The language in the central bank's "beige book" look at the economy has gotten more upbeat. It sees "modest to moderate" growth.

Low levels of a fungicide, called carbendazim, have been found in orange juice products that contained juice imported from Brazil. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has halted orange juice imports from all countries.

Twinkies maker Hostess Brands Inc., is again seeking protection from its creditors, blaming high debt and rising costs of labor and raw materials. Sales of Twinkies are down, despite its prime product placement in the 2009 film Zombieland.

Hostess Brands, which also makes Wonder Bread, Ding Dongs and more, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Despite a previous bankruptcy process only a few years ago, Hostess was unable to agree with unions on reducing pension and other labor costs.

The Federal Reserve usually worries about interest rates and inflation. But lately, Fed officials have been focusing on housing. They've been out in public, pushing measures they think will help the housing market. David Wessel, economics editor at The Wall Street Journal, talks to David Greene about proposed changes to mortgage financing.

A growth of 3 percent is not bad, given all the European turmoil. But there's a downside in the report. It shows the German economy shrinking a bit at the end of 2011.

Consumers who sign credit card agreements that feature an arbitration clause cannot dispute fees or charges in court, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The 8-to-1 ruling is drawing fire from consumer advocates.

Chrysler unveiled the 2013 Dodge Dart at the North American Auto Show on Monday. The resurrection is part of the company's overall revitalization, but the new stylized, gas-sipping Dart is a far cry from the sturdy mainstay of the 1960s and '70s.