Here is my weekly news roundup for this week.  Some interesting stories out there.

House Passes Bill to Revive Steel Coins.  The story here is a bill now being sent to the Senate to allow the US Treasury to begin minting coins out of steel.  Why you ask?  Well mostly because things like the penny that is worth, well 1 cent, costs 1.26 cents to make.  The nickel is even worse as it costs 7.7 cents to make each 5 cent nickel.  Luckily from the dime on forward the value is more than the cost.  But if you still think about it, it still cost 4 cents to make a dime, so it’s really only six cents, not 10.  That is inflation

Gas and Oil Prices continue to Rise.  While writing this is see that crude oil has topped $126 a barrel, and is continuing its upward climb.  If it doesn’t stop soon, we will all need collateral to get a tank of gas.  Today in particular are worries over the potential showdown between the US and Venezuela.  Alternatives need to be pushed.  And there are many.  Check out this post by Dr. John, just to get an idea of some of them.

Shoppers are hunting for better deals.  Money strapped consumers are looking for the better, and better deals.  While many retailers are reporting significant business slowdowns, the big box discounters are reporting higher sales.  Retailers like Wal-Mart and Costco, are seeing more and more customers.  Does this indicate the economy is getting better or worse?  Well it could mean both.  Shoppers are getting smarter with the money they do have.

Josh Brolin to portray “Dubya”, in new Oliver Stone Film. Oliver Stone has a new movie slated for late 2008 or early 2009.  Titled “W”, he promises it to be a fair biopic of George W. Bush.  He claims that unlike his prior presidential films, JFK, and Nixon, W will be a bit more lighthearted.  Stone says that “George W. Bush is funny.”, “He makes Funny Faces.”  Will Stone be laughing to the Box office?