Marketplace All-in-One

What it means to win the Nobel Prize in economics

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:02:00 +0000

Two Americans, Stanford's Robert E. Hall and Columbia's Michael Woodford, have won this year's Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and will split the almost $2 million prize for models that help governments maintain stability while navigating big swings in the economy. To mark the occasion, we reached out to a couple of past prize winners to hear how things have been going since. Then, we hear why some schools are paying influencers to lure in new prospects.

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“Marketplace Morning Report” is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Talking with AI ghosts of loved ones

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

There's a growing market for AI models that promise to recreate the experience of interacting with a lost loved one. They're sometimes called generative ghosts, and they're the topic for today's “Uncanny AI,” our series about sometimes-unsettling experiences with this technology.

Jack Manning, a Ph.D. candidate studying information science at the University of Colorado Boulder, has been looking into this. He recently published a study on how people experience talking to generative ghosts.

More on this:

“Designing Conversations with the Dead: How People Engage with Generative Ghosts” from Association for Computing Machinery

“When AI is used to immortalize the dead, what are the ethical implications?” from Marketplace Tech

Surprise, you've got medical bills!

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 22:35:00 +0000

A 2020 law aimed at eliminating surprise medical expenses has shifted some unpredictable costs away from patients. The law was supposed to incentivize jointly set reasonable prices between hospitals and insurers, but instead, there’s been a whole lot of finger pointing — and employers are left holding the bag. Also in this episode: The agriculture economy goes K-shaped, a sailor finds a support network in her solo circumnavigation, and we talk through the week’s economic headlines.

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A beach full of trash with nowhere to go

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:37:00 +0000

Two years ago, Congress approved millions of dollars in funding to clean some of the nation’s dirtiest beaches. Many of those beaches are also some of the hardest to access. But then, cuts by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency effectively killed the project. Now, there’s no clear future for all that trash. In this morning's podcast, we head to a remote Alaskan beach to hear where cleanup efforts stand now. Plus, economist Judy Shelton is joining the Treasury Department as a counselor to Secretary Scott Bessent.

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Stories from this episode:

America’s dirtiest beaches are also the toughest to reach. Trump’s DOGE made them even harder to clean.

Trump's crackdown on foreign students and workers

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:46:00 +0000

The Trump administration announced yesterday that it will no longer allow Microsoft, Adobe, and a handful of other companies to sponsor foreign workers for green cards and accused nine universities of abusing the J-1 temporary student visa program. Earlier this week, it also proposed a rule raising the fee for international students who want to stay in the U.S. and work temporarily through the Optional Practical Training program from about $500 to $70,000. We have more. Then, will Minnesotan restaurants be willing to dish up invasive crayfish?

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Trump names his new AI task force the "Super Intelligence Force"

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

President Donald Trump named a new superhero-sounding AI task force this week dubbed the “Super Intelligence Force.” It's led by Jay Clayton, the new AI Czar and also director of national intelligence.

Plus, Democrats in the Senate blocked a bill to address data center energy costs ahead of the midterm elections, and a new poll shows Americans are not feeling too great about how our leaders in government are dealing with the risks from AI. Cristiano Lima-Strong, senior AI and government reporter at Bloomberg Government, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino to break down these stories on this week’s “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Don't move a muscle!

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 22:35:00 +0000

First-time unemployment claims (layoffs, basically) have come in below 200,000 for four weeks running — the longest stretch since 1969. At the same time, the economy only barely added jobs in September. Few layoffs, barely any new jobs, and it makes ya start to wonder, just how petrified can this labor market get? Also in this episode: AI doomers touch grass at a monthly Bay Area picnic, the personal savings rate ebbs to a 4-year low, and Kai explains central bankers’ balance sheet agita.

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What AI is doing to jobs in creative fields

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:50:00 +0000

There's been a lot of mixed data coming out about how AI is affecting the labor market. An analysis by writer and economist Joey Politano found that the U.S. has lost more than 200,000 creative sector jobs over the last four years. But just how much can we blame AI? Plus, we continue our conversation with WUSF reporter Jessica Meszaros about the high cost of energy bills in Florida.

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The cost of power in Florida

The cost of power in the Sunshine State

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 11:47:00 +0000

Energy bills in Florida have jumped by as much as 70% over the past 10 years, according to reporting by WUSF reporter Jessica Meszaros. This morning, we'll help explain why that is and discuss rate hikes by investor-owned utility companies, the role of government-appointed approval commissions, and whether there are any alternatives. But first, a snapshot of consumers' expectations for the future of the economy shows that it's a mixed bag.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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How a Meta AI prompt changed one mom’s approach to online privacy

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

It started when Kalie Robins posted an Instagram video with her kid. Meta's built in AI chatbot, Muse, started prompting her to ask questions about her daughters and personal life, which sent her down a social-media-privacy rabbit hole.

Robins took to her feed — at the time, with only a few hundred followers — to share her experience. “It starts pulling completely separate information for each of my kids: their names, birth information, pictures and videos of them. And then it says, ‘pinpointing Kalie Robbins' location,’” she said in her now viral video.

Meta responded to the incident saying it “missed the mark” and has fixed the issue that prompted those questions.

But Robins says she's now been catapulted into the AI privacy discourse. And it's pretty uncomfortable.

More on this:

Mother Horrified When Meta’s AI Scours Instagram and Facebook for Invasive Information About Her Young Daughters — from Futurism

Meta’s Muse AI Agent Is Building a Dossier On You — from Time

Why is every celebrity trying to sell me something?

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Are you more likely to buy some spicy mayo because it’s made by a blockbuster star? What about pet food or a mobile network? It used to be that you’d just buy a ticket to your favorite actor’s movie or your favorite singer’s concert, but as more celebrities cash in on their fame with product endorsements and brand extensions, what does that do to us and our relationship with celebrity culture? And how does that impact the way that we spend money on our favorite stars? Guest host Alice Wilder talks to Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger, hosts of the pop culture podcast “Who? Weekly,” about the changing relationship between celebrities and consumers. Plus, which nepo babies are worth the hype?

This Is Uncomfortable is nominated for a Signal Award! We’re up for Best Show in the Money & Finance category, and now we need your help to win. Vote by October 15: vote.signalaward.com

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If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org

If you want to answer our “Uncomfortable Questions” see more info here.

How's the stock market doing, minus AI?

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 22:15:00 +0000

The S&P 500 has hit more than two dozen record highs this year, and it’s got AI firms to thank. In fact, it’s easy to forget that a lot of other public companies are in a tough spot. In this episode, why there’s a widening bifurcation of the stock market. Plus: Rising auto loan delinquencies could be a warning sign for broader consumer strife, financial institutions kick off Q3 earnings season, and Kai explains what the yield curve tells us about the bond market.

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Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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A check-in on the hobby economy

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:20:00 +0000

Like so much else in the economy, the cost of hobbies — recreational activities, the ways we fill our free time — is on the rise. But according to recent analysis from the Bank of America Institute, consumers aren’t shying away from those higher prices. We hear more. Also in this episode, we have a preview of meeting minutes from the Federal Reserve, then examine mortgage rates and Treasury notes.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories from this podcast:

Hobby spending is on the rise

Taxing the rich to pay for healthcare for the poor

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:42:00 +0000

An initiative on the California ballot would levy the nation’s first wealth tax on billionaires. Supporters say the proceeds would help offset President Donald Trump’s sweeping healthcare cuts and that it could be a blueprint for other states, but critics argue that the temporary infusion of cash is a giveaway to politicians. We dig into the arguments. But first, it’s been a bit of a rough year for toy maker giants Hasbro and Mattel. What gives?

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories featured in this podcast:

AI spending takes center stage ahead of midterms

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife recently backed out of a planned $25 million donation to Leading the Future, an artificial intelligence-focused political action committee.

Brockman said the PAC had become a “distraction” at OpenAI. But only after the executive had already given an initial $25 million.

AI-focused PACs are spending big to shape competing visions for AI policy in the midterm elections.

Brendan Glavin, Director of Insights at OpenSecrets, explains how these PACS are looking to influence elections this year.

We're stocking up

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 22:25:00 +0000

We got fresh data showing imports and inventory levels are up. Is it a sign of a strong economy, or a sign businesses are bracing for impact? In this episode, AI remains a major driver of this strange economy. Plus: The U.S. is simultaneously importing and exporting a ton of semiconductors, the euro drops to a 17-month low, and monetary policy disproportionately impacts Black employment rates.

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Russian refineries and the price of diesel

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:50:00 +0000

Diesel is still hovering at around $6 a gallon. President Donald Trump says Ukrainian air strikes on Russian oil refineries are exacerbating a global shortage of diesel and pushing up prices, but Ukraine isn’t letting up. We have the latest this morning. Then, a recent proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency could make it harder for communities to find out about AI data centers — and their potential effects on air quality — before they're constructed.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories from this episode:

Proposed EPA rollbacks could nix public comment requirements for data centers

Is college even worth it these days?

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:40:00 +0000

More Americans than ever are questioning the value of higher education. A new survey from Gallup finds that just 31% of adults in the U.S. think a college education is “very important.” That’s the lowest since Gallup first asked that question nearly 50 years ago. Some of the big reasons? The cost of a college education and employment concerns in the AI age. And later, more than 2 million young people between 19 and 24 could lose Medicaid in the next few years. We hear why.

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What could slowing the AI frontier mean for the economy?

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The AI industry appears to be getting more serious about safety.

Leaders of top companies signed a non-binding agreement at the White House Sept. 30, laying out standards and best practices for responsible development of advanced AI. OpenAI delayed the release of its latest model due to safety concerns. And Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called on the sector to slow things down and "pace the frontier."

Wall Street initially wasn't too happy about that push and stocks related to the AI buildout took a momentary tumble.

But Jordan Nanos, at the chip research and consulting firm SemiAnalysis, argues that greater investment in AI security could actually drive more demand for computing power.

What is a credit score?

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Tula wants to know, "what is a credit score," which is perfect timing for Bridget, her board game crew, and Ryan to play Credit Score Quest: Path to 850. As the players roll the dice and pull cards, they navigate credit score myths, surprising score twists, and learn some valuable lessons about how to build an "exceptional" credit score.

A tale of two deficits

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Despite Trump’s best efforts (a flurry of loosely targeted tariffs), the U.S. trade deficit is widening. But why is it widening? And what does it all have to do with foreign investment in government debt and the strength of the U.S. dollar? We’ll explain. Plus: Electric truck sales rev up amid record-high diesel prices, a 19th-century novelist popularized economic theory for her broad audience, and investors prep for upcoming Treasury auctions.

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How do you feel about driverless cars?

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:43:00 +0000

More Americans are familiar with autonomous vehicles than they were a decade ago. But if a self-driving car is in their future, most still want the option of taking the wheel, a new survey finds. This morning, we explore consumers' thoughts on driverless cars. Also on this morning's program: we keep an eye on the bond market and the oil market. Plus, how one Brooklyn-based makerspace is helping people unplug and work with their hands.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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Let's get our hands dirty for just a bit

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:48:00 +0000

This year has been dominated by headlines about artificial intelligence. But as the AI buildout accelerates, some are looking for ways to slow down. This morning, "Marketplace Morning Report" host Kimberly Adams takes a trip to MakerSpace NYC, a community workshop where people were busy sewing, welding, drilling, and more. For some, it's just for fun; for others, it’s helping launch small businesses. Plus, promises from OPEC might not mean much.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories highlighted in this episode:

Building something with your hands — and a career — at makerspaces

Inside the mindset of AI safety workers

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

We've been hearing a lot about the threat of out-of-control of AI in recent weeks; mostly, from the people making the technology. There was the Anthropic employee Jacob Coxon, who publicly quit and kicked off the whole discussion. Others, including that company’s CEO Dario Amodei, chimed in with alarming appraisals of AI's existential risk.

Making sense of all this as an outsider can sometimes feel like decoding an unfamiliar civilization. So, we called Spencer Kaplan, a Ph.D. candidate at Yale, who studies anthropology and researches AI workers.

Nike's not just doing it

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:35:00 +0000

In Nike’s earnings report this week, the brand said it may begin shrinking its operations and laying off workers. It’s been losing market share for a while now. We look at what went wrong in the last decade. Also in this episode: the government-funded EV discounts that still remain, the business of affiliate links, and a former business owner’s mini retirement during fatherhood.

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Understanding the new federal school choice program

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:30:00 +0000

This week, the Treasury Department released rules for a new nationwide school choice program that could end up providing billions of dollars to students attending private schools. Taxpayers will be able to opt in to the program by giving up to $1,700 to third-party groups that provide scholarships to students, and can later deduct that donation from their taxes. Many public school advocates, however, oppose the program. Also in this episode: weaker-than-expected jobs data and reimagined research parks.

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From layoff to relocation

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:55:00 +0000

After being laid off this summer, Montrose Fell felt the pressure to scramble and find a new position. But after a year of funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health, the biomedical industry was flooded with overqualified candidates. So, Fell decided to pursue permanent residency in Canada. “The current scientific climate in the United States was not one where I thought I would thrive in,” they said. We hear more as part of our "Clocked Out" series. But first, we have a preview of the September jobs report.

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When one door closes, maybe it's time to move countries

Trump and tech leaders agree to voluntary AI safety accord

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

While the White House hosted tech luminaries this week to sign a voluntary agreement on AI safety standards, the Federal Trade Commission opened a broad investigation into AI labs over potential safety risks their products may pose to consumers.

Plus, a nearly four-hour documentary on Elon Musk is stirring up controversy over whether social media platforms will run ads for it.

We’ll get into it on today’s “Bytes: Week in Review.”

Check out our YouTube page to watch more episodes of Tech Bytes.

Inflation held steady in August. Yay?

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:35:00 +0000

The PCE price index (that's the Fed's preferred measure of inflation) held steady year-over-year in the latest report. Economists expected it to move up. So, why didn't it budge -- and why aren't we all celebrating? Also in this episode: Seasonal work is hard to find so far this fall, Trump's immigration crackdown weakens construction productivity in South Texas, and Kai explains the long-term implications of rising borrowing costs.

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Mortgage rates climb, sidelining homebuyers

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:40:00 +0000

On Mortgage News Daily, the average rate for a 30-year fixed is now up to 7.6%. And as the cost of a mortgage has gone up, the demand for home loans has dipped to a two-year low, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Then, some lenders surveyed by the Federal Reserve reported that they’ve been noticing a pickup in delinquencies, as higher costs burden both families and businesses.

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A big change to SNAP kicks in today

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 11:35:00 +0000

Starting today, states are now responsible for a bigger share of the administrative costs that come with running the SNAP food assistance program. It used to be a 50-50 split with the federal government, but now states will take on 75% of the costs. We explore the impacts. We also discuss fresh inflation data and consumer spending figures. Plus, should Big Oil pay for some of the damage caused by burning fossil fuels?

