Rural Stories

The Business News Headlines 2 February 2022

Four a fourth day in a row we watched the major indexes gain on Wall Street and while there were some scary moments as the Nasdaq flirted with the flatline, in the end, it was all green.  Here's what we have for you today:
Yes, the markets gained again;
Oil also shot up today;
This job pays $145,000 and there are 14,000 openings;
Folks in Wisconsin are crying foul and they are hot;
PayPal flushes 4.5 million "bad actors";
That cup of joe is gonna cost you more;
Google and 4th Quarter Earnings....WOW;
The Wall Street Report;
And Meta's (Facebook) stock tanked and why.
Those stories  PLUS for the interview you'll meet Todd Hickman from the Fastline Marketing Group based in Buckner, Kentucky. We'll be talking marketing to the agricultural community and answer that question about "print being dead". Far from it...but it also depends on what you're doing with it and who your target...is. To listen 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.

Fastline Marketing Group - Reaching Select Consumers with Todd Hickman

There is a major discussion going on among many that print is...dead. While it's true that a number of newspapers have ceased to publish it's also true that if your print publication has a niche audience you can win. Here I visit with Todd Hickman from the Fastline Marketing Group based in Buckner, Kentucky. For decades the company has produced magazines that feature agricultural equipment. What's changed and why? Join us in this conversation from Kansas City.  
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 27 January 2022

We kick off our newscast with some surprising numbers when it comes to Ukraine and agriculture. It's the Thursday Edition of the Business News Headlines for this the 27th day of January. Thanks as always for being with us.  In the news today:
Ukraine and agriculture: some surprises;
The market rally that fizzled;
Oil is up again, big time;
Gasoline climbs as does natural gas;
The good news about the U.S. GDP;
Unemployment numbers go down;
What an interest rate hike means to you;
Some good news from Southwest Airlines;
The Wall Street Report;
President Biden and a SCOTUS promise.
Those stories plus a conversation with Mike Winter the president of Worthington Ag Parts, Inc. How from its humble beginnings nearly 60 years ago has become a major player in agricultural parts not only here but worldwide.  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 14 December 2021

When it comes to the business news it's always something and the "something" today was the Fed. Welcome to the business news headlines for Tuesday the 14th of December and stick around for our Small Business Spotlight featuring Schmidt Machine of Upper Sandusky, Ohio.  But first:
Two things about the markets today;
OPEC says oil consumption will increase;
The International Energy Agency says the opposite;
Jobs, Money and Divorce...it seems there is a link;
Even 6-Figure earners are having trouble finding a home;
$35 billion going all in on battery cars says the largest automaker;
A deeper dive into the Fed Meeting;
The Wall Street Report;
"West Side Story" ain't producing...some thoughts.
Those stories plus in our Small Business Spotlight you'll meet Kevin Schmidt who leads a family company in business since 1928. The Schmidt Machine Company story is right 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.

Meet Schmidt Machine with Kevin Schmidt

Over the years we've interviewed hundreds of business owners. Some that are in a brand new business and others that have taken over a company that's been around for decades. Today we're visiting with Kevin Schmidt whose grandfather, back in 1928, started Schmidt Machine based in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. For a family owned company to have been around that long is a testament to hard work and quality products. Schmidt Machine specializes in creating aftermarket ag parts and does business world-wide.  Meet Kevin...who also does a bit of "standup comedy" when he's not running the business and, yes, he offers up a sample.
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 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!