A new report from Human Rights Watch found ties between forced labor in China and the aluminum products used by many popular automakers. We’ll get into what the discovery could mean for companies that want to ramp up electric vehicle production. And, meet the sailor making history as the first American woman to race solo around the world. Plus, we’ll weigh in on Apple’s new Vision Pro headset and more in a game of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Asleep at the Wheel: Car Companies’ Complicity in Forced Labor in China” from Human Rights Watch “Major automakers may be using Chinese aluminum produced with Uyghur forced labor, rights group says” from AP News “Sailor Cole Brauer Is Making History as the First U.S. Female to Race Solo Across the Globe: ‘It’s a Dream Come True'” from People “Why Universal is calling time out on TikTok” from Marketplace “How to Cook Salmon in the Microwave” from The New York Times “Buy now, pay later platforms now offer subscriptions” from Marketplace “Cheers! Bars are pouring beers from the bottom up” from Axios “What is Apple Vision Pro? Price, what to know about headset on its release date” from USA Today “Why Tim Cook Is Going All In on the Apple Vision Pro” from Vanity Fair We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The tight labor market means employers are competing for workers, sometimes strenuously. But it isn’t all smooth sailing for job searchers either — prolonged interviewing and companies’ recession fears mean scoring a job can be tough. In this episode, what’s worse: trying to hire or get hired? Plus, a website that uses “Seinfeld” to explain legal policy, a look at how immigration stabilizes our economy and a tour of zero-carbon homes in coastal California.

Stocks rise; professional and business services jobs increase; unemployment rate holds steady; consumer sentiment increases.

Some 353,000 more people were on payrolls in January — nearly double what economists expected. The job gains were spread across the economy, but could this labor market growth be inflationary? Also on the program: It’s been nearly a year since regional banks were in crisis, but trouble for commercial real estate means the turmoil isn’t over yet. We’ll also take an inside look at the “Star Wars” vintage merch economy.

Job gains were better than expected, as the labor market continues to surprise; Big Tech companies report strong Q4 results; Exxon-Mobil and Chevron saw lower quarterly profits amid price declines; federal regulators upgrade investigation into Tesla loss of steering reports.

Elon Musk is considering reincorporating Tesla in Texas after a court in Delaware, where Tesla is currently incorporated, voided his $56 billion compensation package. But roughly two-thirds of Fortune 500 are incorporated in the First State. We’ll examine why. Plus, Apple and Amazon are doing just fine, as reported in their latest earnings. And how can nature be a measurable part of our economy? The Biden administration seeks to find out.

From the BBC World Service: El Salvador’s current president, Nayib Bukele, is widely expected to be returned to power, but concerns about the economy and human rights violations under his leadership remain. Then, it may take place in a galaxy far, far away, but the trade in “Star Wars” merchandise is generating millions of dollars on this planet.

Companies vying for AI dominance have told us their stories, but this week they showed us their numbers, and there is a clear front-runner. Plus, a court struck down Elon Musk’s $56 billion pay package, but it’s the announcement that his startup Neuralink did its first human brain implant that has us really scratching our heads. First, though, a look back at Wednesday’s Senate hearing that put tech execs, politicians and families affected by online child sex abuse in a room together on Capitol Hill. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Anita Ramaswamy, columnist for Reuters Breakingviews, for her take on these stories.

Universal Music Group pulled its songs from TikTok after the video platform’s license expired Wednesday. Now, creators will have to avoid using some of today’s biggest hits. Also in this episode: what it means when the BLS says productivity is up, why it matters that wage gains are slowing down and how popular food brands are connected to prison labor.  

Stocks rise; worker output outpaces hours worked; manufacturers receive more new orders; unemployment claims rise.

The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming the companies’ artificial intelligence systems were illegally trained on copyrighted articles from the news outlet. But can our current intellectual property laws stand up to rapidly developing AI technology? We’ll get into it. And, we’ll hear what Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell wants to see more of before cutting interest rates. Plus, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on the first time she smoked pot in college. Here’s everything we talked about today: “OpenAI Says New York Times Lawsuit Against It Is ‘Without Merit’” from The New York Times “The economy and ethics of AI training data” from Marketplace “Fed Signals Cuts Are Possible but Not Imminent as It Holds Rates Steady” from The Wall Street Journal “NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Ends Its Mission” from The New York Times “‘Wait Wait’ for January 27, 2024: With Not My Job guest Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen” from NPR Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks, a game and more.

E.U. leaders overcame objections from Hungary; Medicare beginning price negotiations on 10 prescription drugs; Shell reports $28 billion profit for 2023; initial jobless claims inch up to 224,000.

The Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates sometime in 2024 — but that didn’t happen this week and Fed Chair Jerome Powell said not to expect it in March either. We’ll discuss the move (or lack thereof), as well as pressure on the central bank to confront housing costs. Plus, we’re getting more productive, churn in labor market isn’t as frenzied, and Medicare will start negotiating drug prices.

The results from FAFSA, the form students and their parents fill out to see how much financial aid they can get for college, won’t be released this year until March. That’s more than a month later than initially expected, and the delay is stressing out those who work with college applicants. Plus, a look back at the life of Black entrepreneur and economic activist A.G. Gaston.

From the BBC World Service: Like in the United States, politicians across the European Union have been struggling to finalize an aid package for Ukraine. But all 27 EU leaders have just approved a $55 billion aid package for Ukraine, after Hungary’s leader Viktor Orbán initially blocked the funding. Also: a record number of Chinese migrants are traveling through South America to reach the U.S.

The universe of industries that make money off dying in this country is extensive, and tech entrepreneurs have managed to insert themselves into various corners of it. That’s all according to culture journalist Mihika Agarwal, who’s been reporting on the grief tech industry — including ghost bots, the chatbots that are supposed to help us process grief. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke to Agarwal about her reporting.

For some Americans, buying a home feels like an impossible goal — especially in this market. Maybe that’s why more renters than ever say they’re likely to be renters for life. In this episode: Homeownership is out of reach for some and just not a priority for others. Plus, the Federal Reserve hints at when we might see interest rates cut, and AI training methods raise ethical questions about “fair use.”

Today, U.S. senators grilled the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies on online child safety. And while there’s lots of blame to go around, aren’t lawmakers responsible for making laws to protect kids? Get ready for a Kai rant. Plus, how the system we use to pick presidential candidates has fallen apart. And a new discovery on the power of music! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Social Media Company CEOs Testify on Online Child Sexual Exploitation” from C-SPAN “The Real Reason We’re Stuck with Trump v. Biden” from Politico “Did a Young Democratic Activist in 1968 Pave the Way for Donald Trump?” from Politico “Music found to cause similar emotions and bodily sensations across cultures” from Phys.org “Bodily maps of musical sensations across cultures” from PNAS We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Stocks fall; Federal Reserve says lowering rates too soon runs the risk of more inflation; wages rise in 2023; private sector employment picks up.

The employment cost index advanced at a slower pace in Q4 of 2023; Boeing lost $30 million in last quarter, before Alaska Airlines accident; judge rescinds Musk’s compensation deal with Tesla; Red Sea shipping disruptions to continue for months, Hapag-Lloyd says.

A judge has struck down Elon Musk’s compensation package at Tesla, valued at nearly $56 billion. The judge in Delaware — where Tesla is incorporated — called the amount “unfathomable” and said Tesla’s board failed to meet its responsibilities to shareholders. Let’s unpack the case. Plus: why prices for lithium are in free fall and how to build a home without putting out loads of emissions.

Global shipper UPS announced Tuesday that it’s planning to eliminate 12,000 jobs over the next few months — most of them in management. While shareholders love the phrases “trimming the fat,” “cutting costs” and “right-sizing,” why are managers so often the targets? We’ll also hear about a negated pay package for Elon Musk and the tough balancing act for Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

From the BBC World Service: Top United Nations officials are pleading with countries, including the U.S., to reconsider after they withdrew funding for its main aid agency in Gaza. Then, one of the world’s biggest record labels is pulling its music from TikTok after failing to reach a new licensing agreement with the platform. Also: another apology to U.K. Post Office scandal victims and greener construction.

In 2021, the Biden administration put out a report about gaps in the supply chain for electric vehicles. It estimated global demand for lithium and graphite would grow by more than 4,000% by 2040 if the world were to achieve the climate goals laid out in the Paris accords. These materials, along with copper, nickel and others, are critical to green technologies. And there is a global fight over their supply, one that Reuters correspondent Ernest Scheyder documents in his new book, “The War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives.” He told Marketplace’s Lily Jamali about why lithium, in particular, is in such high demand and the challenges of bringing it to market.

Boeing’s 737 Max 9 planes are flying again after the recent door-plug blowout incident that had kept the planes grounded for nearly a month. But the company’s troubles are far from over. Over the past two decades, Boeing’s reputation has been in decline. On the show today, Peter Robison, author of “Flying Blind: The 737 MAX Tragedy and the Fall of Boeing,” explains where things went wrong for America’s aviation giant, the 737 Max’s potential fate, and whether Boeing’s crisis could make way for a new competitor in the commercial aerospace industry. Plus, would you let Elon Musk implant a chip in your brain? And the one-two punch at UPS. Here’s everything we talked about today: “How Did a Boeing Jet End Up With a Big Hole?” from The New York Times “Boeing, not Spirit, mis-installed piece that blew off Alaska MAX 9 jet, industry source says” from The Seattle Times “The Crash of Two Airplanes and the Crisis at Boeing” from The New York Times “Boeing’s MAX production issues ripple across aerospace industry” from Reuters “Boeing’s latest 737 Max incident might not lose it much business” from Marketplace “Elon Musk Says Neuralink Has Implanted Brain Chip in Human” from The Wall Street Journal “Business Groups Sue California to Block Climate Disclosures” from The Wall Street Journal “UPS to Cut 12,000 Jobs and Mandate Return to Offices Five Days a Week” from The Wall Street Journal We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-

At $34 trillion, U.S. federal debt is at a record level. And economists say we’re entering uncharted waters with a 120% debt-to-GDP ratio. So, when should we start to worry? Also in this episode: Consumer confidence reaches a two-year high, activity heats up in the corporate bond market and beef Wellington takes center stage at Shanghai restaurants.

Stocks close mixed; quits rate falls over the last year; UPS revenue declines; IMF says global growth will pick up this year.

Global GDP forecast improves to 3.1% growth; job openings top 9 million in December; consumer confidence improves in January; home prices are up 6.6% compared to last year.

The auto industry had a generally strong 2023. This certainly included Toyota, which reported that it’s held onto its title as the world’s best-selling car company. But during prepared remarks, the company’s chairman also offered an apology. We unpack. Plus, can we expect any interest rate moves from the Federal Reserve this week? Then, we head to Germany, where protests are sweeping the country to counter the far-right Alternative for Deutschland party.

Over the past few weeks, Microsoft overtook Apple to become the most valuable company in the world by market capitalization. And investors will be hoping for more good news on that front when the company announces quarterly earnings on Tuesday. Also on the program: Walmart is offering store managers up to $20,000 in stock a year. We hear more. Plus, if you can’t afford college, how about chicken wings?

From the BBC World Service: Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson said his party had agreed to end its almost two-year boycott of the Northern Ireland Assembly. We’ll discuss. Then, we’ll take a look at ongoing demonstrations across Europe: Hundreds of tractors are blocking major roads into Paris as farmers protest against red tape and foreign competition, and Germany experiences a second weekend of protests against a far-right party’s mass deportation meetings.

By 2030, there are expected to be up to 11 million hybrid or electric vehicles in the United Kingdom, according to the Local Government Association. But there are currently only around 45,000 mechanics who are qualified to fix and service them. Unless more people sign up to be EV mechanics, drivers in the U.K. might find themselves with an electric car they can’t get fixed or afford to insure. We’ll hear more from BBC reporter Frey Lindsay.

Jobs in office support (think custodians, security guards) grew just 2.6% in 2023, according to a  Bureau of Labor Statistics report tracking employment in different sectors. That may reflect a sluggish return to in-person work more than growth in the sector. In this episode, the office support ecosystem. Plus, Baltimore will use blockchain tech to battle vacant homes, teen employment hits a 14-year high and importers struggle with price spikes.

A two-year investigation by the Associated Press digs into the prison labor behind the foods we eat every day. We’ll discuss how incarcerated people’s labor is tied to some of the world’s biggest companies, including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Walmart. Then, we’ll unpack the negotiations over a bipartisan border security deal. And, a wild conspiracy theory involving the NFL, Taylor Swift and the election? Here’s everything we talked about today: “Prisoners in the US are part of a hidden workforce linked to hundreds of popular food brands” from The Associated Press “Lankford defends bipartisan border security bill after attacks by Trump, GOP” from The Washington Post “OKGOP State Committee Condemns James Lankford” from OKGrassroots “Vivek Goes Full Tinfoil Hat With New Taylor Swift Election Conspiracy” from The Daily Beast “Young Swifties are tuning in to the NFL. Their dads are loving it” from The Washington Post “Walmart’s latest perk for U.S. store managers? Stock grants” from ABC News “Private Equity Is Starting to Share With Workers, Without Taking a Financial Hit” from The New York Times We love to hear from you. Send us your tips and tricks for creating and remembering passwords! Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Stocks rise; investors eager for corporate bonds as rates fall; Amazon abandons plans to acquire iRobot; labor market data due this week.

Alaska and United Airlines over the weekend resumed some 737 Max 9 flights; U.N. agency aiding Palestinians faces funding cuts; White House sets new rules for pay equity; Ikea stores aiming to bring prices back to inflation-adjusted prepandemic levels.

Some buy now, pay later platforms are testing out a new model: subscription plans. For these companies, it’s another guaranteed revenue stream and maybe a way to lock in loyal customers. But can they work when paying later is the whole point? Plus, we’ll examine what Evergrande’s liquidation means for the world’s second largest economy. And squeamish listeners beware: We’ll hear how France is grappling with its recent bedbug outbreak.

Consumer spending ticked up in December, and more people are swiping their credit cards. Part of the reason folks are more comfortable putting it on plastic is confidence in the overall job market. But delinquency rates have been climbing too. We’ll hear what economists make of these trends. Also: United Airlines in talks with Airbus and ripple effects of liquidation orders for property giant Evergrande.

From the BBC World Service: Evergrande was once China’s biggest property developer. Now, a judge in Hong Kong has ordered the liquidation of the debt-laden real estate giant, but Evergrande says it’ll continue on China’s mainland. And French farmers take their fight over red tape and environmental policies to Paris. Plus, we hear how that city is tackling the problem of bedbugs ahead of the Summer Olympics.

In rural North Dakota an old, coal-fired power plant is being retrofitted to capture emissions before they enter the atmosphere and store them underground. $890 million from the 2022 bipartisan infrastructure law will go towards that and two similar projects in California and Texas. Critics take issue with spending taxpayer money to kick the tires on “carbon capture and storage” technology. Among those critics are Catherine McKenna, Canada’s former minister of environment and climate change. She’s now CEO of Climate and Nature Solutions, an advisory firm,  and Chairs the UN’s expert group on net-zero commitments.

The U.S. economy has had a sunny start to 2024 — so why is corporate America laying on the layoffs? Plus, the effects of “digital redlining” in the rural South; the Biden administration takes a closer look at liquefied natural gas exports; and apparel brands recruit the help of “mid-size” influencers to more effectively court consumers.

Stocks close mixed; goods and services spending rises; prices up 2.6% over the last year; pending home sales jump

The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge rose 0.2% between November and December; Jetblue informed Spirit Airlines that their merger deal may be off; Intel surprised investors with a gloomy forecast.

Tesla had a rough 2023. On Wednesday, CEO Elon Musk warned Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD could overtake global competition without trade barriers, and investors weren’t so impressed. The company’s stock closed down 12% yesterday. Plus, we’ll dig into the most recent PCE data and hear about Japan’s deflation problem.

In 2023, $23 billion in federal contracts went to companies run by tribal nations, Alaska Native corporations and Native Hawaiian organizations. That’s 3% of the total federal contracting pool. We’ll get into why that money — and jobs that come with it — matter. Plus, the indie film market at Sundance and a ten-year high for IBM stock.

From the BBC World Service: British negotiators have walked away from talks with Canada, after it refused to continue a short-term deal that suspended tariffs on cheese; previously, the U.K. had been part of the EU’s agreement for tariff-free imports. Then: There’s been a major u-turn from Apple — it will now allow users in the EU to download apps from rival providers. A federal judge in Brazil has ordered three mining giants to pay almost $10 billion in damages over a deadly dam burst in 2015. And a business-minded Tanzanian teenager on a mission to help other kids learn about money and entrepreneurship.

On the show today, Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds have parked a whole lot of money in Silicon Valley. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, for one, spent more than $31 billion on 49 venture deals, up 33% in 2023. Why does the tech industry find it so hard to break up with Middle East money? Plus, Netflix changes up its business model — again. We look at why the streaming giant sees even more ads in its future. But first, job cuts continue across the tech landscape. Even TikTok, with its $225 billion valuation and 150 million active users in the U.S. alone, is letting people go. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Natasha Mascarenhas, reporter at The Information, for her take on these stories.

The latest reading on the U.S. economy shows unexpected growth, led by spending on hotels, dining out and video games. We check in with some businesses that are feeling the consumer love. So that’s how the economy is doing. But how are people feeling about it? Split, according to a new poll that shows a growing divide between what high- and low-income earners think. Also: Profits from home sales fell but are still more than double what they were five years ago. And a doctor talks about her book on racism in medicine.

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain announced that the union has endorsed President Biden’s bid for re-election. It’s a big deal for Biden’s pro-labor image. But what else could the union endorsement mean for his campaign? And, we’ll get into the conflict between facts and feelings in today’s economy. Plus, the political implications of a decline in local journalism and what the history of the New Deal can teach about ambitious investment in our country’s infrastructure. Here’s everything we talked about today: “What UAW backing means for Biden − and why the union’s endorsement took so long” from The Conversation “U.S. Economy Grew at 3.3% Rate in Latest Quarter” from The New York Times “Yellen, Criticizing Trump, Says Biden’s Economy Has Delivered Gains” from The New York Times “L.A. Times to lay off at least 115 people in the newsroom” from L.A. Times “More than half of U.S. counties have no access or very limited access to local news” from Medill “How FDR’s New Deal changed the U.S. economy forever” from Marketplace Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks, a game and more.

Stocks rise; GDP grows at second-fastest pace since 2021; inflation slows down; unemployment claims rise

We have a special episode for you today. We’re sharing an episode of the new podcast from APM Studios and Western Sound called “Ripple.” The largest oil spill in American history captivated the public’s attention for the entire summer of 2010. Authorities told a story of a herculean response effort that made shorelines safe and avoided a worst case scenario. Was that really the whole picture? “Ripple” is a new series investigating the stories we were told were over. In Season One, the reporting team traveled hundreds of miles across the Gulf Coast to learn the ongoing effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill — which are still impacting many coastal residents more than a decade later. Here is episode 1! And if you’d like to hear more episodes, you can find “Ripple” wherever you get your podcasts.

U.S. GDP growth was 3.3% in Q4 of 2023, stronger than expected; Biden administration releases $5 billion for infrastructure improvements throughout the country; Southwest, American earnings struggle in Q4 2023.

Mortgage rates have fallen since early last fall, when they hit 8% for the first time since 2000. Now, buyers who were biding their time are finally making moves. And if rates continue to drop, demand is likely to rise. All this is good news to homebuilders. Plus, the latest on the Boeing debacle and an analysis of last quarter’s economic growth.

On Thursday, House lawmakers will unveil a bipartisan bill that will fund safe places to park for people who are living in their vehicles. New Beginnings, a California nonprofit that pioneered the program, says in addition to an influx of families with young children, senior citizens make up half of their safe parking enrollees. We’ll also hear about researchers using satellite radar data to assess the scale of damage done by Israeli forces in Gaza.

From the BBC World Service: Major shipping companies including Maersk and DP World are having to re-route vessels and are predicting extended delays in shipments — the European market and the East Coast are worst affected. Plus, millions of people around the world will be celebrating the birthday today of one of Scotland’s most iconic cultural icons: the poet Robert Burns. This year, the Scottish government aims to use the celebrations to open up economic opportunities.

The World Court is expected to rule Friday on whether to grant emergency measures to stop the war in Gaza. South Africa has accused Israel of carrying out genocide in the Palestinian enclave. Israel says it’s targeting Hamas militants – not civilians – in response to the deadly Hamas attack of Oct. 7. But more than 25,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes, and according to Corey Scher of the City University of New York and Oregon State University’s Jamon Van Den Hoek, nearly half the buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke to Scher and Van Den Hoek about their work mapping the destruction with satellite radar technology.

When FDR’s administration created the New Deal, the relationship between the government and the economy changed forever. In some ways, Biden is trying to make a similar impact with more than $1 trillion authorized by legislation like the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. In our new series, “Breaking Ground,” we’ll be visiting communities across the country to see how the infusion of cash might change the economy. Today, we dive into what was accomplished with the New Deal and how it changed American society.

Stocks close mixed; new manufacturing orders pick up; business optimism increases; mortgage applications rise

The federal deficit is growing, and a former U.S. Treasury secretary is offering a solution: raising taxes! We’ll get into why talking tax hikes is a big no-no in Congress and why spending cuts may not cut it this time either. And, foreign nationals aren’t allowed to contribute to U.S. elections. But a loophole is seemingly allowing some foreign-influenced companies to do just that. Plus, the story of an astronaut and a dangerous ultimatum. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Joe Manchin’s debt crusade” from Politico “Rubin Says US In a ‘Terrible Place’ on Deficit, Urges Tax Hikes” from Bloomberg “All these government shutdown close calls cost money” from Marketplace “Foreign-Influenced Corporate Money in State Elections” from Open Secrets “Jon Stewart Returns to ‘Daily Show’ as Monday Host, Executive Producer” from Variety “What happens when an astronaut in orbit says he’s not coming back?” from Ars Technica We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Boeing will pause work tomorrow on its 737 production line; business activity picked up this month; a password crackdown delivered an upsurge of subscribers to Netflix; eBay, TikTok announce job cuts.

Japan’s Nikkei index has hit a 34-year high. Meanwhile, China’s markets have hit 5-year lows; the Hang Seng Index lost more than half its value since the end of 2020. Capital is moving in Asia, but what exactly is going on? Then, later in the program, we’ll hear how artificial intelligence is increasingly being used is to commit identity fraud.

The current farm bill, which funds everything from crop insurance to nutrition programs, was set to expire in September. Congress gave itself a yearlong extension to negotiate an update, but it could take longer than that. What issues are likely to get attention in the next bill? Plus, Boeing pauses one factory’s production for a day to focus on quality training, and rail workers in Germany begin a strike.

From the BBC World Service: It’s only been a month since Argentina’s president Javier Milei took office, but already big protests are set to take place over his plans to shake up the country’s economy. Then, as businesses turn to online verification tools, fraudsters are using artificial intelligence to create sophisticated disguises and hack into other people’s accounts. What can be done to stop it?

It’s hard to disappear these days. Everything from renting property and using a credit card to working a job leaves a digital footprint. But just because it’s hard to vanish from the virtual world doesn’t mean people aren’t trying. Some do it out of necessity, to escape violence or persecution. Others do it out of curiosity, pursuing total anonymity just to see how far they can take things. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Hal Triedman, a privacy engineer who recently wrote about the “extreme privacy” community for the online magazine Reboot.