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A major big oil accountability case is on the Supreme Court's docket

AI-powered surveillance costs lives at the southern border

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Over the last 25 years, the U.S. government has spent billions of dollars to build a "virtual wall" of video surveillance at the southern border. The network can signal Border Patrol to respond when it detects suspicious activity. And officials have touted the benefit of providing aid to migrants in distress.

But a recent investigation by MIT Technology Review and the Times of San Diego found more than 1,000 migrants have died over the last decade within range of one of these cameras. Eileen Guo co-reported the series, “Dying on Camera.”

More on this:

“The US spent billions on border surveillance. Why can’t it catch people before they die?” from MIT Technology Review

“A congressional representative just proposed killing America’s border tower program” from MIT Technology Review

Min Jin Lee asks, is college still a reliable investment?

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Does higher education still guarantee financial stability? How can parents set their kids up for success, without subjecting them to overbearing pressure? Reema talks to writer Min Jin Lee to talk about her new novel, “American Hagwon.” They discuss the precariousness of the middle class, and how love, fear, and money get tangled up in what parents want for their children … and what those kids can feel like they owe in return.

This Is Uncomfortable is nominated for a Signal Award! We’re up for Best Show in the Money & Finance category, and now we need your help to win. Vote by October 15: vote.signalaward.com

Support public media with a donation today: https://mktplc.org/support-thisisuncomfortable

If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org

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OpenAI is staying private (for now)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 22:35:00 +0000

OpenAI just announced it will delay its IPO due to ongoing AI safety concerns. But when you’re a company as big as OpenAI, where does your funding come from? In this episode, venture capital doesn’t cut it. Plus: Second quarter GDP was revised up thanks to all that corporate AI investment, Kai breaks down why the labor market is kinda like a bathtub, and farmers turn to agritainment as crop revenue shrinks.

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Even middle-income folks are struggling to pay rent

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:11:00 +0000

We’re almost at the start of a new month. For many, that means it’s time to pay rent. But meeting those monthly payments is becoming increasingly difficult. A new report from the Urban Institute found that one in five working-age renters struggled to pay rent last year, and the share of middle-income renters who are facing these challenges grew by the largest margin. We unpack, but first we discuss what's in the latest inflation reading.

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People are increasingly struggling to pay rent

What's old-school is new again

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 11:42:00 +0000

Corded headphones are so back. Bose announced new wired earbuds this week and is calling the renewed interest a “cultural renaissance.” It’s all part of a revival for older tech — things like analog alarm clocks and point-and-shoot cameras — especially among Gen Z consumers. We'll explore the trend this morning. Plus, we’ll head to South Texas, where skilled trades programs are preparing workers for major industrial projects.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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Can data centers ever be "good neighbors"?

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Further proof — in case you need it — that AI data centers aren't very popular: A new survey from the Pew Research Center shows 60% of Americans aren't comfortable welcoming one to the neighborhood.

And concerns have grown since the beginning of the year across every demographic group, making the backlash a key issue in the midterm elections. Scott Brennen, director of NYU's Center on Technology Policy, recently published a report on how data centers could better work with communities.

More on this:

“Americans’ views of data centers have turned more negative” from Pew Research Center

“Collective Goods but Local Harms: How Data Centers Can Earn Community Support” from Center on Technology Policy

“Residents voice concerns as Hobart City Council approves Amazon data center” from WGN9

“More Americans concerned about AI, even as it drives economy” from Marketplace

Consumer confidence slides to 12-year low

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 22:25:00 +0000

Consumer confidence fell to a 12-year low in September, according to The Conference Board. The index has been trending down for a couple years, but this latest decline was steep. One reason? Upper-middle class respondents are starting to feel the pressure, too. Also in this episode: The economic forces behind GDP growth might run out of steam soon, the low-hire low-fire labor market marches on, and high diesel prices keep some Gulf shrimpers on dry land.

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A ban on Canadian booze

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 14:20:00 +0000

The Trump administration is ramping up its trade war against Canada. As of this morning, the U.S. has officially banned imports of Canadian wine, beer, and spirits, along with motorcycles, molasses, and whey protein. Is this escalation getting the two sides back to the negotiating table? Also: a preview of the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation and why one childcare worker left his job to get an advanced degree.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

High school lessons in business and personal finance

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:05:00 +0000

One new course debuting this school year is AP Business with Personal Finance. It comes from the College Board, which is also behind the SAT, and is being taught in thousands of classrooms across the country. This morning, we head to one Baltimore school to learn about the impact of finance-oriented courses. But first, the pool of money for low-income energy assistance programs may be stretched thin this winter.

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Why one X user is microblogging history in real time

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Content creator Manny Marotta has gone viral in recent weeks for his X feed recounting the news of 25 years ago as if it's happening now.

His minute-by-minute account of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, attracted hundreds of thousands of new followers. And the 27-year old is posting day-by-day accounts from 50 and 100 years ago, as well.

Marotta says it's become a time-consuming hobby alongside his job as a law clerk for a non-profit.

What is shrinkflation?

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

It’s a new season of “Million Bazillion” and listener Noah wants to know, what is shrinkflation? When Ryan notices his favorite pita chip snack is shrinking, he, Bridget and a talking pita chip put on their detective hats and head to a food factory to get to the bottom of the shrinking snack mystery. That’s where they learn about the ways some businesses deal with rising prices and discover shrinking isn’t just for snacks!

Nvidia's record-breaking stock buyback

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Apple used to be the leader in buying back shares. Now, Nvidia has broken the tech company’s record, announcing Monday that it would add $150 billion to its stock buyback program, on top of $80 billion pledged a few months ago. The chipmaker’s profits have continued to surge, as tech companies pour money into data centers and AI infrastructure. Is this a smart way for Nvidia to spend its money? More on Nvidia today, plus how a volunteer firefighter shortage is affecting a rural Wyoming county, why spending is predicted to soar this holiday season despite the energy crisis, and what economists are watching for in the jobs numbers coming out this week.

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Our trust in the federal government is dwindling

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 14:50:00 +0000

Only 27% of the public trusts the federal government, according to a new survey from the Partnership for Public Service. This morning, we continue our conversation with Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, about our perception of government institutions and the current crossroads we're at in terms of building a better — and more trustworthy — future. But first: hawkish Fed officials, this Friday's jobs report, and a trade deal with China.

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Why only 27% of the public trusts the federal government

Prepping for a deluge of labor market data

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 11:40:00 +0000

On Tuesday, the Labor Department will report how many job openings were posted in August. On Wednesday, the Bureau of Economic Analysis will report how much personal income grew in August. And on Friday, the Labor Department will report how much hiring occurred this month. So what types of jobs are employers trying to fill? Also on this morning's episode: lowered tariffs with China and a look at public distrust in the federal government.

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Amazon wants Alexa to finish your to-do list, not just research it

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The AI smart speaker market is getting crowded. This year, Amazon, which is a Marketplace underwriter, rolled out a large language model-powered version of its classic voice assistant.

You can still talk to Alexa+ using Amazon echo devices, but it also operates as a text chatbot, replacing the old Rufus AI. It's capable of conversational searches, managing to-do lists and even generating podcasts.

Daniel Rausch, Amazon’s vice president of Alexa and Echo, broke down what's new with Alexa+.

More on this:

“I’ve Been Testing Alexa for a Decade. Here’s My Take on How Alexa+ Compares.” from Wirecutter

“Amazon's Alexa+” from Amazon

High interest rates could balloon the national debt

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 22:35:00 +0000

What happens to government debt, the budget deficit, and the overall economy if interest rates stay elevated? For a new report, the Congressional Budget Office crunched the numbers. By 2056, public debt would grow to an eye-popping 222% of GDP. Plus: Trump administration cuts decimated soil conservation programs, a new report highlights the impact of private equity investments on climate risk, and an uneventful Trump-Xi summit ends with a promise of more talks to come.

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Day 2 of the U.S.-China summit

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:48:00 +0000

Chinese President Xi Jinping is continuing his meetings with President Donald Trump today, and trade representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC this morning that the two sides have already come to agreements on a number of issues. Earlier this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also announced that the U.S. and China would be extending a trade truce initially struck in October 2025. This morning, we dig into the background and the big picture of U.S.-China trade. Then, we hear what hosting Formula 1 means for Madrid's economy.

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Madrid welcomed back Formula 1. Here’s what it meant for the city.

Happy 9/25!

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:50:00 +0000

Today, people across the country are celebrating Dolly Parton Day. They’re encouraged to wear rhinestones, listen to her music, and be generous. Sept. 25 was chosen because the date harkens back to the hit song “9 to 5.” It is perhaps the singular ode to the eight-hour American workday. So in Parton’s honor, we look into the origin of that schedule. But first, with world leaders gathering in New York, we check in on how the U.S. war with Iran is affecting African economies.

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Meta’s new Muse AI agent gives investors the warm-'n-fuzzies

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Meta's new Muse AI assistant is having a moment — and it's kind of adorable. Meta announced a slew of new integrations for its AI assistant at a company event this week, including a customizable furry lil’ avatar and a Tamogatchi-like wearable device for interacting with it.

Plus, Wall Street is betting billions on growing demand for cybersecurity in the age of AI and social media platform Discord enters its age-gating era.

Anita Ramaswamy at The Information is here to help us unpack the week in tech.

More on this:

I Gave My Life Over to Meta’s A.I. Agent and Was Blown Away — New York Times

Meta Tests Muse AI Agent Calls That Are Actually Made By Humans in a Call Center — 404 Media

CrowdStrike and Okta Trade at Big Premiums Despite Unproven AI Payoff — The Information

Discord’s age-verification era is upon us, despite community backlash — Tech Crunch

Fed officials speak up on inflation

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 22:35:00 +0000

As Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh attempts to limit forward guidance, analysts are zeroed in on other Fed officials’ public comments. Turns out, they’ve got plenty to say. In this episode, central bankers make their voices heard. Plus: Layoffs push workers to pivot careers entirely, catastrophe modelers warn a strong El Niño is brewing, and potato farmers struggle in the wake of an excellent growing season.

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Sin City tourism and data center discourse

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:52:00 +0000

This morning, we continue our conversation with Yvette Fernandez, a reporter for the Mountain West News Bureau and Nevada Public Radio, about some of the biggest economic news stories coming out of the state. In this episode, we hear how tariffs and immigration enforcement are hampering Las Vegas' tourism rebound and how Nevada is trying to establish guardrails for AI data centers. But first, what's behind this latest surge in bond yields?

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories from this episode:

From immigration crackdowns to data centers, Nevada's big economic stories

Opting for riskier mortgages

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:52:00 +0000

The average rate on a traditional 30-year fixed mortgage just rose above 7.1% — the highest it’s been in more than two years. That’s pushing more people toward adjustable-rate mortgages, where the rate changes typically after five, seven, or 10 years. But these mortgages can be a riskier bet. We hear more. Then, we learn how changes to immigration policy are impacting hospitality workers and the Latin entertainment industry in Las Vegas.

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Finding common ground in the U.S.-China AI rivalry

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

AI is the big item on the agenda this week as Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President Trump in Washington, D.C.

The talks come after a firestorm of news that has brought AI safety front and center: the hack of Hugging Face by rogue OpenAI agents, the resignation of an Anthropic researcher, plus calls by AI leaders to pace the frontier always met with the rejoinder, “what about China?”

Samm Sacks, senior fellow at the think tank New America, tells us more about China's approach to these AI talks.

More on this:

“US and China Hail Talks as Positive Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit” from Bloomberg

“US proposes AI incident alert system in talks with China, Bessent says” from Associated Press

Is money ruining fan fiction?

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Before Ali Hazelwood’s “The Love Hypothesis” was a bestselling novel or movie, it was “Star Wars” fan fiction. And Hazelwood isn’t the only one making the leap from fan fiction to traditional publishing. Fan fiction has historically been a labor of love, and not all fans are happy about the shift to monetization, and what that means for the fandom community. Reema is joined by journalist Elizabeth Minkel and cultural commentator Josh Lora to unpack how money is changing fan fiction.

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Tension grows in the housing market

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 22:05:00 +0000

Bad news first: Mortgage rates are topping 7% and, fittingly, mortgage applications are down. On the bright side, home prices aren’t completely frozen and listings are actually up. Question is, in this stuck housing market, when will things budge? Also in this episode: A running resurgence parallels popularity peaks in the aughts and ‘80s, Nashville-style hot chicken sees international success, and writer Robin Wigglesworth argues the bond market built the modern world in his new book, “A Fabulous Debt.”

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The Ukraine war is pushing up diesel prices

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:28:00 +0000

Attacks on Russian oil refineries have contributed to rising diesel prices in recent months. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly yesterday to urge him to stop attacking Russian energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy said his side is ready for an "energy ceasefire” — if Russia would do the same. Also on the show: Fed public comments, cuts to ACA coverage, home sales, and more.

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What counts as a small business?

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:32:00 +0000

Whether a business is considered “small” in the government’s eyes is pretty important. It determines whether the business is eligible for federal aid money and federal contracts. Now, the Small Business Administration is proposing some changes to how it defines “small business.” We'll explain. Then, we’ll dig into the state of AI protections and trade ahead of this week's meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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The beauty industry is betting big on AI

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The global beauty market is expected to hit almost $600 billion by 2030, according to a report by McKinsey & Company. And just like pretty much every industry, it's being transformed by AI.

L’Oréal and OpenAI announced a partnership this summer to bring virtual makeup try-ons and product discovery to ChatGPT. An AI styling firm called Alta is integrating e.l.f. Beauty products into its virtual try on avatars. And consumers are increasingly looking to chatbots for skincare and makeup recommendations.

Apparently beauty inquiries account for almost half of generative AI retail referral traffic, according to market research firm EuroMonitor. For more we're joined by fashion-tech journalist and consultant Maghan McDowell, who's been following this trend.

Time for a diesel export ban?

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 22:25:00 +0000

Diesel costs have nearly doubled over the last year, breaking record highs. In fact, some lawmakers are calling on the Trump administration to halt all diesel exports until they cool off. But experts say it's a recipe for price chaos that will leave us right back where we started. Also in this episode: A wide crude oil spread persists, butter and cheese become a bright spot on grocery receipts, and local bank consolidations leave customers frustrated.

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Clearing the way for a Paramount-Warner Bros. merger

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:40:00 +0000

Paramount Skydance reached a settlement yesterday, clearing the last major roadblock to its $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The takeover will give Paramount and its CEO David Ellison control over both CBS and CNN, while also combining control over two major streaming services, Paramount+ and HBO Max. Today, we provide an explainer. Also, data center developers in Texas now face new hurdles for their projects.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

For many, higher costs to stay warm this winter

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:48:00 +0000

The war in Iran and the ongoing war in Ukraine are keeping oil prices high, which we've already seen at the gas pump. But with winter coming, another type of fuel is also getting more expensive: heating oil, which is used mostly in the Northeast to heat homes. We'll hear more. Then, we're well into college football season, so let’s dig into the massive range of how much schools are paying their football roster.

