Insight on Business

The Business News & More 4 February 2020

Trade issues? What trade issues? Coronavirus? What coronavirus? It's the business news headlines for Tuesday the 4th of February.  Here's what we have on tap:

• Tesla's stock up by 40% in TWO days;
• The link between oil, gas and coronavirus;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Visa is changing "swipe" fees;
• Middle Class Renters...in trouble;
• Macy's is closing more stores;
• Yet, this retail chain is opening up many more.

Those stories plus Sam Reed, who owns the startup Leap Here, joins me to talk about the Black & Gold Ball that takes place later this month. It's a great time for a great cause. Love for you to join us and attend. Here is the link for tickets.  See you on the 22nd and congratulations to the young people who will be honored that evening. 

Thanks for listening! 

The Business News Headlines & More 15 January 2020

It's true, the business news headlines are coming to you this week from Arizona where it's brown...not white with snow like back home in Iowa.  In the news today:

• The new trade deal and agriculture...what if?
• No joy in "Toyland" says Target;
• GM and temporary workers;
• Tesla may win with the new trade deal but not for cars;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Workers and Weight an issue nobody wants to discuss.

Those stories and we'll talk construction with Creighton Cox, a return visitor to the News Hour, and this time is's about the construction industry both on a local and national level. Creighton recently became the Business Development Manager for Turner Construction an international company. The fact that Creighton is in this position tells us that the company is planning some serious work in the Hawkeye State...yes? 

Thanks for listening!

Meet Admiral Mike Franken - Democrat for the U.S. Senate - Iowa

While the Business News Hour focuses on economics and business we often have the opportunity to sit down with people seeking office to get their take on those two items. Here we'll introduce you to Admiral Mike Franken of Iowa who is running to become the Democratic Nominee for the United States Senate. Here we do the introduction and start into some policy issues. Here is part one:

Here is the second of our two-part conversation with Democratic Candidate for the United States Senate, Admiral Mike Franken. We sat down in a coffee shop in Iowa and talked policy. Enjoy!  This originally aired on News/Talk 1540 based in Eastern Iowa.

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 & More 20 November 2019

It was yet another troubling day for any deal with the U.S. and China. Some days it's like whiplash. In the news today:

• The $1 billion deal in Texas is sorta sweet;
• Amazon wants to get you your stuff...faster;
• A lawsuit rocks Detroit;
• Walmart is changing some things in their stores;
• Markets closed lower again today and why;
• Might you lose your "white-collar" job due to...

Those stories and a quick conversation with Leng Vong Reiff about the 12th Annual Immigrant Entrepreneur Summit slated for this Saturday in Ankeny, Iowa. Details about that event are right here on our player. Go... 

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

Thanks for listening!

Small Business Spotlight - Iowa Custom Murphy Beds

Sometimes you find stories where you least expect them. This story comes about because of a sign on the side of a trailer that said, "Iowa Custom Murphy Beds". A little history: The Murphy Bed is named after William Lawrence Murphy, who applied for his patent around 1900. These space saving beds fold into a wall or a cabinet and, according to legend, Murphy was wooing an opera singer but living in a one-room apartment in San Francisco meant that the young lady would have to enter his bedroom. That was taboo at the time. But, once folded into a cabinet the room was, well, no longer a...bedroom.  Here is Nancy Vetter with the story about their six year old company that produces Amish made...Murphy Beds that can make any room a bedroom and they sell/install nationwide.

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

Mayor Frank Cownie - Mayor of Des Moines

A conversation with Mayor Frank Cownie, the longest serving mayor for the City of Des Moines, Iowa, who is running for re-election. Here in a two-part conversation we talk about what he has promised to do, what he has done, and the issues that so many people care about. We also talk about hyper-local issues like potholes and the technology that he has implemented to connect citizens with their local government. So much to unpack here...click to listen.

Here I continue my conversation with Mayor Frank Cownie and first ask him about the issues regarding water, water safety and the impact it has on not only the residents of Des Moines but the communities that are the customers of the Des Moines Water Works. We also talk about climate, flooding, taxes and more. Here, once again, is his re-election website. And you can click below to listen to Part Two.

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 & More 23 October 2019

If you like roller coasters you must love Wall Street today.  Up and down, up and down as investors chewed over some earnings reports and fret about Brexit, China and global growth. In the end there were modest gains the Dow up by 45 points the Nasdaq gained 15 points and the S&P 500 up by 8 points.  In our newscast today:

• Are you really making $7,000 more today?
• The We Work Meltdown and $1.2 billion;
• Sunday Riley did an opps...
• Affordable housing? How about shipping containers;
• Got some extra cash? Be like some "A List" stars.

Those stories plus a Small Business Spotlight that shines on entrepreneur Chris Seuntjens who has, now, three companies and they are all on the move. Christoper's Rare Coins, Christopher's Fine Jewelry and Chrystal Clear Showcases.  Retire?  Not hardly.  

Thanks for listening! 

The Business News & More 7 October 2019

Wall Street opened lower today then toyed with some positive numbers before sliding again. What's going on? We'll share that and more with you today:

• Stocks did drift today two things: China and now Turkey;
• GE to freeze pension benefits;
• Harley-Davidson is betting on electric bikes...but the price!
• The housing market and jobs;
• The GM strike on day 21;
• It appears you love to be...frightened. Joker numbers.

Those stories and Laura Kinnard from DMBizMixer.com is in with business events happening around the Greater Des Moines Metro.

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 & More 3 October 2019

Even with continuing headwinds Wall Street was able to pull off a win today. Welcome to the Business News Headlines for Thursday the 3rd of October. On tap today:

• The Jobs Report is due tomorrow morning and it's important;
• President Trump signs an executive order about Medicare;
• The housing sector seems to be booming;
• Young people are leaving glitzy cities for lower cost communities;
• Unions, Nurses and Wages it seems to be a trend;
• Tesla disappoints and its stock suffers.

Those stories and for the interview I'll visit with Natalie Veldhouse a research associate from the Iowa Policy Project about the little known reality that Iowa is such a low wage state, why it matters and what forces are at work to keep it that way. Click the player for that story. 

Thanks for listening! 

The Business of Mortgages with John Cannon

While writing the news stories today we centered on some housing issues in the United States and because we're broadcasting from the Central Iowa Business Conference in Des Moines we've got access to several experts. Here you'll meet John Cannon of Wintrust Mortgage. John, a former broadcaster, stopped by our mobile studio at just the right time...click through for some housing, mortgage rate talk and more. 

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