The long-term care industry has been plagued by unaffordable prices and staffing shortages, squeezed by growing demand as the country ages. But public health officials have been voicing concerns about another, more hidden issue: the rise of private-equity-owned nursing homes. On the show today, Mark Unruh, professor of population health sciences at Weill Cornell Medical College, breaks down the long-term care industry, how nursing homes are impacted by private equity ownership, and what high, convoluted costs and staffing shortages mean for aging Americans seeking nursing home care. Then, we’ll dig into a niche economic indicator and how work is weighing on us. Plus, how one listener used their pandemic stimulus cash. Here’s everything we talked about today: “How do nursing homes make money?” from Marketplace “How Patients Fare When Private Equity Funds Acquire Nursing Homes” from the National Bureau of Economic Research “‘They Were Traumatized’: How a Private Equity-Associated Lender Helped Precipitate a Nursing-home implosion” from Politico “Who Really Owns Nursing Homes, And How The Feds Are About To Learn More” from Forbes “Dying Broke” from KFF Health News “Unhappy Workers Cost US Firms $1.9 Trillion” from Bloomberg “New LegalShield Data Reveals Highest Consumer Financial Stress Level in 3 Years” from LegalShield “TurboTax isn’t allowed to say it’s ‘free’ anymore” from The Verge We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The next big thing in streaming is undoubtedly live sports. The NFL’s first streaming-only game smashed records recently. The next big thing in sports, though? Gambling, which is becoming more accessible and more addictive. In this episode, fans spend on streaming and spend bigger on gambling platforms. Plus, New York City retail rents stay soft, organic certification comes at a price and middle managers have the worst time at work.

Stocks close mixed; streaming companies focusing more on live sports; Procter and Gamble sales rise; GE engines help push up revenue.

United CEO Kirby considering alternatives after Max 9 grounding; Johnson & Johnson agrees to pay $700 million to resolve multi-state investigation into talc product marketing; 3M signals challenging year ahead.

Just in time for tax season, the Federal Trade Commission has issued a final ruling against Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, over what it claims is deceptive marketing for TurboTax’s free online tax filing software. We’ll dig in to that decision. Then: a look at what’s expected to lose United Airlines money in Q1 and an examination of how luxury development is dividing the island of Barbuda.

After a natural disaster, getting individual aid from FEMA can be a notoriously slow and cumbersome process. But the Biden administration is looking to improve it. We’ll hear how new rules are meant to cut through all the red tape. Plus, some trace Boeing’s problems back to the ’90s. We’ll unpack more of the company’s history. Also on the program: What’s behind global stock rallies?

From the BBC World Service: The U.S. and U.K. conducted additional air strikes against the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, as the group continues to attack Red Sea cargo ships. Then, as Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD looks to expand its line-up with luxury models, we’ll hear why the company was right to start at the affordable end. We’ll also see why locals are concerned about plans to boost Barbuda’s tourism sector.

AI can be used for unsavory things, like any technology. But researchers at the nonprofit Global Fishing Watch have revealed a promising use case — enlisting AI to accurately track human activity on the oceans, according to its new study published in the journal Nature. There’s a lot out there that has long floated under the radar of monitoring systems, including the so-called dark fleets involved in illegal and unregulated fishing. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with David Kroodsma, director of research and innovation at Global Fishing Watch, about the group’s work.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ended his 2024 presidential bid. One feature of his campaign that caught our attention: the tight-knit relationship between himself and the Ron DeSantis super PAC, two things that should be very separate. We’ll get into how DeSantis’ team pushed the boundaries of campaign-finance law and what it says about how we govern campaign cash in the U.S. And, we’ll peel back the layers of DeSantis’ recent misattributed Winston Churchill quote. Plus, a record morning for manatees in a Florida state park! Here’s everything we talked about today: “DeSantis-linked super PAC broke new ground in pushing campaign finance rules in Iowa in support of a 2nd-place finish” from The Conversation “Boeing Faces More Pressure as United CEO Vents Frustrations” from Bloomberg “Pour One Out for Ron DeSantis” from The Atlantic A Facebook post celebrating a record manatee count from Blue Spring State Park in Florida We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Sleep aids and supplements, sleep tech and regular old mattresses make up a $100 billion global market combined. Which makes sense, since two-thirds of Americans don’t regularly get deep z’s. In this episode: How much would you pay for a good night’s sleep? Plus, Nordstrom’s challenge to straddle two retail worlds, AI might not take your job after all, and activist shareholders cause a stir at Exxon.

Stocks close higher; index declines at slower pace; fourth quarter GDP expected to decline from prior quarter; PCE data due on Friday.

On Monday, we got the latest survey of business conditions from the National Association for Business Economics, and businesses are feeling pretty good these days. More businesses reported positive profit margins, and fewer are anticipating a recession in the coming year. We’ll discuss. Then, we’ll hear about Exxon’s lawsuit to block activist investors’ climate proposals and learn about some of the challenges facing Brazil nut producers in Bolivia.

FAA calls for inspections of Boeing 737-900ER models; ADM investigating its accounting practices; Exxon Mobil sues to stop shareholder proposal on emissions reductions; Macy’s rejects takeover bid.

Scrutiny of Boeing planes have grown beyond the 737 Max 9, the aircraft that was thrust into the spotlight following the Alaska Airlines accident earlier this month. The Federal Aviation Administration has urged airlines to inspect some older 737 model with the same door plug designs as the Max 9. We’ll explore what’s at stake. Plus, higher interest rates and the troubled commercial real estate are piling pressure onto regional banks.

Designed to attract foreign business, Australia’s visa scheme was cut in an immigration overhaul after the government found it was “delivering poor economic outcomes.” Also on the program: A month-long fishing ban comes into force off the French Atlantic coast today. Then we’ll head to Bolivia, the world’s biggest exporter of Brazil nuts. But nut producers there are grappling with volatile prices.

It’s been almost two weeks since several investment products tied to bitcoin started trading on old-school financial markets. These bitcoin ETFs have made it easier for everyday investors to place bets on the crypto market, and in the days since federal regulators gave the green light, investors have poured nearly $2 billion into the new bitcoin funds. But probably not the crypto purists, says Joel Khalili, who reports on the industry for Wired. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Khalili about crypto early adopters, who, he says, are quite happy to stay on the fringes of the financial system.

A drop in preowned home sales in December was the cherry on top of the worst year for the U.S. housing market since 1995. We’ll get into the causes of the slump and what it would take for the housing market to get back on track. And, a tax deal that would expand the child tax credit is gaining momentum. Then, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Strong bipartisan showing in first test of tax deal’s support” from Roll Call “Mars Express finds evidence of large water deposit at the Medusae Fossae Formation” from Phys.org “What Is an Assumable Mortgage?” Buy Side from The Wall Street Journal “US Existing-Home Sales Decline to Cap Worst Year Since 1995” from Bloomberg “Expect restaurants to go all in on breakfast this year” from Marketplace ‘”Super shoes” take their place in the $50B running shoe market” from Marketplace “Can robots make us less lonely?” from Marketplace “It doesn’t take a Mathlete to know a “Mean Girls” remake adds up for Hollywood” from Marketplace “What happens when a school bans smartphones? A complete transformation” from The Guardian We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Congress narrowly avoided yet another government shutdown today, keeping thousands of federal employees in their jobs by basically extending last year’s budget for the short term. But being buzzer beaters comes at a price: Pushing back the budget deadline can cost federal departments precious time and representatives the trust of their constituents. Also in this episode, the New Deal history of Los Angeles freeways and the North American fruit you won’t find at most grocery stores.

Stocks close higher; people more optimistic about inflation, incomes; existing home sales fall in December; sales likely to pick up in early 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is changing rules to simplify and speed up assistance; last year, existing home sales were at their lowest since 1995; Apple to grant third-party digital wallet providers access to its one-tap mobile payment system, E.U. says; Congress narrowly averts partial shutdown with stopgap funding bill.

Today, the World Economic Forum is wrapping up in Davos, Switzerland. There, meetings have been held between company heads and global leaders. Key themes include artificial intelligence, increasingly complicated relationships between world powers and prospects of another potential Donald Trump administration. We’ll outline the results of some of these meetings. But first, how are consumers feeling? A lot of it has to do with how they’re doing relative to inflation.

With much of the country frozen right now, some EV owners are going through their first frigid winter and finding that their cars don’t like the cold either. Turns out, EVs tend to lose range and take longer to charge when it’s colder outside. We’ll examine. Plus, Congress approves their third stopgap funding measure in four months, and we look at the factors that could keep a lid on home prices.

From the BBC World Service: In northern India, thousands are lining up for jobs in Israel due to a labor shortage caused by the war with Hamas. Plus, Spanish streaming star David Cánovas, known as TheGrefg, is embroiled in a legal battle with an 80-year-old woman he is trying to evict. And then Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits who’s selling most of his collection at auction later this month.

On the show today, the Food and Drug Administration expanded its approval for CRISPR gene-editing therapies. We look at the affordability of these treatments, which can cost well into the millions of dollars. Plus, is bad marketing stunting health tech companies? More on how startups can up their game. But first, at this week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, there were 32 scheduled events devoted to AI. When they weren’t comparing private jets, business executives were busy asking, “How do you make money off AI?” Marketplaces’ Lily Jamali is joined by Christina Farr, a health tech investor at OMERS Ventures, for her take on these stories.

Though the IRS doesn’t collect racial data, it is significantly more likely to audit Black earned income tax credit filers than those of any other race. Dorothy Brown, a scholar of tax law and race, is part of a Treasury advisory committee on racial equity, and so far, she said, Secretary Janet Yellen hasn’t embraced the group’s recommendations as a priority. In this episode, the slow-going fight to fix racial disparities caused by the tax system. Plus, what hiring managers mean when they label candidates “overqualified.”

The head of the International Monetary Fund said artificial intelligence could impact over half of jobs in advanced economies. But is AI already displacing workers? We’ll get into the latest layoffs sweeping the tech industry. And, the forecast on Capitol Hill: snowy with a chance of negotiations on border security and spending bills. Plus, NASA’s return to the moon is facing some setbacks. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Johnson Casts Doubt on Border Deal to Unlock Ukraine Aid, Defying Biden” from The New York Times “AI will affect 40% of jobs and probably worsen inequality, says IMF head” from The Guardian “Watch IMF’s Georgieva on Economic Impact of Generative AI” from Bloomberg “‘AI made us do it’ is Big Tech’s new layoff rationale” from Axios “The Tech Employee Who Went Viral for Filming Her Firing Has No Regrets” from The Wall Street Journal “Concerns rise China might reach moon before NASA’s return” from The Washington Post Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks, a game and more. Hey Smarties! We recorded today’s episode before the news broke that Congress voted to pass a short-term spending bill, averting a partial government shutdown. We’re monitoring the story as it develops.

Stocks rise; new unemployment claims lowest level since September 2022; mortgage rates expected to fall further; housing starts tick down.

Banks are paying more to keep deposit accounts; Humana reports higher costs, plans premium increases; unemployment claims for to 16-month low; single-family home construction declined in December.

Globally, the total value of mergers and acquisitions last year was the lowest since in a decade, held back by interest rates, a volatile stock market and a strict regulatory environment. The corporate dealmaking could rebound this year, though. We’ll also paint a picture of our economic moment with a slew of recent data. Plus, could passwords be a thing of the past?

Breakfast — and its more formal cousin, brunch — is “in” for 2024. Consumers like that they’re able to spend less money than they would on a dinner out while still feeling like they’re treating themselves. Meanwhile, restaurants love the profit margins. Also on this morning’s show: flipping through the pages of the Beige Book and analyzing the average workweek in China.

From the BBC World Service: Singapore’s transport minister has resigned after facing multiple charges of corruption; it’s alleged he took kickbacks worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, something he denies. Also, passwords could soon be a thing of the past as companies like Google introduce “passkeys” as a default login for online users. But with the rise of deepfake technology, is any method of verifying our identities completely secure?

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s recent approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds means that for the first time, people can invest in funds that include bitcoin with no crypto wallet required. Demand for the original cryptocurrency is only expected to grow, and bitcoin mining operators are in position to satisfy it. Two years ago, Marketplace’s Lily Jamali visited one in upstate New York. Stacks of computers burned through tons of power to generate new bitcoins, she reported. Texas is now a preferred hub, and Ben Hertz-Shargel of the consultancy Wood Mackenzie says the SEC’s move will be felt there.

Discretionary spending has had a good run recently, and the purchases aren’t skewing practical. Furniture retailers, for example, had a lousy 2023 — splurgy shoppers were more focused on Swift tickets than sofas. And looking to 2024, consumers plan to steer clear of big-ticket items and instead buy affordable luxuries like cosmetics. In this episode: Americans are in their “joy spending” era. Plus, financial planners are wary of the new spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds and everything seems to always be on sale.

Stocks fall; sales rise 0.6% from December; homebuilder confidence rises; mortgage applications tick up.

The Supreme Court is hearing two cases that deal with a foundational part of administrative law, known as the Chevron deference, which gives federal agencies broad powers to create policies and regulations. We’ll explain the fight over the Chevron deference and how the economy could be impacted if it were overturned. And, what do we lose when we don’t get to see candidates debate each other? Plus, don’t talk to me about this year’s presidential election until I’ve had my coffee. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Conservative Justices Appear Skeptical of Agencies’ Regulatory Power” from The New York Times “China’s Economic Growth Disappoints, Fueling Stimulus Calls” from Bloomberg “CNN cancels New Hampshire Republican primary debate” from Politico “Rumors Circulating That James Webb Has Discovered Life on Another World” from Futurism “No, the James Webb Space Telescope hasn’t found life out there—at least not yet” from Ars Technica “Trump Back in White House? Lagarde Says ‘Let Me Have Some Coffee’” from Bloomberg We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

December retail sales rose a brisk 0.6% compared to November; CFPB proposed rules limiting bank overdraft fees; federal judge blocks JetBlue’s proposed merger with Spirit Airlines; China’s economy grows 5.2% in 2023.

A federal judge has blocked JetBlue’s efforts to purchase Spirit Airlines. The Justice Department had filed an antitrust lawsuit, saying the merger would eliminate a low-cost carrier that has been keeping airfares down. Also on the show: We all spent a lot in December, the market for super shoes is running hot, and China’s economic recovery looks shaky.

Many of the nation’s largest banks have reported mixed results recently. Banks often turn to fees – including overdraft charges – to help boost their bottom lines. But a Biden administration rule announced Wednesday would reduce those fees and save consumers billions a year. Then, Apple is making changes to its App Store but will still charge a hefty commission. And shipping rates have soared following continued Red Sea attacks.

From the BBC World Service: Data released on Wednesday showed that China had a population of 1.4 billion at the end of 2023 — a 2.08 million decrease from 2022. The decline underscores concerns about the future growth of the world’s second largest economy. Then, the U.K.’s Post Office scandal rumbles on, and pricey, high-tech sneakers for runners becomes a big business.

While Marketplace’s Lily Jamali was at CES last week in Las Vegas, she took her first ride on the Vegas Loop, built by Elon Musk’s the Boring Co. In 2013, Musk floated the concept of a hyperloop as a way for people to travel long distances at superfast speeds via pods in vacuum-sealed tubes. The Vegas Loop, as Lily found out, is not that. Developing actual hyperloop technology is hard and costly. Just ask Hyperloop One, a startup that recently shut down after a decade of trying. Lily recently spoke with Bloomberg’s Sarah McBride about Hyperloop One’s demise and what it means for the tech sector’s larger ambition to create hyperloop transport systems.

Increasingly, small and medium businesses are taking out loans with hedge funds or investment firms, which can have fewer restrictions than banks and might be more flexible on loan amounts. In this episode, the pros and cons of private credit. Plus, office downsizing could ramp up this year, Kroger and Albertsons want to merge, and U.S. agricultural imports will likely exceed exports this year.

In 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote that “the solution to poverty is to abolish it directly by a now widely discussed measure: the guaranteed income.” Decades later, while still a divisive idea, the conversation around guaranteed income is starting to simmer, and pilot programs looking at universal basic income, a similar idea, are popping up around the country. On the show today, Stacia West, director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Guaranteed Income Research, explains why King called for a guaranteed income, why UBI is gaining traction today, and what early results from pilot programs are showing us about its impact. Then, we’ll get into the haggling over the child tax credit on Capitol Hill and check in with the world’s second largest economy. Plus, one historian was wrong about Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision for the American economy. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Solution to Poverty” from The Atlantic “Global Map of Basic Income Experiments” from The Stanford Basic Income Lab “Stockton’s Universal Basic Income Experiment Increased Employment And Well-Being” from NPR “The first results from the world’s biggest basic income experiment in Kenya are in” from Vox “The Power of Cash: How Guaranteed Income Can Strengthen Worker Power” from Economic Security Project “Musk Wants 25% Voting Control of Tesla Before Building Its AI” from Bloomberg “Chinese Premier Makes Surprise Economic Growth Disclosure” from The Wall Street Journal “Tax breaks for parents, businesses possible in last-minute deal” from Politico “Opinion | Changes to the child tax credit are a win for Congress and America” from The Washington Post We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Stocks fall; judge argues combination would reduce competition; Goldman Sachs profits rise on wealth management revenue; dealmaking could pick up this year.

The Justices’ decision means Apple must allow alternate in-app purchase methods on iOS devices; Ukraine’s Zelenskyy urges continued financial support; Boeing increasing Max 9 inspections.

Today is the deadline for comments on a proposed rule to increase capital requirements for large banks. It can be useful to think of the money a bank uses to fund its business as a pizza — some slices are equity, others are debt, and others are unknowns. We’ll dish up that analogy. Sticking with the food theme: Mexican food is increasingly popular with young Americans, and one in 10 eateries serves it.

Today is the first full day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Among the challenges to be discussed are artificial intelligence, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, election integrity and the climate crisis. We’ll hear more about what to expect from the meeting of global leaders. Then, Lebanon is projected to slide back into recession as its tourism industry feels the economic shock of the Israel-Hamas war.

From the BBC World Service: Google Play Store has pulled some major crypto exchanges, including Binance and Kraken, in India. The move comes two weeks after India’s financial watchdog said the platforms were operating “illegally” there. Also on the program: A U.S.-owned cargo ship survives a Houthi rebels missile attack, and Lebanon’s economy is hit hard by the war in Gaza

One consequence of climate change is more frequent and severe droughts. And that has water-stressed communities looking for new sources of drinking water. Today, Marketplace’s climate podcast “How We Survive” and host Amy Scott take a look at how technology can help.

About 20 million Americans enrolled in Affordable Care Act health insurance plans this go-round — the most since ACA marketplaces started enrolling people in 2013. Open enrollment for 2024 coverage ends tomorrow for most Americans. In this episode, the pandemic policies that boosted sign-ups. Plus, corporations are already fighting for opioid settlement money, minority small business owners face barriers to borrowing and a tiny Georgia town’s port could be the future of U.S. auto shipping.

Roughly 1 million people volunteer to work at polls during presidential elections, but recruiting enough poll workers remains a perennial challenge. Those staff shortages can add to wait times at the polls, which, in turn, can depress voter turnout. Now, as many poll workers grow older and end their service, advocacy groups are pushing for young people to step up. Also: Who says college is just for the young?

In 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated after speaking with striking sanitation workers in Memphis. Strikes have gotten more rare in the decades following King’s murder, but data from Cornell University shows that the number of strikes have been picking up over the last two years. What does that momentum mean for the year ahead? And later, the tide may be turning against noncompete agreements.

From the BBC World Service: The International Monetary Fund predicts that artificial intelligence is likely to cause disruptions for jobs across the globe — but it won’t have an even effect on workers and global economies. Then, two British brothers are on trial in Switzerland for stealing Ming Dynasty porcelain worth nearly $3.7 million. And the soccer tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations, has kicked off in the Ivory Coast.

Last year, the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 1 in 3 adults between 50 and 80 years old said they felt isolated. Enter ElliQ, the robot companion created to alleviate loneliness in older adults. She’s programmed to be inquisitive and empathetic and is designed to sit in your home and keep you company. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Dor Skuler, CEO and co-founder of Intuition Robotics, about why he thinks a robot is the right tool to address loneliness.

Certain dietary supplements with an ingredient that mimics opioids are a bubbling problem for public health officials. Sometimes called “gas station heroin,” they’re sold at run-of-the-mill smoke shops and convenience stores. We’ll get into why health officials are concerned and how under-regulation can muddy our understanding of how safe a substance actually is. Then, a much needed-happy puppy story. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Utah Jazz player Kelly Olynyk and wife found dog then found her owner” from The Washington Post “Supreme Court to review restrictions on homeless encampments” from The Washington Post “More Teens Who Use Marijuana Are Suffering From Psychosis” from The Wall Street Journal “‘Gas-Station Heroin’ Sold as Dietary Supplement Alarms Health Officials” from The New York Times “Why the earliest version of Mickey Mouse is entering the public domain” from Marketplace “Why do we still use paper checks?” from Marketplace “ABBA’s Voyage concert series is making London “Money, Money, Money'” from Marketplace “Are we entering a world of surge dining?” from Marketplace “The thirst for Stanley tumblers has reached a tipping point” from The Washington Post We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

“Mean Girls” — a movie based on a musical based on a 2003 movie — comes out today. It’s not the first or the last time Hollywood has recycled a beloved plot and characters for a “new” audience. What makes movie remakes so grool? (Great plus cool, duh.) Also in this episode: tackling the question of the NFL’s future and young voters in Taiwan are focused on inflation and fear of war with China.

Stocks close mixed; rising interest rates push up bank profits; banks increase loan loss reserves; producer prices tick down.

The producer price index declined for the third straight month; Biden administration moves up student loan cancellations under new repayment plan; FAA to increase scrutiny of Boeing.

California, home of the fifth largest economy in the world, has a budget deficit of between $38 billion and $68 billion, depending on the estimate. But even with the economy doing pretty well across the country, other states have budget woes as well, many of which were papered over by federal pandemic aid. Also on the program: a look at falling wholesale prices and increased oversight of Boeing.

A new Summer EBT program that provides an extra $40 per month per kid per month will feed millions of children over summer vacation. But with grocery prices high and still rising, that money can only go so far. Also on the show: The shockwaves of war in the Middle East expand, and the economy remains on the minds of Taiwanese voters.

From the BBC World Service: Tesla is suspending manufacturing at its only European electric car factory as attacks in the Red Sea disrupt supplies. The company said longer delivery times created a gap in its supply chains as shipping companies avoid the route. And as Taiwan prepares to go the polls, its tense relationship with Beijing dominates campaigns — yet for many residents, the economy is among the biggest issues.

On the show today, tech investors are among the 100,000-plus people who’ve descended on Las Vegas for this year’s CES. They’re looking for the next big thing in tech and trying to make sure they don’t throw money at the next big dud. Plus, CES showcases the latest in age tech — products meant to make getting older easier, more comfortable and less lonely. But first, artificial intelligence is a big theme at the gathering this year, and the technology is becoming a regular part of people’s work lives. That’s according to a new survey from Tech.co. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Jewel Burks Solomon, managing director at Collab Capital, and Katie Roof, reporter at Bloomberg, for their take on these stories.

The last consumer price index came out today. In short? Prices ticked up a bit more than expected. We’ll dig into two major line items: the cost of shelter (and why it’s a lagging indicator when it comes to the CPI) and grocery prices — for that, we’ll hear from shoppers themselves. Also in this episode, restaurants may be the new frontier for dynamic pricing, and farmers lacking child care options could get some help from the next farm bill.

We’re approaching a partial government shutdown, again. We’ll get into why it feels like we’re back at square one and where Congress goes next. And, we’ll explain why the panel blowout during an Alaskan Airlines flight is a big problem for Boeing, despite its strong position in the market. Plus, what bitcoin exchange-traded funds mean for the future of crypto and Nikki Haley’s Social Security plan. Here’s everything we talked about today: “US Senate Democrats plan for stopgap to avert shutdown, House Republicans bicker” from Reuters “Boeing CEO says company is “acknowledging our mistake” after Alaska Airlines door blowout” from CBS News “Boeing’s design of a part that blew off a jetliner is being investigated by the federal government” from AP News “Nikki Haley wants to reform Social Security and Medicare. Donors are paying attention” from CNN Politics “Gary Gensler’s ETF Approval Statement Doubles Down On Bitcoin Criticism: ‘Primarily A Speculative, Volatile Asset'” from Markets Insider “SEC makes it easier to trade bitcoin in landmark decision” from The Washington Post Join us tomorrow for our first Economics on Tap of 2024! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks, a game and more.

Stocks close flat; inflation up 3.5% over the last year; rent inflation data could lag behind actual rent slowdown; unemployment claims fall slightly.

The consumer price index rose to an annual gain of 3.4%; jobless claims fell to 202,000; SEC reluctantly approves bitcoin ETFs; natural gas producers Chesapeake, Southwestern announce merger deal.

