Rural Stories

The Business News Headlines 1 December 2021

We've been doing this newscast for a very long time but I can't remember another day in which the Dow did a nearly 1,000 point turnaround in just...hours. That story and more plus stay with us as we talk with Congresswoman Cindy Axne of Iowa about fixing the supply chain troubles that are impacting...everything. But first the news:
The Dow and the Turn and Why;
Bad corporate experience? Try...Twitter;
Burger King to change it's menu and you won't believe why;
Toys R Us is back with brick & mortar in the U.S.;
GM, Korea and EV's;
The Wall Street Report;
And, "The Rock" is rockin' Netflix.
For the interview it's Congresswoman Cindy Axne of Iowa in to talk about fixing the supply chain crisis with a number of legislative efforts she is pushing in Congress. Actually fixing something rather than leading the charge on wedge issues? Refreshing and to listen to that conversation click here. 
That's a wrap 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 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 18 November 2021

Yes, it is...Friday Eve and welcome to the business news headlines for Thursday the 18th day of November.  And, stick around for the interview with author Rachelle Chase about the once equality centered town of Buxton, Iowa.  But, first the news:
U.S. Consumers seem...resilient;
Unemployment numbers fall again;
Could the "chip troubles" be over soon?
President Biden's approval numbers sink;
KFC has some bad numbers too;
Another job walk out and why;
UAW workers end their strike against Deere;
CVS Pharmacy closing stores and why;
Will there be a "Fed Chair Shuffle"?
The Wall Street Report;
Apple adjusts, again, the return to the office.
Those stories and for the interview you'll meet author Rachelle Chase who has written the remarkable books about Buxton, Iowa...called the "Black Utopia" To hear that conversation click here. 
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 4 October 2021

From social media outages to a whistleblower from Facebook on 60 Minutes...it's been quite the day kicking off the first full week of October. A reminder to click ahead for the interview with Lyle Muller from Iowa Watch as we talk about business and small communities and the struggle to stay...vital.  In the news:
Stocks took a drubbing today and why;
Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp down. Why?
A busy data week ahead;
The Biden Administration and high meat prices;
Pharmacy retailers in court...think opioids;
Captain Kirk is really headed for space;
Oil prices rise and why;
The Wall Street Report;
"Going back to the office is so...2019."
Those stories and for the interview you'll meet Lyle Muller from The Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism about how small towns are struggling to stay vital. What businesses work in some and fail in others. It's a stunning report and to hear that conversation, click here!
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.

Staying Vital in Small Town Iowa

It's a return visit from Lyle Muller of Iowa Watch - The Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism. Today we're talking about the 1118 incorporated and unincorporated communities in Iowa and the success/failure of business, population growth and quality of life. How some small communities are doing when it comes to all manner of business issues. We'll also talk about broadband and how some towns have been able to go it alone. It's a fascinating conversation that is not unique to Iowa.  Here is that article and here is our conversation. 
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 23 September 2021

Day two of the rebound on Wall Street but that's not the only big story from today and, make sure you stick around for an interesting conversation featuring author Beth Hoffman and her remarkable journey from the East and West Coasts...to a tiny town in Iowa.  But, first the news:
Amazon, AI Cameras and Unhappy Drivers;
Texas, Israel and Ben & Jerry's Ice Crème;
More retail concerns for the holidays;
Chips...we're talking chips again;
No shortage of unemployed workers...new numbers;
The Wall Street Report
The "Snowbirds" are once again headed south.
For the interview you'll meet educator, reporter, farmer and now author Beth Hoffman and the story of her remarkable journey. And her new book "Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America".
We think you'll enjoy our conversation and to listen...click here.
Thanks for coming by!
 
 

Talking ”Bet the Farm” with Author/Farmer Beth Hoffman

While at the Okoboji Writers Retreat in September I met Beth Hoffman a woman with an interesting history. Think Queens, Long Island, Jersey, Berkley, California the University of California, San Francisco a stint reporting for NPR...and now a farmer on a beef ranch in Iowa. She's just published a book "Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America". We sat down to talk about her journey and her life now as the wife of a chef/butcher and 5th generation farmer John Hogeland near the tiny town of Lovilia (pop. 583). Here is her story. 
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.

Big News for Small Businesses and the NTPDA

Thanks for clicking through. As we work to get critical information to members of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association we thought this conversation about getting capital from the Small Business Administration would be very helpful. There have been many changes to the COVID19 Loan Program. Pay close attention to the new guidelines for gaining capitol for your small business. And, second, if you know a person who owns or manages a small business send this link to them. It could make a huge difference.  My guest is Veronica Pugin who is the Senior Advisor in the Office of Capital Access for the Small Business Administration. Here too is your link to the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program that we talk about. Know there are new guidelines and an easier way in which to apply for business capital.
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 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 8 September 2021

Grateful to be back with you again today.  September has been, traditionally, a lousy month for the stock market...and we may be seeing that happening yet again. Here are the business news headlines and stick around for the conversation about jobs, workers and the economy with Iowa State University Economist Dave Swenson. But first the news:
COVID misinformation being sold where?
Sen. Elizabeth Warren is asking questions;
Sen. Ted Cruz says, "Uhm, get a job!"
Some pilots have concerns about their job;
The "September Curse" is it real?
It could be a "Financial Armageddon";
So, that EV and 2035...hmmmm;
The Wall Street Report;
Working past age 60? Maybe not.
Those stories and as promised a conversation about ending unemployment benefits, workers, the economy, the labor participation rate, what employers need to better understand and more.  My guest is Iowa State Economist Dave Swenson and he's got some answers to, "Where have all the workers gone?"  To listen 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.

Where Have All The Workers Gone? Meet Economist Dave Swenson

It it top of mind for every industry in America...not only where are the workers but many thought that once enhanced unemployment benefits were cut workers would flock to jobs that have been open for months.  But, that's not happening. With us for the conversation if Iowa State University Economist Dave Swenson. He's not only looked at the issue in Iowa but also nationally. So, where have all the workers gone?  Click through to learn more. 
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 19 August 2021

It is the Thursday Edition of the Business News Headlines and it's a Throwback Thursday where you can check out our Twitter Stream for some shots from years back. Head to @IOB_NewsHour.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Cutting family ties over vaccinations;
More "Chip News"...chips people!
Winnebago: "Hello bright lights big city";
EV shares took a beating today and why;
Putting more $ into retirement accounts...a trend;
The typical Home Depot customer is...
The Wall Street Report;
New unemployment claims are down big time;
"Experience you got...experience?" Newbies and jobs. 
Those stories plus a fascinating conversation with entrepreneur Nick Carter who comes from a multi-generational farm family.  He has created a way for farmers to get their diversified crops and critters to tables. Market Wagon is now in 15 states and growing...and they even have eight "foragers" who spend their days looking for farmer partners. To hear that story just click here!
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.