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Stories included in this episode:

The cost of digitally disconnecting

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Sure, you can put down your phone and go touch grass for free. But for those looking for a little help committing to a more disconnected lifestyle, there's a growing market of products and services from retreats to apps to devices that promise to supercharge your ability to unplug — for a price. Paula Mejia has covered the booming digital detox industry for Mother Jones, and spoke with “Marketplace Tech” host Meghan McCarty Carino about her reporting.

More on this:

“Adventures in Unplugging” from Mother Jones

“Meta to pay up to $18bn to settle claims its platforms harm children” from BBC9

"Million Bazillion" Season 11 is almost here!

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Hello Million Bazillionaires, we’ve got a new season of “Million Bazillion” coming your way on September 29th!

Get ready to follow Bridget and Ryan as they meet new characters on their adventures to answer your questions about money. This season, our hosts will encounter an eerily chipper robot while figuring out how AI companies make money, a talking Pita Chip with a shrinkflation mystery, and a renaissance fair wizard who wizens them on how companies get on the stock market. Plus, Bridget and Ryan roll the dice at game night to illuminate just what on earth a credit score is, and how it works.

New episodes drop every Tuesday starting September 29th. Listen to a sneak peek above, get caught up on any episodes you may have missed and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Don’t forget to sign up for the “Million Bazillion” newsletter and tipsheet so you never miss an episode and get access to episode extras, including conversation starters for grownups and kids.

The state of U.S.-China trade

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 22:30:00 +0000

President Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, and AI safety is likely to define the agenda. But what about those pesky tariffs? In this episode, we lay out the fraught trade relationship between the U.S. and China. Plus: Airlines trim their flight schedules to combat high fuel prices, the price of copper may tell us less about global economic growth than it used to, and Ohio cities court recent grads looking for job opportunities and affordability.

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A potential U.S.-China AI agreement?

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:15:00 +0000

U.S. and Chinese officials met yesterday in New York to try to pave the way for some kind of agreement on AI, and President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet later this week in Washington. This morning, we have details on what to expect from the upcoming meeting and how likely any agreement might be. Then, we discuss oil market movements, as well as how Federal Reserve officials are feeling about interest rates.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

What to know about Trump's new green card policy

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:05:00 +0000

Under a new public charge rule under the Trump administration, immigrants could be denied a green card if they — or their U.S.-born children — have received certain kinds of public assistance, like food or housing assistance, Medicaid, or free school lunch. More than 20 states and a separate group of cities are suing to try to block the changes, which went into effect on Friday. Then, can factory-built homes help fix the affordable housing crisis?

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How attitudes toward AI differ across generations

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

At this point we've probably all been a part of heated dinner conversations about AI. Rana el Kaliouby has them almost nightly at home. She's an AI scientist and investor who hosts the podcast Pioneers of AI.

But her own daughter is an AI skeptic, her teenage son, on the other hand, is an AI super user — which makes for some pretty interesting conversations at home.

Caught in the Canada trade war crossfire

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 22:15:00 +0000

The Trump administration has doubled down on its trade war with our neighbors to the North — the U.S. is set to ban the import of several Canadian products, including beer and whey protein, in a few weeks. Small businesses on both sides of the border are caught in the middle. In this episode, we visit a few of them to understand how they’re coping. Plus: Banks stand to lose money as Treasury bond yields keep rising, Linkedin has changed the job hunt in this tight labor market, and we break down the week’s economic headlines.

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No relief for high oil prices

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:55:00 +0000

Nearly seven months after Israel and the United States attacked Iran, oil prices are holding at over $100 a barrel. How long will prices remain elevated, and how is oil getting through the region via alternative routes? Then, this year’s monsoon season in India has been drier and more uneven than usual. We'll discuss how that could hit the rural economy there particularly hard and push food prices up.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories covered in this episode:

What a dry monsoon season means for the Indian economy

Health insurance doesn't always protect you from medical debt

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:52:00 +0000

You can still pile up medical debt even if you have insurance. In fact, a new Commonwealth Fund survey says almost one in three working-age adults with private insurance are paying off medical bills or debt. We unpack. Then, disruption to the Strait of Hormuz is a workplace story, too. Thousands of seafarers have been stuck aboard ships near the Strait since February. We learn what the conditions and dangers have been like.

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Trump rejects AI's "effective altruism" movement

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Congress is looking to rein in Flock cameras; plus, Apple has a new way to prove your iPhone photos are real.

But first, it's been a wild week in AI. After the freakout over an Anthropic researcher quitting in protest last week, CEO Dario Amodei called for a slowdown in AI, and his counterpoints Sam Altman and Elon Musk agreed. President Donald Trump? Not so much. He called fears of rogue AI a hoax, and even went after a niche intellectual community that's deeply invested in AI safety: the Effective Altruist movement.

Paresh Dave, senior writer at Wired, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino to explain more about all this on this week’s “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Check out our YouTube page to watch more episodes of “Tech Bytes.”

Home improvement stores feel the pinch

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 22:18:00 +0000

Retail sales jumped 1.2% in August after falling in July. But building materials stores — think Home Depot or Lowe’s — still saw a dip. That’s because stretched consumers are putting off “nice-to-haves,” like home renovations. Also in this episode: The future of global energy demand will be driven by a mix of renewables and fossil fuels, high school students take a new AP class melding business and personal finance, and neighbors organize to cooperatively buy their mobile home park.

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The human costs of Medicaid cuts

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:20:00 +0000

The big Republican tax and spending law that President Donald Trump signed a little more than a year ago made significant cuts to Medicaid funding. States scrambling to make up for that deficit are now pulling back on some home health services. Today, we'll get into the promises codified by the Americans with Disabilities Act, how Medicaid cuts threaten those promises, and what it means for folks with disabilities and the elderly. Plus, what the Fed's rate hike means for everyday borrowing costs.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories featured in this episode:

What Medicaid cuts mean for those who rely on home healthcare

Airfares have been taking off

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:47:00 +0000

One of the fastest-rising prices last month was airline fares. They were up 23% year over year in August, according to the latest reading of the consumer price index, and they’ve been climbing steadily all year. Thing is, demand hasn't slowed, though. We dig in. Also on the show: the higher prices driving the Fed's push for higher interest rates and how Medicaid cuts are starting to show up in state budgets and people's lives.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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Insurers race to cover AI errors

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

More than 1 in 5 U.S. companies now use artificial intelligence in their daily operations, according to a recent analysis of federal data from Goldman Sachs. In theory AI offers the promise of greater productivity and profits, but even with advances in capabilities, these systems are still fundamentally unpredictable, creating new liabilities for firms that use them.

That’s where insurance typically comes in. But AI is disrupting that business, too. Deloitte projects insurance for AI will grow into a nearly $5 billion global business by 2032.

Should you leave the country for your next doctor’s appointment?

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Millions of Americans leave the U.S. each year for medical care. But how do you reap the rewards of medical tourism while managing the risks? And why do some have to travel out of the country to get affordable healthcare in the first place? This week on the show, Reema is joined by Dr. Alok Patel and podcast host TK Dutes to discuss what it’s like to travel for medical care, and how to do so safely.

Plus: another edition of “Alice Gets Her Life Together,” in which producer Alice Wilder tries to get into the habit of expense tracking.

If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org

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Bond traders take a turn in the spotlight

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 22:10:00 +0000

The yield on 10-year T-notes climbed to its highest point since 2007 on Wednesday, as the Fed raised its key rate for the first time since July 2023. Swirling inflation and uncertainty have put all eyes on the bond market. So what’s it like to be a bond trader, suddenly at the center of attention? In this episode, we check in with a few of them. Plus: Higher borrowing costs will likely further stall the housing market, we explain “fiscal dominance,” and young people navigate “repayment avoidance.”

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Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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Rising diesel prices will mean rising grocery prices

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:05:00 +0000

The average price of a gallon of diesel just passed $6 for the first time late last week. Since then, it’s kept climbing and hit $6.31 a gallon this morning. A year ago, it was well under $4. That, of course, has implications for all sorts of other prices across the economy, too — particularly at the grocery store. We explain. Plus, what will a "quieter" Federal Reserve do about persistent inflation?

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Stories covered in this episode:

It's only a matter of time before rising diesel prices show up in the grocery aisle

Where interest rates go from here

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:50:00 +0000

Later today, we’ll learn whether Federal Reserve officials have decided to raise interest rates or leave them alone. Either way, economists and investors will be looking for an explanation from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and some hints about what comes next. Then, a sprawling copyright lawsuit over reggaeton's defining rhythm, which has targeted Bad Bunny, Karol G, Daddy Yankee, and hundreds of other artists, was hit with a major setback in court earlier this month.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

AI safety requires action, not promises

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

AI leaders suddenly seem to agree on slowing down the AI race. Anthropic's Dario Amodei published an essay last weekend calling to "pace the frontier" — slow the development of advanced AI to allow safety measures to catch up. He said Anthropic will give access to independent safety evaluators, to which OpenAI's Sam Altman and XAI's Elon Musk concurred.

It's all giving déjà vu to Amy Webb, founder of the Future Today Strategy Group, who’s been pushing government leaders around the globe to adopt a similar framework for AI for almost a decade. She laid out her vision in her 2019 book “The Big Nine: How the Tech Titans and Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity.”

More on this:

“AI CEOs want to ‘pace’ the industry. That may not mean slowing down.” from NBC News

“AI's leaders just asked to slow down. I made that case nine years ago.” from Amy Webb

“We Must Pace the Frontier” from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei

Imports are way, way up

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 22:15:00 +0000

August marked the third-highest level of container imports to the U.S. on record. Sure, it’s usually a busy month for holiday shopping inventory, but there’s also that pesky looming inflation and ongoing tariff uncertainty. In this episode, why U.S. retailers are stocking way up. Plus: The stock market braces for a likely Fed rate hike, wildlife highway crossings save money and lives, and Carter’s undergoes a rebrand aimed at a new generation of parents.

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Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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Why a 10-year bond at a 5% yield is a pretty big deal

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:15:00 +0000

The yield or interest rate on 10-year Treasury bonds has reached the critical threshold of 5%. This is a key rate because it’s tied to some major borrowing costs for consumers. This morning, we have more on why bond yields are rising and how they could affect you. Also on the show: how rate hikes actually work to bring inflation down, and we continue our earlier conversation about the rise of so-called "Main Street millionaires."

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories featured in this episode:

So much of America's wealth is really held by "Everywhere Millionaires"

Understanding the "stealthy wealthy"

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:46:00 +0000

Picture someone wealthy; your image may be of some tech billionaire. Now picture the wealthiest person you know. Odds are it's not a Silicon Valley tech mogul or Wall Street banker; it's probably a small business owner. Turns out, wealth from successful small business owners dwarfs the Forbes 400. A new book, "The Everywhere Millionaire," explores its scale. This morning, we have a conversation with its authors. But first: soybean biofuels and diesel prices.

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Why AI models are obsessed with creatures

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The problem of AI alignment has become a hot topic. It’s raised questions, like how do we get AI to do what we want, and not what we don't want? For example, hacking another company. Or, in a less criminal vein, how do we get AI to stop talking about goblins?

After mounting user reports of this behavior earlier this year, OpenAI had to give its models — ChatGPT and Codex — explicit instructions to cut it out. It's the topic of today's “Uncanny AI,” those moments when it's clear AI doesn't think like us.

Janelle Shane, author of the blog "AI Weirdness,” says goblin mode emerged from a nerdy personality customization. “Marketplace Tech” host Meghan McCarty Carino asked her why.

What's an auction and how does it work?

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

A new season of “Million Bazillion” is almost here. But first, we’re resharing one of our favorite episodes. Today, Ryan and Bridget are answering Hezekiah’s questions about auctions. He wants to know everything about them — what are they, how do they work, and what’s up with those paddles and the fast talkin’? Ryan and Bridget head to their very first auction to find out. But the pair get caught up in the excitement and end up accidentally buying the very first “Million Bazillion” mascot. They’ll use the help and experience of their new friend, a real-life 16-year-old auctioneer, to navigate the auction and steer out of trouble.

A cast of hawkish central bankers

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 22:25:00 +0000

At this week’s FOMC meeting, it’s likely Fed governors will hike interest rates. They won’t be alone. The EU raised rates last week and Japan is expected to do the same at its upcoming meeting. These central bankers are all dealing with similar inflationary pressures, and hawkish rate-setters stick together. Also in this episode: The U.S. dollar rises in anticipation of a rate hike, diesel prices break records, the subscription-BNPL-rental economy reduces how much we really own.

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More pain at the pump to come

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 14:45:00 +0000

Crude oil prices are up again this morning. For months, we've been hearing about the Strait of Hormuz, how the slowdown of oil tanker traffic there has affected prices, but the fighting is now affecting oil flows in other parts of the Middle East. Brent crude, the global benchmark, is trading above $108 a barrel — up about 10% over the past week. We have the latest and what it means for your wallet. Plus, the push for AI guardrails and what's next for interest rates.

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The case for an AI slowdown

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:02:00 +0000

The push for guardrails for Artificial Intelligence took on new urgency over the weekend. The leaders of several AI companies called for a slowdown in AI research in the name of safety. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, issued an open letter on Saturday arguing that now is the time to "slow the pace of AI research." We'll unpack. Then, Cleveland pitches its job market to recent college grads.

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Stories covered in this episode:

Cities want college grads to stay. Here's Cleveland's pitch.

What might our tax system look like in the age of AI?

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Our tax system was built around an economy where humans earn wages, companies employ workers, and both contribute to the public purse.

So what happens if AI starts changing that equation?

Marketplace’s Future Effects correspondent David Brancaccio has been exploring just that in his series, “Robots Ate My Taxes.”

When boomer "collectibles" become millennial "inheritance"

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

As a special bonus this weekend, we’re revisiting one of our favorite stories from 2024, which Reema and Alice mentioned in the latest episode.

While sorting through her father’s belongings after his death, Amanda Petteruti came across a collection of locked toolboxes. What she discovered inside made her rethink what she knew about her family’s finances and left her with unsettling questions about her dad: Why had he spent so much money on this secret hobby? Why was it now Amanda’s burden to handle? And how do you find closure with someone once they’re gone?

Inflation trumps wage gains

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 22:35:00 +0000

The latest BLS data put real hourly wage gains at -0.3% last month, compared to last year. That’s thanks to inflation running hotter than pay raises. To make up for it, some workers are putting in extra hours or dipping into their savings. In this episode, how much longer can Americans cope with what are effectively inflation-driven pay cuts? Plus: The gender wage gap slows economic productivity, housing starts grow in the Northeast as they fall elsewhere, and we weigh the possible outcomes of next week’s FOMC meeting.

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Inflation, energy, and bond market interventions

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:01:00 +0000

This morning, we got consumer price index data for August. Prices went up 0.4%, and annual inflation is running at 3.4% — in line with expectations, but still way above what the Fed would like to see. Today, we'll break down the fresh inflation data, as well as rising bond yields, global interest rates, energy price fluctuations, and more of this week's market news. Plus, a Canadian business owner reflects on how his government is handling the trade war.