Overall inflation ticked up to 3.4% year over year in December, which is higher than November’s inflation rate. But, if you take out food and energy prices (which are notoriously volatile), inflation actually slowed down slightly. We look at how to slice today’s inflation report. Then, wage growth has been slowing, an IRS watchdog report shows mixed grades, and the SEC approves a bitcoin ETF.

The fallout continues from the Alaska Airlines accident last week. More airlines are cancelling Boeing 737 Max 9 flights, but it’s also affecting the first responders involved: flight attendants. We speak with Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, about flight attendants’ main concerns and the pandemic-era strains on flight crews that still persist. Plus, OpenAI is in content licensing deal talks with major news organizations.

From the BBC World Service: It’s taken a TV series to move the United Kingdom’s government into action over a scandal at the state-owned Post Office. Hundreds of workers were wrongly convicted of theft and fraud, when the real problem was faulty software from a system known as Horizon. Also: Taiwan votes this weekend in a presidential election. The consequences for Asia’s eighth largest economy could be dramatic.

We’re a few days into CES now, and amid the demos, launches, meeting, greeting, keynotes and all the walking, there’s one thing on a lot of people’s minds: sleep. So, Marketplace’s Lily Jamali stopped by the National Sleep Foundation’s booth to meet some folks there thinking about sleep. She spoke with Biquan Luo, co-founder and CEO of Lumos Tech, whose company makes what looks like a regular sleep mask, but has embedded LED lights. It’s designed to help recalibrate a user’s sleep schedule.

Alan Greenspan served as chair of the Federal Reserve for 18 years, cooling inflation in the 1990s and demonstrating that the Fed was independent from politicians. But he also made mistakes that helped lead to the financial crisis of 2008. In this episode, biographer Sebastian Mallaby dives into Greenspan’s complicated legacy. Plus, why beef and other animal product prices haven’t fallen to pre-pandemic levels, and what wholesale inventory numbers signal about the economy.

Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission voted to approve the first exchange-traded funds holding bitcoin. But regulators still have concerns, and a recent hack of an SEC social media account have only heightened fears. Plus, the pandemic relief funds that’ve been keeping state budgets afloat are gone. We’ll unpack why state budgets can be trickier beasts than the federal budget. And: This is normally a zombie-free zone, but “The Last of Us” TV series has us reconsidering. Here’s everything we talked about today: “SEC Hack Adds to Unease Over Bitcoin ETF Approval” from The Wall Street Journal “State Budget Problems Spread” from The Pew Charitable Trusts “‘It was a mirage’: States face budget woes as huge infusions of federal cash run out” from Politico “The Last Of Us Show Casts Beef Actor As Key Character” from Kotaku We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Stocks rise; interest rates will likely have to stay high for “some time”; Amazon announces layoffs in streaming and studios division; wholesalers inventories fall.

Participate in the cycle of life and sequester some carbon while you’re at it — even if you don’t have a city-provided green bin! Caleigh Wells and Candice Dickens-Russell geek out about their own composting methods, and discuss what they’ve learned from an urban farm owner.

A World Economic Forum report says false and misleading information is the biggest short-term economic risk; the SEC investigates a hack of its official account on X; CES gets underway in Las Vegas.

The annual electronics showcase event CES is underway in Las Vegas, and it features one of the world’s biggest car shows. While the three largest U.S. automakers do not have displays, Big Tech companies are looking to make their mark as up-and-coming auto suppliers. We’ll also examine the risks AI misinformation poses to the global economy and hear how Puerto Rico intends to its lower dependence on imported foods. To hear more about the latest tech on display at CES, check out “Marketplace Tech.”

There are a lot of pressing risks threatening the global economy this year. What poses the biggest risk? According to an annual report from political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, the U.S. presidential election — expected to exacerbate political dysfunction — tops the list. (But don’t worry, we hear an upbeat prediction too.) Plus, are you an independent contractor or an employee? Regulators have a new litmus test.

From the BBC World Service: Despite warnings of the possible environmental impact, Norway’s government has given the green light for companies to apply to extract precious minerals from the country’s seabed. Then, German railways have ground to a near halt in a three-day train drivers strike. And later: an examination of Puerto Rico’s food revolution.

CES is many things — including a gadget fest and a glimpse into the kind of technology we might be using a month or a decade from now. CES also hosts one of the biggest auto shows on the planet, which is why it’s worth noting that General Motors, Ford and Chrysler aren’t here this year. The United Auto Workers strike ended just a few months ago. General Motors, specifically, is still regrouping after the implosion of its robotaxi startup Cruise. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Autopilot driver assistance is under pressure from regulators. The idea of reaching fully autonomous driving — what’s known as Level 5 in the tech sector — is starting to feel out of reach. And maybe that’s OK. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke to Trevor Curwin, director of strategic partnerships at Sheeva.AI, an automotive payments company, from the CES floor about the troubles and outlook for the auto industry’s tech ambitions.

After Elon Musk’s gut renovation of Twitter, now known as X, other platforms like TikTok and Mastodon attempted to take its place as the new hub. But as users flock to various apps and algorithms replace follower-based feeds, the very core of social media is changing. On the show today, The Atlantic’s Charlie Warzel explains the silo-ification of social media, what it means to go viral on today’s internet and how the changing medium might impact the 2024 elections. Plus, a potential upside to the fragmented social media landscape. Then, we’ll get into what the U.S. is doing about shady shell companies, how China became the world’s biggest car exporter and get smart about gin. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Nobody Knows What’s Happening Online Anymore” from The Atlantic “TikTok’s biggest hits are videos you’ve probably never seen” from The Verge “The Great Social Media–News Collapse” from The Atlantic “U.S. companies in no hurry to disclose ownership under new Treasury rule” from CNBC “45 Years Ago, One Kids Book Series Taught A Generation How To Make Bad Decisions” from Fatherly “China Becomes the World’s Biggest Auto Exporter—With Help From Russia” from The Wall Street Journal If you’ve got a question, comment or submission for a state drink, send them our way. We’re at 508-UB-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Nearly 20% of office spaces across the U.S. are vacant, new data shows. Many companies solidified their back-to-office policies in the past year, so why are buildings emptier than ever? And in Shanghai, retail vacancies remain higher than pre-pandemic levels — yet small-business owners are struggling to find affordable storefronts to lease. Also in this episode: The Biden administration passed a new rule that could classify millions more gig workers as employees, and economists aren’t concerned about the U.S. trade deficit.

Stocks close mixed; labor rule meant to combat worker misclassifications; imports fall in November; exports fall as well.

Labor Department unveils new rules to protect gig workers, require new benefits; United, Alaska find loose bolts in Boeing 737 Max 9 planes; VW, Mercedes-Benz unveil AI-powered assistants in vehicles.

Consumer credit jumped a whopping $23.7 billion in November, according to the Federal Reserve. That continues a trend of households struggling with high and rising prices, which is leading to a surge in debt and delinquencies. And it’s putting additional strain on families, especially lower-income ones. We’ll also preview what the December CPI might look like and hear why the song “Murder on the Dancefloor” is killing it right now.

From the BBC World Service: Farmers in Germany are blockading roads in protest of subsidy cuts, with more than 500 tractors and trucks parked by Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. Then, funding England’s student loans system is expected to cost the U.K. government an extra $12.5 billion a year. And “Murder on the Dancefloor” is near the top of the charts for the first time in two decades thanks to the movie “Saltburn.”

Investigators are still looking into why a piece of a Boeing aircraft blew off an Alaska Airlines flight over the weekend. It’s the latest issue with 737 Max planes, including an aircraft grounding following two crashes several years ago. Thing is, plane orders take years and there are few manufacturing competitors — meaning Boeing may not lose much businesses. And later: how Germany’s budget cuts helped spawn a major protest by farmers.

This week, more than 100,000 people from around the world — including staff from “Marketplace Tech” — are gathered in Las Vegas to talk tech at the annual Consumer Electronics Show. CES this year features more than 4,000 exhibitors, from small startups to tech giants like Amazon, Intel and Sony. There’s so much to see in so little time, so Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, which runs CES, about what to watch for at this year’s event.

It’s a new year, and that means experts — and nonexperts — have lots of guesses about what 2024 may hold. In this episode, we’ll talk about some of those predictions. Will inflation hit to 3%? Will consumer credit keep ticking up? Will gas prices drop below $3 a gallon? Signs point to yes. Plus, Houston has been nationally recognized for its successful Housing First approach to homelessness. But keeping up those programs will mean more funding, especially as housing costs rise.

Former Harvard President Claudine Gay resigned after backlash following controversial testimony to Congress and accusations of plagiarism. We’ll get into Gay’s exit and what it says about privilege in the workplace. And, why Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s failure to tell the White House about his hospitalization is a big deal. Plus, the lore behind John Coltrane’s cover of “My Favorite Things” is making us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Opinion | Former Harvard President Claudine Gay: This Is About More Than My Mistakes” from The New York Times “Claudine Gay’s Harvard resignation proves Black women’s leadership is still political” from 19th News “The Pentagon adds new details about Austin’s secretive hospital stay and the delay in telling Biden” from AP News “How John Coltrane’s ‘My Favorite Things’ Changed American Music” from Smithsonian Magazine “Elon Musk Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep” from Bloomberg Happy New Year! We want to hear about any resolutions you made. Send us an email to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Stocks climb; delinquencies are ticking up; inflation expectations fall; spending expectations grow at slower pace.

Stocks open mixed as Dow component Boeing tumbles; Congressional negotiators reach a spending deal; China sanctions U.S. defense contractors.

No, we’re not talking about three of Snow White’s seven dwarfs — we’re talking about the mood of the American consumer. Despite low levels of unemployment, solid GDP growth and cooling inflation, Americans remain pretty darn sour on the economy. What gives? Plus, China is sanctioning five American defense contractors, and a massive new train line in Mexico is stirring controversy among environmentalists.

Many on Wall Street expect the Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates in March, but a lot is riding on these first few months of the year. We’ll check in with Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin about potential risks to a soft landing. Also on the program: device-makers hope to attract consumer dollars at CES, and California expands state health care to include low-income undocumented immigrants.

From the BBC World Service: China has announced sanctions against five American arms manufacturers over weapons sales to Taiwan.The move comes just ahead of this weekend’s Taiwanese elections. Also, trains are starting to run on Mexico’s new multibillion-dollar train network, known as Tren Maya. It’s projected to bring 2 million more tourists a year to the impoverished Yucatan Peninsula, but critics say it’s an environmental catastrophe.      

Last June, President Joe Biden flew to Silicon Valley to tout the massive federal investment in clean energy made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. For a long time though, women have been largely shut out of clean tech jobs. And an investigation by the nonprofit newsroom The Fuller Project, reported by Kate Gammon, found that last year, women filled just 32% of green energy jobs, up just 1 percentage point since 2008. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with senior editor Aaron Glantz about The Fuller Project’s sometimes graphic findings.

In/out lists are, like, so “in” right now. On social media, they’re a way to forecast what trends people will and won’t be fans of in the new year. So for this episode, we asked economists to predict what will be in and out for the 2024 economy. Plus, some sweet stories: an ice cream entrepreneur settles into a long-needed production facility, and Google Chrome begins phasing out third-party cookies. (But that doesn’t mean no more targeted ads.)

Stocks rise; job gains outpace November’s; wage gains outpace inflation; service sector expands.

Job growth was better than expected in December; average hourly earnings grow 4.1%, outpacing inflation; services sector slows as consumers shift spending; FDA approves Florida plan to import Canadian prescription drugs.

Turns out, businesses kept on hiring in spite of predictions. The Labor Department reports that 216,000 new jobs were added in December, and the unemployment rate held steady at 3.7%. We’ll look at longer-term trends and parse out which sectors saw hiring booms. Then, gadget-makers head to CES in Las Vegas. We’ll preview what to expect. And later, Texas is revamps how it funds community colleges.

Lawmakers in California are gearing up to debate reparations for slavery. But if reparations are politically unviable, what’s the next best thing? In part three of our Golden Promises series, we’ll unpack alternatives, including ones that could help address racial disparities in education, housing, health care and credit scores. Also on the show, the cost of borrowing for a home has gone down sharply.

From the BBC World Service: Grocery giant Carrefour will stop selling Pepsi products in France, citing “unacceptable price increases.” Then, ground staff at the Spanish airline Iberia are staging a four-day strike after the collapse of talks between unions and the company. And Elvis lives! At least an AI-powered hologram version does, as a new London show promises an immersive experience through the life of the music legend.

Hey Smarties! Today we’re sharing an episode from “Million Bazillion,” a Marketplace podcast that answers kids’ questions about money. This episode tackles a question many of you might have too: What’s a recession? To get to the bottom of it, hosts Bridget and Ryan take an adventure-filled trip to the Federal Reserve, where they bump into Fed Chair Jerome Powell (who might sound a bit like Kai Ryssdal). We’ll be back with new episodes next week. Until then, if you’ve got a question, comment or submission for a state drink, send them our way. We’re at 508-UB-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

On the show today, shares of Apple touched a seven-week low this week after Barclays downgraded the company. What does the dreaded “sell” rating say about expectations for the Cupertino tech giant? Plus, telling AI from reality might get easier in 2024 thanks to tools that can help with that, and a preview of other personal tech to watch for in the year ahead. But first, Tesla CEO Elon Musk set an ambitious goal at the beginning of 2023 — sell 2 million electric vehicles by the end of the year. The company came pretty close to that sales goal with 1.85 million deliveries; that, compared with 73,000 EVs sold by Ford (if you round up). However, Tesla did fall behind China’s BYD as the EV sales leader for the first time. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Joanna Stern, senior personal technology columnist at the Wall Street Journal, for her take on these stories.

Nearly four years since the pandemic began, the labor market seems to be returning to pre-COVID trends. But just because the numbers look similar doesn’t mean the landscape of work hasn’t evolved. In this episode, how and where Americans work now. Plus, mobile shopping surpassed other online shopping modes this holiday season, firms might have shifted the timing of layoffs to protect their brands and Microsoft updated its desktop keyboard for the first time in 30 years.

Bankruptcies rose 18% in 2023; Red Sea attacks are causing spikes in transport costs; private employers added 164,000 jobs in December; Carrefour supermarket chain pulls PepsiCo products due to price increases.

Private-sector hiring was stronger than expected in December, according to ADP, and we learned yesterday that there were slightly fewer job openings nationwide in November. But the official government jobs report for December doesn’t come out until tomorrow. What can we expect and what should we make of it all? Also on the show: More consumers opted for cars that are cheaper to buy and operate, and young people in China grapple with a high unemployment rate.

A bill in the California Legislature would create a first-of-its-kind agency in charge of administering economic reparations for slavery, which could be voted on this year. Recommendations start “with those folks who are clearly descendants of 250 years of wage theft in this country,” said Sen. Steven Bradford, who introduced the legislation. Also, some shipping rates have more than doubled for routes in the Red Sea.

From the BBC World Service: Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, is trying to introduce a radical financial agenda but has been met with wide-scale protests. Now courts have blocked changes to labor laws. Then, a joint statement has warned Houthi rebels in Yemen against carrying out further attacks in the Red Sea. And millions of young people in China are struggling to find a job.

A former Harvard misinformation researcher named Joan Donovan recently filed a whistleblower complaint against the university. In it, she accused officials of bowing to tech giant Meta when she was ousted from her position following a $500 million donation from the charity of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Harvard denies Donovan’s accusations, but the fallout spotlights the influence Big Tech can have on academic institutions. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Katie Paul, director of the Tech Transparency Project, about how industry funding can come with strings attached.

Nearly half of all Americans have a family member who’s spent time in jail or prison — the economic effects of which are far-reaching. In this episode, we’ll hear from sociologist Reuben Jonathan Miller, who studies what he calls the “afterlife” of incarceration, about how we can better support formerly incarcerated individuals and why he’s focusing on those charged with violent crimes. Plus, it’s getting harder to identify ghost jobs, and “little change” is good news for the job market.

Stocks fall; job openings have been falling over the last two years; Fed minutes show members think interest rates are at or near peak; manufacturing sector contracts.

November job openings totaled 8.8 million, little changed from October; Richmond Fed’s Barkin says no timetable for rate cuts; Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd pause Red Sea shipping again; Buffett tops list of charitable giving in 2023.

Economic forecasts for the coming year are decently optimistic, painting a picture of fairly low unemployment, gradually slowing inflation and continued economic growth. But there are still risks to this mostly sunny outlook — some that are global and some coming from D.C. Plus, soft landing or not, the Richmond Fed president advises us to buckle up. Oh, and Happy Dry January!

After a California task force issued an 1,100-page report last summer, lawmakers there are starting to look at policy options to compensate Black residents descended from enslaved ancestors. Now, a state reparations bill could be voted on this year. As part of a three-part series, we’re chronicling the history, details and challenges of California’s reparations movement. But first, markets start 2024 with a course reversal.

From the BBC World Service: One in five major commercial ships is now avoiding the Red Sea because of the threat of attack, according to the head of the International Chamber of Shipping. Tesla has been toppled off its top slot as the global leader of electric car sales by Chinese rival BYD. And a cuckoo clock museum in the U.K. is looking for a someone to take the reins.

For reporters covering Facebook, getting the real story has only become harder since the release of the “The Facebook Files” in 2021. The Wall Street Journal series, based on documents provided by whistleblower Frances Haugen, exposed the inner workings of the company now known as Meta, from its lax rules for VIPs to internal research on Instagram’s impact on teens. Jeff Horwitz, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, writes about the challenge of covering the company in his new book “Broken Code: Inside Facebook and the Fight to Expose Its Harmful Secrets.” Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Horwitz about how he’s covered Facebook and Meta and how Meta’s platforms have changed over the years.

2023 was full of uncertainty. What will 2024 bring? We asked some experts how the year could go, economically speaking. Spoiler alert: There wasn’t much consensus. In this episode, how geopolitical tension may affect financial markets in the new year. Plus, artificial intelligence tools give people with disabilities new avenues for communication, manufacturers weigh borrowing decisions ahead of potential rate cuts and a decline in temporary employment spells good news for the labor market.

Stocks close lower; manufacturing construction up almost 60% year-over-year; manufacturers’ orders fall; optimism rises.

Barclays says Apple sales are likely to be sluggish; many EVs lose $7,500 tax credit; McKinsey agrees to near $80 million opioid settlement; nearly half the states implement minimum wage increases.

The Taliban banned women from attending universities in Afghanistan in December 2022, a move that the World Bank warns will hinder the country’s prospects for economic growth. We’ll hear from three women who share how the lack of educational opportunities has affected their lives. Plus, the stock market opens for the year. And later: What we can expect from video games and rapidly evolving AI in 2024?

From the BBC World Service: A plane carrying nearly 400 passengers caught fire while landing at Haneda Airport in Tokyo; everyone aboard the passenger aircraft successfully evacuated after a collision with coast guard plane. We bring you the latest developments. Also on the show: a Hong Kong mogul pleads not guilty to national security crimes, the Czech president calls for euro adoption, and a look ahead to the year in tech.

While people on Medicare are increasingly shielded from rising drug prices, that’s not the case for everyone else. And drugmakers plan to raise prices on more than 500 drugs in January. We dig in. Plus, millions of Americans will be getting pay bumps in the new year, and the IRS is trying out a free online tax-filing system that cuts out vendors.

Growing up a closeted child in the rural Midwest, Charlie Sprinkman always hoped he could one day connect with others in the queer community. Now, as an adult, he lives in Portland, Oregon, where he manages a team at a consumer packaged goods company. In his spare time, he combines skills from his day job with a knack for tech to put queer-owned businesses that he’s visited across the U.S. onto a digital map he’s created, called Everywhere Is Queer. What started as a small project last year, has now gone global.

Hey smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2023. We can’t do this show without you and we still need your support. If you can, donate today to keep independent journalism going strong into 2024 and beyond. Give now to support Make Me Smart. Thank you so much for your generosity, happy holidays and we’ll see you in the new year. Today, we’re talking about two topics near and dear to our hearts: space and economics. Over the last several years, NASA’s Artemis program and the commercialization of space have given rise to a large and growing space economy. How large? “It’s about $400 billion. By 2030 it is estimated to become about $1 trillion,” said Namrata Goswami, a scholar on space policy and co-author of the book “Scramble for the Skies: The Great Power Competition to Control the Resources of Outer Space.” “We also include a space economy to come in the next 20 to 30 years which includes the ‘in-space economy,’ so the economy that would be developed in space itself, which would result in a trillion-dollar economy by 2040.” On the show, Goswami explains the state of the space economy, how the space industry has evolved, and the need for updated international space regulations if we’re really serious about going to Mars. Plus, why retiring on the moon in Kimberly’s lifetime might not be such a far-fetched idea. In the News Fix: In the first few months of the year, the largest U.S. banks wrote off billions of dollars in bad consumer loans. While not unusual, it could it be a sign of a slowing economy. And could we be nearing the end of the barcode as we know it? Later, listeners share the many ways they use ChatGPT. And this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question got us thinking about the images (or lack thereof) in our heads. Note: Fox News reached a settlement in the defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems after this show was recorded. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Among the goals of Artemis I: launching the lunar economy” from Marketplace “The Commercial Space Age Is Here” from Harvard Business Review “QR-style ‘2D barcodes’ will revolutionize retail as we know it” from Axios “Fox News, Dominion reach settlement” from The Washington Post “Fox News and Dominion reach a settlement” from NBC News “Biggest US banks write off $3.4 billion in bad consumer loans” from Bloomberg “More US consumers are falling behind on payments” from Reuters Got a question for our hosts? Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org. Or leave us a voice message at (508) 827-6278 or (508) U-B-SMART.

Almost 10 million Americans just got a raise. More than 20 states are ringing in the new year with a higher minimum wage than they left 2023 with. In this episode, who will benefit most and how far we still have to go for a living wage to be the norm. Plus, the Permian Basin region attracts resource-rich oil investors, and landlords report rent payments to credit bureaus with mixed consequences for tenants.

Expectations for 2023’s economy were rather sour — and what delivered blew predictions out of the water. But what are economists anticipating for the year ahead? Plenty of high hopes, including predictions of a rising S&P 500 index, falling inflation, lower interest rates and an economy that is slowing but resilient. And later: Could the state of the U.S. and China’s economies be a chance for thawing economic relations?

It’s the time of year for round-ups and look-aheads, and today we’re focusing on what the new year could hold for the U.S. economy — from interest rates to recession risks and everything in between. We’ll check in with some economists for their predictions. Then, we’ll assess what the relationship between the U.S. and China could look like in 2024.

From the BBC World Service: It’s a new year, but what will it mean for old rivalries? The relationship between the world’s largest economies — the United States and China — dominated the news agenda in 2023. We take a look at those ups and downs and see where the relationship could lead global politics and economics this year.

Artificial intelligence can feel abstract, so we’ve come to depend on certain narratives to try and make sense of it all. Some of the language we use to describe AI and our interactions with it is rooted in religious ideas. Are you bracing for the apocalypse? Have you been blessed by the algorithm or consulted with a Robo Rabbi lately? The deification of AI, whether it’s done consciously or not, is something Beth Singler studies as a professor of digital religions at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke to Singler about religious tropes in the narratives we consume and share about AI.

One in seven Medicare beneficiaries surveyed reported not filling a prescription due to high cost. The Inflation Reduction Act was meant to change this by allowing Medicare to negotiate the prices of 10 medications beginning in 2024. It’ll be a balancing act — bring prices down enough that they’re affordable, but not so low that drug companies exit the Medicare market. Also in this episode: French wineries suffer as red wine consumption drops, and new OSHA rules bring more transparency to on-the-job accidents at 50,000 workplaces.

Falling oil prices, the pros and cons of L.E.D. bulbs, and the bumpy road to rooftop solar power took the top three spots.

S&P 500 is set for a gain of almost 25%; Nvidia stock this year benefited from AI excitement; mortgage rates fall to 6.6%, Freddie Mac says; U.S. extending tariff suspension on EU metal imports.

Think of it as a soap opera, only broadcast on C-SPAN. We’re recapping the top political and economic headlines that came out of the nation’s capital in 2023 — from the House speaker fight, to the debt ceiling debates and the showdown over a government shutdown. We’ll also forecast D.C.’s biggest stories in the year ahead. Plus, Greyhound closes bus stations, and Google settles a class-action lawsuit.

