Iowa Legislature

The Business News Headlines and More! 1 May 2025

Welcome to May Day and thanks for being with us again today.  In the Business News Headlines we first take a look at why cheaper goods from China will cost buyers and sellers more money starting...Friday.  In other news, Elon Musk is stepping away from DOGE….but fails to answer what he has accomplished. We have a story about how the Mideast is having its own set of economic worries and why. Turning back to domestic issues a carbon capture pipeline is facing legislative backlash in Iowa. We’ve got the Wall Street report as well as a story about the sacking of the new Kohls CEO.  For the conversation you’ll meet Theresa Leppert an entrepreneur that’s got a bunch going on from Girl Campers to Lucida Sol Wellness & Botanicals based in tiny Maquoketa, Iowa. Let’s go…
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 24 March 2025

Welcome back to the Business News Headlines and more.  Coming up today, after the news a conversation with Jan Norris who, for the past four years, has been battling a proposed carbon pipeline that would run through 700 miles of Iowa. It's quite the story and she does name names. Meanwhile, should you wish to to follow us you can find us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  And our website is just a click away where you can scroll through all of our newscasts. Here's what we've got for you today:
Confusion at the IRS will mean more scams;
President Trump rolls out new tariffs on oil exports;
And, the nations buying oil from Venezuela;
23andMe files Chapter 11 and the CEO quits;
Farmers in Iowa to get roughly 864 million dollars and why;
The Wall Street Report;
And US manufacturing is officially in a slump.
For the conversation we welcome Jan Norris who lives in Montgomery County in South West Iowa.  She, and hundreds of others, have been battling to keep a proposed carbon pipeline out of the state. And she has support from both Republicans and Democrats. She lays out her case on safety, security, land damage and more. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and ICON 27 February 2025

While not in the newscast this evening you need to know that the Iowa Legislature has voted to strip a protected class of individuals from the states Civil Rights Law...the only state in the nation to do so...and their target?  People who are trans or non-binary.  And the business community?  Silent. Yes, there will be business consequences here but nobody seems to care. On that happy note, let's get started and should you wish to to follow us on social media you can find us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  And our website is just a click away where you can scroll through all of our newscasts. Here's what we've got for you today: 
Tough Tariff Talk Tanks Wall Street;
The agency that protects consumers...done;
How about a "Golden Visa"? No not a credit card;
Heard about the economic boycott that takes place on Friday?
The Wall Street Report;
And more people filed for unemployment last week.
For the conversation you'll hear from Stephanie Oppel the leader of the ICON Water Trails a non-profit that is harnessing the rivers and streams of Central Iowa in what is a major economic development push.  Some fun things are coming yet this year and we'll talk about it all.  Enjoy, we sure did!
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines 24 February 2025

Finding a job can be tough for many people however, when you are a fired government worker that has a rare specialty it can really be difficult. That story tops our newscast this afternoon and welcome to the Business News Headlines for this Monday afternoon. Remember, should you want to follow us on social media you can find us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  And our website is just a click away where you can scroll through all of our newscasts. Here's what we've got for you today and all in under 12 minutes:
Laid off government works struggle to find employment;
What all of this may mean to the unemployment numbers;
Apple to invest $500 billion in the U.S. and why;
Door Dash to pay nearly $17 million in fines;
Iowa wants to strip a group of people from its civil rights law;
Why we think that's bad for business;
More chaos? Look no further than the FDA;
A popular craft store to close all of its locations;
The Wall Street Report;
And a safety agency cuts 4% of its staff and an odd end of the story.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines 5 June 2024

Today is the day before the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. President Biden is in France to deliver remarks on this historic event. Not many members of the military are still with us however, you can do your part in simply remembering this massive effort that led to the salvation of Europe. Had this not been successful we may have been living in a very different world.  Thanks for being with us today and if you want to reach out to us on Social Media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Worker pay is slowing;
Employers are now focusing on training to improve productivity;
If the economy is so awful why are restaurants having their best year...ever?
There may be a coming divorce in the world of dollar stores;
The Wall Street Report;
The YOLO trend is fading fast...and why.
For the conversation you'll meet Michael Berger and Ashley Ezzio from UpLift Iowa which is a guaranteed basic income program that gives participants $500 each month no strings attached.  It has been assailed as "socialism on steroids" but what are the early results from the multi-year study?  To learn more make sure to CLICK THIS LINK.
Thanks for being here!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.
 

UpLift Iowa a Report on this Guaranteed Income Program

A year ago I sat down with Ashley Ezzio and Michael Burger the staffers who work for UpLift Iowa which is a guaranteed income program offering $500 a month, no strings attached, to program participants. At that time we simply wanted to know what the program was all about.  Now, a year later, we learn what impact that $500 each month has meant for program participants. And, from the political arena Iowa GOP legislators passed a bill that will tank any future programs like this calling it a "slippery slope to Communism".  So what is the story?  Have a listen. 
Thanks for being here!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 8 January 2024

Welcome to a brand new week and the business news headlines for this the 8th day of January which also is the opening day of the Iowa Legislature.  To that end make sure you click ahead for the interview with Joe Murphy the President of the Iowa Business Council which is made up of some of the largest corporations in the state. And, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today: 
Tech stocks ruled and crude fizzled;
A federal funding deal and it matters;
Tiger Woods and Nike part company;
Gadgets will be on display in Las Vegas;
Treasury Secretary Yellen on "shell companies";
European supermarkets and "Shrinkflation" issues;
The Wall Street Report;
A record number of empty offices in major cities.
Now, make sure you click ahead and listen as we talk legislative priorities with Joe Murphy from the Iowa Business Council.  To listen to that conversation click this link.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Legislative Priorities from the Iowa Business Council with Joe Murphy

The Iowa Legislature has begun the 2024 session and we sat down with our friend Joe Murphy the President of the Iowa Business Council to talk about this groups legislative priorities. As in past years tax rates remain at the top of the list but we were surprised at some of the other issues that the largest corporations in the state see as essential. It's a good conversation. Also if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too. Here's Joe: 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 16 November 2023

Welcome to the Thursday Edition of the Business News Headlines where workers at GM have ratified their new contract. That story kicks things off today.  Also, make sure you click through for some hyper-local Des Moines, Iowa news about a lack of funding for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) bus service. My guest is Erin Hockman as we talk about cutting service by 40% or finding alternative funding sources. It's a big story. Also, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find  us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you: 
It's all over but the contract signing at GM;
Thousands of Starbucks workers walked off today;
The hot labor market is showing signs of cooling off;
Walmart said consumers cut back in late October;
RTO is a big thing but will your office be...big enough?
We're talking Taco Bell food today;
The Wall Street Report;
And, Amazon about to go big with online auto sales.
For the Interview you'll meet Erin Hockman from the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority who helps us better understand the possible 40% cut in bus service unless an alternate funding source can be put into place. This is something that is impactful to both employers and employees and a must listen segment. To hear our conversation click this link. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Funding Issues, DART and a 40% Cut in Service

One of the most impactful issues facing workers and employers is transportation. If a family doesn't own a reliable vehicle or if people don't want/need that expense their option if public transportation...get on the bus...Gus.  However a lack of funding has the Des Moines Area Transit Authority (DART) considering a 40% cut in service. Is there a solution?  Meet Erin Hockman the Chief External Affairs Officer for DART who shares not only the impact of a cut but also how we can fix the funding shortfall.  And, yes, you get a chance to weigh in on the proposed "franchise fee" increase at a number of public forums you can find here on the DART Website. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.