Rural Stories

The Business News Headlines 6 September 2024

We kick things off today looking at the Job Report from the Labor Department. It was a mixed bag of details which didn't help Wall Street much.  Thanks for joining us for this Friday Edition of the Business News Headlines and a reminder that we're back on Sunday, Noon Central, with the Business Week in Review and only on News/Talk 1540 KXEL and yes, we do stream. Meanwhile, if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The Mixed Bag that was the Jobs Report;
Now we wait for the Central Bank and it's meeting;
Wealthy tax cheats are paying up says Janet Yellen;
3D printing and illegal firearms made the news;
Tiny towns in Nebraska are growing. Think immigration;
Remember Lumber Liquidators?  They are gone...
The Wall Street Report;
Podcasts are getting...longer?  Seems so.
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 29 July 2024

We're back after being on assignment for the past several days. We were covering the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association annual Summer Board Meeting which took us on quite a journey.  About 35 people from around the country were in Des Moines, Iowa for the event and they got to visit the World Food Prize Headquarters as well as the Iowa State Capital, a 100 acre salvage yard in Colfax, Iowa and see an Iowa Cubs baseball game. The final report is they had a great time and we'll be bringing you several conversations yet this week. Meanwhile, if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Deadpool/Wolverine smashes box office records;
Fed rate cuts are sure to happen but...when?
Seems that you are not "lovin' it" over at McDonald's;
We have a U.S. flag story for you we found...odd;
A Star Wars bikini costume sold for a bunch of cash;
The Wall Street Report;
Rural communities and businesses are not finding workers
and, that is a major drain on their economies.
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 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 July 2024

Wall Street is a mess and we've got some thoughts as to why. Welcome to the Business News Headlines for Wednesday the 24th of July.  Thanks for being here. Today we'll spend some time on that hot mess as well as more news, this time from Paris, about Delta cancellations. At least Ed caught a flight out.  And, hey... if you want to reach out to us on social media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The mess that is Wall Street and why;
Tesla tanks...again;
The FAA and overburdened flight controllers;
Delta CEO sends a "sorry" message from Paris;
No money for poor folks or rural folks says a court;
The Wall Street Report;
And, Tesla to pivot away from EV's?  Yep that's the story.
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 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 1 July 2024

Welcome to not only the Monday Edition of the Business News Headlines but also a brand new month.  A programing note: We, like Wall Street, will be taking Independence Day off on Thursday...just so you know.  Also wishing our Canadian friends a Happy Canada Day! And, if you want to reach out to us on Social Media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
New news about the Biden Student Loan program;
John Deere announces yet another round of layoffs and why;
Farming and the farm economy is also in the news;
Remember those Red Box kiosks? We have a story;
Family Leave, Grandparents and Sweden;
The Wall Street Report;
And, some news about...movies.
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 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.

Corruption of America's Food Industry with Austin Frerick

It's been several years since Austin Frerick has been with us and  it has been well worth the wait. He recently released Barons - Money, Power and the Corruption of America's Food Industry and it is a blockbuster. In it Austin not only names the power brokers but also does extensive background pieces about each "Barron". The Hog Barons, the Grain Barons, the Coffee Barons, the Berry Barons, the Slaughter Barons and the Grocery Barons. This is a book for every book shelf. Here now is Austin Frerick:
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 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 Call Notes 10 June 2024

Hello Monday and welcome to the business news headlines for this the 10th day of June.  Grateful you're with us. Lots of the news today centered on inflation, the Central Bank and rate cuts.  Also, make sure you click through and listen to the conversation we had with Cy Hilty the creator of Call Notes. It can be a game changer when it comes to recording business phone calls that need your attention.  If you want to reach out to us on Social Media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
A muted day on Wall Street and why;
Big Banks are softening their rate cut expectations;
The Biden Team is reaching out to businesses and saying...
A take-over brewing at Southwest Airlines and why;
Apple takes the wraps off its AI product;
Some thoughts about rate cuts from us;
The Wall Street Report;
Weather and prices of coca, wine and olive oil.
For the interview you'll meet Cy Hilty who has developed a program that will boost your customer service. It's time to ditch that scrap of paper that has phone numbers and messages and move into Call Notes.  While designed for the parts industry we think it has a life in other areas. Never miss another phoned in sale.  To listen to that conversation CLICK THIS LINK.
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 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 4 June 2024