In late 2022, stock market forecasters predicted that the S&P 500 would close the year up by about 6%. Surprise! The S&P is up 25% year to date, while the NASDAQ is up 45%. But can the market rally be sustained? Also in this episode: Google settles a lawsuit alleging its private browsing mode isn’t so private after all, and ABBA is still making “Money, Money, Money.”

From the BBC World Service: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has ordered his military to conduct exercises along the country’s coast — the latest action in the dispute with Guyana over oil-rich territory in the region. Then, Argentina’s main labor union has called for a general strike against President Javier Milei’s sweeping economic reform proposals. And a show by ABBA is estimated to have contributed more than $420 million to London’s economy in its first year.

It wasn’t all that long ago when “the Metaverse” was being pushed hard in certain corners of the Big Tech universe. What was it? It wasn’t always clear — something about a virtual but realistic place where, we were told, we’d be hanging out with friends, holding office meetings and even buying property. Fast forward to today and not many people are talking about it much anymore. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Ed Zitron, writer and CEO of EZPR about what happened to the hype.

Hey Smarties! Today we’re handing things over to the team at “The Uncertain Hour,” a podcast all about the obscure policies and forgotten histories that explain who gets left behind in this economy. In the episode, host Krissy Clark explains the origins of welfare work requirements and gets into the experience of a mother who sought help from a for-profit welfare company when she came upon hard times. Give now to support Make Me Smart in the new year and beyond!

The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft for allegedly using the newspaper’s content to train ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot. The outcome may answer some pressing questions about copyright law and the fair use doctrine. In this episode, we’ll break down data scraping — the content-copying practice at the heart of lawsuits like this one. Plus, credit unions profit big time from overdraft fees, Black Americans move south in a reverse Great Migration to flee pollution, and student loan borrowers aren’t back in the swing of things months after repayment restarted.

Stocks close mixed; pending home sales down from last year; mortgage rates fall; initial unemployment claims rise.

Pending home sales were unchanged in November; Boeing urges MAX inspections over loose bolt, FAA says; senators urge Tesla to issue recalls after report of defective parts; initial jobless claims remain low, totaling 218,000 last week.

Many folks start the new year with resolutions around diet and exercise — and finances too. But when it comes to saving and spending, how can we get those changes in behavior to stick? And how can we be kinder to ourselves regardless of whether we meet those goals? Plus, we take a look at the year’s last military aid package for Ukraine and what’s been one of the strongest economies in decades.

A federal agency ordered Apple to stop the sale of some Apple Watches right before Christmas because of a patent dispute over health monitoring systems. But now, a federal appeals court has temporarily paused the ban on smartwatch sales and imports. We’ll hear about the latest developments in that saga. And later in the program: How does trauma shape our relationship with money?

From the BBC World Service: France’s CMA CGM and Denmark’s Maersk are returning to the shipping route after recent ship attacks by Houthi rebels based in Yemen. Then, we remember the remarkable life of Jacques Delors, the former head of the European Commission and the man who oversaw the creation of the European single market.

Next year marks 15 years since Bitcoin’s launch. 15 years is a drop in the bucket in historical terms, but literally a lifetime for teenagers. Yanely Espinal, host of Marketplace’s “Financially Inclined” podcast, has been talking to teenagers about crypto and she says they have so many questions. She spoke with Marketplace’s Lily Jamali about how teachers are trying to figure out how to handle crypto-curious students.

A new report predicts that the 2023-24 U.S. election cycle will be the most expensive ever, with more than $10 billion spent across platforms. We’ll dig into who’s providing those funds and how the financial race might unfold. Plus, a word of caution for retailers that hope to extend the holiday shopping season and New Year’s predictions for streaming services. Plus, will the housing market get slightly less terrible in 2024?

Stocks close up; NYT says AI platforms copy content without permission; small businesses unhappy with interest rates; Amazon will charge extra for ad-free video.

The Times says ChatGPT is using and copying its content without payment; Holiday spending rose 3.1%, MasterCard says; U.S. purchasing 3 million barrels of oil to replenish strategic reserve; More shipping companies are returning to the Red Sea after increased protection.

The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft for using its content to train artificial intelligence chatbots. The software will even recite Times content verbatim when responding to user query, according to the lawsuit. Also in this episode, some market predictions ahead of 2024 and a look at artificial intelligence in agricultural practices from our partners at the BBC.

What tangible things defined your year? Rob Walker wrote a list of the culture-defining physical stuff of 2023 for Fast Company. We’ll talk to him about some contenders, from Barbies to protest signs. Plus, how to measure Congressional productivity and why an international shipping company is pausing routes through the Red Sea.

From the BBC World Service: One of the world’s biggest shipping companies says it’s still too dangerous to send its ships back through the Red Sea. Japanese car maker, Daihatsu, says it’s suspending operations at all four of its Japanese manufacturing plants after a major safety scandal. Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, has signed a decree cancelling the contracts of 7,000 public sector workers. And how can AI help agriculture? We visit a vineyard in Bangalore to find out how modern technology is boosting productivity.

In 2023, we said goodbye to a service you might not have known was still around — DVD delivery from Netflix, now a giant in streaming. With a collection of more than 100,000 titles available for delivery in those red, paper envelopes, the DVD service retained some utility even years into the company’s transition. But Netflix pulled the plug on the service in September. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Slate writer and editor Sam Adams about what we lost with its demise.

After the past couple of inflationary years, some consumers have come to accept that things cost more these days. But now that the inflation rate has come down, when will everything stop being inflation’s fault? In this episode, how still-high prices affect consumers psychologically. Plus, China’s property market impacts iron ore prices globally, families drown in toy clutter and next year, the car market could just chill out.

Stocks rise; home prices could rise further as mortgage rates fall; retail sales growth slows; economy still supports consumer spending.

Maersk cited a new multi-navy coalition intended to protect cargo ships; a federal judge rules X violated bonus pledge to employees; home prices rise more than 6% in October; diesel engine-maker Cummins to pay $1.7 billion fine over claims of emissions cheating.

The Federal Trade Commission is considering limits on how and when Big Tech companies can turn children’s data into profit. The review of a 25-year-old law includes a crackdown on targeted advertising to children and limits to notifications aimed at keeping them online. Plus, we take a peek at the end-of-year financial markets. And later: what Ireland can teach us about worker productivity.

If you have a flexible spending account through your health insurance, you have just a few days left to use up unspent money. More businesses are working to make their products FSA-eligible, and you may be able to spend that cash on gym memberships or even meal kit delivery. But first: An engine manufacturer gets slapped with a hefty fine, and Angola decides to exit OPEC.

From the BBC World Service: According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ireland is the most productive country in the world, we’ll be looking at how it achieved that accolade. Meanwhile, Japan has a reputation for having a relentless work culture, but it’s consistently ranked lowest in employee productivity among the rich G7 nations. Is it time for Japanese companies to adapt?  

Growing up on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana, Michael Running Wolf was especially aware of the importance of language. For decades, it was illegal under U.S. law to speak Native languages in schools. So in regard to learning them, generations of Indigenous children went without. Running Wolf grew up to become a computer scientist, landing a job working on Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa. A few years ago, he started to wonder how he might get something like Alexa to speak Cheyenne and other Indigenous languages. That has become his lifelong mission.

Hey Smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2023. We can’t do this show without you, and we still need your support. If you can, donate today to keep independent journalism going strong into 2024 and beyond. Give now to support “Make Me Smart.” Thank you so much for your generosity. Happy holidays and we’ll see you in the new year! What can Jell-O tell us about the United States during the Gilded Age? What about Spam during World War II? According to Anna Zeide, food historian and author of the new book “US History in 15 Foods,” they can tell us a lot about the evolution of American values, government — and of course, the American economy. “We all have to eat every day, and nothing else we do can really happen without food. And yet, at the same time, I think because of how mundane it becomes in its dailiness, it recedes to the back of our, kind of, concentrated thought. And we don’t spend all that much time thinking about how central it is both to our daily lives as well as to historical events,” Zeide said. On the show today, Zeide walks us through the history baked into food items from all-American whiskey to Korean tacos. And, why food is often much more than something we simply eat. In the News Fix, we remember Judy Heumann, an activist who championed crucial pieces of disability rights legislation. Also, eyes are on Walgreens after the company said it would stop dispensing abortion pills in some Republican-led states where abortion is still legal. Plus, we’ll get into why some women in high-level positions are too burned out to stay in the workforce. Later, a listener sings us a song inspired by Marketplace’s Nova Safo. And this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question comes from a listener who was wrong about dancing. Here’s everything we talked about today: Anna Zeide’s “US History in 15 Foods” “Remembering Judy Heumann’s lasting contributions to disability rights” from PBS Newshour “Walgreens in the hot seat” from Politico “California to not do business with Walgreens over abortion pills issue, Governor says” from Reuters “Debt Default Would Cripple U.S. Economy, New Analysis Warns” from The New York Times “Female Execs Are Exhausted, Frustrated and Heading for the Exits” from Bloomberg What have you been wrong about lately? We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question! Leave us a voice message at 508-U-B-SMART, and your submission may be featured in a future episode.

Though overall food inflation has slowed, the latest consumer price index shows the inflation rate for food away from home is higher than that of purchases from the grocery store. What mainly accounts for the gap is the cost of staff. We’ll talk to restaurant owners about rising wages and how they find a middle ground between bumping up prices and keeping customers happy. Also in this episode, more food stories: How the myth of the American diner came to be, who designs restaurant menus and why your candy canes might have cost more this year.

The holiday travel season is likely to be a busy one, with more people expected to travel domestically this year than in 2022. Meanwhile, drivers can expect to pay the same (or even a bit less) for a gallon of gas. And there’s zero days left to wrap up Christmas shopping — so what better time to take stock of how hiring for the holiday season has shaped up?

Come Jan. 1, hundreds of thousands of additional licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists will be eligible to work with Medicare patients for the first time. This Christmas Day, we’ll take a look at what the expansion means for patients and providers. And later: Do you feel like your life has been taken over by the pings of social media notifications? Well, how about a detox?

From the BBC World Service: In a special festive episode, we’re taking a look back at some of the headlines and headline-makers that grabbed the attention of our production team in 2023. We’ll touch on everything from bank collapses to crypto’s wild ride, redesigned chocolate bar packaging, and one of the biggest stories of the year: the murky and rapidly-changing world of artificial intelligence.

The thing we call “the cloud” might sounds harmless, but that seemingly abstract place where the details of your digital life get stored takes a heavy toll on the environment. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Steven Gonzalez Monserrate, a postdoctoral researcher in the Fixing Futures training group at Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, about his research on cloud data centers and their effect on the health of the planet.

Some good news out of today’s personal consumption expenditures report, which tracked consumer spending in November. Disposable personal income rose, as did the personal savings rate. And some prices fell for the first time since spring 2020. Will consumer sentiment finally catch up to the improving inflation situation? Also in this episode: the wild ride NFTs have taken over the past few years and a debate between affordable housing and wetland restoration in one San Francisco Bay Area town.

Stocks close mostly higher; inflation slows further; capital equipment orders rise; new home sales fall.

The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge slowed to 2.6% in November; mortgage rates decline, with the 30-year fixed at 6.8%; capital goods orders jump 17% in November; more shippers say they will avoid Red Sea after missile attacks.

The New York State Attorney General is suing SiriusXM, saying the satellite radio company makes the cancellation process long and difficult. But there are plenty of companies that make it hard for customers to get out of subscriptions, so we rounded up some advice on how to get through it. Also: A monthly drop in inflation in November and “serious scrutiny” for the purchase of U.S. Steel.

Cubans are fleeing their country in droves, with nearly 400,000 coming to the U.S. in the past two years. The wave has a lot to do with the deteriorating economic situation there, as the economy struggling to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels. We examine the exodus. But first, we’ll get new home sales data this morning, so let’s check in on housing and mortgage rates.

From the BBC World Service: New rules limiting in-game purchases have wiped nearly $80 billion in market value from China’s two biggest gaming companies. The move is an attempt to curb what officials see as growing trend of online gaming addiction. We analyze the blow to the industry. Later: How can you be more green this holiday season?

It’s Friday, which means it’s time for Bytes: Week in Review. On the show today, a trio of legal stories dominating Big Tech coverage. As OpenAI and Microsoft stare down allegations of copyright infringement, 11 nonfiction authors, including some Pulitzer winners, have joined a lawsuit against both companies. Plus, Apple pauses sales of two of its latest Apple Watch models. But patent problems might not put much of a dent in the company’s holiday haul. First, though, Google settled a 2021 antitrust lawsuit brought by 36 states and Washington, D.C., in September. This week, we learned that Google is paying $700 million as part of that settlement. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Wired senior writer Paresh Dave, who explains what prompted the states to file suit in the first place.

The Golden Bachelor reality dating series has been a big hit this Fall. These kinds of reality TV shows are relatively cheap to produce, but at what cost? Today we’re bringing you an episode of Marketplace’s “This Is Uncomfortable” that gets into the economics of the reality TV industry for contestants and creators alike, and the real life financial and emotional consequences for the stars of the show. Give now to support Make Me Smart in the new year and beyond!

With Christmas Day falling on a Monday, online shoppers are cutting it close if they haven’t ordered all their gifts yet. As consumers grow accustomed to same-day or next-day shipping from Amazon, Target and Walmart are trying to catch up. But a nationwide network of fulfillment centers isn’t built in a day. Also in this episode, the state of hunger in the U.S., the rise and fall of rentable e-scooters, and Buc-ee’s: an embodiment of American excess and efficiency.

Stocks rise; prices up 2.6% over the previous 12 months; leading economic indicators fall; initial jobless claims rise.

More E.U. aid remains blocked by Hungary, as U.S. Congress deadlocks over further support; Red Sea missile attacks raise cargo prices by 10%; initial jobless claims total 205,000; Wells Fargo branch employees first to unionize at a major U.S. bank.

The costs that go with owning a home — including mortgage payments, insurance and taxes — now eat up about 34% of the average wage nationwide, according to a report out today. That’s more than many lenders advise and comes as a wave of millennials and Gen Zers look toward homeownership. Also on the show: Apple watches, consumer confidence, and Turkey’s painfully interest rates.

Sharks have been around for millions of years, but their population has dropped by 70% in the past 50 years. That’s mostly been driven by the value of their fins, which are considered a delicacy and status symbol in parts of Asia. Today, we’ll hear how demand for the fins has driven a network of illicit trafficking. Plus, new cars see big gains in fuel efficiency.

From the BBC World Service: Residents of Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires are pushing back on the plans of the recently-elected President Javier Milei. And in Turkey, people are facing dual pressures of high inflation and interest rates. Plus, why are standing ovations becoming more common in British theaters?

More than a million electric vehicles were sold in the U.S. this year, but despite that some automakers announced a slowdown in EV production this fall. As more drivers make the switch to electric, the availability of public places to juice up those cars hasn’t exactly kept pace. Back in 2021, the federal government set aside $7.5 billion to build tens of thousands of chargers across the country. But the project has barely broken ground in the two years since. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Marketplace reporter Meghan McCarty Carino about the issue, which she’s been following as both a reporter and an EV driver. She said relying on public chargers has only become harder.

The beleaguered housing market is showing signs of improvement, but how will things look in 2024? We decided to step into the Marketplace time machine with a few industry experts and report back from this time next year to see how the housing market is shaping up. Plus, McDonald’s takes on the beverage market, inflation comes for holiday tamale makers, Apple watches and the long history of U.S. patent wars, and political campaigns base their pitches on your personal data.

Stocks fall; housing inventory up compared to the same time last year; mortgage applications tick down; consumer confidence rises.

Existing home sales climbed 0.8% in November; IRS is waiving penalties for taxes owed for years 2020, 2021; U.S. Bank to pay $36 million over unemployment benefit payment freezes; hackers acquired Comcast Xfinity customer data.

With the new year, the IRS will resume sending reminder letters to taxpayers with old debts to the federal government, which were paused during the pandemic. But to avoid causing sticker shock when people receive reminders, the IRS is waiving the penalties it usually charges for back taxes. We dig in. And later, a boost in U.S. oil production spoils OPEC’s effort to prop up prices.

What can a beloved, sugary holiday treat teach us about trade protectionism, overseas farm subsidies, inflation and inelastic demand? Turns out, quite a bit. Today, we trace how sugarcane from Louisiana becomes a hand-spun, red-and-white-striped delight at a New Jersey candy shop — and learn a thing or two about economics along the way. But first: The Senate leaves for a holiday recess without any approved aid for Ukraine or Israel.

From the BBC World Service: Airbnb has been ordered to pay up to $20 million in fines and compensation after misleading customers in Australia. Some bookings there were listed in U.S. dollars rather than Australian dollars, making them look cheaper than they actually were. Plus, we look at the delisting of Toshiba in Japan. And later: Inflation can even affect candy canes.  

By one estimate, “lab-grown diamonds” make up a $14 billion market. And the world’s largest jewelry maker, Pandora, is betting that that market will only grow. Pandora says it will stop selling mined diamonds and is expanding its lab-grown diamond range. The brand says growing diamonds in a lab is more environmentally sustainable than mining, and also happens to be more affordable, thanks to cost-effective production methods. The BBC’s Leanna Byrne has more on how lab-grown diamonds are made and who’s buying them.

When workers send money to their home countries, it can have a huge impact on local and national economies. Remittances to low and middle-income countries were up this year, and the U.S. was the biggest source. In this episode, we’ll get into why migrants and immigrants have been able to send more cash than they used to. Plus, alternative investments take a wild ride during the pandemic, Canada breaks into EV battery production  and 2022 unemployment hit a record low, new data shows.

Stocks rise; housing starts are up across the country; Google to pay $700 million in antitrust settlement; Southwest and pilots union reach deal.

Goldman Sachs expects stock market to rise in 2024, while Bank of America says interest rates will decline; single-family housing starts increased 18% in November; the average starting wage hit $79,000; standard-setting body picks Tesla’s EV-charging method.

What’s one of the best ways to ease the affordable housing crisis? Build more places to live. Construction of new homes rose 15% in November, which coincides with a dip in mortgage rates. We’ll examine what these new homes could mean for still-strong housing demand. Then, we’ll hear about disruptions to ships and ports in the Red Sea and check the pulse of Germany’s economy.

Southwest Airlines is being fined $140 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation after last year’s holiday travel meltdown. But the majority of that money will go toward compensating future Southwest customers who arrive at their destination three or more hours late — if the issues were caused by something under the airline’s control. Plus, one state put a price tag on untreated mental illness. The costs were staggering.

From the BBC World Service: Analysts are warning that oil prices will rise as companies stop transporting fuel and goods in the Red Sea following attacks on commercial ships. Then, the European Union and the U.S. have agreed to temporarily stop imposing additional taxes on EU-made steel and aluminum, as well as various U.S.-made products. And for the first time, the Netherlands is growing cannabis legally.

When Google unveiled its answer to OpenAI’s ChatGPT this month, Gemini, the pitch was: AI that can run efficiently on everything from data centers to your smartphone. But it came with a caveat for users in the UK and the European Union: you can’t use it there, for now. After the EU’s recent passage of the AI Act, Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Andrea Renda of the Center for European Policy Studies. He says Google is trying to convince European lawmakers that Gemini complies with the continent’s tough privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Renda says the GDPR is likely why Gemini hasn’t made it to Europe, yet.

Hey smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2023. We can’t do this show without you and we still need your support. If you can, donate today to keep independent journalism going strong into 2024 and beyond. Give now to support Make Me Smart. Thank you so much for your generosity, happy holidays and we’ll see you in the new year. Americans love to eat meat. Last year alone, the average American ate 227 pounds poultry, pork and beef. But meat production comes with its own set of ethical and environmental consequences. So how do we get around these concerns? Dozens of startups say they’ve got the answer: lab-grown meat. Growing beef or chicken in a lab out of a few tiny animal cells may sound like something out of a sci-fi novel, something that will happen far off in the future, but with nearly $3 billion invested in the lab-grown meat industry, that future may already be near. “I think that that the supermarket, like tackling a Safeway or Kroger, I think that is easily five to 10 years away. The FDA has already given it a green light. They said it is safe to eat, which means that it is one step closer to being in a restaurant,” says Larissa Zimberoff, a journalist and author of “Technically Food: Inside Silicon Valley’s Mission to Change What We Eat.” On the show today, Zimberoff explains how meat is grown in a lab, why companies are banking on it as a solution to our omnivore’s dilemma, and the challenges that lie ahead for the growing industry. Plus, is lab-grown food here to stay? In the News Fix: We have a deal on the debt ceiling. After weeks of back and forth, President Joe Biden and House Republicans have struck a tentative deal to raise the debt limit. We get into what it all means, and why the negotiating might not be over. Later, a listener weighs in on retailer return policies, and our beloved intern gets creative with his answer to the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Will I See Lab-Grown Meat in Supermarkets Any Time Soon?” from Bon Appétit “Lab-Grown Meat’s Carbon Footprint Potentially Worse Than Retail Beef” from the University of California, Davis “Silicon Valley Is Coming for Your Chocolate” from The Atlantic “Inside the Battle Between Big Ag and Lab-Grown Meat” from The New Republic “Here’s what’s in the debt ceiling deal” from CNN “What’s in the Debt-Ceiling Deal” from The Wall Street Journal “Defiant House Rejects Huge Bailout; Next Step Is Uncertain” from The New York Times “House Passes Bailout Bill in 263-171 Vote” from The New York Times We love to hear from you. Send us your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

When it comes to economic talk, inflation is a major topic these days. But the word for “getting inflation to slow down a bit” isn’t as well known. In this episode, we’ll talk to economists who tell us what the difference is between “disinflation” and “deflation” and why the Federal Reserve is aiming for the former. Plus, we’ll explain why stock indexes just shuffled their membership, how board games raise money and what the deal is with movie franchises flopping in theaters.

Stocks close mostly higher; homebuilders are more confident as mortgage rates fall; Apple halts sales of two of its newest smartwatches; Nippon Steel will buy U.S. Steel.

The deal is valued at nearly $15 billion; Red Sea shipping disrupted by attacks; U.S. safety regulators probe reported Nissan engine failures; Iran gas stations taken down by cyberattack.

The Senate delayed its holiday recess for the first part of this week, as negotiators still try to reach a compromise on immigration. But also at stake is funding for Ukraine, which uses U.S. aid to pay for essential government services. Also in this episode: A Japanese company has agreed to acquire U.S. Steel, and Afghan refugees have been arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border in record numbers.

After posting its first profitable quarter this year, ride-hailing and food delivery company Uber joins the S&P 500 stock index today. We take a look at the company’s 14-year ride so far and hear what lies on the road ahead. Plus, shipping companies look to avoid the Red Sea amid missile attacks. What are the alternatives? And as wage gains stall, inflation continues to take a bite.

From the BBC World Service: Two major shipping companies are avoiding the Suez Canal as Houthi militants in Yemen step up their assaults on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Then, a veteran Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner goes on trial. And later: When the Taliban captured Kabul, tens of thousands of Afghans were evacuated to the U.S. Now, many left behind are taking a riskier journey to the States.

The U.S. is one of just a handful of countries without a national paid family leave program. As a result, offering those benefits has been left up to individual states and employers. Thirteen states and Washington, D.C., currently offer paid family leave programs, but they’re not always easy to navigate. Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Moms First, says this complicated system means workers lose an average of $10,000 in wages by taking that leave without being paid. That’s why her organization released an AI chatbot to help people in New York navigate their state’s paid leave program.

As 2023 comes to a close, some economists would say we’re ending the year in a better place than they would have predicted in January — inflation has come down quite a bit and the economy is chugging along. But getting all the way back to 2% annual inflation will take persistence. In this episode, Raphael Bostic, president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank, reflects on the economic year we’ve had. Plus, the psychology behind incremental mortgage rate drops and why the online gift guide business has exploded.

Stocks rise; auto manufacturing rebounds after strike resolution; services sector activity picks up; hiring quickens in December.

Stocks rise; auto manufacturing rebounds after strike resolution; services sector activity picks up; hiring quickens in December.

The average interest rate on a 30-year home loan fell just below 7%; Fed’s Williams says talk of rate cuts is premature; officials order rebates on 48 injectable drugs deemed overpriced; Costco sales soar as shoppers seek discounts.

