It's perhaps something that you've never thought of. You go and buy something. You own that thing right? However what you so often can not do is fix it yourself. That's called having the "Right to Repair" and our guest today is Gay Gordon-Byrne from the consumer group Repair.org. Here we'll talk about everything from smartphones to agricultural equipment to refrigerators (no, really!) that consumers buy but then find they have no ability to fix it because manufacturers hold the key. This is pretty interesting stuff...
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.
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The markets were supposed to...go up today. That's not exactly what happened as as you can see by the close. Ouch Why and what else are in the news today:
- What happened on Wall Street and why;
- The U.S. has a problem with...productivity;
- Why watching productivity matters;
- Bank of American raises their minimum wage;
- You, yes you, are spending way too much on your vehicle;
- A grocery store story;
- A big soccer deal is headed to Des Moines, Iowa.
Those stories plus the organization that is taking on the high cost of prescription drugs is serious and elected officials at the federal and state level need to pay attention because these folks...vote. Brad Anderson is our guest and we'll talk about that and more. To listen, click here.
Thanks for listening!
Yesterday was a record setting day on Wall Street. Today? Not so much...everybody must be out voting? It's the business news headlines for Tuesday the 5th of November. Lets's go:
- Wall Street slowed today in the face of China questions;
- American's buy lots of imported stuff;
- Speaking of buying check Costco;
- Buying, Selling and Returning with UPS;
- Samsung and their chip troubles;
- The Internet is becoming less...free.
Those stories plus a conversation with Tracey Pearson from Tero International. We're talking about the world of talking...or better put...the art of effective communication. Come by as Tracey offers up some solid communication tips and we'll also chat a bit about Detroit. We share that....too. Click to listen in.
Thanks for coming by!
Welcome to the Halloween Edition of the Business News Headlines...and yes, it was scary today on Wall Street. Stories we've got for you today:
- The comeback for J.C. Penny might mean less clothing and more yoga;
- Ford is closing another plant according to the tentative UAW contract;
- We've got a Halloween Candy story for you;
- The "go to" store for low income shoppers is....
- What happened and why on Wall Street.
Also today, Brad Anderson from AARP-Iowa joins me to chat it up about the Des Moines, Iowa City Council Forum they recently held. You'll learn about the top areas of concern for their membership, "complete streets", creating age friendly cities, new ideas for transportation...and more To listen to that conversation, click here.
The Fed cut interest rates by a quarter of a percent and at first the markets went..."Meh..." That story and more today:
- What caused the "Meh" early today;
- What's in a name? Ask Molson Coors;
- What health care has to do with lagging wages;
- Some new GDP concerns;
- So those rising steel prices? Not so fast;
- Beggars Night explained;
- Twitter says "NO!" to political advertising.
Those stories and a conversation with Dr. Tom Ahart the Superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools about a vote coming up on Tuesday of next week that will have a major impact on students and facilities. We'll explain how an increase in the tax levy for physical plant won't increase property taxes. THe vote is on the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy or PPEL. Take a few minutes to learn more. You can hear that conversation here.
Thanks for listening!
The markets struggled all day and in the end the Dow missed making it back to the flat-line. It's the business news headlines for Thursday the 24th day of October. And, we've got a shorter segment today because we've got a rare two-part interview with the current Mayor of the City of Des Moines, Iowa, Frank Cownie. In the news:
- What happened today on Wall Street;
- Tesla is now the most valuable U.S. automaker;
- Flight Shaming...it's a thing;
- Twitter stock drops and we'll share why;
- Pot profits...going up in smoke.
Those stories plus a two-part long form interview with Mayor Frank Cownie. Mayor Cownie has served the city of Des Moines, Iowa for 16 years and he wants another four. I'll ask him why voters should reward him for that. Plus we'll talk about promises made and he says...kept. Here is Part One.
Then in Part Two we'll talk about the water issue that impacts not only Des Moines but also the surrounding communities that buy water from the Des Moines Water Works. We'll also get into flooding, climate change and more. Here is Part Two.
Thanks for listening!
Yesterday investors weren't so sure about the future of trade talks with China. Today they threw all of that out the window... Welcome to the business news headlines for Tuesday the 15th of October. Just a click away:
- What drove Wall Street today;
- The Turkish economic sanctions? Yawn;
- Could the GM strike be nearing an end;
- Two words for used car buyers: Buyer Beware;
- Companies that are cool but not making a dime;
- The AMC cinema chain to stream...no, really;
- In case you've run out of stuff to worry about....
Those stories plus a conversation with Brent Roske the Iowa State Director for 2020 Democratic hopeful John Delaney. A press release from that campaign caught our eye so we sit down with Brent to chat about the Heartland Startup Tour. Mixing politics with...business. Click here to listen.
Thanks for coming by!
First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian listeners as you celebrate the harvest as well as your freedoms. We're with you on that. In the business news today:
- Markets slump, as we suggested they would, and why;
- Amazon just launched something new that has Target worried;
- Day 29 of the UAW strike against General Motors..an update;
- American manufacturing is hurting for a number of reasons;
- It's Mac & Cheesegate;
- Restaurants and tipping could be a problem say critics;
- The paper beer bottle is a thing...or so it would seem.
We'll also be joined by Laura Kinnard from Drake University, DMACC and DMBizMixer to chat it up about business events in the DSMUSA Metro this week. To hear that conversation, click here.
Thanks for listening!
Wall Street trended higher today on the hope that the U.S. and China will see some progress this week. In other business news today:
- If you are looking for a slightly used vehicle we've got good news;
- China wants something from the NBA they are not willing to give;
- Social Security folks get a bump;
- The UAW strike day 23 and an update;
- Stress out due to money? Yes say Gen X...
- Want a job? Delivery is a big deal;
- A happy job? Work from home and make...more.
Those stores and our Small Business Spotlight shines on Nancy Emmert from Pure and Lasting Transformation. Nancy is a health and wellness coach...and her uptempo spirit caused us to take notice. Click here to listen.
Thanks for coming by!
Wall Street opened down and stayed that way as more and more investors see any deal with China slipping away. It's the business news headlines for Tuesday the 8th of October...here we go:
- Dick's Sporting Goods turns $5 million worth of inventory to...scrap;
- Stocks took a hit today lots of China news;
- The NBA and China;
- The UAW strike against GM - Day 22 and an update;
- Taxed too much? Fix that by becoming wealthy;
- The major skills gap in the U.S. is....
Those stories and a Two-Part conversation with California Congressman Ro Khanna. This is Part One of my conversation with Congressman Ro Khanna who has been to Iowa nearly as often as some presidential candidates. His efforts have largely been in support of new technologies that will re-imagine Rural America. We talk about that, Silicon Valley, unions and more before we get into Medicare for All in the next segment. To listen click here.
Here, in Part Two of my conversation with California Congressman Ro Khanna, we talk about Medicare for All something that Congressman Khanna has supported and says there is so much dis-information out there he wants to set the record straight. So, we talk about taxes, rural hospitals, health care today and much more. Then, we visit a bit about Sen. Bernie Sanders and how his recent hospital trip may make his call for a universal health care system more...personal. Listen here!