It's Election Day here in Iowa and, yes, I did vote. We kick things off today with a report about open jobs in the U.S. The headline most outlets had was that "Job Openings Drop to the Lowest Level Since 2021". Sounds bad...right? But, when you look inside the numbers it's pretty good news but, as you know, good news doesn't sell or get clicks. Finally, if you want to reach out to us on Social Media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
Inside the job openings data from today;
Gas prices drop and why that's going on;
High end watches are selling to young people;
Yesterday Meme Stocks had a day...today, not so much;
New Orleans is about to experience a "makeover";
Big news from the world of funerals;
The Wall Street Report;
Shutterstock goes all in on AI.
For the interview you'll meet Jeff Bucklin who with his 79 year old father own and operate Colfax Tractor and Combine Parts in the tiny town of Colfax, Iowa. What is surprising about this story is that, without an inventory system, they have to know, by memory, where in their 100 acres of used tractors, combines, planters and construction equipment those parts...are. Oh, and they ship all over the globe. It's a neat family story...with some history. To LISTEN, CLICK THIS LINK.
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 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.

Small Business Spotlight - Colfax Tractor Parts

Recently I took a trip down a gravel road in tiny Colfax, Iowa to visit with Jeff Bucklin of Colfax Tractor Parts. They own 100 acres full of nearly every type of used agriculture equipment out there. The founder of the business, Bennie Bucklin (79) still puts in a full week of work helping identify where various tractors, combines, planters, skid loaders are located. Now, get this: They ship these tractor and construction parts all over the globe. It's a big deal. In addition they also buy "gently used" vehicles, detail 'em and sell those as well. Come along for a great family story we think you'll enjoy. 
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 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 30 May 2024

We're a bit late in getting this out "on the bird" because we spent the greater part of the day in Humeston, Iowa a community of roughly 460 people.  We took the show on the road for another "Out to Lunch" segment and had a great time listening to stories from our guests Jill, Don and Dan (photo). We learned much about the history of the community as well as their business climate and a community owned grocery store The Front Street Market, the Grassroots Cafe and Snyder's a store like no other I've ever been in and today was their 75th Anniversary!  We can't wait to share that segment with you later next week. We'll get to the news in a moment but if you want to reach out to us on Social Media you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The GDP numbers explained;
The Dow has lost about 1,000 points in 3 days...why?
Some positive FAA and Boeing news today;
Fast food pricing and wow...has it gone up;
The Wall Street Report;
Retail news from Best Buy and Kohl's.
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 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 17 April 2024

It's been a tough couple of days for Wall Street as investors have a host of things to worry about.  Today was no different.  Meanwhile President Biden made some promises today to American steelworkers that may heat up some international issues and we'll kick things off with that story. Also make sure you click ahead for the interview with entrepreneur and Architect Steve Wilke-Shapiro the founder of Sequel Architecture. And, a reminder, you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today:
The U.S. President, Japan and U.S. Steel;
Really? $56 billion for Elon? It will be a touch sell;
The IMF sees a much better economic picture;
Disney actors want to join a union;
Meanwhile Disneyland to get a makeover;
Drive a Ford Bronco or Maverick? Listen up;
The Wall Street Report;
Good news for those who suffer from sleep apnea. 
For the interview you'll meet entrepreneur and architect Steve Wilke-Shapiro the founder of Sequel Architecture and Interiors. His work not only focuses on preservation but also mixing the new with, sometimes, the very old. The result is a stunning project that ranges from the small to the very large. To listen to that conversation 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 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.