Lifestyle

Business News & Bruce Tretter from Breitz! 7 September 2021

Feels like a Monday for many of us...right? Welcome to the business news headlines for Tuesday the 7th of September. Our host, Michael Libbie, has the day off so we're trying something a bit different. Rather than voicing the stories we're delivering the top business news in written form. Michael will be back tomorrow. And, make sure you listen in to our business interview featuring Bruce Tretter from Breitz active wear that let's you be seen.  Here's what we have for you:
The Housing Market - When the pandemic was in full swing more than 7 million homeowners were in a program of forbearance which allowed them to pause their mortgage payments. That number is now down to 1.7 million borrowers. Fortune in reporting that  The Biden-Harris administration has made it clear there are no plans for an extension which is set to lapse on 30 September.  Borrowers won’t all get removed at once, instead they’ll be phased out over a period of several months. We've reported in the past how the lack of homes for sale has impacted pricing. Should even one-half of borrowers decide to sell, rather than catch up on their payments that would mean hundreds of thousands of homes would be on the market and that could drop prices. Stay tuned.
Americans & Canada - Crossing data shows that travel to Canada by American businesses and tourists has dropped. The reason? Stiff restrictions for entry into Canada. Business Insider is reporting that Vaccinated American citizens looking to travel north need a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours from a flight's scheduled departure or arrival at a land border crossing. Travelers that have recently recovered from COVID-19 can show a positive test from between 14 and 180 days prior to entry.  And before arriving in Canada - whether by air, land, or sea - travelers must have completed an online form called "ArriveCan." Its requirements include providing an address in Canada at which visitors could quarantine should they test positive and providing the exact dates of a traveler's vaccination. So, yes, visits north have dropped.
But, It's Good for Business -  Mike Lindell the "My Pillow Guy" who is being sued by Dominion Voting Systems says telling lies about the 2020 election and that President Trump really won but Dominion switched votes is, wait for it, good for business. Salon is reporting that he said business is so good he has had to hire 200 more workers.  So, it's a jobs program?
Wall Street - The day after Labor Day was not a good day for the markets. The Dow tanked by 269 points to settle at 35,100 while the S&P 500 lost 15 points ending the trade at 4,520. The Nasdaq outperformed picking up 10 points (and change) to finish at 15,374 which is a new record close.  The weak jobs report and fears of rising COVID cases kept Wall Street in check.
Open Houses - They were once the prime way to get people into houses for sale...and nosey neighbors could also come by for a peek. But COVID has changed that age-old way of putting buyers and sellers together. Realtors are now turning to high-tech ways to show off homes from virtual tours  to live video tours where potential buyers can communicate directly with the realtor. 
$100,000 Sign On Bonuses - Not long ago we shared the story about some trucking firms giving out $50,000 sign on bonuses. That was so...yesterday. Market Watch is reporting that according to research firm Global Data Sign-on bonus have increased across all sectors by 454%, rising to 57,123 advertised positions in August 2021 from 10,312 in August 2020.  Data says the health-care field has the most expensive bonus offers. An advertisement for a “physician of neurology multiple sclerosis” and also for a “general dentist” last month both had a sign-on bonus of up to $100,000. 
Returning to the Office - How about next year? Uber is the latest company to push back office time.  The New York Times is reporting more firms are pushing their returns out as far as next September in efforts to keep employees safe and mitigate whiplash from anticipated return dates and further delays. But that’s not stopping everyone — Wall Street is still  "limping ahead  with plans to bring back more bank employees this week.
For the Interview - Here you'll meet entrepreneur Bruce Tretter who several years ago started "Gotta Eat, Can't Cook". It was all about simple ways to make food and he did it with books and video.  Fast forward several years and he has recently launched Breitz a company that produces high quality cycling and running gear.  He has married social distancing with colorful bright gear...pushing a "six foot" distance to keep runners and cyclists safe.  Here he visits with Michael at an event earlier in the week.  You should know that while Michael and Bruce have been friends for well over a decade this is a first time...face to face meeting.  Enjoy.
Thanks for reading and for listening! Michael will be back in studio tomorrow.  Have a great evening! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Business News Headlines 3 September 2021

One word could describe this morning's Labor Department report on jobs created in august and we'll start our show with that story...and make sure you stick around for the fun stuff with Jeff Pitts as we chat it up about a host of things from People Magazine to Parade Magazine and...oh yeah..."Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro. But, first the news:
In a word the August Jobs Report was...
A muted day on Wall Street;
President Biden on the economy and Delta;
Elon Musk and Texas Politics;
Ghost Kitchens and Walmart in the news;
The IRS and emails;
Uber, Lyft and...Texas;
Barge Traffic, Harvest and Louisiana;
The Wall Street Report;
It's "The Great Wait" and it's expensive.
OK, then!  Time to enjoy "Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro as Jeff Pitts and I riff about a whole host of things. Sure we've got music, sports, swords, knights, farmers markets but you'll also get a dose of "famous people who we don't know" and the weird direction Parade Magazine took, favorite celebs and more.  To listen to all of that, just click here!
 

