Marketplace Morning Report

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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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

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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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

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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Stories featured in this episode:

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

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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“Back to school” on a budget

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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Stories covered in this episode:

What fairs and carnivals can teach us about the economy

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.

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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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Stories covered in this episode:

Women's pro baseball is back

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

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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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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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?

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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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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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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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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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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