Marketplace Morning Report The surveillance state comes for grocery stores
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Jan 8, 2026 Pauline Gray, a retired neonatal nurse and Altadena homeowner, shares her journey of rebuilding after California's devastating fires. She details her property loss and financial strategies for recovery. Joining her is Kristen Schwab, a Marketplace reporter, who dives into the controversial use of biometric surveillance in grocery stores like Wegmans. They discuss how retailers harness technology to track shoppers and the concerning privacy risks, including bias in facial recognition and limited options for customers to opt-out.
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Neighbor Rebuilds After Devastating Fires
- Pauline Gray's carport and fence burned while her house largely survived with a new roof installed.
- She plans to rebuild her destroyed rental property with an architect and contractor already lined up.
Pay Yourself First Habit
- Pauline Gray says she saves 20 percent of every paycheck and calls it "pay yourself first."
- She credits that habit with giving her funds to contribute to rebuilding if needed.
A Lifelong Nurse's Career Path
- Pauline described her long nursing career, including neonatal intensive care and retirement twelve years ago.
- She returned to school at 35 and worked in NICU from 1990 until retirement.