The first days of April have not been kind as mounting numbers of people succumb to COVID-19. And all of that has had a major impact on business. Here's what we have for you today:
- First it was Costco now Target;
- Midwest Grocer HyVee enacts new social distancing guides;
- Hobby Lobby, finally, calls it quits and no pay for employees;
- Vermont says these are non-essential retail items;
- Airlines: Vouchers or Refunds...wanna guess;
- Mortgage relief...well maybe;
- 3M pushes back on the president;
- The Wall Street Report;
- Remember cannabis stock...it's in trouble.
Thanks for listening!
For a bit today it looked like the U.S. Senate was going to pass an economic package but the deal, once again, fell through. That story and these are coming to you today:
- The "deal" that wasn't;
- The toilet paper saga is real and why;
- Retailers have deals but will consumers bite;
- Grocery stores and security;
- A pizza chain that wants to hire 30,000 workers;
- Zillow is canceling their home buying program;
- A slow down in the rental industry as well;
- The Wall Street Report;
- Some are now using the "D Word".
Those stories plus Jessica Dunker from the Iowa Restaurant Association will join me to talk about the economic impact restaurant owners and staff are experiencing and what steps the association is taking to help in these difficult time. To hear that...just click here.
Thanks for listening.
Wall Street edged up...ever so slightly. That story plus others on this Thursday the 19th day of March and the First Day of Spring:
- Tech stocks moved the markets today;
- The rich are buying stocks like crazy;
- Walmart starts to limit the sale of some items;
- Landlords demanding rent or else;
- Not everybody is cool with "work from home";
- Essential retail centers begging for employees;
- The Wall Street Report.
Those stories plus we'll introduce you to Cherie Edilson the creator of ShopWhereILive.com. Cherie has developed an online sales platform for mainstreet stores and services without the hidden charges. She has been partnering with local chambers and their members but has also branched out to individual retailers on Main Street. To hear that conversation, click here.
Thanks for coming by!
It was yet another volatile session on Wall Street as investors gave back nearly all the gains from yesterday. That story and more is what we've got on tap for you today:.
- Retail/Health Care Workers are...scared;
- OPEC has an oil problem;
- Airline industry says the hit will be $113 billion;
- Amazon tells folks to "stay home";
- Mortgage rates tumble to an all time low;
- The Wall Street Report;
- Right to Repair vs. John Deere;
- Customers may see slower delivery times;
- Partly Personal - Happy 100th Birthday Neal Smith!
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It may have been a different day but Wall Street had much the same result. After a promising open stock fell in afternoon trade. It's the business news headlines for Wednesday thanks for being with us. Today:
- The president blames the media for the stock drop;
- Airlines are slashing costs;
- The government is giving cash to Hong Kong residents;
- New technology for landlords that renters may fear;
- Ford says trouble is brewing but they can handle it;
- The Wall Street Report;
- The consumer trend of buying second-hand clothing.
Those stories plus a revisit to a housing story we had six months ago. The challenge is getting people to understand what the Neighborhood Finance Corporation does when it comes to helping many first time home-buyers. Meet Stephanie Preusch the Executive Director of this non-profit organization that not only provides low cost lending but also the extra cash to fix up the house. And...best of all the dollars used to repair the home is part of a forgivable loan. Listen here!
Thanks for coming by!
Somebody on Wall Street seemed to wake up today. Investors have been in La-La Land as they have ignored the coronavirus outbreak. Today, that changed. It's the Friday Edition of the Business News Headlines:
- They got the memo...finally;
- Burberry says the virus is hurting business big time;
- Heard of "Flight Shaming"?
- Ford shakes up it's leadership team and why;
- The American Affordability Crisis;
- Google Maps makes changes.
Those stories PLUS it is FRIDAY and we've got Jeff Pitts from Cityview Magazine in to chat it up about Stuff to DO in the Greater Des Moines Metro this weekend into next week. Let the weekend begin! Here is that conversation.
Thanks for listening!
It's always great to sit down and talk business with Creighton Cox who is the Business Development Manager with international construction company Turner Construction. Here we talk about the micro and the macro of construction going from some hyper-local conversation to a more global look at the construction industry. Creighton has just "retired" from a long stint as a City Councilman for the City of Urbandale and, yes, that too factored into our 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.
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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!
It's a Tuesday and it's the business news headlines and we kick it off with an interesting story about the increase in car loan rejections. Odd in the face of what is supposed to be a booming economy. Also:
- Dumpster Diving goes high-tech;
- CVS Pharmacy is trouble with...the Feds;
- The Boeing 737 Max and the trickle down effect;
- Some surprising Netflix news;
- Home building numbers rebound and why;
- The Wall Street Report;
- Looking for a gig? Think U.S. Census;
- Two reasons to forgo the Ugly Christmas Sweater Event.
Those stories plus Tyler Granger from the National Wildlife Federation is our guest and talking about climate change, business and more. You can hear that conversation here.
Thanks for listening!
