Rural Stories

Business News Headlines 3 October 2018

Busy news day today with lots of information and a couple of stunning interviews. Today we'll share stories about:
The economy is roaring. Everybody is doing just dandy...or are they;
Amazon won't be giving its workers bonuses or stock shares, we'll tell why;
And the most wealthy person on the planet is...;
Barnes and Noble stock was up, big time, today. Why? Yeah, we'll tell you;
Wi-Fi gets numbers rather than gibberish;
The markets? We'll check the numbers.
For our first interview it's the CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Jay Byers who is in to talk about tariffs and more to the point trade with...(wait for it)...Cuba. Jay Byers on trade and more.
Also today, you've heard the stories about how Amazon is playing all of us for fools and that the U.S. Post Office is taking a big hit. Not true says Vic McCuen the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers - Central Iowa Merged Branch. We'll also talk about the effort to take the post office...private and what that would do for Rural America. The price of stamps, retirement costs oh...and the eyes and ears of your neighborhood.  Vic McCuen a click away.

The U.S. Postal Service and Privatization with Vic McCuen

There are some in politics that would like you to think that the United States Postal Service is a mess. That they are losing money that companies like Amazon are taking advantage of the USPS and that to really work well we must privatize the service. Here to talk about all those things is Vic McCuen the President of the National Association of Letter Carriers - Central Iowa Merged Branch. He's going to share some things you don't often hear. Click through we believe you'll learn something. 
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.

Senator Jeff Merkley - Business, Workers, Trade, Wages and More

For the Interview it's Sen. Jeff Merkely (D-OR) who we caught up with on his 5th trip to Iowa. We asked him about that and a range of issues from international trade, tariffs, wages, unions, health care and his work in the non-profit world. We found the senator to be candid and accessable. But, then again, it is...Iowa.  Sen. Jeff Merkley for the Interview.
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 25 September 2018

Welcome to Tuesday and the Business News Hour. Lot's of things going on today from international trade to America First to ketchup. No, really!  Here are some of the stories that are just a click away:
Dunkin' Donuts changes their name and we'll share why;
More disruption from Amazon this time it's in housing;
Canada and ketchup, we are not making this up;
What credit cards might some retailers stop taking;
Stocks were down again today and we'll share why.
Those stories and then a conversation with Bruce Schmiedlin, CPA. You know that jobs and tax bill that was signed into law after just a few weeks of work. Well, now we're finding stuff out and for small business, "It ain't what you think.".
Then we travel back to Lanesboro, MN and have a conversation about the arts, agriculture and bicycles. How this tiny town took what they already had and created a thriving economy. Our guest is David Hennessey and for any rural community struggling...this is a must listen.
Thanks for coming by! 

Lanesboro, MN - Building a Sustainable Rural Community - Arts, Agriculture & Cycling

Last week we took a two day trip to Lanesboro, MN a tiny rural community of under 780 people. What we found was surprising. Here we sit down with David Hennessey from the Commonweal Theatre Company and taked about how the town took what they had and built on their strengths. It is a lesson in building a sustainable community if you'll look beyond what you may think is reality. Enjoy...we did! 
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 24 September 2018

Welcome back to Monday...the final Monday for September. It's been a busy day in the business newsroom with these stories coming at you today:
Starbucks to get...slimmer;
Speaking of slim Weight Watchers is changing its name;
Johnson & Johnson talic trial...we've got an outcome;
Walmart to use blockchain to track food;
Speaking of food, U.S. farmers get more bad news today;
Facebook Dating launched today...but only in one place;
Three Words: Fired, China, Markets...yep, it's confusing!
Those stories and a conversation with Daniel Pettit who, along with his wife started building churches in emerging countries and now has launched yet another project. It's a great story with a surprise ending. Daniel Pettit and Trailhead International.
Today is Monday so we'll also chat with Laura Kinnard from Drake University and DMBizMixer about upcoming educational and business networking events. Grab your calendar and click through.
Thanks again for listening and subscribe dang it! 

Business News Headlines 21 September 2018

The Business News Hour is in Lanesboro, MN this afternoon with some friends from Bike World...hey, it's sort of a vacation. But, we didn't forget about you.  Today in the business news:
The markets closed mixed today big issue...Canada;
The Feds have accused Walmart of discrimination to pregnant women;
The housing market took a hit today in the markets another sign;
Apple XS was out today and while the lines were not as long....
T-Mobile and Sprint are full of promises and cable TV is worried.
Those stories and the markets along with a conversation with Scott and Angie Taylor the owners of Pedal Pusher Cafe here in Lanesboro.
Then our friend Jeff Pitts joins us from Cityview with stuff to DO in the metro.  Stay with us...and click through.

From Lanesboro, MN Meet Scott and Angie Taylor

Today we're in Lanesboro, MN as the Business News Hour is "On the Road" with a group from Bike World of Iowa. We settled in at Pedal Pushers Cafe and made friends with the owners Scott and Angie Taylor. Here we talk about their decision 14 years ago to get into the restaurant business, the world of being a tourist destination, the future of the tiny community of 800 and more. Always a delight to be "On the Road" and meet the people who make America...America. Enjoy. 
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 Hotel Grinnell Story with Angela Harrington

It started with a request from the Grinnell Business Community, "We need an events center..." What they got was the Hotel Grinnell a re-purposed 1921 school building in the heart of the town of 10,000. Meet Angela Harrington the person behind nearly eveything from design to picking out the furniture for this amazing property. And, she's not done yet. In this conversation she tells us where her next hotel will be. This is a great story...enjoy! 
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 Melissa Vine - She's Got Plenty Going On

Last week we traveled to Grinnell, Iowa to take part in the Iowa Small Business Summit and speak about business, consumers, marketing and trends. Also speaking was Melissa Vine who works in mental healh, owns a bakery (Sunshine Bakery) and a booking agency for bands seeking venues (Vine Chromatic). Did we mention she also acts and models?  Click through for this fun 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 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.