents, a dearth of affordable housing, mounting competition for apartments from wealthier renters. Welcome to the American housing market’s “new normal.” About half of renters across the US are “cost-burdened,” meaning more than one-third of their income goes to their landlord, according to a recent study from Harvard University’s Joint Center […]

Surging rents, a dearth of affordable housing, mounting competition for apartments from wealthier renters. Welcome to the American housing market’s “new normal.” About half of renters across the US are “cost-burdened,” meaning more than one-third of their income goes to their landlord, according to a recent study from Harvard University’s Joint Center […]

BEAUMONT, Tx. — Joann Petty isn’t exactly in the Christmas spirit, and who can blame her?   Four months after Hurricane Harvey flooded Beaumont, Texas, Joann and hundreds like her are still virtually homeless for the holidays. Joann said she lost everything, and couldn’t even afford to buy her grandkids […]