Public Policy

Clean Energy for Iowa - What Business Needs to Know

We'll bet its not something that you think about...but you should.  We're talking about the electrical grid in the State of Iowa. Is it reliable, what are we doing to modernize the grid what about clean energy, how do we store and distribute energy into the future? Big questions for businesses across the state. Meet Bob Rafferty the Executive Director of Iowa Business for Clean Energy as those questions are asked and answered. In addition Bob talk about an upcoming seminar that business leaders should know about and attend.  Here is that important conversation. 
Thanks for coming by!
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 11 April 2022

Welcome back to another work week.  A reminder that the markets will be closed on Friday for the Good Friday and start of Passover. Today our first story is a shocking bit of news as we focus on folks that, even today, make less than fifteen-dollars an hour.
50% of women of color make less than $15 an hour;
The link to Jim Crow?
Gas prices are trending lower and why;
Another tech giant to offer a stock split;
Recreational pot sales in New Jersey?  Could be.
Starbucks seeking a lawyer in union relations;
McDonald's closing stores and the impact on the bottom line;
The Wall Street Report;
Etsy sellers on strike and why.
Thanks for coming by!
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 7 April 2022

It truly was an historic day in the United States and that leads off our newscast today. Also, make sure you click through for the interview as we visit with a young marketer who moved from South Africa to Italy and gives us an update about Italian manufacturer Agri Parts.  But, first the news:
The Supreme Court and KBJ;
Covid-19 and Washington, D.C.;
Buying a home in Canada...hold on;
The biggest overhaul of the USPS...ever;
Oil was off and than up today;
The NLRB back in the news with a big change;
Big Oil and paychecks made the news;
The Wall Street Report;
Where are the workers? Are they now entrepreneurs?
And, for the interview you'll meet Caterina Ciani the marketing person for Agri Parts. Caterina moved from South Africa to Italy and landed a job with Agri Parts. We talk a bit about this manufacturing hub in the northern part of the country, plus the family business aspect of the company and the issue of high quality parts for agriculture. To listen to that conversation CLICK HERE. 
Thanks for coming by!
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 6 April 2022

Welcome to the Wednesday Edition of the business news headlines as we kick off the newscast today with some consumer news that...we think you can use especially in light of the higher cost of everything.  Let's go!
The credit card myth that costs you a bunch;
Oil executives were in the hot seat today;
If keeping score WTI Crude fell by 4.99 a barrel;
The reason? More nations releasing oil reserves;
The Fed Minutes and what they mean;
The Rhoads Scholar turned union activist;
Record numbers filing for the right to have a union;
Inflation be damned...you're still buying stuff;
The Wall Street Report;
Janet Yellen and some sobering news.
Thanks for coming by!
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 5 April 2022

When "Big Oil" was asked to forgo bonuses and shareholder rewards to help Americans deal with the pain at the pump "Big Oil" said it was just a gimmick. Welcome to the Tuesday Edition of the business news headlines and here is what we've got for you:
Not interested...it's a "gimmick";
A Gas Stimulus Update;
A tough day on Wall Street;
A 19 year-old union organizer...fired;
Have you heard about...Cracker Jill?
The Wall Street Report;
Only a third of the work day is spent on...work?
For the interview: Not long ago I was invited to take part in one of the more than fifty Tero Clinics created by Tero International. I was asked to fill out a personal assessment and then, several weeks later, directed to attend a 90-minute Zoom event. Here Liz Cooney, the Director of Training for Tero International and I talk about that experience which, quite frankly, blew me away. To listen to that conversation click here.
Thanks for coming by!
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 1 April 2022

Welcome to a brand new month and another bang up jobs report. It's the Friday Edition of the business news headlines and we'll kick things off with the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Job number rebound again;
Meanwhile oil prices fell again;
A clothing chain to close 240 stores;
Guess what...GameStop is back in the news;
UPS and new electric bikes are a thing;
General Motors bested again in sales;
Amazon workers in New York to form a union;
The Wall Street Report;
And, book stores are making a comeback!
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 31 March 2022

It is the final day of March and it was a first quarter bust for the stock market as inflationary pressures, the war in Ukraine and renewed concerns regarding the next COVID variant took its toll. Here's what we've got for you today:
President Biden urges oil companies to produce more oil;
Or pay a fee for idle oil wells;
The price of oil fell today by over $7 a barrel;
Ford and GM to halt production at two plants;
If gas prices continue to go up what will American's do?
The Russian Ruble is up in value. How is that possible?
Amazon and unions back in the news;
The Wall Street Report;
Age, diversity and corporate profit...it's a match.
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 30 March 2022

The world was caught off guard today as what Russia said and what Russia did were two different things. Yesterday the Russians said they would scale back their attack on Ukraine but it seems they lied as the shelling of civilian targets continued.  That had an impact on the markets. And, stick around for the interview with Jill Watkins and Jourdan McChesney from EntreFEST this year in Iowa City.  
New COVID cases climb in Canada;
Russia lies and the markets react;
Sen. Joe Manchin takes a swing at taking wealth;
Pizza, gotta love it. We have a list of the best;
That Applebee's executive about wage cutting...an update;
Russian oil tankers are disappearing no, really;
The Wall Street Report;
Guess who may be filling your next prescription?
Those stories plus this conversation with Jill and Jourdan about EntreFEST 2022 happening in Iowa City this coming June. Click through to learn more about this premier event, what is offered and get a discount with a special promo code. To listen CLICK THIS LINK.
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 29 March 2022

As talks between Ukraine and Russia, brokered by Turkey and Israel, continue there was a positive move on Wall Street. Also, at the end of the newscast make sure you click through for a conversation about the upcoming Black and Brown Business Summit. My guest is Terrence Thames and it's something you should hear...no matter where you live and work.  But, first the news:
Wall Street had a day and why;
The Biden Budget and Social Security;
It was a rough day for former President Trump;
Job openings and quits in February were huge;
The Millionaire Tax is a hot topic;
Tax dollars and fossil fuel subsidies;
Still wearing a mask in public?
The Wall Street Report;
If your boss has an MBA watch your paycheck.
Those stories plus a conversation with Terrence Thames from the upcoming Black and Brown Business Summit. While this two day event is being hosted by the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce in Iowa it's something that can be seen and heard nationwide. And, when Terrence shares the names of two of the key presenters you'll be able to gauge the importance of the event.  To listen, CLICK THIS LINK.
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 Black & Brown Business Summit

The Black & Brown Business Summit is happening April 20 & 21. This is an opportunity for established businesses and startups to learn wealth building techniques, social media skills, real estate, quitting a job to move on and so much more. Here I sit down with Terrence Thames a co-organizer of the event. I promise that you'll learn much about not only the summit but also the barriers so many folks run into as they deal with systematic bias. To register for this ground-breaking event just follow this link to the West Des Moines Chamber and remember while an Iowa Chamber is sponsoring this...it truly is a global effort.
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.