Consumer Trends

Talking Radio and 40 Years Behind the Mic with Jeff Stein

The business of radio broadcasting has changed greatly yet the reason why we do what we do...has never been  more important. Here is a wide ranging conversation with Jeff Stein the Program and News Director for News Talk 1540 KXEL who began his Iowa radio broadcasting career 40 years ago in Marshalltown. We'll share some stories talk about the importance of the media, transparency issues and how we deliver the news using technology and digital access that continues to change. In addition Jeff will be presenting a gripping Iowa Almanac history seminar for the Ames Public Library and YOU can join the event on Tuesday the 28th starting at 7PM.  Here is my friend Jeff Stein... 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on Google Play, 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. 
Our Sponsors
AARP-Iowa
National Tractor Parts Dealer Association
Oasis - A Paychex Company
Tero International

The Business News Headlines 22 April 2020

Wall Street bounced back today and later in the broadcast you'll meet candidate Kimberly Graham who is seeking the nomination to become the next U.S. Senator from Iowa.  But first these stories:
The money was supposed to be for small businesses but...
Farmers facing some tough choices;
The weakest link in our food supply is...
What are people doing for fun?  
The next wave of layoffs is bigger than retail;
The Wall Street Report
Ahhhh, no middle seat!
Those stores plus a rare two part interview with Kimberly Graham who is seeking the nomination to become the next U.S. Senator from the State of Iowa. You'll meet her and find out about her interesting business life here
And in our second part you'll learn more about the policy areas she is working toward. You can learn more about Kimberly by heading to her website.
Thanks for listening. 
 

The Business News Headlines 20 April 2020

In case you had not heard the price of oil for May delivery fell into negative numbers. Like -$37.63 a barrel. We'll share why and that's just one of several stories we've got on tap today:
Big businesses get cash; Mom & Pop...nada;
Wells Fargo...again;
Too much oil means: Think Supply & Demand;
Another meat processing facility to close;
The clothing industry is trouble...a confession;
Debt collection and stimulus checks;
The Wall Street Report
Students to miss out on summer internships. 
Those stories PLUS I'll visit with Charlie Wishman the Secretary Treasurer for the Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO about "essential workers". If they are so "essential" why are we not doing more to protect them?  It's a good question and today those issues were taken directly to Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa.  Click here for the story. 
Thanks for listening. 

The Business News Headlines 17 April 2020

The markets reacted today to a clinical drug trial, though small, had investors hoping for something to turn the economy around.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Will this treatment work;
Walmart on yet another hiring binge;
The return of the "Milkman";
Commercial Rents...lagging;
Some Whole Foods Markets changing with the times;
The nation's largest theater group searching for cash;
The Wall Street Report
Amazon wants you to...buy less.
Those stories today and remember you can hook up with us on Twitter @IOB_NewsHour and on Facebook we're right here.  Thanks for listening!
 

The Business News Headlines for 15 April 2020

Today would have been "Tax Day" in the United States but that has been pushed back to the end of July. It's the business news headlines for today and here's what we've got for you:
Stimulus Checks & Scammers;
The pain of low wage workers is acute;
More retail layoffs;
Another manufacturing company doing major cost cutting;
Consumers (that would be you) have stopped buying;
The Wall Street Report
Consumers "buying in waves".
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 9 April 2020

Welcome back!  If you've got 11 minutes we'll get to you the top business news stories of the U.S. and they are just a click away.  Today:
While some stores close one is seeing huge sales;
Your favorite store may start taking your temperature;
But, not your returns;
Wisconsin just got a bill but will they pay;
Auto dealers continue to struggle;
The Wall Street Report.
Thanks for coming by. A programing note tomorrow an exclusive two-part interview with U.S. Senate hopeful from the State of Iowa, Eddie Mauro.  And, remember tomorrow the markets are closed.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on Google Play, 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. 
Our Sponsors
AARP-Iowa
National Tractor Parts Dealer Association
Oasis - A Paychex Company
Tero International

The Business News Headlines 27 March 2020

Well, the rally lasted three days anyway.  It's the Friday Edition of the business news headlines for March 27. Just a click away you'll hear these stories:
Wall Street stalled today and why;
No Cheesecake for you;
Guns, let's talk...guns;
Ford pulls out all the stops;
GM gets in hot water with the president;
Grocery workers to go on strike Monday;
The Wall Street Report
Thanks for coming by and stay well, and safe!  BTW a programming note. Insight on Business the News Hour, Week in Review is moving to NOON CDT this Sunday on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. A full hour of the biggest business news stories of the week along with our interview segments. 

The Business News Headlines 19 March 2020

Wall Street edged up...ever so slightly. That story plus others on this Thursday the 19th day of March and the First Day of Spring:
Tech stocks moved the markets today;
The rich are buying stocks like crazy;
Walmart starts to limit the sale of some items;
Landlords demanding rent or else;
Not everybody is cool with "work from home";
Essential retail centers begging for employees;
The Wall Street Report.
Those stories plus we'll introduce you to Cherie Edilson the creator of ShopWhereILive.com. Cherie has developed an online sales platform for mainstreet stores and services without the hidden charges. She has been partnering with local chambers and their members but has also branched out to individual retailers on Main Street. To hear that conversation, click here. 
Thanks for coming by! 
 

The Business News Headlines 16 March 2020

Today the Dow had its worst day in memory and it's just...Monday. Here are the business news stories we've gleaned for you today.  Let's go!
The Fed action on rates did nothing to calm the markets and why;
Toilet Paper, Water, Guns and Ammo: "We've got to be ready.";
New directives from the White House on crowds;
Lenders and re-finance troubles;
Oil and Gold take a beating;
Airlines seek billions in assistance;
Restaurant workers are on their own;
The Wall Street Report;
The NFL deal is in.
Those stories plus Laura Kinnard from Drake, DMACC and The Runway Innovation Studio is in to chat about cancelled business events and more.  To hear that click here. 

The Business News Headlines 12 March 2020

Not long after the markets opened this morning the sell-off tripped the "circuit breaker" that Wall Street uses to regroup. When trading resumed fifteen minutes later...it was still bad. Here are the stories from today:
We hit the skids again today;
Retailers doing "crowd control";
More sports events cancelled;
Ohio public schools...closed;
Toilet Paper...we don't know either;
Cruise lines and phony information;
The surprise Trump Travel Ban;
The Fed pumps more money;
The Wall Street Report;
New developments at Amazon, Twitter and Carnival Cruise Lines.
Those stories plus a visit with Roger Stalheim from The Alternative Board. Every business has "issues" what if there were a way to look at them through the eyes of other owners who...already figured them out. That and more with Roger. You can hear that conversation here. 
Thanks for coming by!