Consumer Trends

The Business News Headlines 11 November 2025

President Trump wants to give you $2,000 but, there is a major but.  This is the Business News Headlines for Tuesday, Veterans Day 2025 and thanks for listening. . In other news, China is luring tech workers with a new visa program.  Flight delays continue and even if the shutdown ends…the delays will not. A suit has been filed against the Department of Homeland Security over a TSA rule. Even if the shutdown ends…the damage to the U.S. economy will hurt and we’ll share the numbers. Speaking of numbers we’ll check The Wall Street Report and small business owners are not feeling positive about the U.S. economy.  Ready?  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 7 November 2025

The GOP says "No!" to the Democrats and the shutdown continues.  This is the Business News Headlines for Friday the 7th day of November and thanks for listening.  In other news, travelers are scrambling as cuts to air service starts. The president is blaming the price of beef on foreign owned meat packers. The tight job market is getting tighter.  Oh and how you are feeling about the overall economy, the job market and the future hit rock bottom in the latest University of Michigan study. The Farmers Almanac will cease printing…  We’ll check the numbers in The Wall Street Report and we’ve got a story about Starbucks, angry customers and the Bearesta mug.  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 28 October 2025

With Halloween just around the corner we thought we'd kick things off with a deep dive into The Halloween Economy.  This is the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 28th day of October, thanks for being with us. In other news, the Fed signals a rate cut will happen on Wednesday. A judge halts the firing of government workers during the shutdown. So how bad is the job market?  We’ll look at what has been massive layoffs from major corporations. Another massive day for the equities and we’ll have those numbers in The Wall Street Report and GrubHub gets into groceries.  Ready?  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 Bridges of Iowa 20 October 2025

We start things off today with a quick story about why Wall Street had such a tremendous day. It's all about earnings and a huge dash of hope.  This is the Business News Headlines for Monday the 20th day of October, thanks for listening. In other news, Amazon cloud services experienced a major hiccup and we’ll share what we know.  Consumers are paying plenty for beef…and now the president thinks he has a solution.  Smoke pot and own a firearm?  The Supreme Court is about to weigh in on that topic.  China says the U.S. employed a cyber attack back in 2022. It’s becoming a major problem. Americans can no longer afford their vehicles. We’ll check the numbers in The Wall Street Report and Americans remain sour about job prospects. For the conversation you’ll meet Jeff Lamberti the Chairman of the non-profit long term substance abuse program, Bridges of Iowa.  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 13 October 2025

We are overjoyed that the 20 remaining hostages captured by the terrorists over two years ago are now home and safe. It was a stunning day.  This is the Business News Headlines for Monday the 13th day of October, thanks for listening.  In the news, President Trump softens his condemnation of China…and the market shot up.  In other news, Speaker Mike Johnson has a prediction about the government shutdown.  Retailers are unsure about tariffs and the economy so many are cutting staffing or taking longer to hire holiday workers. China exports to the U.S. take a hit.  We’ll check the numbers in The Wall Street Report and then there is the issue of military pay for our service people.  Yes, you can thank the shutdown.  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.

Tariffs the Jewelry Business and Lab Grown Diamonds with Chuck Kuba

The jewelry business has been hard hit with the tariffs. Here you'll meet Chuck Kuba who owns Iowa Diamond.  He shares what wild pricing he is receiving for jewelry he gets from India, which also happens to be the center of the diamond trade. He'll also share some amazing facts about "lab grown diamonds" that truly surprised us.  Now, meet Chuck Kuba from Iowa Diamond. 
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 30 September 2025

The US job market is in a slump and how do we know? The latest job openings report came out today and we'll start there. This is the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 30th day of September, thanks for listening! In other news, Pfizer has agreed to lower drug costs and we’ll share that story. The police pulled over a driverless taxi…but can’t issue a ticket…  Flood insurance troubles hit many homeowners. Your confidence in the economy just took another hit. We’ll check the numbers in The Wall Street Report and an AI created actress is causing some issues with the actors union.  And a programing note, we’re off tomorrow and Thursday but will return with the Business News Headlines on Friday.  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 16 September 2025

You, yes you, were pretty active with your retail spending in August and we'll cover that story first. This is the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 16th day of September, thanks for listening! In other news, the Fed meeting is on and there is some drama. Tesla is under investigation…yet again. Parents of kids who died by suicide testify about chat bots to congress. The FDA is targeting telehealth companies and unofficial versions of prescription drugs. We’ll take a look at a lackluster day in The Wall Street Report and a number of major retailers and companies are saying they are raising prices due to the Trump Tariffs and we’ve got a list.  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 Chef Lynn Pritchard 12 September 2025

The Ying and Yang of two of President Trump's policies don't mix well.  That kicks things off this afternoon.  This is the Business News Headlines for Friday the 12th day of September, thanks for listening! In other news, the graphic videos of the murder of Charlie Kirk call content moderation into question. The Congressional Budget Office has a warning about the US economy and employment. Boeing workers reject the latest contract offer extending the strike at 3 Midwestern factories. Wall Street ended the day mixed however at some record levels…we’ll check the numbers in The Wall Street Report. And, finally consumer confidence takes yet another hit and we’ll share what you say you are feeling.  For the conversation you’ll meet Chef Lynn Pritchard the man behind Table 128 and Hugo's of Des Moines.  What’s it like being a restauranter in 2025…we asked.  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 3 September 2025

The latest jobs data continues to tell us employers are holding back on openings and what that might mean.  This is the Business News Headlines for Wednesday the 3rd day of September, thanks for listening!  In other news, there is a legal fight between two conservative news networks and it’s a doozy. India is slashing taxes on hundreds of items in an effort to spur local spending. A major oil company will layoff 25% of it’s workforce and this is a big deal. A massive payout from Powerball could be yours later this evening.  We’ll check the numbers in the Wall Street Report and what does the Fed think about the economy?  We’ll share what we know.  Let’s get to the headlines.
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.