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Sometimes, a trade war is good for business

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:50:00 +0000

Haven Greens is a 5-acre indoor farm located in King City, Ontario, Canada. They grow cut baby leaf greens like lettuce. The majority of leafy greens consumed in Canada come from abroad. Since the trade war with the U.S. began, Haven Greens has grown and made big inroads with Canadian supermarkets. This morning, we check in with its CEO and founder. But first: what's ahead for oil prices (as best we can guess).

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

AI safety concerns grow as insiders issue urgent warnings

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

An Anthropic researcher publicly resigned this week, warning on social media that artificial intelligence companies are “gambling with our lives.”

It’s part of a growing chorus of insiders pleading to slow down the AI race. One said he believed there was a greater than 10% chance the tech will kill us all in the next decade.

The news comes after a fresh wave of troubling details about the OpenAI incident where agents escaped a testing environment and hacked into Hugging Face.

Plus, data center developers have their eye on Patagonia — the colder, the better. And Amazon is betting AI lip-syncing can make dubbed video content more watchable.

Maria Curi, tech policy reporter at Axios, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino to break down the busy week in tech news.

Everything we talked about:

Scoop: Sanders convenes senators for AI briefing amid mounting alarm — from Axios

Tech explores Argentina's Patagonia for mega data centers — from Reuters

Google to invest record $15 billion in AI infrastructure in the ‘Texas of Europe’ — from CNBC

Amazon Prime Video’s new AI tech matches lips to dubbed audio — from The Verge

What's the new normal for global oil?

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:05:00 +0000

Oil industry analysts were hopeful earlier this year that Trump’s war in the Middle East would be short-lived. But it’s become clear that an open flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz will require sustained cooperation between the U.S. and Iran. S&P Global now expects dampered production and choppy prices to continue into 2027. Also in this episode: Trucking costs are pushed up by record-breaking diesel prices and a shortage of English-speaking drivers. And, is it a good idea to use AI to develop pharmaceutical drugs?

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How much is the AI data center buildout driving economic growth?

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:45:00 +0000

Today, the Census Bureau releases its wholesale trade report for July, which could give us some insight into one of the big drivers of economic activity in the U.S. right now: AI data centers. Sales of electrical equipment, computers, and machinery have been really strong as companies build out the infrastructure needed to power artificial intelligence. We hear more. Then, could nixing parking spot requirements help spur new housing construction?

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Cost of living is top of mind for midterm voters

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:55:00 +0000

Less than eight weeks until midterm elections, the economy remains the center of voters' attention. Ipsos and Reuters just released a poll that found 74% of voters think their own cost of living is heading down the wrong track. What’s more, 59% of Americans don’t think their family has a good chance of improving their standard of living. Also on the show: a preview of Friday's consumer price index and the economic impact of Germany's border checks.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

What's so concerning about the Hugging Face hack?

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Nate Soares has been worried about artificial intelligence longer than almost anyone.

He's the president of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute and co-author of the subtly named book, "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All."

He's watched with a sort of grim vindication, as increasingly alarming details emerge about the hack of the AI company Hugging Face by OpenAI models in development.

OpenAI and third-party investigators recently released reports outlining what went wrong. Soares worries it's not enough.

More on this:

The Hugging Face incident and the road ahead - From OpenAI

Brief independent investigation of agents’ behavior, reasoning and collaboration in the OpenAI / Hugging Face hacking incident - From METR and Redwood Research

Listeners weigh in: Wedding hacks, questionable investments, and a fix for doom spending

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Who doesn’t love getting mail? This week on the show, Reema and Alice open up the mailbag and respond to your messages about questionable investments, doomspending, and caring for aging loved ones. Plus, we hear your advice on keeping weddings affordable for your guests and wedding party.

Past stories referenced in this episode:

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The case for healthcare price caps

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 22:25:00 +0000

Healthcare affordability is top-of-mind for many Americans right now. And for a long time, state legislators’ only avenue for easing that burden was through care subsidies. But what about looking at the problem from a whole new angle? In this episode, two states, unalike in their political leanings, try out healthcare price caps. Plus: Rising oil prices push up short-term bond yields, more homebuyers look into adjustable-rate mortgages, and we try to predict Fed Chair Warsh’s next move.

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Where housing and childcare eat up the most income

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Paying for housing and childcare can eat up more than half of the median U.S. family’s income, a new report finds. The least affordable metro areas in the country for working families with kids are Los Angeles and New York City, where the median cost of childcare plus the notoriously high cost of housing devour 95% or more of the median income. We have more. Plus, who's funding the Republican midterm convention in Dallas?

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Stories featured in this episode:

Inside the booming secondhand luxury market

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 12:05:00 +0000

Online reseller The RealReal says demand for vintage on the site is up more than 400% since 2020. Meanwhile, rival ThredUp projects the global resale market will hit $400 billion by 2030. On this morning's program: Why some of today's shoppers view secondhand designer goods as smart investments. But first, hours after Canada imposed new tariffs on American goods, President Donald Trump announced a ban on some imported Canadian products like beer, wine, and liquor.

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Stories covered in this episode:

Why the designer resale market is booming right now

Meta's youth safety settlement could change how people access the internet

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Meta agreed to a settlement last month with 52 attorneys general in a landmark case over teen social media addiction. The company promised a number of restrictions for under 18-year-old users, like time limits, overnight blackouts on some features and hidden likes. It also agreed to pay up to $17 billion, partly contingent on TikTok and YouTube adopting similar reforms.

Surveys show a strong majority of Americans support stricter limitations on social media for kids. But, this settlement could fundamentally change how everyone accesses the internet, according to Will Creeley, legal director at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

More on this:

“That $17B Meta settlement comes with a catch: Your online speech rights” from The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

“Majority of Americans support banning social media for kids under 16” from Pew Research Center

Canada taxes back

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Canada levied a range of tariffs on U.S. goods Tuesday, escalating an ongoing trade war launched by President Donald Trump. It isn’t the first time the two countries have tiffed over trade, but it is, by at least one historian’s estimation, unprecedented. In this episode, we trace the neighboring nations’ historic partnership, and weigh what’s next. Plus: Small business owners report mixed economic outlook, ChatGPT recommends a made-up deodorant brand, and Monterey Park, California, models community-led data center resistance.

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Canada strikes back in the trade war

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 14:25:00 +0000

Tariffs on about $20 billion worth of U.S. imports to Canada are officially in effect today. The import duties are Canada’s response to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration last month and a sign that the renewed trade war with the United States’ second-largest trading partner is nowhere near an end. This morning, we explain Canada's tariffs, put them into context, and discuss their market impacts. Also: the long-term effects of financially supporting your parents.

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Stories covered in this episode:

How providing financial support to your parents impacts wealth-building

What to expect from inflation expectations

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:40:00 +0000

Today, the New York Fed will release its monthly Survey of Consumer Expectations, which will provide data points the central bank’s Open Market Committee will use to decide whether to raise interest rates to tamp down inflation. We have a preview this morning. Then, we head to a Philadelphia farmers market to hear how customers and local lettuce growers have been responding to the cyclospora outbreak.

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Stories covered in this episode:

The Silicon Valley hopefuls living in hacker houses

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Filmmaker Kenji Yamamoto got a gig working on Apple promotional videos a decade ago and went looking for temporary housing in the pricey Bay Area. What he found was an inside look at the world of hacker houses.

These are group residences for people who come to Silicon Valley to pursue their dreams — like a college dorm for startup hopefuls. Yamamoto takes viewers inside that world in his new documentary for PBS, “The Dreamers and I.”

More on this:

“The Dreamers and I” from PBS

“The New (And Slightly Smelly) Center of the AI Boom” from The Atlantic

As prices rise, so too does our credit reliance

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Prices are rising faster than average wages in this economy, and many Americans have turned to credit to keep up. They are paying it off for now, but what happens if the Fed raises interest rates later this month? Also in this episode: Artificial intelligence appears to be the cause of some job cuts in the finance sector, business owners along Spain’s Camino de Santiago report busier foot traffic — for better and worse — and the Mexican government rolls out a line of small electric cars.

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Global investors continue dumping bonds

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 15:10:00 +0000

U.S. bond markets are closed today for the Labor Day holiday, but we're continuing to track the global bond sell-off. However, is this a sell-off or more of a normalization? We'll set the scene for current movements in the bond market and try to paint a picture of what lies ahead. Then, as part of our “Clocked Out” series, we'll hear about one woman's transition from clinical research to med school.

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Stories covered in this episode:

A day in the life of a 32-year-old medical student

Should Canada join the EU?

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:50:00 +0000

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to address the European Parliament later this month. Given the ongoing trade war with the U.S, Canada is looking to reduce its dependence on its not-so-neighborly neighbor to the South. But could the trade war push Canada to go so far as to join the European Union? Today, we dig into the likelihood — and consequences — of such a move. But first: trouble in the athleisure industry.

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Stories featured in this episode:

What it's like to log off from a career in tech

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

More Americans are leaving the labor force for a variety of reasons. The labor force participation rate — which measures the share of working-age Americans who either have a job or are looking for a job — has fallen sharply this year, and it’s been on a steady decline for decades. We hear from Kris Bell, who recently retired early from a long career in the tech industry, about why he chose to make the leap.

Wage growth disappoints

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 22:30:00 +0000

This economy added twice the amount of jobs expected in August, which is good news for the labor market. Still, the latest jobs report showed average hourly earnings were up just 3.1% annually — the slowest growth in more than five years. In this episode, when we can expect wages to start keeping up with inflation. Plus: American tourism to Europe is up, some farmers rely on decades-old machinery as budgets tighten, and one mom goes back to school 15 years after she started.

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What wasn't counted in August's jobs report?

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 15:00:00 +0000

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is releasing its August jobs report today. But what the numbers might not show are tens of thousands of people who stopped working last month after losing their work authorization. Many of those who immigrated to the U.S. had their Temporary Protected Status expire at the end of July. We look at why that won’t be reflected in the data this morning before discussing how the NIL landscape is changing the game for college athletes.

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The minimum wage problem

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 12:02:00 +0000

This morning, we’re checking in on wages. A new report from the Cleveland Fed found that a record number of workers legally entitled to the minimum wage were paid below that last year in the 10 most populous U.S. states. We look at that growing problem, before another installment in our “Clocked Out” series follows an interior designer whose career plans were changed by caring for her aging mother.

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NYC public schools ban AI through middle school

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Google survives yet another antitrust case without having to break up its business. Plus, New York City public schools announced a new policy this week banning the use of AI among elementary and middle school students.

But first, John Ternus took over as CEO of Apple after a 15-year run by Tim Cook. Joanna Stern, founder of the media company New Things, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino to explain more about what this means for the iPhone maker on this week’s “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Everything we talked about

“Apple Begins Its Next Balancing Act as New C.E.O. Takes Over” from The New York Times

“Why Apple’s folding iPhone will be ‘Ultra’ in name only” from Macworld

“In a Big Win, Google Avoids a Breakup of Its Ad Tech Business” from The New York Times

“Nation’s largest school district bans AI in the classroom through 8th grade” from CNN

“Three AI agents. One school shopping list.” from New Things

Chevron's big bet

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 22:25:00 +0000

American oil giant Chevron plans to funnel $7 billion into its Venezuela operations over the next five years, with a goal of more than doubling its production in the country. In this episode, we explain what Chevron has to gain from the deal and why other oil companies are hesitant to follow. After that: Can zero job growth be part of a healthy labor market? Are diesel prices affecting railroad freighting demand? And, will better-fitted windows turn into energy savings?

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Looking ahead to August's jobs numbers

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Tomorrow, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will report how many jobs the U.S. economy added or lost in August. Forecasters expect a slight increase. But this morning, we talk about why that might be an incomplete picture if companies don’t report on time or other events skew the data. Then, KPMG chief economist Diane Swonk joins the show to discuss how those numbers can still reflect the state of the labor market.

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The 'right-to-work' pay gap

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

People living in “right-to-work” states make nearly 7% less, on average, than those living in states without them, according to the Economic Policy Institute. That gap has doubled in the past decade. This morning, we look at how state laws impact union membership and wages, more broadly. Also, the story of a veteran who turned to a federal program after losing his sight to glaucoma.

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Is there too much money in college sports?

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

College sports has become a multi-billion dollar industry, but until just a few years ago, the actual athletes never saw a penny. It wasn’t until 2021 that the NCAA decided that college athletes could make money off of their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). Guest host Alice Wilder talks to Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder (no relation), hosts of The Sports Gossip Show, to understand how NIL is changing the game for student athletes, financially and emotionally.

If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org

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What if the AI boom never turns a profit?

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Even if artificial intelligence leads to a more prosperous future in the long run, most agree there will be a lot of disruption in the meantime. Marketplace’s senior correspondent for Future Effects, David Brancaccio, explores how that AI disruption will mean layoffs, underemployment and ultimately less income tax revenue for the government. Experts say now’s the time to revamp the tax system for the age of AI.

Even higher diesel prices are coming

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:30:00 +0000

The average cost of a gallon of diesel was $5.68 on Wednesday — just 13 cents shy of a record high. Tariffs and ongoing wars are both to blame. But so is a seasonal upswing that happens every fall. In this episode, why diesel prices are likely going to get even steeper before they cool off. Plus: A computer model helps make the case for fewer mandated parking spots in city construction projects, Uber wants to shrink its middle management, and Alaska families celebrate dipnetting season.

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Read the stories in today’s episode:

Tea, tariffs, and tough decisions

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:10:00 +0000

On this morning's show, "Marketplace Morning Report" host Kimberly Adams is joined by Rachel Rozner, owner and founder of Elden Street Tea Shop in Reston, Virginia. Rozner reflects on how tariffs and inflation have challenged her business. But first, the Commerce Department releases July factory orders today. That data gives us a sense of how manufacturers see future demand. We dig into how manufacturing has been doing so far this year.

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Stories covered in this episode:

For this tea shop, it's not just tariffs weighing on business

Climbing costs across the supply chain

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:49:00 +0000

Costs for companies to ship and store goods rose significantly earlier this year after the U.S. and Israel invaded Iran, and they’ve stayed high, according to the Logistics Managers’ Index finds. The index for the combined cost of inventory, warehousing, and transportation has risen 18% this year. What do those higher costs for manufacturers and retailers mean for consumer prices? Plus, a check-in with one small business owner on the tariff refund process.

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AI in banking: the good, the bad, and the efficient

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The banking sector is figuring out how to navigate AI.

And the stakes are high. The tech has raised red flags over potential bias, particularly when it comes to lending practices.

But it could also make some banking operations more efficient.

Which would be especially valuable for smaller banks — which tend to operate with fewer resources than their bigger competitors.

Marketplace’s Justin Ho spoke with bankers at some smaller institutions about how they’re approaching the technology — and their concerns about the future of AI in banking.

