Des Moines

Reimagine DART - Out to Lunch with Amanda Wanke

Every so often we go Out to Lunch and cover, in depth, an issue critical to so many. Today we're Out to Lunch with Amanda Wanke the CEO of the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority better known as DART.  Over the past several months DART has taken on the challenge of reimaging public transit in light of budget cuts. Here we talk about the economic development and worker development importance of public transit. The effort to provide both coverage and enhance ridership for DART users, the new "bus garage" being built.  Why is DART doing that and where is the funding coming from.  Our host for Out to Lunch was Chef Lynn Pritchard from Table 128 at Gray's Landing in Des Moines.  Now, let's go Out to Lunch with Amanda!
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.

Meet Chef Lynn Pritchard of Table 128 and Hugo's of Des Moines

Over the years some of my favorite conversations are with talented chefs. I marvel at their creative ability. The time it takes to create a first-class dish through trial and error is a test of endurance. Here you'll meet Chef Lynn Pritchard who I've known for years. Once based in Clive, Iowa Table 128 moved last year to just south of Downtown Des Moines into a beautiful space with plenty of parking. (You MUST GO!) Then Chef Pritchard recently opened Hugo's of Des Moines located near the Drake Campus.  Here we talk about both locations, the uncertainty of tariffs on the food industry, the celebration of fine food and so much more.  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 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.

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 Black & Gold Ball with Phillip Hall

Each year the Zeta Kappa Lambda (ZKL) Education Foundation holds an elegant black-tie affair, hosted in Des Moines, which celebrates and supports the mission of providing educational opportunities to talented and deserving students. Each year, the Black & Gold Ball gathers community leaders, generous donors, alumni, and scholarship recipients for an evening dedicated to celebrating academic excellence, leadership, and community impact. Here you will meet Phillip Hall who offers details and we encourage you to be with us on May 3rd at the Des Moines Downtown Marriott.  Enjoy...we always do! 
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 Monks Brandy Company with Will Rogers

Today you'll hear from entrepreneur Will Rogers who, with his wife Hannah, created The Monks Brandy Company.  We caught up with Will at a second anniversary party for the brand. He sits down with me to chat about why, in just two years, this venture has grown, the inside details of their signature cocktail The Alexander what he's got planned for 2025 and some interesting brandy facts about the Midwest. Meanwhile, if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too. 
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.

Two Stories - Iowa League of Cities Conference 2024

It is an honor to represent my community of Windsor Heights, Iowa as a City Councilor and it is a special treat to be able to attend the Annual Conference of the Iowa League of Cities. Each year the League brings together elected officials, city staff and vendors for education, training, networking and meet with vendors.  This year we were in Sioux City, Iowa far in the Northwest portion of the state.  Here you'll meet two very interesting people.  Alan Kemp is the longtime Executive Director of the League and we talk about this event, what the League is focused on regarding issues that matter and a bit about the 2025 conference. Then you'll meet Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns whom we believe is the youngest mayor in the state.  At 23 years-old she leads the tiny community of Clayton, Iowa population 45 which is located along the Mississippi River in far Eastern Iowa.  Her story is not only interesting but also generational. 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.

Tiny Homes: An Answer to the Housing Shortage? Maybe

Sitting down with Mike Stuart from Tiny Homes of Iowa was an adventure in how various communities in Iowa and beyond deal with housing issues.  Mike has been involved in creating homes with storage containers but that crumbled due to the cost of transporting them to the Midwest. Now he is building "tiny homes"  that average between 500 and 900 square feet.  The building of the home isn't the issue; getting permission from city governments...is. Here we talk about how Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City lead the way but more work needs to be done. The popularity of tiny homes has caught the interest of AARP as well as the Polk County Housing Trust Fund.  Meet Mike Stuart: 
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 23 September 2024

The Fed is celebrating the end of inflation….will consumers agree?  This is the business news headlines for Monday the 23rd day of September and welcome to Fall everybody….glad you’re here. A programing note…last week we did not air for several days.  One of my other jobs is serving as a City Councilor for the City of Windsor Heights, Iowa and I was at the Iowa League of Cities annual event in Sioux City, Iowa…now you know.  And, make sure you listen to the two conversations at the end of the newscast. First up is Alan Kemp the Executive Director of the Iowa League of Cities and then you'll meet Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns who we believe is the youngest mayor at age 23 leading the tiny town of Clayton, Iowa.  Population 45... Meanwhile,  if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Consumers, Inflation and what we think;
Thinking of getting an in store credit card?
You might want to think...twice;
The 4-Day Work Week and why that matters;
The Wall Street Report;
Commute times as Americans head back to the office.
For the interview you'll hear from Alan Kemp from the Iowa League of Cities about what it is they do and how things went in Sioux City last week.  Then Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns joins me.  We believe she is the youngest mayor in the state at 23 and leading Clayton, Iowa population...45.
Let's go!
 

The Business News Headlines 29 July 2024

We're back after being on assignment for the past several days. We were covering the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association annual Summer Board Meeting which took us on quite a journey.  About 35 people from around the country were in Des Moines, Iowa for the event and they got to visit the World Food Prize Headquarters as well as the Iowa State Capital, a 100 acre salvage yard in Colfax, Iowa and see an Iowa Cubs baseball game. The final report is they had a great time and we'll be bringing you several conversations yet this week. Meanwhile, if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Deadpool/Wolverine smashes box office records;
Fed rate cuts are sure to happen but...when?
Seems that you are not "lovin' it" over at McDonald's;
We have a U.S. flag story for you we found...odd;
A Star Wars bikini costume sold for a bunch of cash;
The Wall Street Report;
Rural communities and businesses are not finding workers
and, that is a major drain on their economies.
Thanks for being here!
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.