Iowa

Iowa Capital Dispatch with Kathie Obradovich

Well known for her work covering politics in Iowa for the Des Moines Register Kathie Obradovich has moved on to a new challenge. Kathie is now the Editor-in-Chief for the new Iowa Capital Dispatch which carries the tagline: "Community Journalism for Democracy". Here we talk about that transition, where this idea started, who is in play and how fast it's spreading. Plus we'll chat a bit about Iowa politics and why transparency is so important in these days when trust is such a factor.
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
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The Business News Headlines 4 February 2020

Trade issues? What trade issues? Coronavirus? What coronavirus? It's the business news headlines for Tuesday the 4th of February.  Here's what we have on tap:
Tesla's stock up by 40% in TWO days;
The link between oil, gas and coronavirus;
The Wall Street Report;
Visa is changing "swipe" fees;
Middle Class Renters...in trouble;
Macy's is closing more stores;
Yet, this retail chain is opening up many more.
Those stories plus Sam Reed, who owns the startup Leap Here, joins me to talk about the Black & Gold Ball that takes place later this month. It's a great time for a great cause. Love for you to join us and attend. Here is the link for tickets.  See you on the 22nd and congratulations to the young people who will be honored that evening. Here is that link for the conversation. 
Thanks for listening! 
 
 

The Black & Gold Ball with Sam Reed of Des Moines

Each year the Zeta Kappa Lambda Educational Foundation throws one heck of a party...and it's all about celebrating students and sending them off to school with scholarships. Here, friend of the broadcast, Sam Reed, who owns the startup Leap Here, joins me to talk about the Black & Gold Ball that takes place later this month. It's a great time for a great cause. Love for you to join us and attend. Here is the link for tickets.  See you on the 22nd and congratulations to the young people who will be honored that evening. 
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

700,000 People Taxed But No Representation

The numbers are staggering. Today, in Washington D.C. there are over 700,000 people who live there, pay taxes but are denied representation in Congress. That is more people than live in Wyoming or Vermont. With me, on a return visit to Iowa is "Shadow" Senator Paul Strauss who breaks down what many people say is an injustice. He's in Iowa during the caucus period to promote Statehood for D.C. with Iowan's for D.C. Statehood. Here is that conversation. 
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 29 January 2020

Welcome to the Mid-Week Edition of the business news headlines. Today we've got these stories lined up for you and some technology from the Iowa Power Farming Show.
We'll be seeing less of...Nissan;
He says the Wells Fargo scandal is worse than we thought;
McDonald's out to find new customers and not resting;
The Wall Street Report;
The Founders Statue update with Carl Voss - Think RAGBRAI.
Those stories and a conversation about drone spraying with David Pieper from Rantizo. I've always maintained if you want to find some interesting technology cast an eye toward agriculture. From the Iowa Power Farming Show...a quick story about a startup from Iowa City. You can hear that...here. 
Thanks for listening! 

Meet Rantizo - Drone Spraying for Agriculture

I was in the Media Room at the Iowa Power Farming Show and asked around about new technology and adaptations for agriculture and I was told I should check out Rantizo who came to showcase their new drone spraying device. Working the booth for Rantizo was David Pieper the Director of Sales for the Iowa City based company. We sat down to talk crop spraying and drone usage.  Gotta love technology. 
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 28 January 2020

The issue of the coronavirus didn't play that big of a deal today on Wall Street as the markets made a run at reclaiming what was lost yesterday. Welcome to the business news headlines. Today:
3M and face masks;
Meanwhile 3M to lay off 1,500 workers and why;
Chipotle fined $1.3 million think child labor violations;
Harley Davidson is having a tough time in its turnaround;
The Wall Street Report;
How long must you wait for your tax refund? We'll answer.
Those stories and with me for an extended conversation about  hemp production, THC and CBD is Robin Pruisner the Iowa Hemp Administrator for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Here she'll talk about the rules, regulations and risks involved in growing hemp in Iowa. Robin also suggests that growers or potential growers take a look at Hemp Benchmarks a site that tracks prices and more.  Strap in...lots to cover. Here is that conversation. 

Iowa Hemp/THC/CBD and More with Robin Pruisner

A couple of weeks ago we shared a story about hemp production in Arizona and how our guest John Hess said it was "the wild west". It would seem it's not much different in Iowa. With me for this extended conversation about  hemp production, THC and CBD is Robin Pruisner the Iowa Hemp Administrator for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Here she'll talk about the rules, regulations and risks involved in growing hemp in Iowa. Robin also suggests that growers or potential growers take a look at Hemp Benchmarks a site that tracks prices and more.  Strap in...lots to cover. 
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 10 January 2020

Welcome to the Friday Edition of the business news headlines. Today we've got these stories ready for you:
Anemic job numbers and wage growth put a damper on the week;
More retail sales troubles;
Why are brands leaving Amazon.com and what comes next;
The Wall Street numbers for the day;
Starter homes seem to be making a comeback.
Those stories plus a rare two-part conversation. This time it's about poverty in Iowa and the United States. That uncomfortable reality nobody seems to want to discuss. Today you'll hear from four activists who are bringing the Poor People's Campaign - A National Call for a Moral Revival to Des Moines, Iowa next week. Some stunning numbers and you may be surprised at just who the poor folks...are.
Part One of that interview with Rev. Jessica Petersen, labor leader John Campbell, activist Ayisha Al-Hassan and national organizer Clinton Wright can be heard here.
Part Two of the event scheduled for the 14th and 15th of January at the First Christian Church in the Drake Neighborhood can be heard here.
Thanks for listening! 
 

Poor People's Campaign a National Call for a Moral Revival - Iowa Part One

In this, the first of two parts of a conversation with several Iowan's involved in the upcoming Iowa Event for the Poor People's Campaign, I sit down with Rev. Jessica Petersen, labor leader John Campbell, activist Ayisha Al-Hassan and national coordinator Clinton Wright. What is this national campaign about, how did they get involved, what are the political, social and business demands, who are the poor people that are impacted and much more. Iowa is one of 20 states to be visited by the national leadership of Rev.Dr. William J. Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis on Wednesday the 15th of January. Details about the Iowa "We Must Do More" event are right here.
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