Borrowing costs go boom

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:55:00 +0000

Bond yields jumped to multi-decade highs in some countries this week, as market anxiety about inflation and the Iran war grows. The U.S. is not exempt from this turmoil. Borrowing rates could balloon, affecting the Fed and your wallet. We’ll explain. Also in this episode: The labor market barely budges in July job openings and labor turnover data, U.S. solar energy storage capacity nearly doubles under President Trump, and Reddit becomes valuable internet real estate in the age of AI.

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The economic power of BTS

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:41:00 +0000

South Korean boy band BTS is currently in the U.S. as part of their first world tour after a four-year hiatus. Their fans, known as ARMY, are extremely loyal, and the concerts are attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees. That includes Susan Schmidt, portfolio manager at Exchange Capital Resources and a regular "Marketplace Morning Report" contributor. Today, Schmidt joins the show to explain the economic impacts of BTS and its fans. Plus, what's with the global bond selloff?

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Stories featured in this program:

Understanding the economic impact of BTS — and its ARMY of fans

Shein makes its stock market debut

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:59:00 +0000

Ultra-fast fashion company Shein started trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange today. Once valued at about $100 billion, the company went public at closer to $27 billion. The Shein IPO has been years in the making. This morning, we'll delve into what took so long, where the brand stands within the fashion retail landscape, and what the IPO could mean for customers. But first: what a jump agriculture export prices means for farmers.

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Stories covered in this episode:

Ring founder Jamie Siminoff on default encryption and AI privacy

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Amazon's popular brand of video-enabled smart home and security devices, Ring, is adding a new encryption system called TAKE — Throw Away the Key Encryption. It allows users to encrypt all video their home cameras capture while keeping advanced AI-enabled capabilities and security features active.

The company already offered traditional end-to-end encryption, but that disabled advanced security features processed on the cloud that required Ring servers to maintain access to the video. Ring’s founder, Jamie Siminoff, says TAKE works by changing — or "throwing away" — the encryption key so Amazon servers don't have permanent access.

More on this:

“Ring introduces TAKE, setting a new industry standard for default encryption and control” from Amazon

“Ring says its new encryption limits what it can give police” from The Verge

“Ring Superbowl Ad Shows Americans How Powerful Surveillance Systems Have Become, Freaks Them Out” from The American Civil Liberties Union

Oil markets brace for maintenance season

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:25:00 +0000

In Texas oil country, September usually marks the beginning of maintenance season. But with refineries running at near-100% capacity to meet increased demand, this fall might look a bit different. In this episode, can the global oil market weather an even tighter supply squeeze? Plus: Fed watchers expect an interest rate hike in September despite Trump’s opposition, U.S. consumers keep up spending in the face of mediocre jobs data, and ski resorts hoard snow for the warmish winter.

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Food assistance, 62 years on

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 15:01:00 +0000

Sixty-two years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Food Stamp Act into law, making food stamps — now known as SNAP benefits — permanent. But Congress approved major funding cuts to SNAP last summer and introduced new work requirements. So what does the future of SNAP look like? Plus, what's on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's agenda for G20 and, from "Marketplace Tech," a look at ICE's massive DNA collection.

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Stories included in this episode:

More than six decades after it was signed into law, the program known as SNAP is at risk

What BookTok is doing for bookstores

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:40:00 +0000

More than 1,500 new independent bookstores have opened nationwide since 2020, according to the American Booksellers Association. And the pace is accelerating: the ABA recorded more than 600 new store openings in 2025 alone. Paradoxically, the big drivers of the boom are online retail and social media. We'll explain. Also on this morning's show: what Canadian tariffs mean for cars and housing, plus a preview of this week's G20 summit in Asheville, North Carolina.

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Stories featured in this episode:

How BookTok is powering a brick-and-mortar bookstore boom

ICE is collecting DNA from detainees for future policing

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Immigration and Customs Enforcement may be responsible for collecting the DNA of nearly a million people in 2025. The genetic material is then sent to the FBI, where it can be stored for future policing. That’s according to an updated report from Georgetown Law’s Center on Privacy and Technology.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Stevie Glaberson, a co-author of the report, about the DNA collection practice — and its legal implications.

More on this:

Raiding the Genome: How the United States Government Is Abusing Its Immigration Powers to Amass DNA for Future Policing | Center on Privacy and Technology | Georgetown Law from Georgetown Law

ICE Collected Nearly 1 Million People’s DNA Last Year—Including Young Children | WIRED from Wired

The ongoing cost of ICE raids on Latino entreprenuers

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 22:35:00 +0000

It’s been more than a year since the Trump administration intensified ICE raids in immigrant communities across the U.S. Latino entreprenuers say the toll on their businesses has been worse than the pandemic. In this episode, the ongoing economic harm caused by Trump’s relentless deportation agenda. Plus: Small businesses grapple with more tariff uncertainty, Canada posts strong GDP growth, and we break down Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s first Jackson Hole speech.

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The summer of the "very stretched consumer"

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:02:00 +0000

Consumer confidence is down in the dumps. We got lots of retail earnings reports this week, and they hinted at the continued K-shape of our economy, where wealthier consumers spend and buoy retailers while lower-income consumers scale back. What does this mean for retailers like Dollar General, Kohl's, Walmart, and Amazon? Then, we'll recap escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada and how they could hit the automotive industry particularly hard.

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Could tech startups rescue rural healthcare?

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:55:00 +0000

Late last year, the federal government announced the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative looking to improve the health of rural residents and to offset more than $900 billion in reduced Medicaid spending over 10 years from Republicans’ sweeping 2025 tax and spending law. This morning, we hear how Louisiana is focusing some of that cash toward tech firms. Also on the show: spending on electronics and Kevin Warsh's inaugural Jackson Hole address.

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Stories included in this episode:

Meta's landmark social media settlement

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Meta announced this week that it has agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle a landmark trial over social media addiction. It also agreed to add stronger child-safety measures on its platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Some of the changes could include new screen time limits, disabled notifications and restrictions during school hours.

Plus, Nvidia reported strong quarterly earnings earlier this week, again. And while investors have been wary of AI spending, Wall Street seemed pleased with the results this time. And the Environmental Protection Agency is planning to eliminate a requirement that forces states to publicize and seek public feedback for new air pollution permits. Anita Ramaswamy at The Information joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino for these stories.

Check out our YouTube page to watch more episodes of “Tech Bytes.”

Grass is always greener

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 22:35:00 +0000

The NFL is back in a couple weeks, and so is artificial turf. Several NFL stadiums rolled out the green carpet this summer for World Cup matches, which are mandated to be played on grass. For the 92% of NFL players who prefer the real stuff, it’s proof-of-concept — and could become a players union bargaining objective come 2030. Also in this episode: Nvidia announces eye-popping long-term revenue expectations, retail inventories tick up, and we weigh a tax on robot labor.

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Why inflation in this country is so sticky

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:08:00 +0000

Inflation in July remained stubbornly elevated, the personal consumption expenditures price index showed; it was up 3.7% overall. Consumers have faced massive increases in the costs of energy, insurance, electronics, and more over recent months. What does this "stubborn" and "sticky" inflation mean for the central bank as its leaders meet this week in Jackson Hole, Wyoming? Also on the program: lessons from Chicago on trying to raise money when tax revenue crashes.

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If AI really changes the economy, who pays for the disruption?

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:24:00 +0000

Artificial Intelligence is already shifting how many of us live and work. If the tech titans of our era have their way, we're just getting started on a path of massive economic transition. We’ve been hearing from experts all week about how America’s system of taxation may need an overhaul if AI takes over an increasing number of human jobs. If AI shrinks the workforce and tax base, a sovereign wealth fund could help make up the difference. But critics warn of unintended risks. We dig in. Then, what to look for in Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's remarks in Jackson Hole this week.

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Stories featured in this episode:

Before chasing quick fixes for the AI tax problem, look at Chicago's parking meters

If only he hadn’t spent so much on those turntables!

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Ever look back and wish you could stop your past self from making a financial mistake? Yeah, us too. This week, Reema talks to researchers Abigail Sussman and Hal Hershfield about how to handle financial regrets, why our past choices look so much clearer in hindsight, and how our emotions and blind spots shape our financial lives. Plus, a new segment of “Alice Gets Her Life Together” on how to budget for a vacation.

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One historic LA theater's 70 mm movie makeover for "The Odyssey"

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Old school film technology is having a moment this summer. Moviegoers have traveled far and wide to see Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” in its intended IMAX 70 mm film format. But even theaters with non-IMAX 70 mm film projection are hard to come by. The Alex Theatre in Glendale, California was renovated to screen “The Odyssey” in 70 mm film.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Miles Williams, the theater’s artistic director, about the renovation and why old school film technology is attracting Gen Z film fans.

How much power does the Fed really have?

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 22:15:00 +0000

Another month, another PCE report that put annual core inflation meaningfully above the Fed’s 2% target. The central bank has been fighting high inflation for more than five years now. At a certain point, you might start to wonder, does the Fed even have the power to fix it? Also in this episode: Consumer confidence falls, transportation durable goods orders tick up, and Arizona’s Great Recession-era bid to save the state budget offers insight into how AI might change our tax structure.

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How much oil is really getting through the Strait of Hormuz?

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:10:00 +0000

The U.S. says our forces in the Middle East have been keeping oil traffic flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, but independent trackers can't account for all of it. The Wall Street Journal's Georgi Kantchev, who has looked into the discrepancy and what it means for everyday consumers, joins this morning’s show to discuss. Plus, we reflect on Dolly Parton as a role model for women in the workplace and talk about where stubborn pockets of inflation persist.

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A pullback in the sneaker market

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:58:00 +0000

Dick’s Sporting Goods says 2026 isn’t shaping up the way it expected and is revising its outlook for the year downward. That includes lowering its expectations for sales at Foot Locker, which Dick’s acquired last September. The company blamed “challenging conditions in the athletic footwear marketplace.” What's going on? Then, as part of our “Robots Ate My Taxes” series, what Akron's tire collapse can teach us about the AI economy.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Meta’s push to make their smart glasses cool

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

When Meta Ray-Ban glasses were launched in 2021, they didn’t perform so well on the market. But in recent years, Meta has been partnering with fashion brands like Coperni and with pop culture figures like Kylie Jenner and Teyana Taylor, in order to expand their demographic reach.

Kylie Jenner recently launched her own model of Meta glasses, called Starfire. But the campaign didn’t go over especially well, says Carrie Battan, a contributing writer at New York Magazine. Putting a spotlight on the glasses has only increased scrutiny — with some calling them “pervert glasses”.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Battan about her recent piece in New York Magazine’s “The Cut”, where she tracks Meta’s push to make smart glasses cool.

More on this:

The Cursed Quest to Make Meta Glasses Cool from The Cut

Preparing for an AI tax crisis

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 22:05:00 +0000

If artificial intelligence really does replace human labor, the U.S. could be in for a tax revenue crisis. That’s because high unemployment shrinks the pool of taxable wages. In this episode, we visit Akron, Ohio — the former tire capital of the world — to learn what happens when lost jobs snowball into lost government funding. Plus: Economists hope for cake but will settle for crumbs in Fed Chair Warsh’s Jackson Hole Symposium speech, and a new plan for Colorado River drought management draws backlash.

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Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

Will Fed Chair Warsh actually say anything in his big Friday speech?
Two years after Hurricane Helene, Asheville Tea Company finds a new home
What Akron's rubber bust can teach us about a possible AI tax crisis
The new Colorado River plan is out, and it's already under fire

LIV Golf could now be in the rough

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:05:00 +0000

In 2022, LIV Golf pulled major golf stars away from the established PGA Tour with massive payouts. But this year, the Saudi Public Investment Fund pulled funding from the organization. This morning, we’re discussing how the upstart league struggled to attract fans and the broader impact of sports investment. But first, we talk Canada preparing to unveil retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. later today.

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Stories featured in this episode:

Saudi Arabia will no longer fund LIV Golf. What happened?

A reignited trade war

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Canada is expected to launch retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. today, after President Donald Trump’s administration launched 50% tariffs on an array of goods (and threatened even more). Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to match them dollar-for-dollar. This morning, we talk about what we’ve heard from both countries and how this came around. Also, how a small township in northeast Ohio hosts a detailed D-Day reenactment.

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Stories featured in this episode:

Here's what it takes to put on the country's biggest WWII reenactment

California's data and privacy laws aren't being followed

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

California promised consumers an easier way to protect their personal data. Since 2024, the Delete Act has required the state registration of data brokers — businesses that collect and sell personal data from our digital footprints — and it also mandates they give consumers a way to request their data be deleted and report how many requests they get.

But, a new Stanford report shows registered data brokers are largely ignoring the laws. Jennifer King, privacy and data policy fellow at Stanford's Institute for Human-Centered AI, says only 9% of data brokers are in compliance.

More on this:

“Regulating Data Brokers in the Age of AI: A California Case Study” from Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered AI

“About DROP and the Delete Act” from the California Privacy Protection Agency

Does Canada need new energy partners?

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 22:02:00 +0000

Fuel hasn’t been touched in the trade clash between the U.S. and Canada (yet). It’s probably because the countries have an interdependent energy relationship — American refineries rely on Canadian crude; 90% of Canadian crude exports go to the U.S. But as tensions escalate, we started to wonder: Is Canada looking for alternative buyers? Also in this episode: Imported Mexican cattle could temporarily ease beef prices, Walmart bucks inflation trend by announcing grocery price cuts, and suburbia embraces factory-built homes.

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Tariffs with Canada, again

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 14:35:00 +0000

Negotiations between the United States and Canada fell apart over the weekend, failing to prevent the U.S. imposing 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products that cover a wide array of goods. Julia Coronado, founder and president of MacroPolicy Perspectives, joins the show this morning for context on that and inflation, before we look at more long-term Treasury bonds being issued and insurance coverage problems for GLP-1 drugs.

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Stories featured in this episode:

Fewer employers are covering GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Should they?

The next health insurance cost crunch

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Health insurance plans sponsored by employers could cost more than $19,000 per employee on average in 2027, according to insurance broker Aon — a rise of 9.5%. This morning, we’re talking about how workers could pay more as a result, even though companies typically shoulder about 80% of the cost. Also, we look at how more domestic travel spending is affecting one destination in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories featured in this episode:

Health plans will cost more in 2027, for employers and workers

AI loves negative parallelism

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Anthropic recently announced it's adding watermarks to all text outputted by its chatbot Claude. But often, you don't need fancy detection software to know; you just need to look for language that gets repeated over and over by AI chatbots, like “it's not X, it's Y.”

That's a rhetorical structure referred to as negative parallelism. And it's the topic for today's “Uncanny AI,” those times when it becomes clear AI doesn't think like us. Will Oremus recently wrote about this AI tic for The Atlantic.