Consumer sentiment is down in the dumps, but consumer spending certainly doesn’t reflect that. We’ll examine the disconnect that’s causing some economists to scratch their heads. Plus, folks on Medicare will start seeing discounts on some meds in the new year, and affordable housing is being hammered by rising insurance rates. Also on the show: Could this stock market rally be a bubble?

For some, Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” is a source of merriment. For others? Bah humbug! If you’re a holiday music hater, then you’re like “Marketplace Morning Report” host David Brancaccio. Today, David is joined by two award-winning musicians and childhood friends who discuss artistry versus economics when it comes to holiday jingles — and try to inspire some holiday cheer. But first, mortgage rates dip under 7%.

From the BBC World Service: Guyana and Venezuela have agreed to settle the debate over rights for the oil-rich Essequibo region with diplomacy. Also, Hungary has blocked a $55 billion European Union aid package for Ukraine — but not talks over EU membership. And what’s it really like to travel on the first Berlin-Paris sleeper train in nearly a decade?

On the show today, Epic Games won its antitrust lawsuit against Google this week. What it means for the players and why the rest of Big Tech is watching. Plus, Netflix releases viewing data for its entire streaming catalog for the first time. What did we all watch? But first, it took 37 hours of negotiations for the European Union to pass what’s being called the world’s most ambitious law regulating artificial intelligence. Now the hard part: hashing out the details. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Maria Curi, tech policy reporter at Axios, for her take on these stories.

Today we’re bringing you an episode from the latest season of “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. In the episode, host Amy Scott and the “How We Survive” crew explore how communities in the Southwest are using technology to reimagine how the region manages its drought-stricken water supply. It turns out that water is everywhere. And it can be sourced in unexpected ways. We can’t do this show without you and we still need your support. If you can, donate today to keep independent journalism going strong into 2024 and beyond. Give now to support “Make Me Smart.” 

In the last week, we’ve seen some solid labor and retail data. Unemployment is low, job availability is high and consumers are spending more than they did last year. But in an economy that’s hyperfocused on tamping down inflation, what’s good for workers might not be good for prices. In this episode, what news is good news right now? Plus, flood history disclosure laws catch on, online shopping drives retail growth and developing countries can’t keep up with their debt.

Stocks close up; retail sales up 3.1% over the last year; mortgage rates fall below 7%; unemployment claims fall.

Retail sales rose 0.3% in November; Fed officials signal likely rate cuts in 2024; import prices declined 0.4% in November; initial jobless claims fell to 202,000.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record high yesterday; the Nasdaq and S&P are up, as well. These jumps come after Federal Reserve officials hinted at interest rate cuts in the new year. Lower rates are good news for consumers spending more cautiously and companies that need to borrow to expand. Also on the show: gas prices dip, and a $100 billion city in Malaysia sits empty.

It makes sense that plenty aspects of our financial lives make us stressed, anxious and fearful — from stock market jitters to job changes or major purchases. In her newest book, journalist Farnoosh Torabi explores how to acknowledge those fears and gain a healthier relationship with your money and finances. We’ll chat with her. But first: What did Fed Chair Jerome Powell have to say about rate cuts in the upcoming year?

From the BBC World Service: EU tensions increase over backing Ukraine both financially and politically, as Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban threatens to block aid to Ukraine. Also, the former boss of oil giant BP loses $40 million in pay over “serious misconduct.” Plus, as Chinese developer Country Garden cuts executive salaries to tackle debt, the country’s property crisis spreads beyond its borders.

Warning: This episode includes sensitive content about the sexualization of children. For several months now, reporters at The Wall Street Journal have been looking at the algorithms that recommend content on Meta’s platforms, specifically Facebook and Instagram. They’ve found that those algorithms promote child sexual abuse on a mass scale to users who show sexual interest in kids. Meta argues that it uses sophisticated technology, hires child-safety experts and reports content to help root predators out. But the problem persists, according to Wall Street Journal reporter Katherine Blunt. She told Marketplace’s Lily Jamali what she learned by setting up test accounts, including some that followed young influencers on Instagram.

The Oxford English Dictionary’s word of 2023 is “rizz” — as in charming, skilled at wooing, cha-rizz-matic. Not a concept most people would apply to monetary policy. In this episode, economists weigh in on how the past 12 months have gone for the Federal Reserve’s mission, in just one word. Plus, car insurance costs more than it used to, solar and wind power may surpass the use of coal in the U.S. next year and a California startup fixes EV charging stations.

Stocks jump after Fed meeting; many Fed leaders predict interest rate cuts in 2024; producer prices unchanged; 12-year producer price gains nearing Fed’s 2% target.

PPI showed lower energy costs balanced out higher food costs; Tesla updating software in nearly all cars sold in U.S. over safety concerns; cargo ship carrying jet fuel faces missile attack; for the first time, U.N. climate summit agreement calls for reduction of fossil fuel use.

The child care sector has recovered nearly all of the jobs it lost when the pandemic hit. Yet there are still major staffing shortages, and the end of federal pandemic funding could put the industry’s rebound in peril. Also on the program: early reactions to COP28 agreement and a look at how to utilize fear to move your career forward.

Both Spotify and Apple Music recently published their annual lists of the most listened to artists and songs. Unsurprisingly, Taylor Swift dominated. But delve deeper, and you can also start to see the influence of social media and strength of growing international audiences. Plus, as oil prices slide, COP28 comes to an agreement using the words “fossil fuel” for the first time ever.

From the BBC World Service: After last minute horse-trading at the COP28 climate conference, 200 countries have agreed to a deal that calls for a transition away from fossil fuels for the first time. But critics argue it doesn’t go far enough. Meanwhile, Argentina’s new president Javier Milei is pressing ahead with his shock therapy plan for the economy, starting with a devaluation of the peso. And we also take a look at the economic problems at the top of the agenda in Egypt’s election.

In software development, bugs in the code are inevitable. That’s why companies push out software updates so often. But there is a specific kind of bug that is especially worrisome, something called a “zero day.” It’s a bug no one knows about — not even the software company — so it hasn’t been patched and is vulnerable to hackers. Dina Temple-Raston, host of the podcast “Click Here,” has more on this story.

Tracking how folks feel about the economy is always tricky. Recently, consumer sentiment hasn’t lined up with the mostly positive data on inflation. And while small-business owners are anxious about sales, they’re spending on equipment anyway. In this episode, we’ll look at where those mixed signals might be coming from. Plus, a small-town newspaper makes a big-time change, major retailers pull back on self-checkout and the real estate sales commission model could get thrown out in court.

Stocks rise; lower gas prices weigh on Consumer Price Index; small business optimism declines; capital spending picks up.

The consumer price index in November was 3.1%, modestly lower; Ukraine’s Zelenskyy in Washington for more war aid; U.N. climate summit goes into overtime amid rift over fossil fuels; Hasbro cuts jobs amid toy slump.

The immigration system in the U.S. has not been significantly updated in decades. Today, we examine what pathways look like for immigrants who want to work in the States and for the employers who want to hire them. Also on the show: Price increases seem to be settling in higher than the Federal Reserve wants, small business optimism ticks down in November, and the UAW goes after non-union automakers.

Republicans in Congress want to tie aid to Ukraine and Israel with immigration reform, and time is running out to make a deal. Immigration is a topic fraught with emotion, but we decided to take a look at immigration through the lens of economics. What does the evidence show about the costs and benefits of immigration? What about it’s effect on wages and jobs? Plus, Google loses an antitrust case against Epic Games.

From the BBC World Service: The UN climate change talks in Dubai are reaching their final phase, but because the nations can’t agree on a draft deal to phase out fossil fuels, the conference has gone into overtime. Some countries unhappy with the draft language are small island nations like Tuvalu. We take a closer look. Plus, Poland’s right-wing party is out of power after eight years.

Hey smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2023. We can’t do this show without you and we still need your support. If you can, donate today to keep independent journalism going strong into 2024 and beyond. Give now to support Make Me Smart. Thank you so much for your generosity, happy holidays and we’ll see you in the new year. It’s time to air out some of fast fashion’s dirty laundry. Recently, fast-fashion retailer Shein was in the headlines over a paid influencer trip to one of its factories in China. It’s also facing allegations that range from labor rights abuses to high levels of carbon emissions. Sustainable-fashion writer Alden Wicker’s new book, “To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick” documents another gritty side of the industry: the toxic chemicals used to make the clothing many companies sell. As it turns out, there aren’t many laws in the U.S. to prevent those chemicals from ending up in our clothes. “It’s a pretty untenable situation that we’re putting this all on consumers who largely do not have a degree in chemistry to protect themselves from what we know are hazardous chemicals,” Wicker said. On the show today, Wicker explains why harmful chemicals are in our clothing, how flight attendants became a breakthrough case for toxic clothing and how more regulation could help ensure safer practices in the fashion industry. Plus, what consumers can do to reduce their exposure. Then, more on harmful chemicals: A recent study found a type of “forever chemical” is uncomfortably common in the U.S. water supply. And, the pending merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard got a big push forward from a federal judge this week. We’ll get into why the decision is a major blow to the Federal Trade Commission. Later, a listener shares an adorable cartoon that has Kimberly Adams written all over it. Plus, this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question is a lesson on the power of language. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Shein, the fast-fashion giant, hits roadblocks” from The Washington Post “Are your clothes making you sick? The opaque world of chemicals in fashion” from The Guardian “The incredible story of how hatmakers really did ‘go mad’ 300 years ago” from Business Insider “Influencers are under fire for praising working conditions in Shein’s clothing factory despite abuse allegations” from NBC News “Toxic Chemicals in Shein and Other Fast Fashion Clothing” from Insider “What Is Prop 65? And Why Is There a Warning Label on This Thing I Bought?” from The New York Times “How to remove PFAS — aka forever chemicals — from drinking water” from Vox “Tap water study detects PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ across the US” from U.S. Geological Survey “Microsoft Can Close Its $75 Billion Buy of Activision Blizzard, Judge Rules” from The Wall Street Journal ‘“USA Geography” Features Humorous Illustrations Of Each State” from Bored Panda “The Slowdown” podcast from APM We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Since 1974, an international standard has governed the assignment of two-letter identification codes to every country and territory on Earth. When the internet came along, those codes were used in website domain names, and it didn’t take long before outside companies started using them too,  paying premiums for some particularly marketable codes. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with journalist Amy Thorpe about the profitable domain name marketplace.

Food chain resiliency is a central topic at COP28 — the U.N.’s global climate conference. So far, countries have pledged $3 billion to address the issue. In this episode, why agricultural sustainability is in the spotlight and what makes it, in some ways, more complicated than energy decarbonization. Plus, Amazon packages incite chaos in a rural post office, Wyoming has an EV charging station problem and we do some holiday retail check-ins.

Stocks rise; inflation expectations at lowest level since April 2021; investor group offers to buy out Macy’s; Fed holding final meeting of the year.

Fed officials are widely expected to end the year by keeping interest rates at current levels; Occidental Petroleum is buying fracker CrownRock; holiday travel to increase this year, AAA says; New Hampshire military chip factory first to get federal funding to increase capacity.

The latest U.N. climate conference is nearing an end with countries clashing over the reduction of fossil fuel use. Oil-producing countries led by Saudi Arabia are resisting that idea. With just one more day of negotiations left at COP28, we hear about what commitments have already been made and what remains unresolved. Also: What can we expect from interest rate cutes in the New Year?

While affordable, accessible child care can help support a strong workforce, it can often be hard to find. As more companies may look to recruit and retain workers by offering child care plans — thanks in part by requirements tied to CHIPS Act funding — we hear how such an investment is playing out at one plant in Tennessee. Plus, what does strong consumer sentiment mean for the Federal Reserve’s last meeting of the year?

From the BBC World Service: Javier Milei has been sworn in as president of Argentina and promised radical changes for the country. Also on the show: TikTok has announced an investment in Indonesian online shopping, and Swedish businesses are worried that a rise in gang violence could damage the country’s global image.

Remember Apple’s “Get a Mac” campaign from 2006? They featured actor Justin Long as the hip Mac computer personified in conversation with a noticeably less cool John Hodgman playing a PC. Seventeen years and plenty of tech releases later, it seems the stereotypes in those ads never really went away. Take, for example, a recent TikTok trend in which women respond to the question, “He’s a 10, but he has an Android phone. What’s his new rating?” For some, the answer is 1 or 0. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Brian Chen, personal tech columnist at The New York Times, about “green bubble shaming.”

Remember Apple’s “Get a Mac” campaign from 2006? They featured actor Justin Long as the hip Mac computer personified in conversation with a noticeably less cool John Hodgman playing a PC. Seventeen years and plenty of tech releases later, it seems the stereotypes in those ads never really went away. Take, for example, a recent TikTok trend in which women respond to the question, “He’s a 10, but he has an Android phone. What’s his new rating?” For some, the answer is 1 or 0. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Brian Chen, personal tech columnist at The New York Times, about “green bubble shaming.”

For our final episode of 2023, we’re throwing a holiday party with music, festive fascinator hats and drinks. We’ll also get to some big medical news: For the first time, the FDA approved gene therapies to treat sickle cell disease, which affects mostly Black people in the United States. And, the head of OPEC is meddling in climate talks at COP28. Plus, we’ll play a holiday-themed round of our favorite game, Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “OPEC Leader Tells Members to Block Any Climate Summit Deal to Curb Fossil Fuels” from The New York Times “FDA Approves Breakthrough Sickle Cell Disease Gene Therapies” from HuffPost “US FDA approves two gene therapies for sickle cell disease” from Reuters “After living with sickle cell disease for 39 years, I’m both excited and skeptical about the newly approved gene therapies” from Stat News “Buy now, pay later hit an all-time high on Cyber Monday” from Marketplace “A Brief History of the White Elephant Party” from The New York Times “Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Wore Squirrel Sweaters, Maybe” from Marie Claire “Amazon Is Packed with Festive Outdoor Christmas Decorations” from People “How to get through a holiday party at work without embarrassing yourself” from NPR We’ll be back with new episodes on Jan. 8. Until then, if you’ve got a question, comment or submission for a state drink, send them our way. We’re at 508-UB-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The Biden administration announced it’s putting $8 billion toward expanding the U.S. rail system. Travel by train is climate-friendlier than flying or driving, and in parts of Europe and Asia, it’s commonplace. So why has the U.S. been slower to build high-speed rail? Also in this episode: Amazon Fresh delivery tries out subscriptions, part-time workers find full-time employment and it’s tricky to predict labor demand for the holiday season.

Stocks rise; health care and government employment rise the most; unemployment rate falls; consumer sentiment jumps.

Employers added 200,000 jobs in November; consumer sentiment soars 13% higher; Taylor Swift’s Eras tour has grossed $1 billion in ticket sales, Pollstar says; Biden administration grants $8 billion for passenger rail projects.

While mortgage rates have been on the decline recently, this year has been, on average, the least affordable time to buy a home since the housing site Redfin started crunching the numbers 11 years ago. That’s on top of already sky high prices and limited housing inventory. Plus: a labor market in a healthy place, a strike at shipping company DHL and a beloved Korean street food.

As part of this month’s Econ Extra Credit series, we’ll look at a study about how likely drivers were to stop for a pedestrian waiting at a crosswalk. Turns out, the nicer the car, the less likely it was to stop. What can we learn about how wealth — or the lack of it — impacts our behavior? We’ll also check on the status of big passenger railway upgrades throughout the U.S.

From the BBC World Service: In a widening regional labor challenge for Tesla, the Finnish Transport Workers Union has joined an ongoing dispute in support of Tesla employees in Sweden. Plus, in a left-field move, Chanel has chosen the streets of British industrial city Manchester to host a catwalk show. Then, Korea’s cultural exports, or K-content, is worth $12 billion. The latest trend? The K-dog.

On today’s Tech Bytes: Google launches its AI tool Gemini into the public arena — finally. Plus, ousted congressman George Santos becomes a star on Cameo. But first, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said the music streaming giant is cutting 17% of its workforce. Here’s the thing, though: The size of Spotify’s user base is actually growing right now. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Anita Ramaswamy, columnist at Reuters Breakingviews, for her take on these stories.

Fitch Ratings issued a warning this week that U.S. colleges and universities are likely to encounter economic headwinds — bond investors beware. Declining enrollment, higher wages for faculty and staff and 2008 recession-era debt are all at play. In this episode, why some colleges may be affected more than others. Plus, artificial intelligence is already behind the scenes in Hollywood, rent-free housing comes with a cost and an electronic music store bides its time.

President Biden has asked Congress to pass a hefty aid package for the war in Ukraine and other defense initiatives, but the funding can’t seem to get through the Senate. We’ll hear the president implore lawmakers to act swiftly and get into why the package is being held up. Plus, the ballet of federal regulators and Wall Street banks continues. And, Google introduced its new AI model called Gemini. Among other capabilities, it can see! Here’s everything we talked about today: “As Ukraine aid falters in the Senate, Biden signals he’s willing to make a deal on border security” from AP News “Is a recession on the horizon? More bank CEOs think so” from CNN Business “Introducing Gemini: Google’s most capable AI model yet” from Google Video: “Hands-on with Gemini: Interacting with multimodal AI” on YouTube “Tommy Tuberville ends blockade of 400 military promotions” from The Guardian Join us tomorrow for our last Economics on Tap of 2023! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks, a game and more.

Stocks close higher; lower rates haven’t had a big impact on housing demand; unemployment claims rise; consumer credit growth slows down.

New rules would allow seizure of some drug patents if prices are too high; initial unemployment claims remained steady last week; UAW claims progress in unionization effort at VW plant; National Retail Federation retracts organized shoplifting claim.

Average mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest levels since August, cooling from nearly 8% to around 7%. While that may be more manageable for prospective homebuyers, rates are still significantly higher than they’ve been in decades. What will this mean for home sales and refinancing? Plus, EV tax credits are getting complicated, and we hear about the olive oil crisis playing out in Spain.

Members of SAG-AFTRA voted to ratify a contract with Hollywood studios following the recent months-long actors strike. A major concern for voting members was how and when artificial intelligence could be used. While actors won some protections regarding AI usage, some still feel the deal fell short. We’ll also hear about a ban on Russian diamond imports and examine claims of organized theft at stores.

From the BBC World Service: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration is pulling out of China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative, the massive  infrastructure and trade project. This is leading to fears that Italy’s $20 billion export market into China could be threatened. Plus, G7 countries look to sanction Russian diamonds. Then, in Spain, a poor harvest is causing a shortage of olive oil and pushing prices up.

If you use the internet, you have undoubtedly been asked to consent to cookies. They remember our log-in information and also track things like what we’re reading and buying. Trying to avoid cookies can feel pretty pointless and exhausting to the point where privacy experts have named the phenomenon “consent fatigue.” Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke to Matt Schwartz, policy analyst for Consumer Reports, about how we got here.

Podcasting took off in a big way in 2015. But just eight years later, waves of layoffs and cancellations have made the future of the medium uncertain. In this episode, we’ll explore why podcasts are tricky to monetize, what the future of the industry could look like and how public radio fits into the whole thing — with help from “On the Media” correspondent Micah Loewinger. Plus, restaurants shed jobs, the gender gap in science and tech persists and supply chain logistics are stabilizing.

Today we’re geeking out over the bond market. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note has dropped from a few weeks ago and now sits close to 4.1%. We’ll unpack what a bond market rally could mean for the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision-making as well as for the average American. Plus, what happens when someone says they intend to abuse their power? We’ll get into former President Donald Trump’s remarks at an Iowa town hall last night. Here’s everything we talked about today: “United States Rates & Bonds” from Bloomberg “Former House speaker Kevin McCarthy to resign from Congress at end of year” from The Guardian “Tuberville drops hold on military promotions” from NPR “Trump’s ‘dictator’ remark jolts the 2024 campaign — and tests his GOP rivals on debate day” from Politico “She spent a month trying to help stray dog whose head was stuck in a jug” from The Washington Post “Woman who threw Chipotle order at worker can work off jail time at fast food restaurant” from Fox8 Sailor Cole Brauer on Instagram Give what you can to keep “Make Me Smart” going strong in 2024: support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Stocks close lower; government’s jobs tally due on Friday; imports rise slightly in October; exports fall.

The fast food giant wants to add 10,000 stores; Supreme Court justices appear unwilling to make broad changes to tax code; Hollywood actors ratify union deal with studios; British American Tobacco writes down value of cigarette brands.

The Biden administration may be delaying a long-discussed ban on menthol cigarettes, which have been heavily marketed in Black communities. Banning them in an election year could be politically fraught for President Biden, whose 2020 campaign hinged on the support of Black voters. Also on the show: changes in the subscription economy, slower job growth and what 360% inflation feels like in Venezuela.

HUD is expected to release its annual Point-In-Time homelessness count later this month. High housing costs, an influx of asylum seekers and an end to COVID relief funds have strained resources aimed at serving the unhoused over the past year. What can we expect from the survey? We’ll also hear how banks are grappling with higher interest rates and stricter proposed rules, and we take a bite out of McDonald’s new concept restaurant, CosMc’s.

From the BBC World Service: In the United Kingdom, Amazon and Google have called out Microsoft’s cloud computing practices, alleging that the tech giant is restricting customer options. The multi-billion dollar sector is being investigated by the U.K.’s anti-trust authority. Plus, Vladimir Putin heads to the Middle East. And, amid rising tensions with an oil-rich neighbor, how is Venezuela’s economy faring?

For years, Facebook, now renamed Meta, has offered a code called pixel to businesses. By embedding pixel on their websites, those businesses can collect information on users, then target them with ads on Meta’s social media platforms. The investigative news website The Markup has been looking into how some of the personal information pixel gathers is shared back with the tech giant. Meta says its policies make clear that advertisers should not send sensitive information about customers through its business tools. But Colin Lecher, co-author of a new Markup investigation, is reporting that students are among those the pixel code tracks.

Despite all the angst over the national debt limit, extensions and last-minute compromises aren’t unusual — since 1960, Congress has fought over the debt ceiling 78 times. Although the U.S. has never defaulted, there have been consequences. In this episode, why debt ceiling battles haunt the nation’s credit rating. Plus, the financial strain on regional theaters across the country, as told by Danny Feldman, head of the Pasadena Playhouse.

Stocks close mixed; job openings fall the most in health care, social assistance; logistics sector shrinks in November; services sector expands.

We’re less than a year out from the 2024 presidential election. And former President Donald Trump is still leading the pack of Republican candidates, by a lot. This has us wondering: What would another Trump presidency mean for the economy? On the show today, William Howell, professor of American politics at the University of Chicago explains how Trump’s plans to weaken the federal bureaucracy could disrupt the economy, how the former president’s proposals on immigration and Obamacare could go over, and what voters see in his economic agenda. Plus, what this could all mean for our democracy. Then, we’ll get into a major data breach at the genetic testing company 23andMe. And, Moody’s lowered China’s credit outlook to negative. We’ll unpack what that means for China and what it has to do with political dysfunction in the U.S. Later, thoughts on COP28 and some impressive Spotify Wrapped stats. Plus, what the owner of a gift wrapping service had wrong when she started her business. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Where Donald Trump stands on taxes, the economy” from The Washington Post “The Republican Party’s Split on Economics” from The New York Times “Trump’s plans if he returns to the White House include deportation raids, tariffs and mass firings” from AP News “Some Republicans sound alarm after Trump revives focus on Obamacare” from CNN Politics “Why the Supreme Court’s “administrative state” decision matters” from Marketplace “What Trump’s Second Term Could Look Like” from The Atlantic “Moody’s Cuts China Credit Outlook to Negative on Rising Debt” from Bloomberg “Why invest in gold when the economic outlook isn’t great?” from Marketplace “Data Breach at 23andMe Affects 6.9 Million Profiles, Company Says” from The New York Times “23andMe confirms hackers stole ancestry data on 6.9 million users” from TechCrunch If you’ve got a question, comment or submission for a state drink, send them our way. We’re at 508-UB-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

There were 8.7 million job openings in October, as signs increase of labor market cooling; Supreme Court justices appear divided over Purdue Pharma settlement; Lamborghini agrees to 4-day workweek; latest Grand Theft Auto video game will not launch until 2025.

