Rural Stories

Taking Technology to Rural America with Congressman Ro Khanna of California

Recently some technology giants came to Rural Iowa to the town of Jefferson (pop 4,200) to announce a public/private partnership to bring education and careers to this rural community in an experiment that can be replicated in any small town across the United States. Here we visit with Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) who was one of the main instigators in helping pull this all together. We think you'll find his comments on the economy, technology and helping America win right on point.  
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 starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, 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.

The Business News Headlines 5 December 2018

While the U.S. markets were closed today that didn't mean there wasn't activity and plenty of it. Here are the news stories we've picked up for you today...go ahead and click through:
The Fed today reported on tariff induced inflation;
One quarter of Americans are deeply worried about their 2019 finances;
The new KING of Retail in Rural America is....
More sad news today about Sears;
USA Gymnastics files for bankruptcy;
New York City imposes a big minimum wage increase ride hailing drivers;
While Wall Street was idle today it doesn't mean global stocks took the day off.
Those stories plus a remarkable conversation with Ned Flynn from Aureon HR. We're going to talk about what it means to have an engaged workforce. What an "engaged" employee is, how to get there and what it can mean to the bottom line of any business. You do NOT want to miss this conversation.
Thanks for listening!

Rural Health Care and the Economy

Our guest is Dr. Keith Mueller from the University of Iowa and our conversation centers on the rural economy and its dependency on health care workers. We'll talk about how critical health care delivery is to the rural economy, some of the headwinds faced by changing payment systems and  more. If you live in Rural America many of the things Dr. Mueller talks about will not surprise you...but urban dwellers may find it shocking.
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 starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, 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.

Business News Headlines 7 November 2018

It's the day after the Midterms and we've got some business news. Some of the stories you'll hear tonight include:
The Markets go crazy after the president signals he will work with the Democrats;
The Girl Scouts have sued the Boy Scouts and we'll tell why;
Farmers are unhappy with trade issues but not that unhappy to change anything;
Barnes and Noble kicks off a new marketing campaign for the holidays.
Also we'll climb into our Way-Back Machine for a conversation that is critical to Thanksgiving. We'll chat with Chad Hitsman from Edgetech a mobile knife sharpening business that we think is just too cool...and besides we want to be helpful as you prepare your Thanksgiving Dinner. Gotta have the tools you know.
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines for 6 November 2018

It's the Election Day Edition of the Business News Hour...mostly politics free. Today we've got these stories waiting for you:
Hundreds lose their homes due to a "glitch" and Wells Fargo says they are, "sorry";
The votes are in and the best online grocer is...
Add one less flight attendant on United Airlines to your list of why you love traveling;
Papa John's is having trouble winning back customers;
Some big news out of little Jefferson, Iowa;
The markets did....what today?  We'll share.
Plus were going to talk about your voice and some tips from Wayne Bruns of Tero International about what to do to enhance your verbal communication skills and why that is so important.  Wayne Bruns is in for The Interview.
Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 24 October 2018

Lots of information on this Wednesday the 24th of October. Remember when we told you October is usually a lousy month for the markets.  Yep. We'll detail what happened today as the Dow lost any gains it had made so far this year.  In other business news today:
New home sales are lagging and it just may get worse;
Americans love to buy goods made in China...well, maybe not for long;
Walmart taking on Amazon in a big way;
Corporate America has a problem with...women;
Also the full numbers report from Wall Street.
In for The Interview today is Democratic Candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Tim Gannon. Tim, a farmer from Jasper County, says he has plans on how to better the rural economy while strengthening the state budget. We also talk about soil, water and what he is hearing as he travels the state. Meet Tim Gannon here. 
Thanks for listening! 

Meet Tim Gannon for Secretary of Agriculture

In our continuing series of profiling some of the candidates for office today we're going to focus on agriculture and Tim Gannon who is running for Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Iowa. Tim is a farmer from Jasper County who spent eight years working for the USDA under then Secretary Tom Vilsack. Join the conversation as Tim highlights his commitment to agriculture his answers for the rural and urban economy, the impact of trade disputes on farming as well as soil and water issues. Answers to some tough questions. Meet Tim Gannon: 
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 starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, 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.

The Business News 9 October 2018

So much going on today but not to fear...you won't miss out. We've got some of the top business news stories plus a bit of public policy as we sit down with three people running for public office. But, first the news:
Housing intrest rates climb to 5% and that will have an impact on the housing market;
Considering retirement? Not until you can answer three questions;
New news about the Amazon pay raise and it's...mixed;
Papa John's stock is going up and we'll tell you why;
Sam and Gabe's closed their doors and the reason may not surprise you;
What happened today on Wall Street?  We'll share.
Also today we sit down with Rob Sand who is seeking the statewide office of Auditor. What does the State Auditor do? Why does it mater? What's the deal with the state budget? What's going on with your tax dollars and for-profit medicaid?  We asked and Rob Sand has an answers.
Also today we're going to spend some time in rural Iowa and visit with two Iowa House candidates. First up is David Weaver who is running in House District 47 which is much of Boone County. He's got a great story that we think you'll appreciate.  Meet David Weaver:
Then we'll introduce you to Tim Winter who is running for the Iowa House in District 48. It's a huge area made up of part of Webster, Story and Boone Counties and all of Hamilton County. Tim Winter gets lots of windshield time.
Thanks for listening!

The Business of Running for Office Meet David Weaver

We took the Business News Hour on the road to Boone, Iowa where we met a room full of people waiting to hear Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and candidate J.D. Scholten who is running for congress in Iowa District 4. This gave us the opportunity to, after the visit with Sen. Booker and J.D. Scholten, to sit down with some local candidates running for the Iowa House. First up meet David Weaver running for Iowa House District 47. A compelling story as to why he's doing this. 
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 starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, 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.

Meet Tim Winter - Iowa House District 48

He has a sprawling district so he spends lots of time behind the wheel getting to voters in House District 48 which covers part of Webster County, Boone County, Story County and all of Hamilton County. Loads of "windshield time" meeting votres, doing forums and talking public policy. What is he hearing?  We asked. Meet Tim Winter candidate for Iowa House District 48.
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 starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, 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.