Lifestyle

The Iowa Profile with Ashley Jared of The Iowa Finance Authority

While I was at the Iowa League of Cities Conference I went to a session about the Iowa Profile with Ashley Jared the Communications Director for the Iowa Finance Authority. And....WOW! Imagine being able to make solid data driven decisions with insights into housing data, demographic data, economic trends, quality of life issues and more. Who can use this tool? Yes, cities, counties but also employers, schools, colleges and universities. You can also use the tool to compare your city to another.  How do you stack up regarding homelessness, health, quality of life?  There are so many very cool uses.  Take some time and get to know the Iowa Profile with Ashley. 
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.

Tiny Homes: An Answer to the Housing Shortage? Maybe

Sitting down with Mike Stuart from Tiny Homes of Iowa was an adventure in how various communities in Iowa and beyond deal with housing issues.  Mike has been involved in creating homes with storage containers but that crumbled due to the cost of transporting them to the Midwest. Now he is building "tiny homes"  that average between 500 and 900 square feet.  The building of the home isn't the issue; getting permission from city governments...is. Here we talk about how Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City lead the way but more work needs to be done. The popularity of tiny homes has caught the interest of AARP as well as the Polk County Housing Trust Fund.  Meet Mike Stuart: 
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 More 12 September 2024

Today we got more good news from the inflation front and that's first up.  Also make sure you listen to my conversation with Cole Peterson the man behind Off the Line Performance.  This is no ordinary shop. Cole and his crew install custom motors and equipment that can boost the horsepower of a vehicle in the hundreds. While the cost isn't cheap...his business is booming. Also, if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Wholesale inflation dips and we'll share the numbers;
Financial Crime is a big deal and we'll tell you that story;
Boeing is waiting to hear if workers will strike;
American Airlines cabin crews approve a contract;
The Wall Street Report;
Jeep and Ram dealers are mounting a revolt and why.
For the interview you'll meet Cole Peterson who loves fast vehicles and is the man behind Off the Line Performance a truly unique shop headquartered in Des Moines and that does business nationwide. Think high power performance for classic vehicles and more common cars, trucks and vans. 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.

Meet Tony McGhee - Weapons of Mass Percussion

I was sitting in a club listening to a great band and visiting with the guy sitting next to me. We were talking about bands, drums and the crowd. I found Tony McGhee so interesting that I asked if he might sit down for an interview. A couple of days later we had the conversation you are about to hear. Frankly I had no idea of how deep his story is. Tony has traveled all over the U.S. done gigs in Germany and is attempting to do work with troubled youth and play for folks who have significant vision issues.  You'll hear all about that and more in this conversation.  Meet Tony McGhee!
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 Meet Tony McGhee 5 September 2025

We kick things off today with a story about those "frequent flyer" programs offered by the airlines which is now being looked at by the U.S. Government and why.  Also today you'll meet one of our newest friends musician Tony McGhee.  A chance meeting last week put me in touch with this very talented drummer and writer.  You won't want to miss out. Meanwhile, if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Secretary Buttigieg wants to know more from the airlines;
The confusing world of U.S. jobs;
Wall Street closed mixed and we'll share what happened;
Some restaurant news from Red Lobster;
Some retail news from pharmacy chain Rite Aid;
The Wall Street Report;
More labor troubles for Amazon.
For the interview you’ll meet professional drummer Tony McGhee who now lives in Central Iowa but works his craft across the U.S. and parts of Europe. I had no idea of how deep his story was and, frankly, I was blown away. You can hook up with Tony McGhee here on his Facebook Page and check out his music on Amazon, Spotify and more.  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 Sam Sapkota 3 September 2024

Welcome back to the first weekday of September.  Hope those of you living in the U.S. and Canada had a great Labor Day Holiday Weekend.  But, not we're back and just in time for an awful start on Wall Street. Much like August the three major indexes fell, big time and we'll start with that story.  Stick around because after the news you'll hear from Sam Sapkota about venture capitalism, Shark Tank and the company he and his business partner purchased just this past March that has really taken off. Meanwhile, if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today: 
It was awful on Wall Street and why;
The question might be, "Has the Fed waited too long?";
Solo dining is a trend...no, really!
Another deadly accident think drinking and auto-technology;
The Wall Street Report;
More bad news for Elon and "X".
Now meet Sam Sapkota a former venture capitalist who will give you a "behind the scene" look at that profession and how it's nothing like Shark Tank.  We'll then spend some time talking about the company he and his business partner purchased back in March and how Revival Concrete Coatings has grown and become so profitable in just...months.  
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 27 August 2024

We kick things off today talking about...YOU!  You, the consumer that is.  The Conference Board released their Consumer Confidence Study and the numbers are pretty amazing.  We'll also share why that is so important...and, thank you! Also, if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Consumer Confidence is UP and by the numbers;
More police departments are starting to us AI for reports;
The question is...will it work?
Fake Reviews and Testimonials and the FTC;
The Kelce Brothers and the Podcast "New Heights" is in the news;
The Wall Street Report
What trends and what doesn't...
And, a new price on a popular weight loss drug.
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 20 August 2024

We're back!  We had some "technical issues" late on Monday but all fixed and ready to go.  We kick things off today talking about a difference of opinion between the UAW and Stellantis the parent company of Chrysler. And, if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
What's it going to be Stellantis?
Way too many tourists in Europe and the reaction;
What might the Fed do this week? Some thoughts;
Yet another food recall to share with you;
Small business owners are feeling pretty positive;
The Wall Street Report;
Mixing Booze with Beyonce. Yep, it's a thing.
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.

Business News Headlines and Community Hand Up with Heidi Kroll

It's the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 13th day of August and yes, the Great Iowa State Fair is still going on...we have not yet made it however but there are record setting crowds.  First up today is yet another story about inflation and the all important Producer Price Index. Also today you'll meet Heidi Kroll the entrepreneur who created the non-profit Community Hand Up and why this is such a great service for so many families who are simply not "poor enough" to get assistance.  Meanwhile, if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The Producer Price Index and inflation;
A big shakeup over at Starbucks;
But, there is a big...BUT;
Home Depot is worried and why;
The Wall Street Report;
Forget high prices McDonalds wants to focus on nostalgia.
For the interview you'll meet Heidi Kroll the founder of Community Hand Up. Her story is all too familiar. Single mom working low income jobs making enough money to not qualify for assistance.  So, what do folks do when their car breaks down?  Heidi has an answer.  It's a good story and 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 7 August 2024

Wall Street Faded in the final two hours of trading bringing back the…bears.  It’s the business news headlines for Wednesday the 7th of August and thanks for being here. We'll start with that story and share with you what happened.  If you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Wall Street fell today and why;
If you are hooked on the Olympics it might be Peacock;
An interesting story about the Olympics and food for Paris;
A fatal crash of a Cybertruck has made the news;
Heard about "Day Passes" from swanky hotels & resorts?
The Wall Street Report;
The trouble with department stores and nearly vacant malls;
But there is a but to that story as well.  Think Von Maur.
Thanks for being here!
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.