From the Rolling Stones to Bonnie Raitt and Dolly Parton, there are plenty of septuagenarians creating new, quality works. These performers are redefining “oldies but goodies,” but what can they teach us about prospects for an economy with an aging population? We rock out a bit, then discuss. Also on the show: Sweden’s Ericsson sees a win over Finland’s Nokia, and Moody’s issues a negative outlook for China’s government debt.

A tax case over $15,000 that could rewrite the U.S. tax code goes before the Supreme Court today. We’ll parse the arguments, politics and implications of it all, including what a ruling could mean for a potential wealth tax. Then, we’ll hear how Chinese property giant Evergrande avoided liquidation this week and what Mark Cuban’s sale of the Dallas Mavericks could mean for gambling in Texas.

From the BBC World Service: Moody’s, the rating agency, has changed China’s government credit outlook from stable to negative due to debt fears and lower growth forecasts. And, one year on, have sanctions from the European Union and G7 stop oil money flowing to Russia? Then, a former Tesla employee says he believes the company’s self-driving tech isn’t fit for public roads.

Last week, a Virgin Atlantic passenger jet traveled from London to New York powered 100% by sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF.  The low-carbon fuel came from feedstock that included used cooking oil and waste animal fats. Critics call the flight a gimmick, and to be clear, right now SAF makes up a tiny slice of the fuels airlines use to get us places. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Louise Burke, an energy analyst and vice president of business development at Argus Media, who says that could change.

The U.S. population is aging as Americans choose to have fewer children or none at all. We’ll get into the many reasons millennials hesitate to jump into motherhood and how to change the narrative around parenting. Plus, fewer children mean fewer people to take care of our aging population in a country already dealing with a senior care crisis. And, Patti LaBelle’s infamous performance of “This Christmas” at the 1996 National Christmas Tree Lighting makes us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Aging America faces a senior care crisis” from Axios “How millennials learned to dread motherhood” from Vox Threads post from Business Insider’s Kali Hays “Patti LaBelle’s Disastrous Tree Lighting Performance Is the Only Good Christmas Tradition” from Esquire “Kiwi Eggs Hatch in the Wild Near New Zealand’s Capital” ​​from the New York Times It’s Half-Priced Hoodie Week! Give now to show your support and get a great deal: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Seventeen percent of Spotify employees were laid off today in the company’s third round of layoffs this year. CEO Daniel Ek says a major reason for staff cuts is that capital has “become more expensive.” But how can money suddenly cost more? In this episode, why companies that grew by borrowing a bunch are scaling back in a high-interest-rate environment. Plus, gold isn’t the stable investment some think it is, 3D-printed houses could aid the affordable housing crisis and going splitsies on dinner is now en vogue.

The airline will spend $2 billion on the deal if approved; factory orders fell more than 3.5% between September and October; Spotify announced layoffs impacting 17% of its workforce.

If approved, the merged airline would control more than 50% of Hawaii flights; drugmaker Roche to buy biotech startup working on obesity drugs; Spotify cuts 17% of workforce; Red Sea commercial ships attacked by Houthi rebels.

The use of buy now, pay later services hit an all-time high this past Cyber Monday. Consumers spent $940 million online using BNPL, which they’ve continued coming back to as high inflation and credit card interest rates strain budgets. We dig into the risks these services carry. Plus, we hear about the latest rounds of layoffs at Spotify and some of the hurdles to HIV-prevention medication uptake.

As the global climate change summit COP28 continues, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is calling for changes to how properties are insured in the face of climate change. Insurers are already pulling out in parts of California and Florida, but what exactly would reforms to the industry look like? Then, Venezuela votes to claim part of oil-rich Guyana, and self-driving cars face quite a number of roadblocks.

From the BBC World Service: In its third round of job layoffs this year, Swedish music-streaming giant Spotify says it’s cutting 1,500 jobs, or 17% of its workforce. Plus, we look at why the president of COP28 is in hot water over his comments on the science of reducing global heating. And in the United Kingdom, there’s a black market for so-called “skinny jabs” — knock-off versions of weight loss drugs.

When Section 702 became law in 2008, the intelligence community argued collecting phone calls, texts, and emails of people outside of the U.S. could protect against terrorism. But the communications of many Americans have also been collected, all without the required warrants. Now, Section 702 is set to expire at the end of the month. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of liberty and national security at the Brennan Center for Justice, about what members of Congress are considering as they decide whether to extend Section 702.

The future of beer is here. “How We Survive” host Amy Scott is on the show today to help us taste test beer brewed from recycled water. And we’ll get into George Santos’ expulsion from the House and why his lies and luxurious spending were particularly provoking. Then we’ll weigh in on Walmart’s creative spin on holiday romcoms and more in a game of Half Full / Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about: “Water, water, everywhere” from Marketplace “Rep. George Santos expelled from House in 311-114 vote” from AP News “The Undoing of George Santos” from The New York Times “Why George Santos’ lies are even worse than the usual political lies – a moral philosopher explains” from The Conversation “New North Carolina bar offers cocktails and college classes” from Marketplace “Beyoncé, Taylor Swift films mean big business for movie theaters” from Marketplace “How Mortadella Went From Cold Cut to Hot Item” from The New York Times “Watch, Shop and Swoon with Walmart’s First Fully Shoppable Series” from Yahoo News “I’m Serious: Drive to the Airport for the People You Love” from The Wall Street Journal “Thanksgiving Travel: No One Should Pick You Up at the Airport” from The Wall Street Journal Got a question for the hosts? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Over half of major retailers now have a “return-less” refund policy — aka, they’ll pay you to keep not-quite-right items — according to a goTRG report. Returns cost retailers a lot, so why take stuff back? In this episode, big-box stores are adopting this practice (but not necessarily advertising it). Plus, the “endless shrimp” offer tanks Red Lobster profit, farmers try to monetize carbon-trapping agricultural methods and the manufacturing sector shrinks.

Stocks rise; manufacturing production falls; new home construction spending rises; manufacturers investing in long-run projects.

The Biden administration has released long-awaited rules limiting tax credits for certain EVs; OPEC+ extends oil output cuts; Tesla delivers long-promised pickup truck; federal judge blocks Montana’s TikTok ban.

The band Kiss will play what it’s calling its last ever show this weekend in New York City. Thing is, the band has said farewell before — on a tour more than 20 years ago. Turns out, saying (or kissing) goodbye is a big business. Also on the show: Meta’s lawsuit against the FTC, a big month for bonds and a fund for climate change impacts.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks later today, after other Fed officials have been particularly chatty. This is before a quiet period that precedes the next meeting on interest rates this month. What sort of economic portrait have they been painting? Then, OPEC+ essentially maintains the status quo and we look at some of the barriers to accessing and affording HIV-prevention medication PrEP.

From the BBC World Service: Germany is looking at an $18 billion gap in next year’s budget because of a court decision last week on a German fiscal rule known as the debt brake. Then, Brazil says it’s deploying military reinforcements to its northern border, as tensions rise between its neighbors Venezuela and Guyana over a disputed oil-rich region. And later: a look at the big business of advent calendars.

On today’s Tech Bytes: apologies, profanity and accusations of blackmail. It’s just another week in the life of Elon Musk. Plus, ultra-fast-fashion retailer Shein confidentially files for an IPO and seems to be trying to bolster its image.  But first, one year ago this week, OpenAI released ChatGPT to the public for the first time. Within five days of its launch, ChatGPT already had one million users. From writing holiday menus to college essays to wedding vows, ChatGPT has been there.  Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Natasha Mascarenhas, reporter for The Information, for her take on the week’s tech news.

People in cities have, on average, made more money than people in rural parts of America for decades. Now, that disparity seems to be widening. In 2023, urban dwellers are making 23% more than rural ones, compared to 20% more before the pandemic. In this episode, why inflation, telework and higher education all play into the urban-rural wage gap. Plus, more older Americans are still paying off their mortgages, ESG investing goes under the microscope and global markets don’t quite believe OPEC+.

It’s day one of COP28, the global climate conference, and countries have already agreed on details for a fund to aid developing countries affected by climate disasters. As wealthier nations begin paying for their contributions to the climate crisis, how long will their support last? Plus, we’ll hear a Fed Chair’s divisive turkey analogy for what happens when interest rates are too high for too long. And, why brands are extending those Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Here’s everything we talked about: “COP28 leader Sultan Al Jaber hits back at allegations he used climate talks to strike oil deals” from CNN “COP28 delivers breakthrough by way of climate disaster fund details” from CNBC “The long-expected consumer pullback may finally be materializing” from “Marketplace” “George Santos Says He Won’t Resign Ahead of This Week’s Expulsion Vote” from National Review “House Ethics Committee report on George Santos finds ‘substantial evidence‘ of wrongdoing” from CBS News “Johnson says he has ‘real reservations’ over expelling Santos as GOP support grows for ousting New York congressman” from CNN “Chicago Fed chair on the data versus the economic mood” from “Marketplace: Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks, a game and more.

Stocks close mixed; services spending rises while durable goods spending falls; inflation mostly flat between September and October; unemployment claims rise.

PCE price index receded to a 3% annual rate in October; continuing claims for unemployment benefits hit a 2-year high; New York Fed Chief Williams says interest rate hikes are likely done; Ford says strike cost $1.7 billion.

Consumer Reports is out with a survey finding that EV owners had roughly 80% more problems than owners of conventional vehicles. Key problems included issues with charging and batteries. To the start the show, we parse out findings of the report. Then, chief marketers worry about the prospects of a recession (yet again) and music service Mdundo eyes growth in Africa.

We’re in the thick of holiday shopping season. But as companies compete for consumer dollars and distinguish themselves through advertising, they’re taking inflation into account and trying to play to customer emotions. Plus, X’s Elon Musk has some choice words for boycotting advertisers, and celebrities face potential liabilities when promoting financial investments.

From the BBC World Service: The appointment of the COP28 summit’s president, Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber, has been controversial, as he’s also the CEO of Abu Dhabi’s state oil company. We take a closer examination. Then, the European Commissioner for Competition, who has taken on tech giants like Alphabet and Amazon, speaks to us about AI regulation. And as African music has gained global popularity in recent years, Kenya-based music service Mdundo aims to double its 25 million monthly users.  

This time of year, companies tend to open their wallets and choose where they choose to advertise. Those ad dollars are the lifeblood of X, the former Twitter. In the last quarter of 2021, almost 90% of Twitter’s revenue came from ads. That business model was already showing signs of wear after when Elon Musk took over. Now, as the Israel-Hamas war rages on, a new controversial post by Musk has accelerated the flight of advertisers. New York Times journalist Ryan Mac spoke with Marketplace’s Lily Jamali about how the fallout of fleeing advertisers could affect the platform.

General Motors is planning higher-octane cash returns for investors in an attempt to restore confidence in its main gig — making vehicles that are not electric. We’ll get into what this could signal for the broader EV industry. And, many of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s regulatory powers are on the line in a current Supreme Court case. We’ll examine what the case has to do with conservative justices’ disdain for the administrative state. Plus, a National Spelling Bee champion’s secret to success. Here’s everything we talked about today: “GM Plans $10 Billion Stock Buyback in Bid to Assuage Investors” from The Wall Street Journal “Supreme Court’s conservatives voice concerns about SEC’s in-house enforcement” from The Hill “Supreme Court to consider multi-pronged constitutional attack on SEC” from SCOTUSblog “Major OxyContin case headlines December session” from SCOTUSblog Opinion | “I won the National Spelling Bee. This is what it takes to master spelling.” from The Washington Post If you’ve got a question, comment or submission for a state drink, send them our way. We’re at 508-UB-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The United Nations’ climate change conference kicks off tomorrow in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where tens of thousands of global leaders, experts and activists will discuss how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the host country’s main export is fossil fuels and the host of the event is CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. In this episode, could conflicting interests stall progress in the transition to renewable energy? Plus, hybrid and electric vehicle sales ramped up while overall consumer spending slowed down in Q3.

Stocks close mixed; GDP revised to a 5.2% annual rate; corporate profits grow; consumers growing more price sensitive.

GDP growth revised to 5.2%; Fed officials signal potential rate cuts; GM says strike cost $1 billion and new labor deal $9 billion.

Charlie Munger, business partner to Warren Buffett and vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, died on Tuesday at the age of 99. Today, we look back at the wisdom and humor of the Oracle of Omaha’s right-hand man. Plus, the U.S. economy grew faster than we thought, and China makes a bet on green energy. Also: a refresher on campaign finances rules.

It’ll be one year this week since ChatGPT was released to the public. While there was handwringing about waves of jobs being replaced by bots, that hasn’t quite happened. We’ll take a look at how human workers are using generative AI (or not). We’ll also hear why home prices in Detroit have surged and how a Supreme Court case could upend how the Securities and Exchange Commission does business.

From the BBC World Service: Over 10 years ago, Uber shook up the United Kingdom’s taxi scene. Now, the company says it will open up its platform to London’s black cabs early next year. Plus, 41 Indian construction workers have been rescued from a collapsed tunnel in the Himalayas after being stuck for 17 days. Then, China is positioning itself to dominate the global supply of green technology.

This week, TikTok parent ByteDance said it’s retreating from mainstream video games altogether. Earlier this year, Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, a game that has had more than 400 million “unique registered users” since its 2017 launch, announced hundreds of layoffs as well. They’re just some examples of the wave of layoffs hitting game companies around the globe. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Los Angeles Times reporter Sarah Parvini, who covers the video game sector. In a piece just last week, she wrote that the industry is deep in downsizing mode.

Americans consume a lot of stuff and in turn produce a lot of waste. The average American generated 46 pounds of just e-waste in 2019. But what if there was a way to design an economy that’s less wasteful and more environmentally friendly? On the show today, Callie Babbitt, professor of sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology, breaks down the circular economy, its role in fighting climate change and the challenges that lie ahead in public policy and manufacturing if we hope to achieve circularity. We’ll also hear from a listener with a smart hack for airport pickups during the holidays, and our beloved intern answers the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about: “The right-to-repair movement is just getting started” from The Verge “What is a Circular Economy?” from the Environmental Protection Agency “Our prosperity is in peril unless we shift from a wasteful world to a ‘circular economy'” from The Conversation “World’s Oldest Sealed Terrarium by David Latimer” from Nature of Home “Investors See Interest-Rate Cuts Coming Soon, Recession or Not” from The Wall Street Journal “17 top-selling items for Amazon Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023” from About Amazon It’s Giving Tuesday! Let’s unlock $100,000 for Marketplace today.

We’ve been talking about making an economic “soft landing” for over a year — but how will the Federal Reserve know we’re there? In this episode, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee tells us what indicators he looks at to gauge inflation trends and why cooling the economy is sorta like cooking a turkey. Plus, we’ll answer some business world questions: How is the chemicals sector doing after a pandemic boom? Why are corporate profits trending down? What does a board of directors do?

Stocks close higher; consumers lower inflation expectations; home prices rise; U.S. dollar’s relative value falls.

Deutsche Bank is predicting interest rate cuts due to a mild recession in 2024; consumer confidence improves despite recession expectations; home prices rose 4.1% in September, national index shows; memoirs by Prince Harry, Britney Spears among top sellers on Apple Books.

The weeks around Thanksgiving and Christmas are often some of the busiest times of the year for food banks. And demand is up this year, as holiday expenses compound the stress that inflation and the end of pandemic-related federal benefits have placed on household budgets. Also on the program: a fast fashion IPO and a first for sustainable aviation.

If you couldn’t make it to some of the biggest concerts of the year, no problem. Beyoncé’s Renaissance film comes out this Friday, which follows Taylor Swift’s highly popular Eras Tour film. The flicks provide another boost to the artists but also give movie theaters the chance to profit off of ticket sales and themed food or merchandise. Also: hopes for Giving Tuesday and a preview of holiday toy sales.

From the BBC World Service: The first transatlantic flight powered only by what’s being called “sustainable aviation fuel” is due to take off from London today. Plus, a Swedish court has ruled that the country’s transport authority has to find a way to get license plates to Tesla, because postal workers are on strike. Then, TikTok’s owner ByteDance says it’s downsizing its gaming division.

From being your own boss to doing work you actually like, the perks of influencer life have drawn in plenty of creators to an industry valued at $250 billion. Take Sid Raskind, whose goofy lifehacks have earned him millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram. Still, Yanely Espinal, host of the podcast “Financially Inclined,” told Marketplace’s Lily Jamali that younger would-be creators should understand what it takes to make it.

After being banned from talking about artificial intelligence at Thanksgiving, guest host Matt Levin is eager to chime in on the ongoing Sam Altman controversy and news about a powerful artificial intelligence development at OpenAI. Plus, tech tycoons are behaving more and more like foreign dignitaries. And: Doritos’ new crunch-cancellation technology. Here’s everything we talked about: “Unpacking the hype around OpenAI’s rumored new Q* model” from MIT Technology Review “OpenAI researchers warned board of AI breakthrough ahead of CEO ouster, sources say” from Reuters “Elon Musk Meets With Netanyahu in Israel Amid Backlash Against Social Media Post” from The New York Times “What’s Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2023? Hint: Be true to yourself” from AP News “The sound of crunching chips is annoying. Doritos has made a silencer.” from The Washington Post Help us get a head start on our Giving Tuesday challenge to unlock $100K for Marketplace.

After a yearlong slump, the World Trade Organization said the volume of global trade in goods is set to rebound in the coming year. Leading the charge will be auto parts and electronic components, the WTO said, particularly because demand for electric vehicles is high. In this episode, what it’ll take for global trade to return to pre-pandemic levels. Plus, retailers need those holiday discounts to draw customers, utility companies test out geothermal networks and newly built homes drive the homebuying market.

Stocks fall; new home sales grabbing larger share of overall market; global trade volume could pick up; Black Friday spending rises.

Black Friday sales rose less than inflation, while Cyber Monday is expected to turbocharge sales period; Biden directs investment in more domestic drug production; new home sales declined 5.6% in October.

Many of the world’s biggest economies have agreed to non-binding safety standards for artificial intelligence. While the joint guidelines address cybersecurity, they don’t extend to key issues like economic disruptions or potential threats to humanity. We dig into what this means as governments struggle to keep up with the pace of AI development. Plus, nothing like a U.N. climate summit for pitching expanded oil and gas deals.

The United Nations’ annual climate summit, COP28, will kick off in Dubai later this week. Government and private-sector leaders will convene to outline steps to curb emissions and limit the impacts of global warming. What are some of the things we’ll be looking for? But first, we’ll unpack Black Friday sales and give a preview of Cyber Monday spending. Also: more problems in China’s rocky financial sector.

From the BBC World Service: Leaked documents obtained by the BBC suggest that the United Arab Emirates has been using its role as host of COP28 as an opportunity to strike oil and gas agreements. Then, Chinese officials have launched an investigation into one of the country’s biggest shadow banks. Plus, analysts say Zimbabwe has become the world’s leading blueberry exporter.

Despite half the world’s population being female, there are still few technologies on the market to help manage the symptoms of menopause. Why is there a reluctance to invest in “menotech,” and is that changing? The BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson looked into the menotech products on the market and how the industry is evolving.

Americans will drop $37 billion online this long holiday shopping weekend, according to Adobe Analytics. A lot of those consumers are counting on free, easy returns if their items don’t work out, but retailers are unhappy with how much that process costs. In this Black Friday episode, whether stores will ever shrink that return window or go back to charging you for changing your mind. Plus, noisy workplaces, the cookie decoration business and Queen Nefertiti, the original beauty influencer.

Earlier this month, the Commerce Department reported that construction of single-family homes was up 13% from October of last year. All that new construction is supporting both the housing market and generating business for the home construction supply chain. We take a closer look. Plus, consumers continue splurging on experiences and a relatively narrow strike in Sweden against Tesla has spread to multiple industries.

More than 180 million people are expected to shop either in store or online this holiday weekend, according to the National Retail Federation. While nearly everyone regardless of age is likely to experience sticker shock, we’ll preview where older adults and younger generations are most likely to splurge. And later, we’ll take a closer examination at Saudi Arabia’s investment in soccer.

From the BBC World Service: Several trade unions in Sweden are striking against Tesla over the company’s refusal to sign a collective agreement on pay and conditions for its staff. Other unions are supporting the strike, including the Union of Service and Communication Employees, stopping postal and delivery services to Tesla. In Europe and the United Kingdom, unions and activists are taking action against Amazon, aiming to use strikes to prevent merchandise from reaching Amazon parcel lockers on Black Friday. Then, with Saudi Arabia the likely host of the World Cup in 2034, we look at the country’s relationship with soccer.  

This week, the shakeups and confusion at OpenAI have come to a conclusion. Sam Altman returns to his position as CEO at OpenAI after its board fired him, which upset most of the company’s staff as well as others invested in OpenAI’s work in the generative artificial intelligence sector. Plus, Ryan Vogt resigned as CEO of the driverless tech startup Cruise, following a series of traffic collisions and accidents. On top of all that, Changpeng Zhao, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, pleaded guilty to money laundering violations. What do venture capitalists think about all these disruptions and where will their money go now? Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Jewel Burks Solomon, managing partner at Collab Capital, for her take on those stories.

It’s not just you: The holiday shopping season really did start sooner this year. Retailers are competing for consumer dollars with sales and discounts, early and often. Plus, tomorrow is one of retailers’ favorite holidays: Black Friday. But the lines between in-store and online shopping are blurring. Later, we hear about post-breakup splurges and healthier habits for night shift workers.

A recent report finds that Native people in tech are underrepresented in the high-paying sector. Just 20% of high schools on reservations offer computer science courses, the research finds. What can be done to close that gap? Plus, European beekeepers try to defend against an invasion of Asian hornets.

The chair of the FDIC was grilled during Congressional hearings last week following reports by the Wall Street Journal on allegations of sexual harassment and racial discrimination at the agency. We’ll dig into the responses to and potential consequences of the alleged toxic culture. Plus, we hear what’s being discussed in earnings calls and learn how Ukrainian women are stepping up to fill traditionally male industries.

From the BBC World Service: In the Netherlands, far-right politician and EU critic Geert Wilders has claimed a shock election victory; immigration and the economy were major factors. Also on the program: Asian hornets are spreading fast across Europe, where the insects are threatening the production of honey and fruit crops. Then, following Russia’s invasion, millions of Ukrainian women have taken on new roles that were previously done by men, including mining.

For the most part, it’s not too hard to get access to movies from the last decade or even the last century. But if you want to experience a video game from before, say, the ancient era of 2010? Good luck. A new report from the Video Game History Foundation and the Software Preservation Network finds that 87% of those older games are “critically endangered.” They’re not commercially available to the public unless fans have dozens of different old systems to play them on or travel to an archive in person and play them there. In other words, the roots of this hugely influential artistic and cultural medium are in danger of being lost. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Phil Salvador, library director for the Video Game History Foundation, about the report.

This month, at least 12 members of Congress have announced they won’t seek reelection at the end of their terms. We’ll get into the record number of retirements and why the job might not be worth the trouble. Then, we’ll discuss how OpenAI’s leadership turmoil might be a turning point for the artificial intelligence industry. Plus, a St. Louis football team’s failed attempt to become a Thanksgiving game day staple. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Larry Summers Is OpenAI’s Surprise Pick to Mend Fences” from The Wall Street Journal “The Old-School Artillery Shell Is Becoming High Tech” from The Wall Street Journal “Frustrated lawmakers run for the exits: ‘DC is broken'” from The Hill “2 more House lawmakers announce exits, marking retirement record” from Politico “Before Dallas ruled Thanksgiving, the NFL tried St. Louis” from The Washington Post “Identifying fake news will now be a school requirement in California” from KTLA If you’ve got a question, comment or submission for a state drink, send them our way. We’re at 508-UB-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The Farm Bureau says Thanksgiving meals will cost a bit less than they did in 2022. But everyone experiences the economy differently. So we talked to last-minute grocery shoppers in Houston about the prices of holiday essentials, from turkey wings to mac and cheese ingredients. Also in this episode: Google makes a business out of CAPTCHA puzzle data, the FCC wants to ban cable cord-cutting fees and OPEC+ delays a key meeting.

Stocks rise; durable goods orders unchanged; mortgage rates fall; unemployment claims tick down.

