Economy

The Business News Headlines 30 April 2020

The Labor Department today said another 3.8 million Americans are out of work...oh...and then there was that big drop in consumers spending for March. Also today from the front lines of meat processing in Iowa what are workers, especially migrant workers saying about being forced to go back to work?  Here's what we've got for you today:
The jobless numbers...ouch;
Mcdonald's sort of rationing...meat;
When Malls open...expect changes;
Amazon cracking down on employees;
Oil bankruptcies coming;
Top state for unemployment numbers is...
Wall Street Report;
Consumer spending down, way down.
Those stories plus what are immigrant workers at Iowa meat processing facilities saying now that the president has ordered them back to work and the governor of Iowa says if they refuse they get kicked off of unemployment...I spoke with Stephanie Moris the Director of the Refuge Alliance of Central Iowa and she has a report. The full interview will air tomorrow.
Thanks for coming by. 
 

The Business News Headlines 29 April 2020

On any other day a drop of 4.8% in the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for any quarter would have had Wall Street in a tailspin.  But, these are not like "other days".  Here's what we've got for you today:
Packing plant employees to defy President Trump;
Strike talk is buzzing as workers eye Friday;
Lousy economic news yet the markets surge;
Doing business with a company the president hates;
The Wall Street Report;
Costco "Mask Policy" spurs a backlash;
Direct stimulus vs. tax cuts...looks like tax cuts.
Thanks for coming by for the listen! 

The Business News Headlines 28 April 2020

The business news headlines for Tuesday the 28th day of April. Here are the stories we've picked up for you today. Later a stunning conversation with Ro Crosbie from Tero International about employees, loss, grief and how leadership should respond. Today:
Harley-Davidson making a comeback;
First Quarter GDP report tomorrow;
Only half of American's say they will be able to pay rent in May;
Workers fired for union activity? They say....yes;
The $500 billion bailout for big business with no strings;
Malls to reopen and where;
The Wall Street Report
Red States lead the nation in new unemployment gains.
Also today, Ro Crosbie the founder, CEO and President of Tero International is with me to discuss grieving employees, Covid19, how they are feeling and how understanding the "Five Stages of Grief" can help leaders...lead. Listen to that conversation here.
Thanks for coming by! 
 

The Business News Headlines 27 April 2020

For small business owners who were hoping to take part in the Paycheck Protection Program it's like Groundhog Day all over again.  Here are the top business news stories for today the 27th of April, 2020.
"It ain't workin'." say lenders;
Oil is back in the news;
"The food supply is broken!";
It's a good time to be a restructuring expert;
The Wall Street Report;
Not paying credit cards? You are not alone.
Those stories plus a two  part conversation with former Admiral Mike Franken who is attempting to become the next U.S. Senator from the state  of Iowa. 
Here is Part One with Michael Franken.
Here is Part Two with Admiral Mike Franken and his 2020 bid to become the next U.S. Senator from Iowa.  
Thanks for listening!

Meet Admiral Michael Franken - Candidate for U.S. Senate from Iowa - Part One

This marks the second time we've been able to interview Admiral Michael Franken as he attempts to become the next U.S. Senator from the State of Iowa. Here Franken speaks to his roots on an Iowa farm and working in a meat processing facility. How lessons learned in Rural Iowa became the bedrock of a life of military and public service. Along the way we'll talk police. This part one of a two part conversation. 
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

Admiral Mike Franken on Public Policy - United States Senate Part Two

Here, in part two of my interview with Admiral Michael Franken, we talk about several public policy issues from jobs to climate change, to agriculture to rural broadband access to roads, bridges and more. "This is about leadership, proven leadership." - Michael Franken.  Here is his campaign website which speaks to what is right for...Iowa. 
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

The Business News Headlines 24 Apri 2020

It's beginning to look like a good time to become a vegetarian.  Here are the top business news stories for you on this the 24th day of April. 
Beef, pork and now turkey plants...closed;
Remember the lotteries?
President Trump to USPS, "Raise rates!";
Neiman Marcus to file Chapter 11;
The Wall Street Report;
Still not getting the "bailout" right.
Those stories plus a wide ranging conversation with Jeff Stein as he will soon mark his 40th year as an Iowa radio broadcaster. We'll tell some stories, share some technology, promise not to talk about COVID-19 (but then fail) and also how you, the public, is changing in how and when  you get your information. Listen to that conversation here and make plans to attend his virtual history program on Tuesday the 28th.  Click here for more! 
Thanks for listening! 
 

The Business News Headlines 23 April 2020

It was another very volatile trading day on Wall Street as investors took a one-two punch to the gut. Here's what we've got for you in the Business News Headlines for Thursday the 23rd of April:
It works or it doesn't;
Fewer Americans looking for work but they are retiring;
More "essential workers" are speaking out;
Gap is nearly out of cash;
The unemployment numbers are staggering;
Wall Street Report;
A stunning number of COVID19 drugs are being proposed;
Spring fashion is taking a back seat.
Thanks for listening and know we're here Monday - Friday and on Sunday for the Week in Review.
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
 

Meet Kimberly Graham - Candidate for U.S. Senate from Iowa

In this, the first of a two part conversation with Kimberly Graham, we learn more about her life as an attorney for children, her education and her time spent as a...flight attendant. Something you may be surprised about. We'll also get into wages, housing, COVID-19 and other issues.  In addition should you want to learn more you can visit her website. (Programming note: We have reached out to each candidate asking them if they wished to share some time with you and us.)  Here is Part One: 
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

Meet Kimberly Graham - Democrat for U.S. Senate Part Two

In this, the second part of our conversation with Kimberly Graham we talk about several policy issues from jobs to wages to infrastructure to climate change and many others. This should give you an idea of where Kimberly is on the issues that impact not only Iowa but the entire nation. And, feel free to connect with her on her website. A programing note, we have reached out to each candidate and asked them to appear with us.  This segment first aired on News/Talk 1540 KXEL.  
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