Rural Iowa

Russ Parker and the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network

We were recently together at The Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade event in Mount Pleasant.  Both of us sitting down with the folks who run the event and those nearly 400 riders that took part. Rus Parker is no stranger to broadcasting. He and Ken Root started the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network with the goal of keeping the world of agribusiness top of mind.  Here we talk about the early days of the network, what he enjoys the most and share some memories along the way.  It was a pleasure to spend time with him.  Now you too can meet Russ Parker.
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 Russ Parker 24 June 2025

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said rate cuts will have to...wait and the president lashed out, yet again. This is the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 24th day of June, thanks for being with us again today. In other news, the president says if you don’t speak fluent English…you can’t drive a truck or a school bus. Ready for some good news?  You have picked up on your giving to charities. A cargo ship with vehicles headed to Mexico…sinks. Krispy Kreme donuts…exit McDonald’s and why.  The Wall Street Report and news about Amazon and their new delivery plans.  For the conversation you’ll meet one of the founders of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.  My guest, Russ Parker tells us he is first a sales guy then a radio guy…and over the years he’s done very well.  Russ Parker for the interview but first the news.
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 Matt Kenney

Welcome to the Monday Edition of the Business News Headlines for this the 9th day of June, we're glad you're here.  Coming up today some sad news from the world of music. In other news, Warner Brothers and Discovery are splitting into two companies.  In other news, Apple held a developers conference and is trying to up its game.  Some sobering news out of Canada came out today and we’ll share. We’ve got the Wall Street Report and canned food is about to get more expensive. For the conversation, we’re on assignment and coming to you today from Fairfield, Iowa. Why? Because of the four day event held each year somewhere in the state.  This is the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade hosted by News/Talk 1540 KXEL and somebody has to run it. Meet Matt Kenney a Multi-Media Sales Rep and the Tractorcade Event Manager for NRG Media. Here we talk about what goes into creating something that has become huge over the 26 years it's been around. Also the two reasons we're here talking to tractor lovers about the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association. Good stuff all around.  Meet Matt:
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 with Jeff Stein 4 June 2025

I'm back after being out for a couple of days as we celebrated the holiday of Shavuot. The giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai some 3,300 years ago.  It was a nice pause to reflect on all that means for, frankly, all of us. Welcome to the Business News Headlines and a conversation later with Jeff Stein from News/Talk 1540 KXEL about a host of things  We kick things off today with a shocking report by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office about the Trump Bill currently resting in the U.S. Senate. Then more news from the CBO about the impact the Trump Tariffs will have on you and your family. Speaking of tariffs there is now a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum. But, there is a but. Interested in inflation data? Less is coming from the Department of Labor. Payroll processer ADP offered some surprising news about job creation last month. We've got the Wall Street Report and Big Lots is back!  For the conversation Jeff Stein is in to talk about the death of radio that has been predicted for decades.  But, it is stronger than ever. We'll also discuss the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade that kicks off this Sunday.  So much going on...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 Carbon Capture Pipeline, Agriculture and Jan Norris

To say the carbon capture pipeline is controversial is an understatement. Already states are moving to block Summit Carbon Solutions from using eminent domain to build the pipeline. Meanwhile the company wants to construct a 688-mile pipeline through 29 Iowa counties. While some landowners have signed up a great number of them are not and the impact on agriculture is huge.  Here we visit with Jan Norris of Red Oak, Iowa about the group she works with to deny the pipeline. We talk about the neighborhood impact, safety and what will happen to the land.  Meet Jan: 
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.

Meet Entrepreneur Theresa Leppert

So often we have these chance meetings that bring us to a story we love sharing. Here you will meet Theresa Leppert who worked in the medical field and thought a massage was something that only rich people did on vacation.  One trip, years ago, changed her life.  She went back to school and opened up a massage and aroma therapy business in the tiny town of Maquoketa, Iowa (pop. 6,000). But it doesn't stop there Theresa is also on the Board of Directors of Girl Campers and we'll talk about that as well. Meet Theresa Leppert an entrepreneur that’s got a bunch going on from Girl Campers to Lucida Sol Wellness & Botanicals. 
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! 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.

Two Stories - Iowa League of Cities Conference 2024

It is an honor to represent my community of Windsor Heights, Iowa as a City Councilor and it is a special treat to be able to attend the Annual Conference of the Iowa League of Cities. Each year the League brings together elected officials, city staff and vendors for education, training, networking and meet with vendors.  This year we were in Sioux City, Iowa far in the Northwest portion of the state.  Here you'll meet two very interesting people.  Alan Kemp is the longtime Executive Director of the League and we talk about this event, what the League is focused on regarding issues that matter and a bit about the 2025 conference. Then you'll meet Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns whom we believe is the youngest mayor in the state.  At 23 years-old she leads the tiny community of Clayton, Iowa population 45 which is located along the Mississippi River in far Eastern Iowa.  Her story is not only interesting but also generational. Enjoy...we 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 29 August 2024

Our question, right out of the gun, is: "So, just how much good news do you want today?" We have plenty and willing to share.  Meanwhile, 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:
The revised GDP numbers are in and...wow!
Fewer people filed for first time unemployment benefits;
Going hungry. A shocking report of folks 65+ and SNAP;
Rates on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell again;
The Wall Street Report;
Getting serious about investing in AI from some big names.
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.