Rural / Urban

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 Spoken Word and A TracrorCade with Jeff Stein

For years "experts" have said, "Radio? It's dead!"  They said it at the dawn of television. They said it at the birth of cable TV. They said it when streaming services came about and they said it when podcasts became popular. But know what...radio is still very much alive. In fact the "spoken word" is more popular today than it was ten years ago. Here you'll meet Jeff Stein the Program Director and News Director for News/Talk 1540 KXEL a 50,000 powerhouse based in Waterloo, Iowa with details. And as a bonus he'll talk about the Great Eastern Iowa TractorCade that kicks off on Sunday the 8th in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.  Meet Jeff:
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.

Hell No to Postal Privatizing with Herb Copley

Recently postal workers and friends banded together to hold a rally in my hometown of Windsor Heights, Iowa. Well over 200 people came together to say "Hell no to taking the United States Postal Service private!" They lined Hwy. 6 or Hickman Road holding signs and hearing so many vehicles honk in solidarity. Yes, there were speakers and one was Herb Copley the President of the Iowa State Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO. I sat down with Herb who had some interesting things to say about the "service of postal workers".  He also blew away the myth that the USPS receives taxpayer support.  It does not.  Meet Herb Copley:
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 Privatizing the USPS 7 May 2025

As expected the Central Bank left interest rates alone and Chairman Jerome Powell told us...why.  This is the Business News Headlines for Wednesday the 7th day of May, thanks for being with us.  In other news, Disney profits soar and that has an impact on the markets.  It seems the more President Trump talks about tariffs the more confusing it gets. Missouri made the news and it has to do with selling stock or real estate. We’ll share the Wall Street Report and the FAA is about to spend billions to upgrade air traffic control…we are told.  For the conversation I’m joined by Herb Copley the president of the Iowa National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO.  It all has to do with privatizing the postal service and some amazing facts we suspect you don’t know.  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 Four Entrepreneurs 5 May 2025

Happy Cinco De Mayo and welcome to the Monday Edition of the Business News Headlines for this the 5th day of May.  Glad you're here. Topping our newscast is the belief that the Central Bank will defy President Trump and keep interest rates where they are.  We'll know more on Wednesday. In other news shoe company Sketchers has been purchased and will be going private. More tariff news to share with you this time it’s Hollywood and movies. Audi pulls imports the US and tells dealers to sell what’s in stock. The Wall Street Report and an experiment…will American consumers purchase more expensive items if they are made in the USA?  You might be surprised. For the interview I visited with four entrepreneurs last week at the Valley Junction Farmers Market held in West Des Moines, Iowa…and what they had to say might impress you.  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.

Historian & Genealogist Ricki King and Her Work

Ricki King is an exceptional individual. Her work centers on researching and then reporting on underrepresented communities and individuals in Iowa. Over the years she has found some amazing links that still impact us today.  Here she will talk about her work, who she is hoping to study and some surprising stories she has uncovered.  Ricki King from Roots to Branches Genealogy.  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 and More 7 April 2025

Wall Street had another turbulent day…there was even some “fake news” about pausing the tariffs and we’ll share. This is the business news headlines for Monday the 7th day of April, thanks for being here. IN other news, the flooding in Kentucky closes a famous distillery. The housing market is looking better for homebuyers. Walmart and the blackout made the news today. A major furniture store is shutting down and citing tariffs as the reason. The Wall Street Report and the CEO of the largest bank in the US has issued a warning statement….for the conversation you’ll meet historian and genealogist Ricki King who has, for years, studied and reported findings of what she calls underrepresented communities in Iowa.  Stay with us for that conversation….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 History 28 March 2025

The first story today is about consumer spending and inflation.  In other news Wall Street had an awful day and why that happened. The Trump Tariffs will impact everything about owning a vehicle…if you can afford it. We’ve got two stories. A judge halts the dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Wall Street Report and the grocery stores that are…winning come in at…two.  For the conversation you’ll meet Gail Brubaker the Executive Director of the West Des Moines, Iowa historical society…but this is far from a hyper local story and it has deep roots in the slave trade, abolition, freedom seekers and the famous Abolitionist John Brown.  A reminder that 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.
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 11 February 2025

We're back on time!  Welcome to the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 11th day of February and thanks for being here. On a partly personal note I was at an early morning meeting of the ICON Water Trails Board where we came face to face with a host of great news about the project that is now ten years old.  You'll need to check out their website to learn more.  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 in under 9 minutes::
The EU says they too can play the tariff game;
New car prices are likely to climb and why;
Some retail chains are rationing...eggs;
Door Dash had some great news;
JPMorgan Chase workers bucking the RTO directive;
Immigration and the housing market made the news;
The Wall Street Report;
And what is the "New Television"?  We'll share.
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 28 January 2025

We had some technical issues to work through on Monday but we're back with the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 28th day of January.  In addition we packed in a conversation with Tom Eibel who works for a 175 year old German company that you don't know about but see and use their products daily. Meanwhile, if 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:
DeepSeek from China rattled the U.S. Markets and why;
President Trump and a victory lap over Columbia;
But, are Mexico and Canada...different?
There are headwinds to overcome;
And, we'll take a deep dive into five economic realities;
The Wall Street Report;
So, how are Americans feeling about the economy today? 
For the conversation, will meet Tom Eibel the Business Development Manager for a family owned company, based in Germany that has been around for 175 years.  And, the amazing thing is that while you may not know anything about them you use and see their products everyday. This is a remarkable story about Freudenberg-NOK and their world-wide business. Here too is the link to Corteco that we mention during the conversation. We learned a bunch and think you will as well. 
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.