Stuff to DO with Cityview and Jeff Pitts

Get ready...we've offered up the business news headlines and now it's time to have some fun already!! Jeff Pitts is the Managing Editor for Cityview Magazine and each week he comes in to share his list of cool stuff to do in the Greater Des Moines Metro. We also spend some time rambling on about other stuff.  Today taking on Parade Magazine, the celebrities we love and the ones we don't have any idea about (People Magazine). We've got music, sports, wine, arts, entertainment, swords and more. Hey...it's FRIDAY! 
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 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.

Stuff to DO with Cityview and Jeff Pitts

Each Friday, along with the business news headlines, we get hyper-local with Jeff Pitts who is the managing editor of Cityview Magazine and offer up "Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro. Even if you don't live her you might enjoy the, mostly, mindless banter.  It's all in fun and it is, after all, Friday!
We're talking Iowa Barnstormers and the playoffs. The final Zoo Brew of the season. We've got some Farmer's Market news...oh, and Final Mix will be at the West Des Moines Valley Junction Farmer's Market on Thursday.  It's a "must go"! We're talking quilts, the Dam to DSM Run, Fall Gardening tips, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh...it's a restaurant that recently opened. The Kosmic Kingdom Music Festival at Sleepy Hollow. "The Perfect Rendezvous" is playing in Ankeny.  It's Altoonapalooza and the Waukee Palooza and Ingersoll LIVE.  So much to do and there is...more...always more!!
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 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 24 August 2021

Just a click away you'll learn more about "The Joker" and we ain't talking Batman. The world of $20,000 sign on bonuses, no really.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The Joker is back android users;
The Mouse and Target Stores;
Germany weighs in on semiconductors;
Can your employer demand you get the jab;
We know where you can get a mega sign-on bonus;
The eyeglass business must be really good;
The Wall Street Report;
Tips on finding the job you will...love.
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 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 20 August 2021

It's Friday!!  Only two more working days until Monday...right? It's been a busy week and here's what we've got for you this afternoon. And...because it's Friday we've got Jeff Pitts in to get hyper-local about Stuff to DO in the Greater Des Moines Metro...but first:
Batteries, Fires and the Bolt;
The #1 Pizza Chain in the world is...
Some of the latest news about COVID...ugh;
Canada and the U.S. border made the news;
Apple announces a change in back to the office;
The Wall Street Report;
Rents went up faster than at any time on record.
Those stories plus Jeff Pitts from Cityview Magazine talking it up about Stuff to DO in the Greater Des Moines Metro. We've got the arts, dueling pianos, the Iowa State Fair, a bit of baseball, tons of farmer's markets...you get the idea. To listen in just click here.
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 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.
 

Stuff to DO with Cityview and Jeff Pitts

Another Friday and another episode of "Stuff to DO with Cityview" and the managing editor there, Jeff Pitts. Come along for this hyper-local look at everything from arts to entertainment to sports to the Iowa State Fair to us name dropping all over the place. It's what we do on a Friday afternoon. Now, get out there!! 
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 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 19 August 2021

It is the Thursday Edition of the Business News Headlines and it's a Throwback Thursday where you can check out our Twitter Stream for some shots from years back. Head to @IOB_NewsHour.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Cutting family ties over vaccinations;
More "Chip News"...chips people!
Winnebago: "Hello bright lights big city";
EV shares took a beating today and why;
Putting more $ into retirement accounts...a trend;
The typical Home Depot customer is...
The Wall Street Report;
New unemployment claims are down big time;
"Experience you got...experience?" Newbies and jobs. 
Those stories plus a fascinating conversation with entrepreneur Nick Carter who comes from a multi-generational farm family.  He has created a way for farmers to get their diversified crops and critters to tables. Market Wagon is now in 15 states and growing...and they even have eight "foragers" who spend their days looking for farmer partners. To hear that story just click here!
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 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.

Farm to Table - Market Wagon with Nick Carter

There has been a trend for some time among consumers; they want to know more about the food they eat. Where does it come from how is it produced and, even better, does it taste like...food? Taking a cue from his agriculture roots Nick Carter created a farm to table delivery service called Market Wagon. Here we talk about all the states Market Wagon serves, what started him down this path and why is it so important to his family and so many farming families in the United States.  Good stuff is just a click away! 
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 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 13 August 2021

It's the Friday Edition of the Business News Headlines once again on the road and once again coming to you from Grounds for Celebration a nifty coffee shop in the Village of Windsor Heights that let's us squat for several hours to write and deliver the news...thank you! Here's what we've got for today:
A big question for Disney;
In theaters only this weekend, will you go;
What? Might McDonald's bring back a favorite;
When drunk what do people buy? We have a list;
Food, Restaurants and Menu Prices;
Two factors that may impact the economy;
The Wall Street Report;
What? A shortage of....dogs?
Those stories plus Jeff Pitts from Cityview Magazine is back...hey, it's Friday...with his list of Stuff to DO in the Greater Des Moines Metro: From sports to music a play at a winery and more.  Click here to listen! 
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 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.