Altman to return as CEO as board is reshuffled; online holiday shopping off to strong start, Adobe Analytics says; initial jobless claims fall to 209,000; CEO Zhao pleads guilty as U.S. fines Binance $4.3 billion for violating sanctions, anti-money laundering laws.

Fidelity Investments reports that workers taking out a so-called “hardship withdrawal” from their retirement accounts — one used to cover emergency expenses — ticked up in the third quarter. Thing is, those who make those withdrawal are the ones most likely to need the cash in their older years. We explore the consequences. Plus, what durable goods orders can reveal about the economy and how kimchi grew to be a global phenomenon.

Last week, an Andy Warhol piece up called Bomb — literally a silver-painted bomb — failed to sell because its reserve wasn’t met. Why couldn’t it fetch a higher price? We’ll discuss and take a closer look at the high-end art world. Also, OpenAI exemplifies what can happen when employees threaten to quit en masse, and a major settlement shakes up crypto exchange Binance.

From the BBC World Service: The drama continues at artificial intelligence business OpenAI, where co-founder Sam Altman is set to return as boss just days after he was fired by the board. And, in the Netherlands we hear voters’ concerns about inflation as they head to the polls. Meanwhile, South Korea’s traditional cabbage-based dish, kimchi, is finding favor beyond Asia. We take a look at the growing global market.

Do you remember what your dream job was as a kid? We’re guessing that “YouTuber” was not on the list. Well, turns out vlogger/YouTuber was the top career choice for almost 30% of 8-to-12-year-olds who were surveyed a few years back. And across the country, camps and afterschool programs are cropping up to teach them how. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Washington Post columnist Taylor Lorenz, who visited a content creator camp in Texas, where children edit video, write scripts and, generally, get a head start on becoming internet pros.

The holiday shopping season kicks off this week with Black Friday, and American shoppers are expected to spend a record amount, particularly in online sales. Consumer spending keeps the U.S. economy humming, making up 70% of the country’s gross domestic product. But it wasn’t always this way. On the show today, Cornell economic historian Louis Hyman gives us a history lesson on how the American economy became dependent on the consumer, why that change has created serious environmental consequences, and whether there are alternatives to the consumer-driven economy we know today. Plus, what it all has to do with the Salem witch trials. Then, a federal appeals court decision could significantly weaken the Voting Rights Act. We’ll get into the economic implications of the ruling and how it could play out in the Supreme Court. Plus: Oh, how the mighty crypto kings fall. Later, we’ll hear listener suggestions for signature state cocktails. And food journalist Francis Lam was wrong about what was on the menu at the first Thanksgiving. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Ringing in the holiday shopping season with low consumer sentiment” from Marketplace “A Brief History of Consumer Culture” from The MIT Press Reader “Frank Trentmann: How Humans Became ‘Consumers'” from The Atlantic “U.S. Economy Grew a Strong 4.9%, Driven by Consumer Spree That May Not Last” from The Wall Street Journal “Appeals court strikes down key tool used to enforce Voting Rights Act” from CNN Politics “Federal appeals court ruling threatens enforcement of the Voting Rights Act” from Politico “Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao Agrees to Step Down, Plead Guilty” from The Wall Street Journal “What Was Eaten at the First Thanksgiving?” from History We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Next week marks one year since ChatGPT debuted, kicking off a surge in generative artificial intelligence products. In just a year, AI has gone from a futuristic concept to a tool tons of companies have incorporated into their workflows. In this episode, the growth in AI use and why some people still don’t trust it. Plus, homebuyers are getting older, migrants who lack work permits are desperate to find jobs and more Americans are pulling cash out of their retirement accounts.

Stocks fall; housing demand outweighs inventory; Fed will watch data over the coming months; economic risks persist.

The Index of Leading Economic Indicators is supposed to give insight into where the economy’s headed. It’s been pointing to a recession for 19 months, but that economic slowdown has yet to materialize. So what are economists predicting now? We’ll also hear about the slim possibility of airline strikes. And later: Polish drivers blockade trucks at the Ukrainian border.

Millions are expected at airports and tens of millions on the roads; X sues Media Matters over ad report; Moderna mRNA patent invalid, European agency rules; Las Vegas hospitality workers approve deal with one of big three casino operators.

Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has filed a lawsuit against nonprofit Media Matters after it released an analysis showing that ads on the platform appeared next to antisemitic content. Media Matters’ report prompted some companies to pull advertising. We dig in. Then, from Marketplace Morning Report’s “Skin in the Game” series, up-and-coming video game developers share their dream jobs.

From the BBC World Service: A human rights group in Cambodia says that clothing waste from big brands like Adidas, Walmart and others are being burnt as cheap fuel in factories making bricks. Plus, a look at why China has particular concern for Zambia’s debt restructuring plan.

It’s been a chaotic few days for the folks at OpenAI, including now-former CEO Sam Altman. To recap, on Friday the company’s board announced it had let Altman go, citing a lack of confidence in his “ability to continue leading OpenAI.” Several staff members then resigned and hundreds of others threatened to do the same if Altman wasn’t reinstated as CEO. That option is pretty much moot now that Microsoft — a major OpenAI investor — has hired Altman to lead a new AI research team along with former President Greg Brockman, who resigned in solidarity. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Reed Albergotti, tech editor at Semafor, about what the dramatic ouster was really all about.

Saving money might sound like a chore, but Yanely Espinal and Berna Anat are here to remind you that saving money can help you afford more of what you want, and you can have fun along the way!   Think you’re financially inclined? Check out the savings tips below: A comparison of high-yield savings accounts from NerdWallet Here are some free savings trackers you can print Look at these different savings apps reviewed by Bankrate You can find more financial tips from Berna on her Instagram   Are you in an educational setting? Here’s a handy listening guide.   This podcast is presented in partnership with Greenlight: the money app for teens — with investing. For a limited time, our listeners can earn $10 when they sign up for a Greenlight account. Join today.

In this tight labor market, a growing number of companies are trying to discourage workers from quitting by charging them. Stay or pay clauses are becoming a thing in more workplaces. We’ll talk about who really bears the cost of calling it quits. Plus, how Federal Reserve economists are taking a page from journalists. And Snoop Dogg, the master marketer! Here’s everything we talked about: “Federal Reserve Seeks Anecdotes Over Economic Data for Uncertain Outlook” from Bloomberg “The Stay-or-Pay Clause That Demands You Pay to Quit Your Job” from The New York Times “Snoop explains going smokeless – and it’s not what you thought” from CNN “Thanksgiving Travel: No One Should Pick You Up at the Airport” from The Wall Street Journal If you’ve got a question, comment or submission for a state drink, send them our way. We’re at 508-UB-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, ousted its CEO Sam Altman last week. Chaos ensued. Now, although Altman has already scored a job at Microsoft, most of OpenAI’s employees are threatening to quit if he isn’t reinstated. In this episode, we’ll talk about what could be next, from an employment shakeup to more regulations. Plus, SNAP approval in some states takes months, Argentina’s president-elect wants to swap the peso for the U.S. dollar, and applications to borrow money are down.

Stocks rise; The Conference Board expects brief recession early next year; loan application rates fall; mortgage rejection rates lower than last year.

The interim CEO is promising an investigation over previous CEO’s firing; GM Cruise CEO resigns after safety pause; parcel carriers have enough capacity for holiday shipping, analytics firm says; SpaceX spacecraft fails in second test.

A key priority of the Federal Reserve is to stabilize prices, which it’s trying to do by raising interest rates. But the Fed is also tasked with maximizing employment, and economists met at the Boston Federal Reserve this weekend to discuss just that. Then, we chat about the cost of a Thanksgiving meal and hear how minors in the U.K. are able to illicitly work for food delivery apps.

The deadline for child care providers to spend over $37 billion in federal pandemic-era subsidies is more than a month behind us. Now that the money’s gone, providers are trying to make up the difference and some are contemplating upping prices. But parents are already being squeezed. Also: a hectic weekend for former ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman and a boost to local economies courtesy of outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

From the BBC World Service: Argentina has a chosen a new president — the libertarian Javier Milei, who has some radical ideas about how to tame hyperinflation, such as dollarization. We take a look at how those plans might work. Plus, how many delivery riders are underage? A BBC investigation has found a black market trade in delivery app accounts in the United Kingdom that allows children to sign up.

By now you’ve heard that the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried is over. What was the verdict for the founder of the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX? Guilty on all seven charges, including fraud, money laundering and campaign finance law violations. Bankman-Fried will be sentenced in the spring. So how is the world of bitcoin and the blockchain faring now that it’s most famous ambassador will likely end up behind bars? Marketplace’s Matt Levin spoke with Laura Shin, a journalist who covers crypto and host of the podcast “Unchained,” about how people in the cryptocurrency world have been reacting to the SBF trial and what crypto enthusiasts are choosing to focus on next.

Since Oct. 7, Palestinian and Jewish Americans have been navigating work while enduring anxiety and heartache as the Israel-Hamas War plays out. We’ll discuss the pressure to perform professionally as the conflict continues. And there’s some hopeful climate news out of Portugal: The country ran on 100% renewable energy for six days. Plus, we’re settling the debate on the least-liked Thanksgiving side dish in a round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about: “If Gaza were in your city, how much would be destroyed? | Israel-Palestine conflict News” from Al Jazeera “Palestinian Americans on working while grieving: ‘How many days off do you take when Gaza’s bombed daily?’” from The Guardian “Portugal just ran on 100% renewables for six days in a row” from Canary Media “Sam Altman fired as CEO of OpenAI” from The Verge “As streaming services search for ad revenue, expect more political ads — and minimal regulation” from Marketplace “Meta allows Facebook and Instagram ads saying 2020 election was rigged” from The Guardian “Have dating apps lost their spark?” from Marketplace “Martha Stewart Says She’s Canceled Her Thanksgiving Dinner: ‘Turkeyed Out!'” from People “The 3 Most-Hated Thanksgiving Side Dishes In America” from Huffpost Got a question for the hosts? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

There is a provision in the newly passed farm bill extension has enemies across the political spectrum: the Federal Crop Insurance Program. Left-leaning groups believe it doesn’t reach a breadth of farmers, and conservative ones think it encourages unnecessary risk. But some farmers rely on the program and say without it, food prices would skyrocket. Also in this episode, Apple plans to make it easier for iPhone and Android users to connect, and Utah is on top when it comes to labor force participation.

Stocks rise; apartment buildings push up housing starts; Apple will change the way iPhone users message with Android phone users; employers’ medical costs may rise next year.

New diabetes drugs that aid in weight loss are ballooning employers’ health costs, report finds; new home construction rose 2% in October; UAW members are in favor of contract deals with Detroit’s Big Three; IBM suspends ads on X after report of antisemitic, pro-Nazi content.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, or APEC, concluded this week with a major focus on the meeting between President Joe Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping. We’ll dig into how the meeting received by Chinese news outlets and hear how Japan tried to manage its fraught relationship with China. Then, we’ll take a look at holiday shopping and tribal leader policy priorities.

On Thursday night, President Joe Biden signed a bill to temporarily avoid a government shutdown. But the stopgap measure basically pushed some more controversial items — including Biden’s request for more funding for Ukraine and Israel — down the road. What might some potential paths ahead be? And later, we examine how settlers abused financial guardianship in the Osage Nation.

From the BBC World Service: Argentina will choose a leader on Sunday, so what economic factors will be on voters’ minds? Also, an executive of U.K.-based Stability AI quits over concerns about using copyrighted works without consent. And as shoplifting rises globally, the boss of a store chain in Wales talks about the impact thefts have on the business.

On today’s Tech Bytes, our review of the week’s biggest headlines, Meta strikes a preliminary deal with Chinese videogame maker Tencent, giving the company a chance to return to China 14 years after Facebook was banned there. We also talk about the ransomware attack on a major Chinese bank, and how the Biden administration thinks American companies should respond to cyber extortion. But first, a look at the recent revelations about Google and Apple’s complicated relationship. Earlier in its federal antitrust trial, Google said it paid Apple $18 billion a year to be the default search engine on iPhone web browsers. The government said that’s $18 billion worth of evidence of anticompetitive behavior. This week, a witness for Google accidentally disclosed the company was sharing 36% of ad revenue it made from Safari browser searches with Apple. Whoops! Marketplace’s Matt Levin is joined by Anita Ramaswamy, columnist at Reuters Breakingviews, for her take on these stories.

It’s been a wild week on Capitol Hill. GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and Teamsters union President Sean O’Brien almost came to blows in a Senate hearing. And Republicans averted a government shutdown, but only to push the deadline to next year. We’ll dig into the historically low congressional productivity amid a growing mountain of work. And we’ll hear President Joe Biden’s remarks about meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Plus, a look at YouTube’s AI musical experiment. Here’s everything we talked about: “GOP senator challenges Teamsters president to fight during hearing” from The Hill “Did Biden and China’s Xi hit a reset? Not quite, but they agreed on a few things” from NPR “Take heart, it looks like China could send new pandas to the US” from The Associated Press “Government shutdown: Senate passes temporary plan before Thanksgiving” from USA Today “An early look our AI Music experiment” from YouTube Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks, a game and more.

At last, the labor market is showing signs that it’s finding a happy medium: New unemployment claims are inching up while overall unemployment is still at a historic low. While this isn’t the gangbusters labor market of summer 2022, it’s also not the COVID shutdown, with sky-high furloughs and layoffs. In this episode, why slowed hiring is a good sign. Also, retail stories, big and small: big-box stores cut costs where they can, street vendors scrape by and Toyota sticks to hybrids.

Stocks close mixed; grocery, Walmart says pharmacy sales rise; import prices fall in October; homebuilder confidence could pick up.

The Senate approved a Republican plan to temporarily extend government funding; Walmart reports $450 million profit in third quarter; unemployment benefit claims inch up to 231,000; Biden, Xi summit produces crackdown on Chinese chemical companies providing fentanyl precursors.

2023 was the year that the the United States Postal Service was supposed to break even, per Postmaster Louis DeJoy’s austerity plan. But this week, USPS announced a $6.5 billion net loss for the last fiscal year. We take a closer look. Plus, checking in on U.S.-China tariffs and examining the specialized supply chain needed to move avocados.

Veterans often develop a unique slate of skills when serving in the armed forces, but private-sector employers sometimes fail to recognize those abilities. At a time when many companies are still struggling to hire up, how can we more successfully match veterans’ talents with civilian opportunities? Also: tackling discrimination in internet access and recapping the Biden-Xi talks.

From the BBC World Service: Russia is the world’s largest producer of rough diamonds, and despite all the sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine last year, diamonds are one of the few major exports still untouched. But that’s about to change. Plus, Taiwan is at the heart of the world’s semiconductor trade, but as tensions with China persist, is it viable to have so much production in one place?

The soundtrack to the modern workplace sounds a lot like a cacophony of familiar pings and notification sounds from digital communication tools like email, Slack, Zoom and Teams – all of which are supposed to make us more productive. But all too often they can feel overwhelming, interfering with, you know, actual work. On this episode of Marketplace Tech, Matt Levin speaks with “Marketplace” reporter Kristin Schwab about how a small business owner in Nevada who was struggling to keep up with all those pings, dealt with her situation and shares a few tips on how to not get overwhelmed by all those notifications.

Elon Musk today disputed claims that an initial public offering is in the works for his satellite business Starlink, an offshoot of SpaceX. But hypothetically speaking, would more eyes on Starlink following an IPO change the way Elon Musk operates on the global stage? And, an influential liberal super PAC is ditching TV ads. We’ll get into what that tells us about political campaigning in the modern age. Plus, let the holiday party invites start flowing! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Elon Musk denies report of potential Starlink IPO in 2024” from Reuters “SpaceX Gets FAA Approval for Do-Over Starship Launch” from Bloomberg “Liberal Super PAC Is Turning Its Focus Entirely Digital” from The New York Times “More Americans are getting news on TikTok, in contrast with most other social media sites” from Pew Research Center “The case for inviting everyone to everything” from Vox “A Guide to the James Webb Telescope’s View of the Universe” from The New York Times “A Supernova ‘Destroyed’ Some of Earth’s Ozone for a Few Minutes in 2022” from The New York Times Got a question for the hosts? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Like it or not, economist Milton Friedman had lots of ideas that still affect economic policy and programs. In her new book, “Milton Friedman: The Last Conservative,” Jennifer Burns writes about Friedman’s complicated position as a contrarian among economists of his time and as an adviser to members of the Republican Party. We’ll hear from her about Friedman’s life and economic beliefs. Also in this episode: international student enrollment and discretionary spending.

Stocks rise; retail sales fall for the first time in seven months; Target sales dip while profits rise; producer prices fall.

The House of Representatives has passed a stopgap spending measure to avoid a government shutdown. Now, it’s up to the Senate. But the bill lacks some major funding provisions, including for WIC — a federal food assistance program for women and children that has seen soaring enrollment in the past year as food prices have climbed. Also: wholesale prices, sports viewership and the U.S.-China semiconductor trade dispute.

Producer prices fall by the most in three years; retail sales pull back in October; Target forecasts muted holiday shopping; Tesla can ban union shirts, appeals court rules.

We’ll be getting some clues about how this year’s holiday shopping season will pan out, with big retailers like Target, Walmart and Macy’s slated to released quarterly results today and tomorrow. What can we expect from holiday consumer spending? Then, we hear about the latest season of Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast, “How We Survive,” which digs into what happens when water becomes unaffordable.

From the BBC World Service: China’s president has arrived in California ahead of a face-to-face meeting with President Joe Biden, in an efforts to ease tensions over trade, technology and Taiwan. The pair will hold talks at the edge of the conference for Asia Pacific leaders. Plus, inflation in the United Kingdom drops to its lowest level in 2 years as energy costs fall.

Back in August, the autonomous vehicle industry was riding high. Fast-forward three months, and the California DMV has suspended the robotaxi company Cruise from operating anywhere in the state. Federal regulators have also opened a probe into multiple incidents involving Cruise cars. Andrew Hawkins, transportation editor for The Verge, has reported on the long-awaited autonomous vehicle revolution for years. In an interview with Marketplace’s Matt Levin, he explained the trust issues and other potholes in Cruise’s path, starting with a grisly accident in San Francisco.

Many of the world’s largest companies are setting net-zero climate goals, and they’re using carbon credits to get there. That means they can keep producing carbon emissions as long as they pay for emissions to be reduced elsewhere. But do carbon credits actually incentivize companies to reduce their emissions? On the show today, Pedro Martins Barata, associate vice president for carbon markets at the Environmental Defense Fund, explains what carbon credits are and the ethical concerns with companies relying on them to meet net-zero emissions goals. Plus, what future regulation of carbon markets could look like. Then, we’ll unpack the good and bad news in the latest U.S. climate assessment. And, some industries are compensating for widespread staffing shortages by requiring employees to work excessive overtime. Later, we’ll hear about how some farmers are combating climate change. And, this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question was inspired by a listener. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Fossil-fuel company net zero plans ‘largely meaningless,’ report says” from Reuters “Carbon credit speculators could lose billions as offsets deemed ‘worthless’” from The Guardian “The Climate Solution Actually Adding Millions of Tons of CO2 Into the Atmosphere” from ProPublica “Analysis: How some of the world’s largest companies rely on carbon offsets to ‘reach net-zero’” from Carbon Brief “Action needed to make carbon offsets from forest conservation work for climate change mitigation” from Science “Carbon offsets: What are they and do they work?” from CNN Business “36-hour shifts, 80-hour weeks: Workers are being burned out by overtime” from NBC News “US climate assessment lays out growing threats, opportunities as temperatures rise” from Reuters “Farm fields don’t just feed us. They store carbon. But a big question is how much” from AP News We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Climate change may have us spending more on food, health care, home repairs and more, according to the Fifth National Climate Assessment, published by the federal government. The fact is, climate change is already impacting many aspects of our daily lives. In this episode, we’ll talk about how it’ll also impact our wallets. Plus, ESPN launches its sports betting platform, travel should be a little cheaper this holiday season and a leading U.S. port gets updated infrastructure.

October’s CPI held steady; President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping prepare to meet; USPS reports large losses.

The dating app business isn’t doing so well these days. Stock prices for Bumble have slid since it’s gone public and the company recently announced a new CEO. In a market saturated with apps claiming to help users finding love, daters are feeling “swiped out.” Also on the program: a crackdown on fentanyl exports from China and a breakdown of today’s fresh inflation figures.

The Labor Department’s consumer price index showed no monthly change; energy prices to remain volatile, IEA forecasts; U.S., U.K. issue new economic sanctions targeting Hamas funding; Home Depot projects falling sales in 2023.

Consumer advocate and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader isn’t exactly known as a friend to corporations or their leaders. But in his latest book, Nader outlines lessons from CEOs who he believes have been forces for good. Today: a conversation with America’s consumer-advocate-in-chief. Also: What are the practical effects of a downgrade to the U.S. credit rating?

From the BBC World Service: Nepal’s government bans TikTok with immediate effect, saying the platform is bad for “social harmony.” Additionally, reports suggest India could lower import tariffs on electric vehicles after lobbying from Tesla. Also: What impact will the Michelin Guide’s expansion of its Turkey listings have on the country’s tourism sector?

Every tech company needs a good origin story. The startup garage, the dorm room and the hacker house are firmly embedded in American tech mythology. For hacker-entrepreneurs in Mexico, the border with the U.S. looms large. A subset of them hope to one day cross it and pitch their big idea to venture capitalists in Silicon Valley. One way there is to work the hackathon circuit in Mexico. That’s the subject of MIT anthropologist Héctor Beltrán’s new book “Code Work.” Beltrán details how coders gain currency in the field by participating in hackathons. Mexican politicians get something out of them too. The events are frequently sponsored by the government, with big promises of funding and support. But the prize, all too often, is a handshake and photo-op with a public official, and maybe a thank-you letter, but no real investment.

This week, we’re dropping into your feeds to tell you about another podcast we make here at Marketplace that we think Uncertain Hour listeners will like. It’s called “How We Survive.” And it’s about how people are navigating solutions to a changing climate. We’re excited to bring you the first episode of the new season. Buckeye, Arizona is a small city with dreams of becoming “the next Phoenix.” It’s one of the fastest growing cities in the country. In the past few decades, its population has ballooned more than 20-fold and the city plans to add more than 100,000 new homes in coming years. The only catch? Growth requires water. And Buckeye doesn’t have enough. So what’s a small city with big dreams to do? Part of the answer lies in one scrubby acre of land way out in the desert that’s owned by a group of investors who are banking on water scarcity.

Marvel Studios’ latest movie, “The Marvels,” had the franchise’s worst opening weekend. We’ll dig into whether superhero movies are a thing of the past and if theaters can get by without them. Then, another government shutdown may be around the corner. This time it could interfere with Thanksgiving travel plans. Plus, news you can use about online payment apps, and what would be your state’s signature cocktail? Here’s everything we talked about: “‘The Marvels’ Disappoints at Box Office, Showcasing Disney’s Studio Challenge” from The Wall Street Journal “Payments app Zelle begins refunds for imposter scams after Washington pressure” from Reuters “Thanksgiving shutdown sets up nightmare scenario for travels” from The Hill “Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon Falls to a Five-Year Low” from The New York Times “Wisconsin snubs bourbon by elevating the brandy old fashioned to state cocktail status” from AP News A Michelada recipe from The Los Angeles Times If you’ve got a question, comment or submission for a state drink, send them our way. We’re at 508-UB-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org

Congress is facing yet another government shutdown deadline at the end of this week. If a deal isn’t reached by Friday at midnight, hundreds of thousands of federal workers will stop getting paid, which may have broader economic ramifications. In this episode, we look at what might happen in the event of a shutdown, from airports to the nation’s global reputation. Plus, a shift in how medical spending is calculated for the CPI, a monetary vs. fiscal policy refresher and a war over groundwater in the Southwest.

Stocks close mixed; low-income homebuyers edged out of market; fiscal policy expected to remain neutral over the next few years; Tyson Foods sales drop.

Moody’s downgrades U.S. credit outlook to negative; Biden, China’s Xi to meet on sidelines of APEC; ExxonMobil to excavate lithium.

