Rural Stories

Investigate Midwest Acquires Iowa Watch

It's a big deal when it comes to reporting issues important to the world of agriculture and issues that impact the rural Midwest and Nation. Investigate Midwest has acquired IowaWatch and its team, bringing together a combined 25 years of public service journalism to Iowa and the Midwest.  IowaWatch (The Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism) will cease operations as a nonprofit and evolve into an expanded Iowa-based newsroom within Investigate Midwest (The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting) under an agreement approved this month by the boards of directors of both nonprofit organizations. Here we talk about what that means with Lyle Muller the former Executive Director of Iowa Watch and Pam Dempsey the Executive Director of Investigate Midwest. And you can help support their work by offering up a donation. To do that...just follow this link.
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. 

The Business News Headlines 22 February 2022

It's really about economics. The failed and flawed dream of resurrecting the Soviet Union, which in itself failed, is a significant danger to the world economy and our first story bears this out.  Here's what we've got for you on this 22nd day of February:
Winners, Losers and Russia;
The price of gold is up again;
AT&T shuts down 3G and what that means;
DIY project soar and Home Depot says, thank you;
Move over electric here comes hydrogen;
A new COVID update;
The National Guard back in D.C.?
Tesla hit with another racial lawsuit;
Labor troubles in Ohio;
The Wall Street Report;
Tech jobs head east and where? We'll share.
Speaking of technology this is an amazing conversation about the Farmers Business Network (FBN) that is, sort of the "Amazon of Agriculture".  My guest is one of the founders of FBN, Charles Barron.  You're going to learn much in this fascinating interview.  To listen, 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 Farmers Business Network with Charles Barron

Back in January we were in Kansas City for the Annual Conference and Trade Show of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association. One of the attendees was the Farmers Business Network (FBN). Anxious to learn what this California based company was about we invited Charles Barron, one of the founders, to give us the story.  And what a story this is. Click though to learn how FBN is reimaging the world of agriculture from buying and selling to insurance to loans and soon equipment and parts. I promise you that you'll learn some things about the world of farmers and ranchers you did not know.  This is all about maximizing profits in a new way.   Let's go! 
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. 

Thoughts About the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association with Scott and Trey

Over 40 years ago a group of agriculture equipment recyclers got together and formed the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA). The group was small and mostly confined to the United States. Today the association has members not only in the U.S. but also Canada, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom and Malaysia. Here I sit down with Scott Schelling the Immediate Past President and owner of Rock Valley Tractor Parts of Iowa and Trey Russell the incoming President and second generation to Russell's Tractor Parts of Alabama during our time at our Annual Conference and Trade Show. We talk about what they've gotten out of the association and what may be coming in the future.  Plus a "Shout Out" about the Summer Mixer coming in July. 
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 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.