Rural Iowa

An Ag Day Event and YOU are Invited

There is no doubt that agriculture plays a major role in the economy of Iowa.  At the same time farmers and ranchers are braving some major headwinds including higher costs for inputs as well as fuel. But, let's take a break and celebrate Iowa agriculture with a special event on 25 March in Waterloo. Here Jeff Stein from News/Talk 1540 KXEL is in to talk about the Farmer Appreciation Day Event and invite you to attend.  Yes, there is free food included.  Here is Jeff with the details.
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 24 October 2025

The Premier of Ontario, Canada, Doug Ford, said he's pull the TV ad that made President Trump angry.  But, not until Monday. This is the Business News Headlines for Friday the 24th day of October, thanks for being with us. In other news, inflation is still with us and we’ll share the details. Target is cutting jobs and what the company is saying.  Folks on Social Security will get a pay bump…but, there is a but. An Iowa mink farm was hit and it is being called an act of terrorism.  It was an amazing day for the equities and we’ll check on those numbers in The Wall Street Report. And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into Tesla and its Mad Max operating system.  What could go wrong….  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.

Old Threshers Reunion with Terry McWilliams

The event is 75 years old and today you'll meet Terry McWilliams who chairs the event known as the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion…happening in Mount Pleasant, Iowa starting on August 28th. Here we talk about the history of the Reunion, the many volunteers that are needed and who show up.  We'll also talk a bit about the City of Mount Pleasant because Terry also sits on the City Council.  Let's get started and meet Terry McWilliams. 
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 4 August 2025

Boeing may not be worried but their investors might be.  This is the Business News Headlines for Monday the 4th day of August, thanks for being with us.  In other news, China and the US are at an impasse and it all has to do with oil.  The Tesla board just gave Elon Musk a reason to stick around… actually 29 billion reasons. The tight rental market is keeping domestic violence victims in shelters longer than usual. The Trump tariffs are having a personal impact on leaders who were…friends. We’ll check the Wall Street Numbers from today and a look at what has become a very frosty job market.  For the interview you’ll meet Terry McWilliams who chairs the 75 year old event the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion…happening in Mount Pleasant, Iowa later this month…but first the news.
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.

Russ Parker and the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network

We were recently together at The Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade event in Mount Pleasant.  Both of us sitting down with the folks who run the event and those nearly 400 riders that took part. Rus Parker is no stranger to broadcasting. He and Ken Root started the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network with the goal of keeping the world of agribusiness top of mind.  Here we talk about the early days of the network, what he enjoys the most and share some memories along the way.  It was a pleasure to spend time with him.  Now you too can meet Russ Parker.
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 Russ Parker 24 June 2025

Fed Chair Jerome Powell said rate cuts will have to...wait and the president lashed out, yet again. This is the Business News Headlines for Tuesday the 24th day of June, thanks for being with us again today. In other news, the president says if you don’t speak fluent English…you can’t drive a truck or a school bus. Ready for some good news?  You have picked up on your giving to charities. A cargo ship with vehicles headed to Mexico…sinks. Krispy Kreme donuts…exit McDonald’s and why.  The Wall Street Report and news about Amazon and their new delivery plans.  For the conversation you’ll meet one of the founders of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.  My guest, Russ Parker tells us he is first a sales guy then a radio guy…and over the years he’s done very well.  Russ Parker for the interview but first the news.
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 Matt Kenney

Welcome to the Monday Edition of the Business News Headlines for this the 9th day of June, we're glad you're here.  Coming up today some sad news from the world of music. In other news, Warner Brothers and Discovery are splitting into two companies.  In other news, Apple held a developers conference and is trying to up its game.  Some sobering news out of Canada came out today and we’ll share. We’ve got the Wall Street Report and canned food is about to get more expensive. For the conversation, we’re on assignment and coming to you today from Fairfield, Iowa. Why? Because of the four day event held each year somewhere in the state.  This is the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade hosted by News/Talk 1540 KXEL and somebody has to run it. Meet Matt Kenney a Multi-Media Sales Rep and the Tractorcade Event Manager for NRG Media. Here we talk about what goes into creating something that has become huge over the 26 years it's been around. Also the two reasons we're here talking to tractor lovers about the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association. Good stuff all around.  Meet Matt:
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 with Jeff Stein 4 June 2025

I'm back after being out for a couple of days as we celebrated the holiday of Shavuot. The giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai some 3,300 years ago.  It was a nice pause to reflect on all that means for, frankly, all of us. Welcome to the Business News Headlines and a conversation later with Jeff Stein from News/Talk 1540 KXEL about a host of things  We kick things off today with a shocking report by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office about the Trump Bill currently resting in the U.S. Senate. Then more news from the CBO about the impact the Trump Tariffs will have on you and your family. Speaking of tariffs there is now a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum. But, there is a but. Interested in inflation data? Less is coming from the Department of Labor. Payroll processer ADP offered some surprising news about job creation last month. We've got the Wall Street Report and Big Lots is back!  For the conversation Jeff Stein is in to talk about the death of radio that has been predicted for decades.  But, it is stronger than ever. We'll also discuss the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade that kicks off this Sunday.  So much going on...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 Carbon Capture Pipeline, Agriculture and Jan Norris

To say the carbon capture pipeline is controversial is an understatement. Already states are moving to block Summit Carbon Solutions from using eminent domain to build the pipeline. Meanwhile the company wants to construct a 688-mile pipeline through 29 Iowa counties. While some landowners have signed up a great number of them are not and the impact on agriculture is huge.  Here we visit with Jan Norris of Red Oak, Iowa about the group she works with to deny the pipeline. We talk about the neighborhood impact, safety and what will happen to the land.  Meet Jan: 
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 Entrepreneur Theresa Leppert

So often we have these chance meetings that bring us to a story we love sharing. Here you will meet Theresa Leppert who worked in the medical field and thought a massage was something that only rich people did on vacation.  One trip, years ago, changed her life.  She went back to school and opened up a massage and aroma therapy business in the tiny town of Maquoketa, Iowa (pop. 6,000). But it doesn't stop there Theresa is also on the Board of Directors of Girl Campers and we'll talk about that as well. Meet Theresa Leppert an entrepreneur that’s got a bunch going on from Girl Campers to Lucida Sol Wellness & Botanicals. 
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.