Consumer Trends

The Business News Headlines & More 24 October 2019

The markets struggled all day and in the end the Dow missed making it back to the flat-line. It's the business news headlines for Thursday the 24th day of October. And, we've got a shorter segment today because we've got a rare two-part interview with the current Mayor of the City of Des Moines, Iowa, Frank Cownie.  In the news:
What happened today on Wall Street;
Tesla is now the most valuable U.S. automaker;
Flight Shaming...it's a thing;
Twitter stock drops and we'll share why;
Pot profits...going up in smoke.
Those stories plus a two-part long form interview with Mayor Frank Cownie.  Mayor Cownie has served the city of Des Moines, Iowa for 16 years and he wants another four. I'll ask him why voters should reward him for that. Plus we'll talk about promises made and he says...kept. Here is Part One. 
Then in Part Two we'll talk about the water issue that impacts not only Des Moines but also the surrounding communities that buy water from the Des Moines Water Works. We'll also get into flooding, climate change and more.  Here is Part Two.
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 23 October 2019

If you like roller coasters you must love Wall Street today.  Up and down, up and down as investors chewed over some earnings reports and fret about Brexit, China and global growth.  In our newscast today:
Are you really making $7,000 more today?
The Wek Work Meltdown and $1.2 billion;
Sunday Riley did an opps...
Affordable housing? How about shipping containers;
Got some extra cash? Be like some "A List" stars.
Those stories plus a Small Business Spotlight that shines on entrepreneur Chris Seuntjens who has, now, three companies and they are all on the move. Christoper's Rare Coins, Christopher's Fine Jewelry and Chrystal Clear Showcases.  Retire?  Not hardly. Meet Chris here. 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News & More 22 October 2019

It was a mixed bag on Wall Street today as the Dow came off session highs dragged down by McDonald's and Traveler's Insurance.  We've got these stories for you today:
Has Harley-Davidson turned the corner;
Verizon and the "Streaming Wars";
Car prices continue to climb;
Housing prices going up...again;
Shopping Malls and Housing...a return to the 1920's;
Tough talk about...diapers.
Those stories and a visit from Connie Grinder in "A Mother's Tale of Mental Illness". I heard her speak last month at a NAMI-Iowa walk and asked her to share her story with you. You can listen in here.
Thanks for coming by! 

The Business News Headlines & More 2 October 2019

Yesterday it was manufacturing numbers that sent the markets down...today the employment numbers did the same. Welcome to the business news headlines for Wednesday the 2nd of October.  Today:
The markets tanked and why;
The U.S. has a "hiring" problem;
High prices got you down? There is Zulily ya know;
What's new for cars? The 7 year loan;
Automakers see trouble ahead;
Why not spend $ on your current workforce...no, really.
Those stories and more along with this conversation with Kari Carney and Julia McGuire from 1,000 Friends of Iowa. I know...right?  You'll hear about the work they do and why it's becoming even more important as we look to the future of climate change. Listen here. 

The Business News Headlines & More 27 September 2019

Wall Street was set adrift today due to several factors from more impeachment talk to a new plan on China to some disappointing economic news. That store plus...
The "Wealth Gap" is getting wider and by state;
The ongoing GM/UAW strike could be...ongoing;
Elon Musk says he can deliver;
Dicks Sporting Goods says their new customers are women.
Also today Jeff Pitts from Cityview Magazine joins me to chat it up about Stuff to DO in the Metro this weekend into next week. Let's GO!
PLUS! You get an extra!  Laura Kinnard and Patricia Grote join me for a conversation about repurposing a nearly vacant mall on the Southside of Des Moines. Southridge could soon be home to an Immigrant Welcome Center full of opportunities. That conversation is here. 
Thanks for listening.
 

The Business News & More 23 September 2019

The markets struggled all day over concern about recent financial issues in Europe and in the end the major markets were up only slightly. In other business news on this Monday:
A travel agency goes under and strands thousands of people;
Where are American's on a national health care program;
Apple to return to Austin for manufacturing at least one computer;
More layoffs for General Motors workers;
Music, the law and "Stairway to Heaven".
Also today Laura Kinnard joins us to talk it up about business events in the Greater Des Moines Metro this week. You can hear all of that right here.
And we're talking mental health with Peggy Huppert from NAMI-Iowa. If everything is being blamed on mental health issues why aren't we paying more attention to funding  program that will...work?  And, that's just the first question. Click here to listen. 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 18 September 2019

They said it was going to be a good day on Wall Street. Heck, record low unemployment, housing starts are up and the Fed was set to cut interest rates...what could go wrong?  It's the business news headlines for Wednesday the 18th of September...thanks for being here.  Today:
A bunch of news about housing and mortgage rates;
The Fed Rate Cut - What does it mean to you?
President Trump is not happy;
Pay your utility bills on time..think Equifax & credit;
GM to cut workers...in Canada;
Young workers demand new office rules.
Those stories  plus a story about pets in Iowa. What is is about the Hawkeye State that tells us you don't care about dogs and cats...you know those pets?  With me is Haley Anderson from the Iowa Pet Alliance and we'll talk about the sad reality of pets in Iowa.  It's pretty shocking. Here is that report. 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 17 September 2019

Nearly as fast as oil prices went up yesterday they headed back down today.  But, all of that didn't much help Wall Street as investors wonder what's next when it comes to the Fed.  Here for you today we're looking at these stories:
Oil, Gas and Consumers;
GM hits back at the UAW;
She is paid $22 million and why;
The strike and the local economy;
Fed and Rates;
Your job will be...mostly gone says Brian Solis.
Those stories and more along with Marketing for Business with Phil K. James of Good Milkshake Digital. We're talking about how to get your existing customers to buy more of what they want from you...and it works across nearly every vertical. Restaurants, grocery stores, hardware stores, coffee shops even lawyers. Here is that conversation. 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines & More 13 September 2019

We can share with you that the Dow closed up today...the 8th day in a row. It's the business news headlines for Friday the 13th...I know..right?
The markets opened higher and closed mixed;
You, yes YOU, are responsible for the economy;
Whole Foods is kicking about 1,900 off health care coverage;
Mortgage rates are back in the news;
Freddie and Fannie and our new love affair with them;
Remember the "Foxfire Books" dust them off for the Millenials in your life.
Those stories PLUS we've got Jeff Pitts the managing editor for Cityview Magazine in to share with you "Stuff to DO in the Greater Des Moines Metro. That's right here! 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 12 September 2019

Among other things administration officials say there are no plans in the works to relax the trade war with China...oh and the deficit.  Those stories and more today...
Major business leaders tell the U.S. Senate to "Do something!";
China and the U.S. sure we've got a story;
The deficit and taxes...yep, that too;
Meanwhile subprime lending is...back;
The internet fells another retail giant;
Health Care and Insurance now resulting in high inflation.
Those stories and more along with this conversation with J.D. Scholten who is running, again, for congress in Iowa's 4th Congressional District. We caught up with him at the opening of The Forge a tech center in Jefferson last week. It's a conversation that deals with the size of that district, his motor home and Kevin Costner...no, really. Listen to that here. 
Thanks for coming by!