Iowa Legislature

Politics in Polk County, Iowa with Sean Bagniewski

While we're totally into business the business of politics is always interesting. Here I sit down with the Chair of the Polk County Democrats, Sean Bagniewski and talk about volunteers, community groups, organizing, presidential candidates, the Steak Fry that fed over 12,000 people and the upcoming visit by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). And, if you are interested you can grab your ticket to that event...here.  Meet Sean... 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long 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 at 2pm 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

The Business News Headlines & More 17 October 2019

There was some good news on the business front today and you would have thought that might supercharge the markets but...it was not to be. The Dow posted a modest gain of 23 points to 27,025 the S&P 500 was up by 8 points and the Nasdaq out performed up by 32 points to end the day at 8,156.
The Markets and what happened;
Is the White House manipulating the markets;
China and Ag will they or won't they;
Taco Bell and advertising;
Space Suits are ready for you.
Those stories and a conversation with Jamie Fitzgerald who is the Polk County, Iowa Auditor. Jamie is in to talk about the many changes voters will face this November and how to go about the voting process. There are some differences to past years and a recent court case to talk about. Here too is the Iowa Secretary of State website. You can hear that episode here. 
Thanks for listening! 

Iowa Election Changes with Jamie Fitzgerald

We aired this piece earlier on News/Talk 1540 KXEL and now here. Jamie Fitzgerald is the Polk County, Iowa Auditor which means he oversees elections in the most populated county in the state. Here we go over several changes enacted by the Iowa Legislature that will impact your ability to cast a vote in the upcoming November elections. For full transparency we believe voting should be easier rather than harder. But, that's us. Click through to hear our conversation.  Here too is the Polk County Auditor website and the website for the Iowa Secretary of State.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long 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 at 2pm 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

The Business News and More 16 October 2019

Yesterday everybody was excited about earnings reports...today...not so much. We've got a full boat for you let's get started:
Yesterday was a memory as retail sales numbers sank Wall Street;
The United Auto Workers and General Motors...a settlement?
Need new tires before winter? We've got a tip;
Airlines are fretting over the return of the Boeing Max 737;
The ghost of 2016 comes back to haunt Wells Fargo;
Big meat is falling in love with...no meat.
Those stories plus my two-part interview with Des Moines mayoral candidate former Sen. Jack Hatch. In Part One we'll review who Jack is and why he is running. He'll talk about water, Des Moines, education and "forgotten neighborhoods". Here is Part One. 
Then in Part Two we'll talk about something nobody seems to want to discuss and that is the crushing poverty just outside of downtown. He's got some ideas and we were eager to listen. Plus, and yes, we'll talk about potholes.  Here is Part Two with Jack Hatch.
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News & More 23 September 2019

The markets struggled all day over concern about recent financial issues in Europe and in the end the major markets were up only slightly. In other business news on this Monday:
A travel agency goes under and strands thousands of people;
Where are American's on a national health care program;
Apple to return to Austin for manufacturing at least one computer;
More layoffs for General Motors workers;
Music, the law and "Stairway to Heaven".
Also today Laura Kinnard joins us to talk it up about business events in the Greater Des Moines Metro this week. You can hear all of that right here.
And we're talking mental health with Peggy Huppert from NAMI-Iowa. If everything is being blamed on mental health issues why aren't we paying more attention to funding  program that will...work?  And, that's just the first question. Click here to listen. 
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 18 September 2019

They said it was going to be a good day on Wall Street. Heck, record low unemployment, housing starts are up and the Fed was set to cut interest rates...what could go wrong?  It's the business news headlines for Wednesday the 18th of September...thanks for being here.  Today:
A bunch of news about housing and mortgage rates;
The Fed Rate Cut - What does it mean to you?
President Trump is not happy;
Pay your utility bills on time..think Equifax & credit;
GM to cut workers...in Canada;
Young workers demand new office rules.
Those stories  plus a story about pets in Iowa. What is is about the Hawkeye State that tells us you don't care about dogs and cats...you know those pets?  With me is Haley Anderson from the Iowa Pet Alliance and we'll talk about the sad reality of pets in Iowa.  It's pretty shocking. Here is that report. 
Thanks for listening! 

Reaction by Attendees to the AARP-Iowa 2020 Presidential Forum

The five city AARP-Iowa 2020 Presidential Forum tour started in Des Moines. What you'll hear is the unvarnished reaction from several of those who attended the event which featured Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), former Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and former Vice President Joe Biden. 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long 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, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm 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
 

Business News Headlines 30 May 2019

A different format at a different time of day. The business news on your time. Today we've got quite a list of interesting stories and you'll be able to track what happens on Wall Street by following our Twitter Feed @IOB_NewsHour.  Today:
The bond yield and you;
Wait, Payless Shoes still open;
Careful what you promise;
Pssst Google says is it "confidential";
Who, other than consumers, gets stung by the trade war?
Ultra-Prepared Food - It could be killing you.
Those stories and we go deep into a conversation about firearms with Tom Hudson a partner in the Johnston, Iowa based Crossroads Shooting Sports. We talk gun sales, gun laws, training, responsibility and the odd reason why firearm sales are down. What he says might surprise you...listen in right here. 
Thanks for coming by! 

Firearms, Laws and Responsibility with Tom Hudson

It's a hot topic and one we wanted to know more about...from the business side of guns, gun sales and training. Meet Tom Hudson a return visitor to the Business News Hour and partner in Crossroads Shooting Sports based in Johnston, Iowa. Here we talk about a host of issues and offer some answers that might surprise you...I know they did me. Click through for more with Tom Hudson...
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm 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. 

The Business News Headlines 29 May 2019

Welcome to the Business News Headlines for Wednesday the 29th day of May...where has this month gone? We've got a quick programing note...we're trying something a bit different and putting this up well before 5pm Central. Why? We noticed that getting the news headlines in advance of the end of the day seems to be the right thing to do. So...we're going to try this for a bit.  Meanwhile today:
That "Trade War Thingy" just got more interesting;
The markets take a bath on worry;
IHOP pulling our leg...again?
That Galaxy Fold the wait ain't over;
Lordstown, Ohio back in the news;
So, you're "optimistic" about the economy...is that a good thing?
Putting ear plugs on smart speakers;
And the favorite airline is....
Those stories plus we go Out to Lunch with our guest Brad Anderson from AARP-Iowa. But before we settle in to order we always do "Quick Bites" three questions for our guest. Let's see how Brad does: To hear that segment click here. 
Out to Lunch is a weekly segment where I get to take a thought leader Out to Lunch and you get to listen in on our business conversation. Click through to learn more about Brad, his passion about public service, the new programs being rolled out and how they will impact every family...not just AARP members. Enjoy. To listen in click here. 
Thanks for listening!