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 an amazing car company that is all about speed and noise. It's Off The Line Performance we also toured 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.

Hope to Build a New Sikh Temple in Urbandale, Iowa

Today you'll hear from Baljit Singh Virdi one of the organizers of an effort to build a new Sikh Temple (Gurudwara) in Urbandale, Iowa. This is not a hyper-local story but an effort to help you better understand their faith, which we found to be so very interesting. While they have an aging facility in West Des Moines the goal here is to meet their expanding membership and have a building that can also serve as a community center for everyone and not just members of the Sikh faith. 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. 

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 Headlines and the effort to build a new Sikh Temple in Urbandale, Iowa

Welcome to the VERY LATE edition of the Business News Headlines.  Late because we had tornado activity in the Greater Des Moines Metro.  Along with the business news headlines you'll hear from Baljit Singh Virdi one of the organizers of an effort to build a new Sikh Temple (Gurudwara) in Urbandale, Iowa.  While they have an aging facility in West Des Moines the goal here is to meet their expanding membership and have a building that can also serve as a community center for everyone and not just members of the Sikh faith. 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:

• The Fed, inflation and what Fed Chair Jerome Powell said today;
• Macy's says the planned takeover by 2 investment groups is over;
• Millennials now outnumber Baby Boomers;
• And their buying habits are impacting the economy 12 examples;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Vehicle insurance has ballooned and what owners are doing about it.

For the interview you'll meet Baljit Singh Virdi from the Sikh community who wants to build a new temple but first must get a variance from the Urbandale Board of Adjustment.  That story and more about his faith are in this broadcast.

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.

The Business News Headlines 24 June 2024

Welcome to a new business week!  We had some technical difficulties at the end of last week but grateful to be back with you today. We'll kick things off with a focus on housing issues including rentals. 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:

• A new Biden proposal to boost housing affordability;
• How much does a family need to make to afford...rent;
• More AI trouble this time it's music;
• What Canada is considering to protect workers;
• The flooding in Iowa is...intense. An update;
• The Farm Bill that needs to become law;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Target gets a new third-party partner.

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 12 June 2024

Never mind that inflation is on the way down the Central Bank isn't moving forward with rate cuts and signaled that there may be only one cut...this year. That story kicks us off today and you don't want to miss the conversation I had with Dr. Rachelle Keck who, by chance, I met a few weeks ago by offering a complement. Turns out she is the president of Grand View University near the heart of Des Moines, Iowa. Make sure you listen.  And, thanks for being with us 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:

• The Fed said, "Hold!";
• Another EV headache: Stealing EV charging cables;
• Sony Pictures acquires Alamo Drafthouse Cinema;
• Southwest Airlines CEO says he is not leaving;
• Convenience store chain Casey's is on track to open 350 stores;
• Changes coming in how Walmart displays prices;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Amazon to build 14,000 "affordable" homes and why.

For the interview you'll meet Dr. Rachelle Keck the president of Grand View University in a wide ranging conversation about the history of the university, its tie to Denmark, the importance of a high quality education and more. And it all started with a complement. To listen simply click our player. 

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.

 

UpLift Iowa - A Report on this Guaranteed Income Program

A year ago I sat down with Ashley Ezzio and Michael Burger the staffers who work for UpLift Iowa which is a guaranteed income program offering $500 a month, no strings attached, to program participants. At that time we simply wanted to know what the program was all about.  Now, a year later, we learn what impact that $500 each month has meant for program participants. And, from the political arena Iowa GOP legislators passed a bill that will tank any future programs like this calling it a "slippery slope to Communism".  So what is the story?  Have a listen. 

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 our player:

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.

Meet Actor Andy Buckley from The Office

We were at the Central Iowa Business Conference put on by the Urbandale (Iowa) Chamber of Commerce doing interviews with a host of individuals including the morning keynote speaker Andy Buckley. If that name sounds familiar it should. Andy was one of the actors on The Office that ran for several years. Since then Andy has added to his IMDb body of work and is now with Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Netflix production of FUBAR, and yes, another comedy. We talked about how The Office was really his "side gig", his famous Bride, Nancy Banks who is an acting coach and more. I came away from this thinking he's really a nice guy and so easy to talk with. Meet Andy Buckley:  

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.