More on this

“The Most Famous AI Writing Tic Is Also the Most Mysterious” from The Atlantic

“Move Over Em-Dash, There’s a New AI Tell in Town” from Ai-Ai-OH

When unemployment becomes endless

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:15:00 +0000

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, at least 1.8 million Americans have been actively looking for a fulltime job for more than 27 weeks. That’s over six months. In this episode, two people tell us what it’s like to navigate a never-ending job search. Plus: A surge in lone star ticks threatens the cattle industry, McDonald’s keeps huge amounts of data on frequent customers, and the national debt passes that $40 trillion threshold.

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The Girl Scout Cookie queens of America

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 14:35:00 +0000

Girl Scout Cookies represent a $800 million industry. A new documentary called “Cookie Queens” follows sellers across the country, and one of those featured, Olive, joins the show to discuss the economic lessons she’s learned. But first, Lauren Saidel-Baker, economist at ITR Economics, tells us what retail earnings can reveal about the U.S. consumer.

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Inflation comes for back-to-school

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Prices for some back-to-school supplies are up this year, alongside other essentials like groceries and gas. Shoppers aren’t just turning to cheaper brands — they’re buying less, and cutting out non-essentials. This morning, we look at how inflation could affect shopping extending into the holiday season. Then, we discuss the cost of our debt pushing up interest rates, and a North Carolina Girl Scout talks cookie selling.

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Stories featured in this episode:

“Back to school” on a budget

OpenAI to offer safety features for teens using ChatGPT

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

OpenAI is launching ChatGPT for Teens, which has new guardrails to steer conversations from sensitive topics like self-harm or sexual content. It’ll also include parental controls and features intended to support studying without the cognitive offloading that often happens.

Plus, the surge in construction of AI data centers has increased the value of basically any component that goes into them. Now, thieves are increasingly targeting cargo shipments of materials bound for data centers. And Amazon is expanding its drone deliveries. Paresh Dave at Wired joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino for these stories.

Everything we talked about:

“Introducing ChatGPT for Teens: Built for learning, backed by protections” from OpenAI

“OpenAI’s Second-Quarter Sales Show Tepid Growth Compared With Anthropic” from The Wall Street Journal

“States Seek $200 Billion From Meta Over Child Social Media Addiction Claims” from The New York Times

“‘The Worst I’ve Ever Seen’: Cargo Thefts Have Turned Violent in Pursuit of AI Hardware” from Wired

“Amazon Prime Air drone delivery is expanding to nearly 500 US cities and towns this year” from Amazon

Sec. Bessent's big plan to finance the national debt

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s buyback of long-term bonds was a bit of a letdown this week — the interest rates barely budged. The Treasury’s next move in its quest to rein in the national debt will be to issue a ton more short-term securities. But that might not be such a good idea, either. In this episode, we’ll catch you up on the bond market turmoil. Plus: Multifamily construction permits are a housing bright spot, the Fed’s favorite inflation measure is due for a methodology change, and two craft-focused small business owners share the view from their economy.

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Read the stories in today’s episode:

Billionaires and British football

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:15:00 +0000

It's been a month now since the World Cup ended, but English football is back this week. The Premier League season kicks off Friday. And Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, is the latest American investor to buy a stake in a team — he’s now part of a group that purchased more than a third of Liverpool Football Club. Was it a smart investment? But first: Fewer homeowners are "equity-rich," and that concerns real estate analysts.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Why you should care about the bond market right now

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:50:00 +0000

In case you missed it, investor jitters about borrowing, geopolitical conflict, and inflation drove the 30-year U.S. Treasury yield up to a nearly two-decade high. Then, the Treasury Department announced it would spend $4 billion on longer-term government bonds. There was some relief, and bond yields began to fall. We'll explain market reactions and why this is all about confidence in the long-term financial stability of the U.S. Plus, we'll learn about the current landscape for psychedelic therapy drugs.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Why the Trump administration plans to boost funding for subsea cables

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Most of the world’s internet traffic flows through underwater cables on the ocean floor. The wires are also responsible for some $10 trillion worth of financial transactions every day.

And because those cables hold so much data and carry so much money, they’re also a potential security threat. That may explain why the U.S. and China are vying for control over the technology — and why the Trump administration is ramping up spending to replace cables in the Caribbean and Central America.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Erin Murphy, the managing director for Asia at Redpoint Advisors, about why these cables play a key role in geopolitics.

More on this:

US is considering big boost to anti-China spending globally from The Associated Press

Risk Beneath the Waves: Safeguarding Subsea Cables for a Secure Global Network from CSIS

How does anyone afford childcare?

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

How much should parents budget for daycare? Does it make more financial sense for both parents to work and pay for childcare, or for one parent to stay home and care for their child? And why is childcare so expensive if childcare workers aren’t paid enough? In this episode, Reema shares a big announcement… She also hears from listeners and new parents about how they’re making childcare work for their families, and public policy expert Taylor Morrissey explains why the childcare system in the United States feels so broken.

If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org

If you want to answer our “Uncomfortable Questions” see more info here.

Support This Is Uncomfortable with your donation today: https://bit.ly/mkp_tiu_pod

Let's import some inflation

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:15:00 +0000

The price of imported goods, sans energy, was up 4.5% year-over-year in July. Data center buildout is driving that jump — imported computer prices were up 17%. In this episode, we explain why import price inflation is distinct from regular inflation and what that leap means for Fed rate-setting. Plus: U.S. oil firms ink deals with Venezuelan producers, the Treasury excecutes on major bond buybacks, and Kai meets a duo trying to turn Hollywood upside-down — or, at least, vertical.

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The government steps in to calm the bond market

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:30:00 +0000

The Treasury Department announced this morning that it'll double the amount it spends on its buyback operations for longer-term government bonds. It had planned to spend about $2 billion buying back government debt. Now, it will spend $4 billion. This comes after investor concerns over federal debt, global instability, and inflation drove the 30-year bond yield up to a nearly 20-year high. We explain. Then: why Mexico's government is launching a line of mini EVs.

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Stories covered in this episode:

Mexico launches its own electric car to show it can do more than build for other countries

Decisions and disagreements at the central bank

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 11:55:00 +0000

Later this afternoon, we'll get minutes from the most recent Federal Reserve meeting. The Fed kept interest rates steady in July, but there was some disagreement. A handful of Fed officials wanted to raise the cost of borrowing. This morning, we'll discuss the dissents, fresh economic data, and what to expect from today's report. Then, it's been five years since tens of thousands of Afghans were airlifted to U.S. cities. We'll learn about their careers and lives.

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Cyberattacks on U.S. water systems raise concerns about security

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Water systems across a dozen states were targeted by cyberattacks in recent weeks. So far, the water has remained safe to drink, but the incidents have raised concerns about the possibility of future attacks.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Nikita Shah, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, about other vulnerable infrastructure and the steps that states can take to strengthen cybersecurity.

More on this:

How Tehran’s Use of Cyber Operations in the U.S.-Iran Conflict Has Evolved from CSIS

A Leaked Memo Ties Cyberattacks on Minnesota Water Utilities to Iran | WIRED from WIRED

New York awards $9M to protect water systems after cyberattacks in other states - Gothamist from Gothamist

Got beef?

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 22:15:00 +0000

Cattle herds are at a national low not seen since the 1950s. That’s driving up the price of beef for consumers, but it’s also affecting the companies that process cows into steaks and burgers. In this episode, why meatpacking plants are shuttering. Plus: Home Depot stays afloat despite a “frozen” housing market, retailers prepare to release quarterly earnings, and interior design is stuck in a “color recession.”

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"You can't learn on an empty stomach"

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 14:18:00 +0000

The school year is getting started across the country, but some families are sending their kids to school without access to a benefit many have relied on in previous years: free school meals. Significant changes to SNAP under last year's Republican tax and spending law have led to plummeting SNAP enrollment — which is often tied to free school meals. Also on the program: big retailers' quarterly results and a buyer's market (for wealthier homebuyers, that is).

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Stories in this episode:

A buyer's market? Yes. For those who can afford it.

Why it feels like you can't keep up

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:02:00 +0000

The average worker in the U.S. who stayed in their job between 2021 and 2024 saw their wages decline by 9% after inflation, a new paper finds. While the gap between wage growth and inflation is smaller now, that doesn’t undo the bad news of a few years ago. And this decline in real wages may be at the root of poor consumer sentiment. Plus, some Vermont businesses are offering steep discounts to lure back Canadian tourists.

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Stories covered in this episode:

As space launches increase, there aren't enough spaceports

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

More than 100 rockets took off into orbit from Florida’s Space Coast last year — a new record. And with more rockets taking flight each year, the availability of launch sites is becoming a bottleneck for the growing space industry.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants to make it easier for space companies to build new spaceports to make way for the increasing number of rocket launches. The agency has proposed waiving some environmental requirements for space launch. Daniel Ackerman has been reporting on the space industry as part of the Knight Science Journalism Fellowship at MIT.

How do claw machines work?

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Today, we’re resharing an episode that’s perfect for a summer listen. We’re answering Maddox’s question about what happens to your quarter when you put it inside a claw machine. It just zips away! Ryan and Bridget talk to an expert who lets them peek inside a claw machine to find out where that quarter goes. After getting some tips on how to win at the claw, Bridget gets a little too hung up on trying to win a stuffie, leaving it up to Ryan to bring her back to reality (shocking, we know).

Consumer sentiment takes a tumble

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Consumer spending fell in early August, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan’s survey. July retail sales were down, and the average price of gas is nearing a record high for August. In today’s episode, we look at how consumers could be cutting discretionary spending as a result. Also, we’ll look at why China’s economy may be in trouble, the value of GDP as a statistic, fake business registrations in Colorado, Reddit joining the S&P 500, and the global plastics industry.

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Read the stories in today’s episode:

A "Silk Road" in the Arctic?

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:56:00 +0000

China, the world's second-largest economy, sent several cargo ships through an Arctic route over the weekend, along waters hugging Russia's northern coast. The two countries are trying out a path that could become a new shipping lane from China's East Coast to the largest port in the U.K. — one that could avoid U.S.-controlled choke points for trade. But first, big retailers will report quarterly earnings this week. What could they tell us about the U.S. economy?

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Stories featured in this episode:

Could an Arctic shipping route transform global trade?

Oil prices up as ceasefire deal expires

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:44:00 +0000

Get used to paying higher gas prices — they’re the cost of curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions. That was the message from President Donald Trump at a rally on Friday. Today, the temporary ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran expires, and ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is now essentially halted. We'll have the latest. Plus, the $46 billion tribal gambling industry lacks a leader, and that could hamper business growth and investment.

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Stories featured in this episode:

What happens when a $46 billion industry doesn't have a leader?

Can an AI music company make nice with human artists?

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Suno, an AI music company, wants to partner with independent artists by launching an incubator program called Suno Spark. This program will provide grants, marketing support and, of course, Suno AI tools to unsigned musicians.

Tatiana Cirisano, vice president of music strategy at MIDiA Research, which consults in entertainment, discusses more on this.

Retail feels the squeeze

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:35:00 +0000

In the Commerce Department’s retail sales report for July, sales at stores of all kinds were down 0.6%, when a modest increase in sales had been expected. Though some discretionary purchases are up, consumers are certainly tightening their belts. Also in this episode, we look at the decline of Etsy, how businesses near the Canadian border are dealing with fewer visitors, and the staying power of Candy Crush.

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Retail sales fell unexpectedly in July

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Forecasters predicted we’d see a slight increase in retail sales in July, but instead, Census Bureau data released this morning revealed a significant drop. As high energy prices persist and tax refunds run out, it appears that consumers have begun to pull back. Should we be worried? Plus: 200 Nebraskans have lost Medicaid coverage in the first wave of terminations under the government’s new “work requirements.” Many more Americans may soon follow.

Stories featured in today’s episode:

Roughly 200 people in Nebraska lost Medicaid on Aug. 1

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Why the U.S. is nearly $2 trillion in the red this year

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The federal budget picture for 2026 is not looking too hot. Just in July, the government borrowed $432 billion — that’s $14 billion a day. We explain what’s behind the record-breaking national debt, and what it would take to pay it back. Then, we explore how relentless heat waves in Italy are creating dire conditions for the country’s cheese banks — yes, literal banks, where wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano are held as collateral.

Stories featured in today’s episode:

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

States rush to police AI deepfakes ahead of midterm elections

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Anthropic announced it's adding invisible watermarks to all text generated by its chatbot Claude. The AI startup is rolling out the policy globally as part of efforts to comply with the European Union AI Act.

Plus, there's a patchwork of state laws that regulate AI-generated political messaging — they're being put to the test ahead of the midterm elections. And federal regulators ordered Kalshi to continue to operate in New York, despite a state lawsuit seeking to shut it down.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Maria Curi, tech policy reporter at Axios, about all this for this week’s “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Long-term bond yields hit a long-term high

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:35:00 +0000

The government is selling 30-year bonds with interest rates at a quarter-century high. We talk with Greg Ip at the Wall Street Journal about how that could be a warning from investors over stubborn inflation and mounting debt. Also in this episode, we look at how energy prices shape the Producer Price Index, rising prices for retailers, and coal slipping as an energy source, before diving into infrastructure with a look at Puerto Rico’s water crisis and solar panel installation in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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Demand for data centers is not slowing down

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Cloud computing providers, chip makers, server makers, and even construction companies like Caterpillar all boasted stellar quarterly earnings, sending the message that demand for the development and upkeep of AI is still surging. However, the question remains whether the tech giants pouring cash into data centers will see a return on these enormous investments. But first: Tomorrow we get July’s retail reports, and analysts predict that they’ll show they same thing we’ve been seeing for months: Even though consumers are stressed, they’re still spending.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Which businesses should have to disclose foreign ownership?

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:20:00 +0000

The Treasury Department is changing the rules on which businesses have to report their ownership to the government. The Biden-era requirements were intended to prevent money laundering, but critics say they were too onerous. Will the changes make it easier for dirty money to get into the U.S.? Then: Even though the Trump administration says we’re in control of the Straight of Hormuz, barely any ships are getting through. But unlike at the start of the war, oil markets don’t seem spooked. We explain.

Stories featured in today’s episode:

Treasury changes rules for business reporting ownership

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Can Silicon Valley give AI good taste?

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Generative AI models can produce enormous volumes of text, images and video in seconds. But without expert human instruction, the output is often generic. (You might say slop.)

A number of startups in Silicon Valley are on a mission to change that by giving AI a more human sense of taste.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with critic and journalist Sophie Haigney about what taste is and whether artificial intelligence can truly replicate it.

"If this is your first time being poor..."

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Tight grocery budget? Try a "recession recipe." Reema talks producer Alice Wilder about her trip to meet Kiki Rough, a TikTok creator who makes hyper affordable recipes. Kiki learned how to to cook on a shoestring budget while on food stamps and has gained a large following as food insecurity in the U.S. rises. But even after going viral, she’s is still struggling to feel financially secure.

How have you been stretching your grocery budget? Email us your favorite penny-pinching recipes, and we’ll put them together into a little cookbook on our website!

