Insight on Business

The Business News Headlines & More 30 June 2020

The major Wall Street markets posted quite the second quarter but will the party continue?  That story and more today on the final day of June 2020:

• IRS says no more delays...pay up;
• What a national mask mandate might do;
• Your favorite home improvement store ain't who you think;
• UAW asks GM to close a Texas plant;
• U.S. families spending less on just about everything;
• The Wall Street Report;
• 1, 2, 3 strike outs today. It's a "trifecta" of closings.

Also today, for the interview you'll hear how Tero International had to completely change their business model from holding in person skills training to virtual events. How they did it, why they did it and how it's working out. My guest is Deborah Rinner the Chief Learning Officer of the company. 

Thanks for listening!

Stuff to DO with Cityview & Jeff Pitts

Lordy, lordy...he's back!  Jeff Pitts from Cityview has been gone from our Friday "Stuff to DO" briefing as the staff from Cityview took some COVID19 time off.  Now the crew is back on duty and here Jeff rejoins us as we talk about stuff to do online...like an online film festival from our friends at the Interrobang Film Festival. Or how about an opera from Des Moines Metro Opera. And, nope, not in Italian but in French!  Those things and much more.  Enjoy, have a laugh or two...you deserve it.  

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on Google Play, 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. 

Our Sponsors

AARP-Iowa

National Tractor Parts Dealer Association

Oasis - A Paychex Company

Tero International

The Business News Headlines & More 26 June 2020

What a difference a day makes.  The rising cases of COVID19 put the markets in a tail spin. That story and more are what we've got for you this Friday afternoon:

• Wall Street gets real with worry;
• States that were "opening up" may not be;
• Remington Arms and the irony of a sale;
• Masks, Starbucks and "Karen";
• Facebook loses a big advertiser;
• The Wall Street Report
• Working Remote? Some cities will pay you to move there.

Lordy, lordy...he's back!  Jeff Pitts from Cityview has been gone from our Friday "Stuff to DO" briefing as the staff from Cityview took some COVID19 time off.  Now the crew is back on duty and here Jeff rejoins us as we talk about stuff to do online...like an online film festival from our friends at the Interrobang Film Festival. Or how about an opera from Des Moines Metro Opera. And, nope, not in Italian but in French!  Those things and much more.  Enjoy, have a laugh or two...you deserve it.  

Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines 20 May 2020

Midweek and it feels like a roller coaster on Wall Street.  Welcome to this edition of the business news headlines. Give us ten minutes and you'll get the top business news stories of the day:

• Billions of dollars and banks are...worried;
• Trouble at McDonald's;
• We've got buyers but no inventory;
• Stimulus dollars and prepaid debit cards;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Facebook gets into online shopping.

Those stories PLUS a fun conversation with professional voice artist Sharon Feingold. How she got into the business, who she does work for and much more in this interview that talks about the business of being a voice professional. To listen to this fun interview just click our player 

Thanks for coming by.

The Business News & More 24 April 2020

It's beginning to look like a good time to become a vegetarian.  Here are the top business news stories for you on this the 24th day of April. 

• Beef, pork and now turkey plants...closed;
• Remember the lotteries?
• President Trump to USPS, "Raise rates!";
• Neiman Marcus to file Chapter 11;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Still not getting the "bailout" right.

The business of radio broadcasting has changed greatly yet the reason why we do what we do...has never been  more important. Here is a wide ranging conversation with Jeff Stein the Program and News Director for News Talk 1540 KXEL who began his Iowa radio broadcasting career 40 years ago in Marshalltown. We'll share some stories talk about the importance of the media, transparency issues and how we deliver the news using technology and digital access that continues to change. In addition Jeff will be presenting a gripping Iowa Almanac history seminar for the Ames Public Library and YOU can join the event on Tuesday the 28th starting at 7PM.  Here is my friend Jeff Stein:

Thanks for listening! 

A Small Business Spotlight - Meet Rikkia Lillard, Event Planner

While much of the county is avoiding crowds some continue to plan for the future and that is what this post is about.  A couple of weeks ago when I sat down with Rikkia Lillard I didn't expect to learn about all the talents this young woman has...but soon into this conversation it became apparent that she is something very special. Rikkia owns R.C.L Productions which is an event planning and design business. Here slogan is, "It's not just a party. It's a production." And a production it is. From weddings to bar mitzvahs Rikkia turns on her magic and you get to learn all about it here. Enjoy! If you want to connect with her here is her email. 

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. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, 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. 

Our Sponsors

AARP-Iowa

National Tractor Parts Dealer Association

Oasis - A Paychex Company

Tero International

The Business News Headlines 13 March 2020

It was a volatile session on Wall Street and at the end of the day the markets posted some big numbers.  Welcome to the business news headlines. Here's what we've got for you today:

• While the markets rebounded there is that "testing" thing;
• Businesses are starting to trim staff;
• Movie theaters are getting creative;
• Bidet (What??) sales are shooting up;
• Fiat Chrysler shutters a plant;
• Small businesses are being impacted;
• The Wall Street Report
• Soccer and wages;
• Plus we usually have Jeff Pitts from Cityview with "Stuff to DO". Today that changed.

Thanks for listening! 

You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, 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. 

Our Sponsors

AARP-Iowa

National Tractor Parts Dealer Association

Oasis - A Paychex Company

Tero International

Business News & More 6 March 2020

It's been a tough week for business around the globe as cities, states and nations battle the growing coronavirus threat. That was clear in the top business news stories today:

• Free food samples at Costco...gone;
• Boeing back in the news and it's not good news;
• Tech companies and the spread of the virus;
• GAP closed it's New York HQ;
• A shake up at Chipotle;
• Oil prices sliding;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Pot stocks going up in smoke;
• More schools close.

Those weighty stories plus the weekend is here and so is Jeff Pitts the managing editor of Cityview Magazine with a big list of "Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro this weekend into next week. Stand up, music events, sports, arts and entertainment....oh...and bacon too. 

Thanks for listening!

The Business News Headlines & More 21 February 2020

Today was the day when the folks on Wall Street may have finally figured out that the coronavirus will put a wrench into the global economy. It's the Business News Headlines for Friday the 21st of February. In the news:

• Every heard of the "Fiduciary Rule"? You will today;
• John Deere stock soars and why;
• Zillow is losing millions each month and why;
• President Trump and his Social Security promise;
• The Wall Street Report
• Wells Fargo and the latest multi-billion dollar fine.

Those stories plus we'll have some fun with Jeff Pitts the managing editor of Cityview Magazine. We'll chat it up about sports, music, the theater and a host of things happening this weekend into next week. Go...you've earned it! To listen to the silliness...click our player.

Thanks for listening!

The Business News & More 31 January 2020

This just in as the markets closed: Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar declared a public health emergency over the new coronavirus Friday. Starting Sunday at 5 p.m. ET, all passengers on flights to the United States who have been in Hubei province in China in the last 14 days will be subject to up to 14 days of quarantine.

Now we can be worried...in other news today:

• Two major U.S. corporations worry about the global economy;
• The 10 "Most Hated" companies in the U.S.
• The Wall Street Report
• Big day for the U.K.

Those stories and some lighter moments: Put away your cares and woes...turn that frown upside down...it's time for "Stuff to DO" in the Des Moines Metro this weekend into next week with Jeff Pitts from Cityview Magazine. Yes, we laugh, giggle a bit and share Jeff's top picks of places to go. 

Thanks for listening.