Sonari Glinton
Sonari Glinton is a NPR Business Desk Correspondent based at our NPR West bureau. He covers the auto industry, consumer goods, and consumer behavior, as well as marketing and advertising for NPR and Planet Money.
In this position, which he has held since late 2010, Glinton has tackled big stories including GM's road back to profitability and Toyota's continuing struggles. In addition, Glinton covered the 2012 presidential race, the Winter Olympics in Sochi, as well as the U.S. Senate and House for NPR.
Glinton came to NPR in August 2007 and worked as a producer for All Things Considered. Over the years Glinton has produced dozen of segments about the great American Song Book and pop culture for NPR's signature programs most notably the 50 Great Voices piece on Nat King Cole feature he produced for Robert Siegel.
Glinton began his public radio career as an intern at Member station WBEZ in Chicago. He worked his way through his public radio internships working for Chicago Jazz impresario Joe Segal, waiting tables and meeting legends such as Ray Brown, Oscar Brown Jr., Marian MacPartland, Ed Thigpen, Ernestine Andersen, and Betty Carter.
Glinton attended Boston University. A Sinatra fan since his mid-teens, Glinton's first forays into journalism were album revues and a college jazz show at Boston University's WTBU. In his spare time Glinton indulges his passions for baking, vinyl albums, and the evolution of the Billboard charts.
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South Bend is well known as the home of the University of Notre Dame. But locals know it's more than just a college town. It used to be a company town until car manufacturer Studebaker closed its plant in 1963, leaving a gaping economic hole. Now, South Bend is working to create a second act for its commercial life. -
Republican Mitt Romney told the Detroit News, that if he's elected president, he would make sure the government sells its stake in General Motors — even if it's for a loss. Romney says President Obama is delaying the sale to avoid an embarrassing loss to taxpayers. A White House spokesman said Romney isn't credible on the auto industry since he opposed the bailout that rescued GM and Chrysler.
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Early investors like investment banks and venture capitalists already own shares of Facebook. Some are even starting to sell. Now small investors get their chance to buy with Friday's IPO. NPR's Sonari Glinton checks in with a few of them on the first day of trading.
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After spending much of the year on the rise, gas prices are now falling — dropping nearly 20 cents in one month. Industry analysts expect the price to keep falling, but that might not take the strain off your wallet yet. -
President Obama is attending a fundraiser at the California home of actor George Clooney, along with about 150 guests. Almost anyone can attend, if they pony up $40,000. But for a few sweepstakes winners, the price of admission is about $3. It's the latest innovation in political fundraising. -
A deadly fire and explosion at a German chemical plant has created big headaches for the global auto industry. The recent blast has resulted in a shortage of a chemical compound used in plastic fuel and brake lines. The chemical is hard to replace, and now automakers are scrambling to avoid major production disruptions.
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The historic home with stained-glass windows, servants' quarters and a coach house would be worth $15 million in Silicon Valley. But in Detroit, well, sometimes housing prices don't make much sense. -
Where could a newspaper (or radio) reporter pick up a mansion/castle like the one David Niven and Doris Day take over in Please Don't Eat the Daisies?
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The Supreme Court begins hearing arguments Monday on President Obama's health care law. There will be six hours of arguments spread over three days. With only 400 seats in the courtroom and political interest roiling, people began lining up early for a front-row seat.
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Despite the excitement surrounding actor and activist George Clooney's visit to Washington, D.C., this week, there's nothing new about stars testifying before Congress. As celebrities get more involved in politics, can their star power still draw an audience for a worthy cause?
