Consumer Trends

The Business News Headlines and Meet Kevin Anderson 27 May 2025

Welcome back from what we hope was a wonderful Memorial Day Holiday Weekend.  We're grateful to be back in the studio. We kick things off today with a look at the Consumer Confidence Report...and there is good news here for the first time in months. In other news, The tariffs are on, tariffs are off, on, off...it's so confusing. There’s a new contract for some 3,000 workers at Pratt & Whitney based in Connecticut. More news about U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel comes your way today. We’ll share the numbers from Wall Street with you and the retreat from DEI efforts is leaving many out on a limb.  For the conversation you’ll meet Kevin Anderson who is the president and CEO of L. Grace Brands.  It’s a highly entertaining conversation we think you’ll enjoy.  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 22 May 2025

It's not just the stock market that is growing more concerned about the mounting national debt now we're seeing the bond market react.  This is the Business News Headlines for Thursday the 22nd day of May, thanks for being here.  In other news, the bond market shook things up again today and we'll share that story with you.  The U.S. Mint will no longer produce pennies saying it costs more to create them than what they are worth.  We warned about “buy now pay later” marketing and now we know even more and it's not pretty.  Weight loss drugs are making an impact on cancer.  I’ll share the numbers from a shaky day on Wall Street and Apple hopes to roll out some very smart glasses by the end of next year.  The business news headlines….now.
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 Ro Crosbie and the Future

The U.S. government sells bonds so that it can collect cash to pay its bills. Today the results of the recent bond auction caused the stock market to sink. Don't worry, we'll explain it all.  This is the Business News Headlines for Wednesday the 21st day of May and thanks for being with us. In other news, Target, TJX and Lowes offered up their sales numbers and what they expect for the rest of this year.  We’ll break it all down for you. Twelve states have filed a lawsuit against President Trump and his tariffs that on top of another case brought by five small businesses. Make America Healthy Again is facing some serious headwinds and some farmers are leading the charge. We’ll share the numbers from the Wall Street Report and Amazon says the tariffs have not hurt their business…at all. For the Conversation we’ll be joined by Ro Crosbie the Founder, CEO and President of Tero International. She’s got a great story to tell about the future of leadership following a trip to Iowa State University.  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 20 May 2025

Walmart has a response to Mr. Trump’s “eat the tariffs” social media post and it was direct. This is the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 20th day of May, thanks for being with us.  In other news, Walmart faces yet another issue that could disrupt sales. So, just how are the talks going between the U.S. and China?  We have some news. Speaking of China, U.S. carmakers are halting shipments to that nation. Costco will be closing all of its stores this month and we’ll share why. We’ll have the closing numbers for you in the Wall Street Report and Honda says they are slowing the rollout of new electric vehicles and why.  The Business News Headlines, now.
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 May 2025

We kick things off with a surprising story about inflation. Yes, it cooled a bit in April but, as always, there is a but and we'll share what many economists have to say.  However, food prices did decline so there is that.  This is the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 13th day of May, thanks for being with us. In other news, Wall Street closed mixed. In sports the names Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson were resurrected. President Trump  is in the Middle East and what we know. United Health upended the Dow and what happened there.  We’ll share the Wall Street Report with you and the sad reality of malls in the U.S. wraps up our newscast today.  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.

Central Iowa Business Conference with Gina Wright

This is the 7th year for the Central Iowa Business Conference and here to talk about what to expect at the May 22nd event is Gina Wright the Vice President of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce.  This is your invitation to join  hundreds of business professionals designed to help you "Lead, Shift and Transform".  The event is not only for folks in Central Iowa but from across the Midwest and the registration fee is only $325 for a full day of inspiration. You can register here.  Now, meet Gina.
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 April 2025

It was not expected, however, the U.S. GDP actually shrank in the fist quarter of this year and, of course, President Trump blamed former President Biden.  This is the Business News Headlines for Wednesday and the final day of April 2025. In other news, as we just said, President Trump blames President Biden for the shrink in the economy, said the markets were the fault of Biden and wants you to stop giving so much to your kids. Microsoft posts some big numbers and we’ll share those as well as what Meta reported today. A new report says inflation is easing but, there is a but. We’ve got the Wall Street Report and there has been a slow down in hiring.  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 29 April 2025

Kicking off our newscast this evening is the fact that you, the U.S. consumer, lack confidence in the American Economy and we'll share the numbers.  This is the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 29th day of April, thanks for being with us. . In other news, we’ll report on the job situation in the U.S. and that too is cloudy. No, Amazon is not advertising the price increase due to tariffs no matter what the White House said…but prices did rise. The number of container ships coming into U.S. ports has dropped dramatically and what that means. We’ve got the Wall Street Report and Spotify continues to grow…and does it ever.  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 25 April 2025

Time for another segment of "Who's on First" and yes, we are talking tariffs and how the president continues to confound the issue.  Welcome to the Friday Edition of the Business News Headlines, glad you're here.  In other news, even if the Fed does bend to the will of President Trump and lowers rates…it may not help you…the consumer.  The Shanghai Auto Show is going on and what they are saying about the US and tariffs.  The travel industry is hurting…Canadians are not visiting the U.S. and some professional groups are warning their members about crossing the border.  The Wall Street Report and farmers are bracing for a rough year.  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 24 April 2025

The tariffs are spooking U.S. consumers according to a new poll and that kick off our newscast today. And, we do all of these stories in under ten minutes. In other news, the markets enjoyed yet another positive day. At the same time we’re getting more mixed messages from the president about...tariffs.  Oh and China says it is not in negotiations with the U.S. as we were told. North Dakota is the first state in the nation to shield the maker of Roundup from some cancer lawsuits. Honolulu is looking for a way to solve an ongoing staffing problem and dusting off a plan rejected years ago. We’ve got news about the 30 year fixed mortgage rate and the Wall Street Report plus how home sales did in March. 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.