If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org

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Steep inflation, meet slow wage growth

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:35:00 +0000

The average household’s buying power has slipped by about 0.1%, when the latest CPI report is compared to last week’s jobs numbers. In layman’s terms, Americans took a pay cut over the last year. But economists aren’t so clear on what comes next. In this episode, we’re on the inflation-outpacing-wages beat. Plus: Drivers brace for continued high gas prices, fractional homeownership startups present tradeoffs in this squeezed housing market, and we break down some lesser-known economic indicators.

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Putting the magic in Magic: The Gathering

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:25:00 +0000

Magic: The Gathering is considered the first modern trading card game. It's a big business, too. Hasbro reported that the game's revenue jumped to a record $545 million in Q2. Today, as a continuation of our "What's That Like?" series, we'll hear from one of the artists who helps bring this fantastical world to life. Also on this morning's program: What do oil disruptions mean for consumer prices going forward?

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories covered in this episode:

How Magic: The Gathering cards come to life

Why seniors are upsizing

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:48:00 +0000

Baby boomers make up the biggest share of homebuyers. Most downsize in their golden years, selling a bigger house and purchasing something smaller. But an increasing number are bucking that trend by buying larger homes or holding on to their bigger houses and renovating them. All of this has implications for a housing market where inventories are below historic norms. But first, more than 10% of student loans are at least 90 days past due.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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TikTok excluded millions from crucial safety guardrails

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This story includes discussion of suicide.

Back in 2021, TikTok tweaked its algorithm in an effort to address dangerous filter bubbles — a sort of algorithmic spiral of recommendations for high-risk content like extreme dieting or self-harm. But internal company documents obtained by Bloomberg Businessweek show 10% of U.S. users — 15 million Americans — were purposely excluded from this safety update. This was part of user testing to validate the new feature and track whether it reduced engagement with the famously sticky platform.

One of those users was then-16-year-old Chase Nasca, who subsequently died by suicide. Olivia Carville, Bloomberg Businessweek investigative reporter, has been on the story.

Credit card delinquencies climb

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 22:10:00 +0000

Credit card delinquencies are sitting at 13% so far this year. It’s the highest national rate since the tail-end of the Great Recession. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, including high inflation and job uncertainty, is partially to blame. Also in this episode: Home equity lines of credit become more popular as traditional borrowing rates climb, small business owners are cautious but optimistic — and trying to hire — and Kyla Scanlon explains economic nihilism.

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Read the stories in today’s episode:

The mood among small businesses

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:15:00 +0000

We have the latest reading on how small businesses are feeling in this economy, courtesy of the National Federation of Independent Business's Small Business Optimism Index. Small businesses are more upbeat and are looking to hire. We discuss that and other economic data drops. Then, as part of Marketplace's "What's That Like?" series, we hear what it takes to become a game designer behind Hasbro's Magic: The Gathering.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories covered in this episode:

How Magic: The Gathering cards come to life

The data center job boom

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:55:00 +0000

Up until last year, construction workers were not in high demand. The data center construction boom has been changing that. Wage growth in the sector is outpacing the rest of the labor market. But the benefits of that growth are relatively limited. This morning, we'll dig in. Plus, President Trump is extending his waiver of the Jones Act to counteract oil disruptions, and the demand for EVs has risen alongside higher gas prices.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories featured in this episode:

AI subscriptions are rapidly taking over baby nurseries

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Remember those grainy old baby monitors? So passé. Today, the modern nursery can be equipped with HD cameras and biometric sensors — all analyzed with artificial intelligence.

The technology can detect hazardous position changes or a blanket covering a baby's face, but also tracks less critical metrics that purport to help optimize infant sleep and health. Sapna Maheshwari, business reporter at The New York Times, recently wrote about this. She's been an avid user of the Nanit Smart Baby Monitor System with both of her children.

More on this

“Aw, It’s Baby’s First A.I. Surveillance System” from The New York Times

“AI-powered IoT is creating a new security challenge” from Spiceworks

Whoosh, there go our wage gains

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 22:15:00 +0000

More bad news from last week’s jobs report: Wage growth slowed to 3.2%, the lowest yearly rate in five years. Combine that with high inflation, and consumers are losing purchasing power. In this episode, where did the wage growth go? Plus: Temp firms report increased demand, Bed, Bath & Beyond’s parent company wants to expand into services, and Pringles implements AI on the production line.

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The end of the K-shaped economy — or not

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the K-shaped economy is turning C-shaped, meaning low-income wage growth is beginning to outpace growth for higher earners. But experts said the evidence for that claim may be lacking. This morning, we’ll discuss if it’s a fair characterization before diving into the latest attempt to oust Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Then, we’ll look at how hospitals are turning to career academies and other programs to tackle a crisis in recruitment and retention.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories covered in this episode:

Senate will wait for new rules on crypto

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Over the weekend, the U.S. Senate adjourned for its August recess without passing the “Clarity Act,” which would change the way cryptocurrencies would be regulated. The bill, largely backed by the crypto industry, would treat many cryptocurrencies like commodities rather than securities. This morning, we’ll look at how that would change which agency has oversight, then look at how fairs and carnivals can be a barometer for consumer spending.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories covered in this episode:

What fairs and carnivals can teach us about the economy

Substack CEO on the platform’s new AI detector

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Substack, the platform popular for online newsletters, recently launched an artificial intelligence detection feature powered by Pangram.

The detector allows users to scan text and get an estimate for how much of it was likely written by AI. But some creators are concerned about the tool’s accuracy and its potential to prompt a “witch hunt” for writers who use AI.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Substack CEO Chris Best about the new feature.

More on this:

AI Content Is Everywhere on Social Media, Especially LinkedIn from Pangram

I Test-Drove Substack’s New AI Detection Tool, and It Mostly Worked from CNET

Job losses reveal a shakier labor market

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 22:15:00 +0000

The July jobs report is out, and it’s a doozy: The U.S. labor market shed a net 23,000 jobs last month. Previous months, which saw moderate gains, were revised down. In this episode, which sectors cut the most roles, and what it all signals about the broader economy. Plus: Climbing car prices lock buyers in longer-term loans, communities combat a teacher shortage by building affordable housing, and we want to hear your stories about voluntarily leaving the workforce.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

Signs of strain in the labor market

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:10:00 +0000

The latest jobs report for July is out. The economy lost 23,000 jobs last month, but analysts were expecting more than 80,000 jobs to be created. This morning, we have some context behind the headline numbers. Plus, we got dozens of financial results this week. Some of the big names were Uber, Palantir, McDonald's, Disney, and CVS. What stood out? And later, Meta was fined $567 million over social media's harm to kids.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

What are the costs of social media's harm to kids?

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:55:00 +0000

Yesterday, a New Mexico court ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay more than $500 million to address harms to young people from its platforms. It's the second phase of a landmark trial, and the combined fines from both parts are north of $940 million. This morning, we'll have an explainer. Then, we'll parse the economics of launching the first female American professional baseball league in over 70 years.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories covered in this episode:

Women's pro baseball is back

Gig workers train humanoids on household chores

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Is your shirt-folding technique good enough to train a robot how to do it? Could MySpace be creeping back into our browsers? We get into all this on today’s “Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

But first, the rocket ship/satellite internet/AI company SpaceX reported this week that it spent over $18 billion in capital expenditures in the second quarter. That’s six times what it spent the same time last year. Most of that was on AI infrastructure. Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Joanna Stern, founder of the media company New Things, to discuss all these topics.

Everything we talked about:

“Here's the mark a SpaceX rocket crash left on the moon” from CBC

“SpaceX posts loss of $541 million in first report since record-setting IPO” from The Washington Post

“Train robots and make money” from The New Things

“Could Myspace be making a return” from CNN

Should there be an oil export ban?

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 22:15:00 +0000

As high gas costs pile up for drivers, Big Oil is getting jumpy. That’s because one way to bring prices down, at least temporarily, is an oil export ban. The Trump administration hasn’t signaled support for such a ban, but oil firms are being proactive, by lobbying the White House to find alternatives. Also in this episode: CEOs are sour on this economy, a major university invests big in artificial intelligence, and we analyze the difference between Fed Chair Warsh and former Fed Chair Powell’s public statements.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

The job losses that won't show up in jobless claims

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:05:00 +0000

We got the latest reading of jobless claims today. Last week, 199,000 people filed for first-time unemployment claims. Thing is, there were large-scale firings of Haitians and Syrians with Temporary Protected Status, but because they aren't eligible for unemployment insurance, they won't show up in unemployment claims. We'll discuss how these job losses can be tracked and more of this low-hire, low-fire economy we can't seem to shake. Plus, we'll explore how local utilities are grappling with the potential costs and benefits that data centers can bring.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories featured in this episode:

As more data centers hook up to the grid, how will electric companies keep prices down?

Maine community rallies to save hospital delivery ward

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:01:00 +0000

We've been reporting a lot on the rural healthcare crisis recently. Later today, a community in rural Maine will likely learn whether its local hospital will lose labor and delivery services. The state’s largest health system has proposed closing the birthing unit at Lincoln Hospital in the state’s Midcoast region. It would be the fifth rural Maine hospital to stop delivering babies in the last two years, but the community is fighting hard to keep it open. Also: more people are swiping credit cards just to get by.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories featured in this episode:

AI chatbots have linguistic slips when they go off-script

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Let’s say you're chatting away with AI — perfect grammar, great vocabulary. Then, boom: a random word in another language! That's the topic for today's “Uncanny AI.” Those moments where it becomes really clear that AI doesn't think like us. Janelle Shane, who writes the AI Weirdness blog, helps explain why AI chatbots do this.

More on this:

“ChatGPT users flummoxed after AI bot starts inserting Arabic into responses” from The New York Post

“ChatGPT is mixing languages or Answers are Wrong!” from OpenAI Developer Community

Abigail Disney: “There is such a thing as too much money”

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

How were you raised to think about money, and how do you know when the values you inherited no longer fit? What do we owe other people, and when is generosity a duty? Reema talks with Abigail Disney, the grandniece of Walt Disney, about family, legacy, and giving away millions.

If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org

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Want a raise? You might have to find a new job

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 22:15:00 +0000

You know how wages have, on average, stagnated when you account for inflation? Well there’s one group that saw some actual wage growth last month: Job changers. Pay growth for people who switched jobs was 7% in July, according to ADP. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean the entire labor market is heating up — some in-demand labor sectors might be accounting for most of that bump. Also in this episode: Gen Z bucks the K-shaped economy trend, insurance billing errors can add up for employers, and Kai visits a used EV auction.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

Let's check in on construction jobs

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 14:44:00 +0000

The Associated General Contractors of America recently issued a report that finds job gains in the building trade are uneven, with residential construction still lagging. The reasons are a combination of supply chain uncertainty, immigration policy, and high mortgage rates. We'll unpack. Plus, AI and online gambling are following crypto's lead in campaign spending. And, from "Marketplace Tech," can AI tackle some of the biggest failings of our justice system?

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Stories featured in today’s show:

From “Marketplace Tech”: AI-driven law could be an answer to accessible legal help
What's behind the slowdown in construction jobs?

How record labels are handling AI music

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 11:45:00 +0000

The music industry is wrestling with the best way to incorporate and acknowledge artificial intelligence in the business. AI tools are one thing, but what about AI-generated music or AI-generated artists? Record labels are now proposing new guidelines on how music generated by artificial intelligence should be treated. Today, we dig into what it means for chart eligibility and the task of finding human-made music. But first: World Cup fans boosted U.S. service exports.

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AI-driven law could be an answer to accessible legal help

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

AI has already changed the legal field, bringing new efficiencies — along with some high-profile mistakes — to tasks like research and drafting contracts. But law professor Benjamin Alarie at the University of Toronto has a bigger transformation in mind.

He wants to see AI tackle some of the biggest failings of our justice system, like the lack of access to legal resources, slow processes and inconsistencies in how law is applied. He lays out his vision in a new book called "Superjustice: Law in the Age of Artificial Intelligence."

More on this:

“Superjustice: Law in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” from Oxford University Press

“Judge Punishes 4 Lawyers After Catching Both Sides Using A.I. in Lawsuit” from The New York Times

Almost Midnight, from "The Midnight Rebellion"

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

From WBUR, here's a new kind of story, one that's all about the big questions and decisions we face. “The Midnight Rebellion” is a pick-your-own-path podcast set 100 years in the future, where the stakes are nothing less than the planet itself. It's fiction rooted in real science, built for the kids in your life (ages 7 and up) — and the whole family. You're listening to Chapter 1 of The Midnight Rebellion. Each chapter ends with a choice. YOU decide what’s next. Choose wisely. And if you liked what you heard, listen to the rest and follow The Midnight Rebellion wherever you get your podcasts.

Manufacturing boomed in July. Thank all that AI money

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 22:35:00 +0000

In July, the manufacturing sector grew at its fastest month-to-month rate in four years. A new tax law likely boosted company spending to some degree, but AI investment packed the biggest punch — demand is strong and the money is flowing. Also in this episode: McDonald’s suffers a sales slump, the latest JOLTS data points to a steadily improving labor market, and Kai talks to one economist behind a Trump administration investment tracker.

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Understanding California's billionaire tax

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:05:00 +0000

California voters will decide this November whether to impose a one-time wealth tax on the state's richest residents, setting up what could become one of the most expensive ballot measure fights in state history. Proposition 40 would levy a one-time 5% tax on the total wealth — not just income, but stock holdings, real estate, yachts, and other assets — of roughly 200 of California's richest residents. We’ll dig in. Also: a stopgap funding bill and Treasury term premiums.

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How money is flowing this campaign season

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 11:47:00 +0000

Seven states are set to hold primary elections this week. Polls open today in Washington, Kansas, Virginia, Missouri, and Michigan. This morning, we'll dig into where exactly dollars are flowing, as well as their sources. Then, Maryland was hit hard by the Trump administration's DOGE cuts. It lost close to 25,000 federal jobs last year. So, to help out their neighbors, some Marylanders have formed a kind of club whose goal is to redistribute money.

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Would you join a club where the goal is to redistribute money?

China’s soft power play in the global AI arms race

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Last month, President Xi Jinping spoke at an AI conference in Shanghai, China. There he promoted AI accessibility for the world, touting China’s adoption of open-weighted models.

After OpenAI’s rogue model incident in which a training model hacked into the company HuggingFace and stole confidential information, the discussion over whether models should be open or closed has intensified.

“Marketplace Tech” host Meghan McCarty Carion spoke with Adam Segal at the Council of Foreign Relations about China’s soft power play in the global AI arms race.

High oil prices, big oil profits

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Permian Basin oil companies are reporting strong quarterly earnings, as the Iran war keeps prices up and supply restricted. West Texas, formerly in a slump, has seen an uptick in hiring and new rigs. But oil companies are moving cautiously — they want to avoid a bust after the boom. Also in this episode, more caution: Small businesses carefully weigh workforce expansion, the U.S. invests billions to prop up the Japanese yen, and a Colorado peach farmer preps for a water shortage.

