Insight on Business

The Business News & More 28 January 2020

The issue of the coronavirus didn't play that big of a deal today on Wall Street as the markets made a run at reclaiming what was lost yesterday. Welcome to the business news headlines. Today:

• 3M and face masks;
• Meanwhile 3M to lay off 1,500 workers and why;
• Chipotle fined $1.3 million think child labor violations;
• Harley Davidson is having a tough time in its turnaround;
• The Wall Street Report;
• How long must you wait for your tax refund? We'll answer.

Those stories and with me for an extended conversation about  hemp production, THC and CBD is Robin Pruisner the Iowa Hemp Administrator for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Here she'll talk about the rules, regulations and risks involved in growing hemp in Iowa. Robin also suggests that growers or potential growers take a look at Hemp Benchmarks a site that tracks prices and more.  Strap in...lots to cover.

Thanks for listening!

The Business News & More 22 January 2020

It's been a day of impeachment hearings and concerns over a new virus imported from China. In fact, China figures in several of our stories today:

• Not going to give up plastic says Coca-Cola;
• Yet another retail chain closing stores;
• Did the FAA do a "sweetheart" deal for Southwest;
• The fallout from two years of a trade war coming home to roost;
• Vaccine stocks were up...think China;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Worst City - Best City to grow up in the U.S. and why.

Those stories plus a riveting conversation about cannabis production in the United States. You'll meet John Haas from Phoenix, Arizona who tells me it's worse than the wild west when it comes to nearly everything concerning the growing of cannabis...and he's a grower.  

Thanks for coming by!

The Business News 18 December 2019

It's the Mid-Week Edition of the Business News Headlines, thanks for coming by. You want to reach us on Twitter you can do that @IOB_NewsHour. In the news today:

• Retailers are getting ready for Super Saturday;
• Amazon is updating their return policy;
• Oh, the pain of the "sloping toilet";
• Lots of job creation but...no people and why;
• Chances of being audited next year...are up;
• The Wall Street Report in a word: "Sluggish";
• Fast Food Workers get a gut punch.

Those stories plus a conversation with Brian Waller of the Technology Association of Iowa as we talk about that groups legislative priorities going into the 2020 legislative session. Technology is a big, very big, deal in Iowa and to listen to that conversation, just click our player:

Thanks for listening! 

Climate Change & Business with the National Wildlife Federation

My guest is a veteran of causes who feels that his work with the National Wildlife Federation and a host of supporting organizations is vital for the future of...everything. Here Tyler Granger talks about climate change who is supporting the effort and what businesses might learn when it comes to everything from farming to manufacturing. We have one planet....we might want to protect it?  Meet Tyler: 

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 5 November 2019

Yesterday was a record setting day on Wall Street. Today? Not so much...everybody must be out voting? It's the business news headlines for Tuesday the 5th of November. Lets's go:

• Wall Street slowed today in the face of China questions;
• American's buy lots of imported stuff;
• Speaking of buying check Costco;
• Buying, Selling and Returning with UPS;
• Samsung and their chip troubles;
• The Internet is becoming less...free.

Those stories plus a conversation with Tracey Pearson from Tero International. We're talking about the world of talking...or better put...the art of effective communication. Come by as Tracey offers up some solid communication tips and we'll also chat a bit about Detroit. We share that....too.

Thanks for coming by! 

The Business News Headlines 4 November 2019

It would seem Wall Street likes the "promise" of a possible trade deal with China...the question is...will it happen. It's the Business News Headlines for Monday the 4th of November. In the news today:

• Wall Street seems happy today;
• Rising home prices have millennials worried;
• Apple to donate billions to stave off housing cost;
• More Baby Boomers not moving;
• Energy storage and Sweden;
• Easterbrook is out at McDonald's - Investors not happy;
• A 4 Day Work Week = 40% rise in productivity. 

Those stories plus Laura Kinnard is in with business events in the Greater Des Moines Metro. Use #DMBizEvents to get your listed so we can talk about them. Click our player to hear. 

Thanks for listening! 

The Business News & More 29 October 2019

Investors are looking at a couple of things: Earnings and the expected rate cut by the Fed. But...and you knew that was coming...if the Fed does cut rates and their is an economic downturn...what then? In the business news headlines today:

• Wall Street and the Flatline;
• Did something fishy happen with that government deal;
• Happy Birthday to YOU...Internet;
• Lyft Pink is seeing green;
• Uber and a new business plan;
• Grubhub...more trouble;
• Online videos are crushing television. Hello TV executives.

Those stories plus a conversation with Stephanie Preusch who is the Executive Director for the Neighborhood Finance Corporation. Now, while that sounds like a fancy name they are anything but. Think of low cost entry into homeownership PLUS funds to fix up a home. The surprising world of housing options with this non-profit organization. Click our player to listen: 

Thanks for listening!

The Business News & More 17 October 2019

There was some good news on the business front today and you would have thought that might supercharge the markets but...it was not to be. The Dow posted a modest gain of 23 points to 27,025 the S&P 500 was up by 8 points and the Nasdaq out performed up by 32 points to end the day at 8,156.

• The Markets and what happened;
• Is the White House manipulating the markets;
• China and Ag will they or won't they;
• Taco Bell and advertising;
• Space Suits are ready for you.

Those stories and a conversation with Jamie Fitzgerald who is the Polk County, Iowa Auditor. Jamie is in to talk about the many changes voters will face this November and how to go about the voting process. There are some differences to past years and a recent court case to talk about. Here too is the Iowa Secretary of State website. 

Thanks for listening! 

Meet 1,000 Friends of Iowa

You are forgiven if you're not familiar with 1,000 Friends of Iowa...after all they have only been around for a couple of decades.  I know...right? Originally formed as the Rural-Urban Stewardship Project the group changed their name and became a non-profit, tax-exempt organization in 1998. Here Julia McGuire and Kari Carney the groups Executive Director shares with you...and me...the reason 1,000 Friends of Iowa is more important today than ever. We'll also talk about the 18th Annual Best Development Awards and how YOU can get involved and nominate a deserving project. Here is that conversation: 

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 & More 1 August 2019

The Fed, as expected, cut interest rates yesterday and the stock market was rattled. Today it's a much different story but still there is confusion as to what comes next.  We'll lead with that story. Also today:

• Americans LOVE their trucks and GM is so very happy;
• IBM fires thousands to look more "cool" and "trendy"?
• Guess what...Podcasts lift Spotify;
• Seems you like tacos and fried chicken;
• Wasteful spending got you? We've got some ideas to curb it.

Those stories and a conversation with Steve McCullough from Iowa Student Loan about student debt. While so many people are awash in student debt there are some solid answers on how to avoid that financial trap and we'll break them down in this segment.

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, 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