History

The Business News Headlines 1 July 2025

Yes, the tax and spending bill did pass the U.S. Senate, by a whisker.  But now it faces a steep climb in the House.  Stay tuned and welcome to the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 1st day of July.  In other news the Musk Trump feud just got hotter. Some financial centers in Mexico are in trouble with the Trump administration. As long as we’re talking about other nations…today is Canada Day…and what that means. We’ve got the Wall Street Report and remember that line about trade deals when the president said he would get 90 deals done in 90 days.  Guess that didn’t happen so the White House is switching the story.  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.

Russ Parker and the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network

We were recently together at The Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade event in Mount Pleasant.  Both of us sitting down with the folks who run the event and those nearly 400 riders that took part. Rus Parker is no stranger to broadcasting. He and Ken Root started the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network with the goal of keeping the world of agribusiness top of mind.  Here we talk about the early days of the network, what he enjoys the most and share some memories along the way.  It was a pleasure to spend time with him.  Now you too can meet Russ Parker.
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 Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade with Matt Kenney

It's a four day event held each year somewhere in Iowa.  This is the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade hosted by News/Talk 1540 KXEL and somebody has to run it. Meet Matt Kenney a Multi-Media Sales Rep and the Tractorcade Event Manager for NRG Media. Here we talk about what goes into creating something that has become huge over the 26 years it's been around. Also the two reasons we're here talking to tractor lovers about the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association. Good stuff all around.  Meet Matt:
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 Matt Kenney

Welcome to the Monday Edition of the Business News Headlines for this the 9th day of June, we're glad you're here.  Coming up today some sad news from the world of music. In other news, Warner Brothers and Discovery are splitting into two companies.  In other news, Apple held a developers conference and is trying to up its game.  Some sobering news out of Canada came out today and we’ll share. We’ve got the Wall Street Report and canned food is about to get more expensive. For the conversation, we’re on assignment and coming to you today from Fairfield, Iowa. Why? Because of the four day event held each year somewhere in the state.  This is the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade hosted by News/Talk 1540 KXEL and somebody has to run it. Meet Matt Kenney a Multi-Media Sales Rep and the Tractorcade Event Manager for NRG Media. Here we talk about what goes into creating something that has become huge over the 26 years it's been around. Also the two reasons we're here talking to tractor lovers about the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association. Good stuff all around.  Meet Matt:
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 Fixing Meetings 6 June 2025

Today we pause to remember what happed 81 years ago today as members of multiple nations stormed the beaches of Normandy which was the beginning of the end to the brutal Nazi regime. May their memories be a blessing.  This is the Business News Headlines for Friday the 6th day of June, thanks for being here.  We kick things off today with the latest jobs report the good news and the bad. In other news, elected Republican officials are urging Trump and Musk to mend their relationship and why… AI and the film industry.  We’ll have a report.  The talks between China and the U.S. are back we’ll share when. New life for products from now shuttered Joann’s Fabrics.  The Wall Street Report and some sad news from Hooters.  For the conversation we’re talking with Alison Heider from Tero International about the pain points of…meetings. You know what we're talking about. Endless meetings that often fail to produce results and they are killing your workforce.  Can it be fixed? Tero says "yes" and Alison gives us details.  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 Privatizing the USPS 7 May 2025

As expected the Central Bank left interest rates alone and Chairman Jerome Powell told us...why.  This is the Business News Headlines for Wednesday the 7th day of May, thanks for being with us.  In other news, Disney profits soar and that has an impact on the markets.  It seems the more President Trump talks about tariffs the more confusing it gets. Missouri made the news and it has to do with selling stock or real estate. We’ll share the Wall Street Report and the FAA is about to spend billions to upgrade air traffic control…we are told.  For the conversation I’m joined by Herb Copley the president of the Iowa National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO.  It all has to do with privatizing the postal service and some amazing facts we suspect you don’t know.  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.
 

Out to Lunch with Mike Pace

Mike Pace is no ordinary Iowan and here we go Out to Lunch with Mike to prove that point. You see, Mike has been in broadcasting longer than most. He is a writer, producer, television host as well as doing a stint in wholesale and retail. And just recently has released a movie called Outro.  Mike also, with a long time friend Steve Mathews, opened up a first class recording studio, Radio Garage.  In this conversation we also talk about his family and an upcoming milestone birthday. So much to talk about. Known across Iowa and beyond an inside look at Mike Pace. 
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.

Slavery, Freedom and The Jordan House

Come along as we explore the history of the Jordan Family, their link to the Underground Railroad, John Brown and the Freedom Seekers. My guest is Gale Brubaker who is the Executive Director of the West Des Moines Historical Society and oversees the Jordan House a 175 year-old structure that is packed with story after story. And now you can experience the Jordan House in a virtual tour. We think you'll be amazed at what West Des Moines, Iowa has to offer. Meet our friend Gale. 
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 21 April 2025

Back after taking Friday off...the markets were closed. Coming up, Wall Street took a bath today and the reason…more chaos.  This is the Business News Headlines for Monday the 21st day of April, thanks for being here. In other news, China retaliates against U.S. leaders with sanctions. Time for some positive news?  Let us look toward Chipotle… Meanwhile a federal housing program is running out of money…and what that means for 60,000 people. We’ll share the Wall Street Numbers with you and what we know about the passing of Pope Frances.  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.

Historian & Genealogist Ricki King and Her Work

Ricki King is an exceptional individual. Her work centers on researching and then reporting on underrepresented communities and individuals in Iowa. Over the years she has found some amazing links that still impact us today.  Here she will talk about her work, who she is hoping to study and some surprising stories she has uncovered.  Ricki King from Roots to Branches Genealogy.  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.