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Why Trump is helping prop up the Japanese yen

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:50:00 +0000

Japan's yen is up against the dollar this morning. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump confirmed that the U.S. Treasury Department bought up yen, boosting its value. Japan has been struggling with the low value of its currency. The purchase could help the U.S. though, too. We'll explain. Then, Trump also said over the weekend that the U.S. would back down from fresh attacks on Iran. What's that mean for oil prices?

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What's driving up the cost of buying a house?

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:45:00 +0000

The latest news on mortgage rates — crucial for would-be buyers and sellers — is not great. According to Freddie Mac, the average interest on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage edged up again last week to 6.66%. That puts the cost of borrowing to buy a home at the highest level we’ve seen in a year. We explain what's going on. Then, Google's AI summaries are leaving many publishers searching for new ways to reach customers.

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Opening the curtain of AI business integration

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

OpenAI released its first ChatGPT model in November of 2022. Since then, companies across the U.S. have worked to integrate AI models into their workflows as quickly as possible.

However, according to a recent survey from Indeed, while employers have been keen on adopting the help of artificial intelligence, employees are hesitant to move past experimentation and into implementation.

Priya Rathod is a workplace trends editor at Indeed, and she said that in order to get across this great divide, employers need to focus on adequate training for employees and their managers.

“Marketplace Tech” host Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Rathod about the survey and how businesses can improve on AI adoption.

The future of self-driving cars

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Amazon’s autonomous vehicle company, Zoox, can now roll out 2,500 of its vehicles annually in the next two years. Are more robotic cars coming, or will there be more speed bumps? But first, we’ll look at the market impact of the Fed’s decision to keep interest rates steady in our Weekly Wrap. Plus, the effect of rising health insurance costs for employers, a retiree returning to the workforce for a family business, and a look at how Boulder, Colorado is making room for the Sundance Film Festival.

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Trump wants to require NDAs for federal workers

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:55:00 +0000

The federal government is proposing a rule allowing its agencies to require that their workers sign non-disclosure agreements. That rule has yet to be finalized. But another rule, which is final, says workers could be fired for refusing to sign an NDA or violating one after signing it. This is raising alarms for advocates. We dig in. But first: what the performance of some of the country's biggest companies tells us about the rest of the economy.

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Trump wants to require NDAs for federal workers, worrying advocates

Why food prices are likely to jump more

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:55:00 +0000

Inflation data out yesterday showed the pace of price increases slowed a bit in June, but that may be short-lived when it comes to food. Prices for commodities like wheat, corn, and rice could jump 10% to 18% by next summer because of ongoing wars in Iran, Russia, and Ukraine, as well as what’s forecast to be a “super El Niño” this year. Then, we check in on the state of remote work.

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Meta and Microsoft report different AI earnings

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Meta and Microsoft — as well as other tech titans — have been reporting quarterly earnings, and investors are looking at AI spending with a more skeptical eye. Plus, more than 1,000 workers at top AI labs signed an open letter this week calling on the government to "deliberately set the pace" of this fast-moving technology, and NBCUniversal makes a deal with YouTube to add all of Peacock's content to its premium streaming service.

Anita Ramaswamy, columnist at The Information, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino to discuss these stories on this week’s “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Why price-squeezed consumers still shell out for organic

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 22:15:00 +0000

Since 2020, the cost of groceries has risen 26%. But contrary to what you might think, cash-strapped consumers aren’t necessarily staying away from pricier options. In this episode, why Americans are doubling down on organic — even as the cost of their overall grocery haul rises. Plus: Why more customers are choosing chargebacks, what economists predict about inflation two years from now, and how a Maine nonprofit is bringing lobstering to the next generation.

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Looking under the hood of jobs and inflation numbers

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:40:00 +0000

The Federal Open Market Committee decided to hold interest rates steady yesterday. The central bank has a dual mandate from Congress to manage inflation while maximizing employment. Today, we'll dig into some warning signs in the current long-term unemployment figures, as well as the "low-hire, low-fire" environment. Then we'll learn why the Bureau of Economic Analysis is updating its inflation calculation and why it matters for everyday consumers.

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Why the government is updating how it calculates inflation

Understanding the diamond downturn

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:50:00 +0000

You may have heard that a diamond is forever. Turns out, a diamond's value is not. Overall, global rough diamond prices are down 20% year over year and 40% from a decade ago. That's just for natural diamonds — not the increasingly popular lab-grown diamond category. And legendary diamond mining company De Beers announced it's suspending diamond production at its largest mine. We'll unpack. But first: why Fed officials are so confident about hitting their inflationary target.

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What's behind the diamond downturn?

Centering humans in AI education might be key to innovation and research

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Shri Narayanan, professor of engineering, psychology and linguistics at the University of Southern California, teaches his students to privilege humans when using artificial intelligence for their research across areas of study. In this episode, he walks us through how he, for example, uses AI to map behavioral analyses that can inform areas of study including autism and depression.

Subscribe and save... or not?

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

How many subscriptions are you paying for right now? Whether we’re watching TV, listening to music, or even just storing photos, it feels like we are required to rent so many parts of daily life these days. Reema talks to tech reporter Lance Ulanoff and finance writer Hanna Horvath about the origins of the subscription economy, what lies ahead, and how we can cope.

Plus, we’ve got another edition of “Alice Gets Her Life Together,” where producer Alice Wilders joins Reema to investigate their own subscriptions and find ways to cut costs.

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The states making extra off of high gas prices

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:55:00 +0000

The Trump administration’s war in the Middle East has driven up fuel prices globally. As drivers pay more at the pump, some oil-rich states like New Mexico and Alaska are experiencing a tax revenue windfall. In this episode, one man’s gas spend becomes another man’s state budget booster. Plus: The Fed holds rates steady despite internal disagreement, “kidulting” and collectibles fuel growth in the toy retail space, and a line dancing resurgence driven by social media launches one instructor’s boot scootin’ career.

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Behind a big tech stock tumble

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Today, the key stock index in South Korea — the Kospi — was down almost 6% at close. That’s after dropping 10% yesterday. We’re starting to see somewhat of a change in investor emotion for tech stock, prompted by questions over big tech companies spending on AI. What else is driving the sell-off, and what does it mean for the broader market? Plus, we look at how AI is shaping the job market for younger job seekers.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Will the Fed hold steady?

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The U.S. Federal Reserve will wrap up a two-day meeting today with an announcement from Chair Kevin Warsh on interest rates. In the middle of uncertainty regarding the war in the Middle East, oil prices, and inflation, experts say rates could remain unchanged — for now. Also, we look at how consumers are pulling back on grocery spending and why the Trump administration is arguing some countries have “excess capacity” in certain manufacturing sectors.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

USC is betting on an AI education across all its fields of study

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The University of Southern California is aiming to integrate AI across its campus, thanks to a $200 million dollar gift from a venture capitalist. Gaurav Sukhatme is the newly appointed director of USC's Stevens School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence and interim dean of the Viterbi School of Engineering. As he showed Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino around his lab, she asked him how the technology will be embedded across all fields of study at USC.

More on this:

“Mark and Mary Stevens give $200 million to power AI research across USC” from the University of Southern California

“Students question value of college as costs rise and AI reshapes jobs” from PBS

No, Trump's tariffs haven't reshored manufacturing jobs

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:35:00 +0000

President Trump insists his economic policies have supported a reshoring of manufacturing jobs. At a rally held at a Michigan GM facility on Monday, he doubled down. In reality, the U.S. has lost 75,000 manufacturing jobs since Trump took office in 2025. In this episode, we fact check the President’s claims, and consider the future of Michigan’s auto industry. Plus: Companies begin to offer insurance for AI mistakes, the U.S. trade deficit shrank a bit in June, and UPS winds down its Amazon delivery fulfilment partnership.

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What great wealth transfer?

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:40:00 +0000

The number of Americans 65 and older is expected to nearly double by 2060 — reaching 95 million people. You may have heard about the massive wealth transfer slated to come from Baby Boomers to younger generations, but new reporting finds that the high cost of elder care is wiping out the money some older adults had hoped to leave to their heirs. Also, we'll parse some of the economic data the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee is considering as it convenes today and tomorrow.

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The "Great Wealth Transfer" may be smaller than expected

Let's talk about feelings

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:50:00 +0000

Investors are apprehensive as we get into an action-packed week in the economy. The Federal Reserve finishes up an interest-rate-setting meeting tomorrow. Dozens of companies on the S&P report earnings, and we also get reports on inflation and GDP. Plus, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon issue earnings reports, and investors are anxious about cash burn at companies building out AI data centers. Then, we'll get into the different concerns Baby Boomers and Gen Z have about the economy.

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An "antacid" to fight climate change

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The ocean is already one of the best climate solutions we’ve got. It absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere that would otherwise contribute to global warming. But what if it could store even more CO2? Marketplace’s Amy Scott, host of our climate podcast “How We Survive,” looked into one strategy to achieve that goal. And she set sail for a demonstration.

This feature is part of “How We Survive.” You can hear more of Amy’s reporting on marine carbon removal and other geoengineering solutions on their new season, wherever you get your podcasts.

TPS cuts will tear through the labor market

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:05:00 +0000

More than 330,000 Haitians lost their ability to legally live and work in the U.S. this week. A recent Supreme Court ruling allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for refugees from certain countries. In this episode, why the policy change will deliver a swift blow to the healthcare sector. Plus: Economists weigh the Fed’s next interest rate move, businesses report cautious optimism in new survey, and a Baltimore club redistributes wealth to neighbors in need.

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Uncertainty, anxieties about doctoral programs

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:05:00 +0000

Fewer students are trying to get advanced degrees in the United States. The number admitted to Ph.D. programs this coming fall dropped by 15% from last year. The number of international students applying to Ph.D. programs in the U.S. has also dropped sharply. Today, we'll hear how reduced federal funding for universities and stricter immigration policies are affecting advanced degrees and research. But first, a check-in on how businesses are feeling and what that means for their customers.

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Stories in this episode:

Ph.D. admissions have dropped 15% for the new school year

The tricky symbolism of a new international bridge

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:15:00 +0000

On Monday, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will open to traffic for the first time. The structure connects Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario, and provides a new link between the two countries. The opening also comes at a time of increased trade tension, with the U.S. proposing new tariffs on certain Canadian goods. We'll dig into the economic benefits of the new bridge — and its significance. Also, we'll look at the declining number of Ph.D. students and proposed cuts to federal research agencies.

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How AI nudify apps are proliferating on social media

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

A proliferation of AI apps that allow users to create sexualized images of real people have grown into a multi-million dollar industry.

Social media platforms are serving as de facto gateways to these services, despite the fact that most prohibit the sharing or promotion of this kind of non-consensual intimate imagery, according to Sina Laubenstein, director of programs at the Institute for Strategic Dialogues, which recently published a report on this.

A year later, is Trump’s investment in Intel… a win-win?

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:20:00 +0000

Intel’s sales jumped by 25% last quarter, the largest increase in over a decade — making the U.S. government’s stake in the company around $40 billion after the administration invested last year. In this episode: Was Trump’s Intel deal a win-win? Plus: Why Gen Z’s not drinking regular soda, rates on business loans might climb, and a 63-year-old pivoted to statue restoration after a career in tech.

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What's driving early retirements?

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 15:25:00 +0000

The reasons for premature retirement are plentiful: Companies downsize or go bust, partners get sick, kids need childcare help. A new survey finds that, on average, workers think they’ll retire at around 62, but the average age at which retirees actually leave the workforce is closer to 57. Thing is, most said they wished they’d saved more — or sooner. Plus, we dig into the latest round of tariffs from the Trump administration and debrief the past two weeks of earnings reports.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories included in this episode:

Americans are retiring earlier than they'd like to. And not because they can afford to.

A new round of tariffs on just about everything

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:50:00 +0000

A new batch of tariffs went into effect overnight. And there’s more to come as the Trump administration attempts to rebuild the tariff wall torn down by a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year. This morning, we'll explain the fresh import duties, their exceptions, as well as an ongoing tariff investigation. Plus, support beams inside a former office tower in New York City that is being converted to apartments buckled recently. What does this mean for other office conversions?

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Stories from this episode:

What the near collapse of NYC’s Pfizer building means for office conversions

OpenAI model unintentionally hacks another company's system

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

OpenAI revealed this week that two of its advanced AI models escaped containment and hacked into the systems of AI company Hugging Face, which had the answers to the benchmarking test the two models were being evaluated on.

Plus, France becomes the first country in the European Union to ban social media for kids under 15. And Apple is reportedly expected to start leasing its devices to consumers. Will Oremus at The Atlantic joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino for these stories.

Unemployment filings hit a 55-year low

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 22:20:00 +0000

Sounds rosy, right? Not if you’re long-term unemployed, underemployed, or a new grad. In this episode, the labor market’s low-hire, low-fire status quo reaches a new extreme. Plus: States sue over new Medicaid work requirement protocols, Uber lays off a tenth of its customer service workers with plans to replace them with AI chatbots, and a family travel boom reshapes luxury resorts.

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PlayStation to nix physical discs

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

PlayStation announced in June that it would stop selling physical copies of games by 2028. Soon, when you buy a game, you’ll just be renting the digital license — which PlayStation could wipe at any time. Understandably, gamers are not happy. Then, a boom in the private jet market makes hangar space hard to come by.

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Flood-prone areas are losing residents

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Last year, counties with high flood risk had a net loss of over 60,000 residents — more than double the year before, according to a recent analysis from Redfin. We explore how climate risk is making things less affordable for homeowners. Then, a look at how WNBA players won a landmark new contract.

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A modern-day odyssey through AI chatbot hellscape

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

A missing package can easily ruin a day, but chasing where that package went — or even a refund — is like following Odysseus on his treacherous journey.

And in the age of AI chatbots, the process is a whole lot less human.Dillon Thompson is currently on such a journey. He is looking for an e-bike that FedEx said had been delivered. In his search, Thompson found himself in the AI chatbot hellscape that customer service lines have become.

“Marketplace Tech” host Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Thompson about his trials and tribulations as he chased his tail from company to company and chatbot to chatbot in hopes of finding his missing bike.

Help! I put in two months' notice… two years ago!

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Is a frustrating dynamic in your workplace keeping you up at night? In our recurring advice column, “Work Drama”, we try to find answers to your sticky work questions. This week Reema is joined by Marketplace correspondent Kristin Schwab and host/correspondent Sabri Ben-Achour to answer your workplace questions – from favoritism getting in the way of a promotion to persistent recruitment for the office kickball league.

If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org

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What's driving up the 30-year Treasury yield?

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:15:00 +0000

The yield on a 30-year Treasury bond has been hovering above 5% for a couple weeks — the longest stretch since the Great Recession. One reason is Treasury bonds are competing with Big Tech debt. We’ll explain, with help from one reporter’s shady gym membership deal. Also in this episode: AT&T attributes strong earnings to service bundles, a customs broker updates us on shipping logistics amid tariff changes, and Kai explains why Fed economists want to keep inflation expectations "anchored."

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