Rural / Urban

U.S. Cuba Trade and Travel with Jay Byers

When it comes to Cuba/U.S. relations there is plenty of confusion. But, for businesses there should be none as Cuba represents opportunity when it comes to trade. Here Jay Byers the CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership talks about his experiences with Cuba, why trading with Cuba makes sense and why U.S. companies should be allowed full access. Along the way we'll chat a bit about tariffs and business. Interesting information ahead... In addition Jay will be speaking at the Plymouth Church this Sunday afternoon. Details about that event are here. 
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 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.

Meet Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal from Washington State

Recently Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) was in the Des Moines Metro to headline two events. We caught up with her folloing her address to the non-partisan Iowa Asian/Latino Coalition. Here we talk a little politics, the economy, trade, small business, agriculture, health care and much more. Click through to meet Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and our thanks to the Iowa Asian/Latino Coalition for making this happen. 
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! 

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.

It's Not Sexy - Aging Issues in Iowa - Out to Lunch with John Hale

For decades there has been lots and lots of talk about aging but very little action. Iowa is one of the states with the largest "old-old" population in the nation. We have over half a million people over the age of 65 more on the way. Yet, according to our guest, John Hale of the Hale Group, Iowa is failing to plan for the future. Who is going to care for older Iowans? How do we deal with transportation, housing, nutrition, care giving? Is immagration a solution or a band-aid? Meanwhile the legislature talks a big game but leadership, according to John, is lacking. Click through as we go Out to Lunch at Vino 209.  
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 27 August 2018

Here are some of the top businss news stories for today along with what happened on Wall Street and why:
It's a deal! But nobody knows much about it. We're talking trade and the U.S. and Mexico;
Warren Buffett is taking a steak in a business he's never been in before;
How would you like a 46% raise in pay? We've got a story about that;
We've got two car stories for you;
Kiss property tax dollars goodbye as the Feds will build a new courthouse downtown Des Moines.
Those stories plus a conversation with Beau Fodor from Panache about three upcoming farm to table events and you are invited to each. Always a great interview...Beau Fodor in the news. Then we'll hear from Laura Kinnard from Drake University about some business education opportunities and networking for business. We'v got a packed day...click on through!