Both Hollywood actors represented by SAG-AFTRA and United Auto Workers union members have reached tentative agreements with employers in recent weeks, which still need to be voted on and ratified. But these votes are more than just a rubber stamp. We dig in. Also: U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are slated to meet this week. What’s at stake?

There’s no deal in sight yet to avert a government shutdown by the end of this week. We take a closer look at the status of plans that leaders in Congress are mulling and how this is affecting the U.S. credit rating and outlook. Then, we head to Los Angeles to hear from a striking hotel worker contending with the affordable housing crisis.

From the BBC World Service: German carmaker BMW says it is seeking clarity over allegations of labor and environmental violations made against a cobalt mine operator in Morocco, which supplies metals for electric car batteries. Plus, why haven’t Chinese tourists returned to Thailand in the numbers seen pre-pandemic?

In just a few short years, shopping by livestream has become all the rage in China. Think QVC online and on steroids. Influencers, brands and retailers have swarmed apps like WeChat and Douyin — the Chinese version of TikTok — to hawk everything from makeup and clothes to cars and beef jerky.  Viola Zhou and Caiwei Chen, reporters at Rest of World, have been writing about this $500 billion market and how it’s changing in a stagnant Chinese economy.

We’re discussing some heavy topics today, including threats to democracy from Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, and traditional Republicans bowing out of reelection as the party heads further to the right. Then, we’ll reflect on how we should honor our veterans. Later, we’ll weigh in on an Elon Musk biopic and a global Starbuck expansion in a game of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about: “Trump suggests he or another Republican president could use Justice Department to indict opponents” from CBS News “Moody’s cuts U.S. outlook to negative, citing deficits and political polarization” from CNBC “Manchin, Romney Introduce Bipartisan Fiscal Stability Act” from Senate.gov “Soft saving trends reshape Gen Z, millennials’ personal finance goals” from CNBC “Hot desking gains popularity among employers” from Marketplace “Why is Starbucks opening more stores?” from Marketplace “Elon Musk Biopic Enters Development at A24 Under Darren Aronofsky” from Rolling Stone “Why isn’t there an Amazon for real estate?” from Marketplace Got a question for the hosts? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Consumer sentiment just dropped to a new six-month low, according to the University of Michigan’s consumer survey. But in this post-2020 world, how folks feel about the economy doesn’t always line up with how they spend. In this episode, we’ll dig into that disconnect and how it might affect holiday retail outcomes. Plus, the farm bill expires soon, community college students have trouble transferring credits to four-year institutions and not even the Federal Reserve knows exactly why long-term bond yields are so high.

Stocks rise; people raise inflation expectations; President Biden to meet with China’s president Xi Jinping on Wednesday; Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen meets with Chinese leadership.

Wall Street ended in the red yesterday after comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell; President Joe Biden will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week; the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit starts tomorrow.

A new report from the Urban Institute finds that hundreds of thousands of younger veterans are uninsured. One of the solutions it outlines is expanded Medicaid, which all but 10 states have already done. Plus, the story of terror portrayed in “Killers of the Flower Moon” takes place in the 1920s and ’30s. But what happened after? We hear about the Osage Nation’s developments in government, language preservation and land acquisition.

Many in Hollywood breathed a sigh of relief this week when SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative contract agreement with major studios. But though movie theaters are hungry for content, the impact of the actors strike may linger well into next year. Plus, what will the approval of weight loss drugs mean for health care costs? And later, we hear from an entrepreneur who made vintage arcade games his career.

From the BBC World Service: Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, is stopping political campaigns from using its generative AI advertising products. The move aims at tackling misinformation and deepfake videos. Then, Diwali — the Hindu festival of lights — takes place on Sunday. But as people battle higher living costs and air pollution, will the celebrations be a bit dimmer this year? Additionally, JKN Group — the Thai owner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant — has filed for bankruptcy.

It’s Friday! Which means it’s time for our week-in-review show: Marketplace Tech Bytes. Meta announced this week that starting in 2024, Facebook and Instagram will start labeling political ads that use images generated by AI. But no… it’s hardly an AI crackdown. Plus, YouTube goes to war with ad blockers. A spate of uninstalls ensues! But first, WeWork, the co-working space provider, files for bankruptcy. What happened? And what’s next for the one-time golden child of Silicon Valley? Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Paresh Dave, senior writer at Wired, for his take on these stories.

After 118 days, the SAG-AFTRA strike appears to have come to an end, marking a historic win for actors. We’ll hear from the union’s president, Fran Drescher, about her delight with the new deal. Also, what Fed chief Jay Powell’s recurring message on interest rates says about economic belief versus reality. Plus, it’s the beginning of the end for panda diplomacy, as D.C. bids farewell to its cuddly friends. Here’s everything we talked about: “Powell Closes The F—— Door On Early Rate Cut Hopes: Stocks, Bonds Tumble While Dollar Rallies” from Business Insider “Treasury’s Yellen calls Republican effort to cut IRS funding for Israel ‘damaging and irresponsible'” from AP News “Why did Speaker Mike Johnson disclose zero assets?” from Marketplace “As Pandas Leave National Zoo, Is Panda Diplomacy Over?” from The New York Times Video: “SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher reacts to historic actors’ agreement” from CNN “SAG-AFTRA Approves Deal to End Historic Strike” from Variety Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks, a game and more.

More than 16 million people signed up for health care coverage last year through federal or state marketplaces, which were made possible by the Affordable Care Act. One reason that number is so high? Subsidies for ACA plans were more generous in 2021 as part of a pandemic relief program. In this episode, we’ll check in on the program’s success. Plus, the creator economy goes untracked by the U.S. government, Albuquerque makes free public transit permanent, and “hot desking” irks workers.

Stocks fall; Powell says the Fed is ready to raise rates again if needed; inflation reduction will depend on demand; unemployment claims rise.

SAG-AFTRA, Hollywood studios reach tentative agreement; Warner Bros. Discovery takes financial hit from strikes, while Sony appears unscathed so far; jobless claims hold steady at 217,000; Yellen, Chinese counterpart to meet ahead of economic summit.

After a nearly four monthlong strike, SAG-AFTRA performers reached a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios last night. While details are still scarce, both sides are celebrating — and there are signs of big gains for actors. What will we be looking for in the contract and what does it mean for our favorite shows? Also, workplace injuries are up and a bakery in Gaza struggles to keep up with demand.

For this month’s “Econ Extra Credit” project, we’re watching Martin Scorsese’s new feature film, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The film shows how white settlers terrorized members of the Osage Nation, violently attempting to acquire their oil resources. We’re joined by professor and Osage Nation citizen Jean Dennison to define key concepts in the film, including headrights and guardianships. But first: What’s up with Speaker Mike Johnson’s financial disclosure?

From the BBC World Service: A group of young former McDonald’s workers in the United Kingdom is taking the fast food chain to court, accusing it of failing to protect them at work. Earlier this year, a BBC investigation revealed allegations of sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying. Plus, Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest exporter of clothes, but workers are protesting over better pay and conditions. Then, as the French government hosts a conference in Paris today to discuss ways of getting humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, we hear from a bakery in the territory that is struggling to keep up with the massive demand for crucial supplies of bread.      

“Stay in Oakland!” was the plea from many a diehard Athletics fan in the stands of the Oakland Coliseum this past baseball season as the team planned its move to Las Vegas. Some potential hurdles to a move remain unresolved, including a vote by Major League Baseball team owners next week on whether to allow it. Even if you don’t follow baseball, you may know the story of how, more than two decades ago, the cash-strapped A’s pioneered the use of high-tech data analysis in the sport. which came to be known as moneyball. Michael Lewis wrote a book about it. Brad Pitt did a movie about it. For more on how the A’s changed the game, Marketplace’s Lily Jamali called up Keith Law, senior baseball writer for The Athletic, who explained that the team found an edge by looking at what some would call nerdy stats, like on-base percentage.

High interest rates are making our already enormous national debt more expensive, and many economists are worried. We’ll discuss what it may cost to get the national debt under control. Plus, a referendum to replace Maine’s two main power companies with a publicly owned alternative was shot down in yesterday’s election. And, the James Webb Space Telescope is revolutionizing the way we see the universe. Here’s everything we talked about today: “What it would cost to stabilize the soaring national debt” from Axios “Maine voters reject utility takeover after heavy spending from CMP and Versant” from Bangor Daily News “What the Failed Pine Tree Power Proposal in Maine Could Have Accomplished” from CNET “More states strive to make parks, trails accessible to people with disabilities” from Stateline “A Guide to the James Webb Telescope’s View of the Universe” from The New York Times Got a question for the hosts? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

House Republicans are floating a new idea for staving off a government shutdown: staggered funding deadlines for different parts of the government, or, as they’re calling it, a laddered continuing resolution. In this episode, we’ll talk to political experts about what this type of CR could look like and if it would work. Plus, small businesses crank out content, commercial airlines offer experienced pilots huge bonuses and while more Americans are behind on their debt, fewer are in collections.

Stocks close mixed; mortgage rates drop by largest amount since July 2022; Disney’s ad revenue falls; wholesale inventories tick up.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 7.6 percent; Regulators want to supervise digital payments; FTC challenging medical patents that may be preventing generics; Las Vegas workers reach labor deal with one of three major casino operators.

As investors sense the Federal Reserve is done raising interest rates, stocks are seeing an extended rally. Of course, no one knows what the Fed will really do until they actually do it. Elsewhere, a possible light at the end of the tunnel for the shipping industry’s recession, and checking in on El Salvador’s big gamble on bitcoin.

A former safety engineer at Facebook parent company Meta tesifies, “We cannot trust them with our children,” citing indequate options for addressing harmful material. Plus, a look ahead at this weekend’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco; stocks rally on hopes of no more interest rate hikes; and new legislation looks to boost Americans’ retirement security.

From the BBC World Service: Wine production around the world is set to fall this year to its lowest level in more than 60 years, mainly down to changes in the weather. Plus, consumer and environmental groups have issued a legal complaint to the European Commission, saying that Danone, Nestle and Coca Cola are making misleading claims about plastic bottles being 100% recycled – or being completely recyclable. The big brands deny this. And, El Salvador made history in 2021 by becoming the first country to accept Bitcoin as legal tender, but how has it worked out for ordinary Salvadoreans?

Today we’re talking about another potential tool in the climate solutions toolbox: carbon capture. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law put $12 billion toward the tech, which promises to take carbon emissions straight from the air and store them underground. But there are concerns that supporting the fledgling industry could backfire. On the show today, Inside Climate News’ Nicholas Kusnetz explains the ins and outs of carbon capture and the challenges of making it work on a scale big enough to be meaningful. Plus, how investing in the tech could prolong dependence on fossil fuels. Then, studios want to own actors’ digital likenesses forever, and that’s a sticking point for SAG-AFTRA in the actors strike. We’ll get into what this has to do with trends in the generative AI industry. And, some news about former President Donald Trump’s net worth that made us say, “Huh?” Later, we’ll hear from listeners about hydrogen fuel cell cars and shower design flaws. Plus, what a listener got wrong about the climate crisis. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Pipe Dreams” from Inside Climate News “How Does Carbon Capture Work?” from The New York Times “Controversial carbon removal technology just got $1.2 billion from the Biden administration” from The Verge “Carbon Capture” from MIT Climate Portal “Companies capture a lot of CO2. Most of it is going into new oil.” from The Washington Post “SAG-AFTRA won’t budge as studios push to own actors’ likenesses in perpetuity” from The Verge “OpenAI unveils personalized AI apps as it seeks to expand its ChatGPT consumer business” from Reuters “As shutdown looms, US House Republicans search for stopgap solution” from Reuters “Donald Trump Net Worth Reaches $3.1 Billion Amid Trial” from Bloomberg “How We Survive” from Marketplace We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

China is the second-biggest foreign holder of U.S. debt, but its total holdings recently hit a low not seen since 2009. In this episode, we’ll talk through a few theories on why China appears to be offloading U.S. Treasurys. Could it be trying to pump up the value of the yuan? Or has China just hidden a bunch of Treasurys? Plus, big-box retailers renovate to draw in shoppers, the repossession industry faces a repo man shortage, and corporate earnings reports go better than expected.

Stocks close higher; household debt rises; WeWork files for bankruptcy; Secretaries of Treasury, Defense, State call for more aid to Ukraine.

Fed policymakers are divided over the need for additional hike; WeWork files for bankruptcy protection; Secretaries of Treasury, Defense, State call for more Ukraine aid; Johnson & Johnson to test surgical robot.

Of 47 countries, the United States ranked No. 22 in a recent Mercer ranking of global retirement systems. We discuss the lessons the U.S. might be able to learn from higher-ranking countries and why the U.S. retirement system is falling so far behind. We also hear about the latest on aid to Gaza and yet another potential government shutdown.

Open enrollment season is underway, and the Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about scams — especially ones that take advantage of older adults. We hear from experts on how people can protect themselves and their loved ones. Plus, WeWork, the company known for its hip co-working spaces, declares bankruptcy. And later: Should college athletes be considered employees of their schools?

From the BBC World Service: A judge in Italy orders the seizure of $835 million from short-term rental giant Airbnb, as prosecutors say it failed to collect a tax from landlords. Also: The European Space Agency changes the way it works by launching a competition to develop a commercial space capsule.

Tuesday marks one month since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,400 people and taking hundreds of hostages. Israel has responded by bombarding the Gaza Strip and killing more than 10,000 people there, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. The Israeli government has shut off power and fuel supplies to the more than 2 million people, mostly Palestinians, in Gaza. This weekend, Gazans suffered the third internet and phone blackout since Israel declared war on Hamas. Just over the border in Egypt, journalist Mirna El Helbawi has been working to enable people in Gaza to stay online and connected to the rest of the world. She’s part of a small group collecting donations of so-called eSIMs, which let users activate a cellphone plan on a mobile network without needing an actual SIM card.

SpaceX is on track to make record profits this year, particularly through its Starlink satellite program. With the reins of this powerful company in the hands of a celebrity entrepreneur, has that celebrity, Elon Musk, become invincible? We’ll also dig into the details of the U.S. birthrate. As it turns out, being an only child did not become the norm we expected it would be. And we’ll learn about the physicist who’s created over 1,000 Wikipedia bios for neglected female scientists. Here’s everything we talked about: “Millennials aren’t having kids. Here are the reasons why” from The Washington Post “SpaceX Eyes $15 Billion in Sales Next Year on Starlink Strength” from Bloomberg “This 33-year-old made more than 1,000 Wikipedia bios for unknown female scientists” from NBC News “Why it’s so hard for women’s bios to stay on Wikipedia” from Marketplace “Electric Planes, Once a Fantasy, Start to Take to the Skies” from The New York Times Do you have a question that you want to ask us or a comment on something we talked about? Call us at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

From Harvard to the University of Oregon, a growing number of undergraduate students are forming labor unions. In this episode, we’ll talk to students involved in labor organizing efforts and hear what they’re hoping to accomplish. Plus, we’ll check in on loan delinquencies, bust the myth of the Great Wealth Transfer and assess whether the latest nationwide job numbers point to a coming recession.

Stocks rise; demand for loans falls; supply chain pressure at lowest on record; household debt figures due this week.

Goldman Sachs attributes the change to hopes the Fed is done raising interest rates; CDC testing for respiratory viruses at airports, testing companies say; eurozone likely headed into recession, latest data shows; Starbucks is boosting retail workers’ pay.

Open enrollment season is upon us, and a new type of benefits is gaining popularity: support for workers going through menopause, including flexible time off, counseling and hormone therapy. While only a small number of workplaces currently provide menopause-specific benefits, a growing number of employers are open to the idea. Later in the program: Germany aims to crack down on illegal immigration.

The deadline to spend pandemic-era child care subsidies passed at the end of September, the so-called “child care cliff.” We visit one child care facility in Baltimore to hear how the end of federal funding could affect providers’ ability to recruit and retain workers. Plus, a video game maker goes after the Google app store, and the House of Representatives is expected to vote on its transportation funding bill.

From the BBC World Service: Nonessential building work is paused, commercial trucks are banned, and office staff are working from home in the Indian city of Delhi due to severe pollution. Plus, a United Nations report shows the cost to farmers of Taliban authorities’ ban on opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. Also: Germany’s government hopes tougher sentences for people traffickers will slow illegal migration.

Remember when President Donald Trump tried to ban TikTok? He called attention to the risk that American users’ data could fall into the hands of Chinese authorities who have ties to the app’s owners. A judge blocked the ban, but even if he hadn’t, experts say so much of our personal information is available to buy from run-of-the-mill data brokers. That includes information on Americans serving in the military, which can have big consequences for national security. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke to Justin Sherman, senior fellow at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, about a new study he led in which his team tried buying just that kind of data.

A new United Nations report found that wealthy nations are scaling back funding for climate adaptation in developing countries, while the cost of mitigating the effects of climate change continue to grow. We’ll get into it. And, the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust lawsuit against Amazon revealed a secret pricing algorithm used by the company, known as Project Nessie. We’ll unpack how the algorithm has amassed huge profits for Amazon while raising prices across the board. Then, we’ll play a round of Half Full / Half Empty with guest host Amy Scott. Here’s everything we talked about: “Critics: Tuberville is just the face of a ‘broken’ confirmation process” from Roll Call “Amazon made more than $1B using secret algorithm called ‘Project Nessie,’ FTC says” from The Hill “Developing countries need at least $215 billion a year for climate adaptation” from Grist Adaptation Gap Report 2023 from UN Environment Programme “Rewriting the rules for the Colorado River’s management” from Marketplace “Why small phones are hard to find” from Marketplace “Super Commuting Is on the Rise, Thanks to Flexibility of Hybrid Work” from Business Insider “Are your company’s cybersecurity trainings a waste of your time?” from Marketplace “Brains and Losses: Aging and Financial Vulnerability to Scams” from Marketplace “Do We Really Need Tequila From Celebrities Like Matthew McConaughey?” from Eater “The Beatles’ ‘Now and Then’: The Band’s ‘Last’ Song” from The New York Times Got a question for the hosts? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

When it comes to the Federal Reserve’s powers, raising or lowering interest rates is pretty cool. But there are a ton of economic factors the Fed doesn’t get a say in — gas price fluctuation, stock market trends, long-term bond yields, to name a few. Sure, the Fed might love to totally control financial conditions — but reality often gets in the way. Also in this episode, wage growth slows, schools turn to tech in response to bus driver shortages and paper companies adapt to paperless billing.

Stocks close higher; unemployment rate unchanged; average pay gains slow; services sector expands again.

The October jobs report showed a relatively healthy 150,000 gain; White House hosts Americas economic summit; Sam Bankman-Fried convicted of fraud, conspiracy; Maersk announces layoffs as shipping demand softens.

Some 150,000 jobs were added in October. That’s less than expected but still shows healthy growth. We do the numbers on this morning’s jobs report, which shows a cooling economy more in line with what central bankers are hoping for. We also take a bite out of Apple’s earnings report and hear from an entrepreneur who started a gym that centers the needs of people with physical disabilities.

The former head of collapsed crypto exchange FTX Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty on all charges of fraud and conspiracy yesterday. We review how one of the biggest fraud cases in recent memory wrapped up. Then, holiday spending is projected to grow this year. And later, a look at the Biden administration’s new, more tailored student loan forgiveness plan.

From the BBC World Service: China was the biggest importer of Australian wine, until Australians called for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and China slapped tariffs on various commodities. But as relations between the countries improve, could the wine start flowing again? Also: Will there be a time when jobs aren’t necessary? Elon Musk thinks so and he’s putting it down to AI. Plus, religiously conservative Malta is fast becoming known as one of the most gay-friendly places in Europe, giving its tourism industry a boost.

This week, electric vehicle sales are in a slump. Last year, the competition among EV buyers was fierce, with consumers paying premium prices to drive one off the lot. But despite federal tax credits aimed at making them more affordable, the red-hot EV market isn’t so hot anymore. Plus, a year into ads on Netflix, the company is reporting that 15 million monthly active users are watching, and rewards for binging your favorite shows are in the works. But first, we’ll dive into the U.K.’s AI Safety Summit at historic Bletchley Park this week. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Joanna Stern, senior personal technology columnist at The Wall Street Journal, for her take on those stories.

Hey Smarties! We recorded today’s episode before the news of Sam Bankman-Fried’s conviction came out. We’ll continue to monitor the story. This week, President Joe Biden signed a sweeping executive order on the safety of artificial intelligence, and world leaders (plus Elon Musk) met to discuss the risks of the rapidly developing technology for the first time. We’ll get into what future AI regulation could look like as governments agree to cooperate. And, we’ll hear from Target’s CEO on trends in consumer spending. Plus, Sen. Tuberville’s block on military promotions is reaching a boiling point. Now, his own party is turning on him. Here’s everything we talked about: “How much AI regulation can come from the president?” from Marketplace “UK, US, EU and China sign declaration of AI’s ‘catastrophic’ danger” from The Guardian “Target CEO says shoppers are pulling back, even on groceries” from CNBC “Sam Bankman-Fried’s fourth day on the stand did not go well” from CNN “Sam Bankman-Fried Is Convicted of Fraud in FTX Collapse” from The Wall Street Journal “Republican Sen. Tuberville doubles down on blocking military nominees despite GOP pleas” from ABC News “Playbook: Tommy Tuberville vs. everybody” from Politico Join us for Make Me Smart Virtual Trivia on Nov. 9! Give $5 or more and the link will be in your confirmation email: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

In his statement after the Federal Reserve’s rate-setting meeting yesterday, Chair Jerome Powell said, basically, that a too-resilient economy could put inflation-cooling measures at risk. But isn’t resilience a good thing? In this episode, economists get into what the Fed chief’s comment means and whether it’s a sign of more interest rate hikes to come. Plus, pharmacists walk out of their jobs, citing burnout and understaffing, and California consumers have issues with electric vehicles.

Stocks close higher; worker output outpaces hours worked; new unemployment claims increase; Starbucks sales rise.

The seasonal favorite helped power record quarterly revenues at Starbucks; worker productivity improves at best pace in three years; initial unemployment claims inch up to 217,000.

EV sales are growing, but not as quickly as hoped. Carmakers are now dialing back EV production targets. And it’s possible that the deals that ended the United Auto Workers’ strike could make EVs less profitable for companies too. Is it a tap on the brakes for EVs? Plus, we take a look at the growing dupe market and hear why Disney is buying the rest of Hulu.

Living conditions in Gaza were already dire before Israel’s military offensive operations. Prior to the war, Gaza’s unemployment rate exceeded 45%, and two-thirds of the population were living in poverty. Now, Israel has cut off food, fuel, water, gas and electricity. We discuss the repercussions. Plus, is the Federal Reserve as concerned about raising interest rates too much as it is about not hiking them enough?

From the BBC World Service: Would you invest thousands of dollars on designer handbags or clothes? Or would you buy strikingly similar ones for a fraction of the cost? We take a look at the booming market for duplicates, or dupes. Also, it’s day two of a big AI summit in the United Kingdom, where world leaders and tech giants are discussing the threats and the opportunities of the technology. They’ve announced a deal, but many are worried they may have their priorities wrong. Plus, Japan is putting together an economic stimulus package worth more than $110 billion to help combat the impact of inflation.  

According to the FBI, email phishing attacks accounted for nearly $51 billion in losses over the past 10 years — and the number is only expected to grow with the introduction of artificial intelligence. Dina Temple-Raston from the “Click Here” podcast followed one company that is doing something new to fight the growing threat of scam emails: fighting AI with AI.

Two prominent Republican representatives announced they won’t seek reelection at the end of their terms in Congress. We’ll get into the future of the GOP, as former President Donald Trump continues to drive a wedge in the party’s identity. Also, how the verdict in a case involving the National Association of Realtors could upend the way we buy and sell homes. Plus, a breakthrough gene therapy treatment is allowing some deaf children to hear for the first time. And, coming clean about hotel showers. Here’s everything we talked about: “House GOP’s Israel-IRS bill could add more than $26 billion to deficit: CBO” from The Hill “US jury finds realtors liable for inflating commissions, awards $1.78 bln damages” from Reuters “Thanks to a Missouri jury, how we buy and sell homes may change” from Marketplace “After Losing High-Profile Verdict, Realtors Group Hit With Larger Lawsuit on Agent Commissions” from CoStar “Republicans Kay Granger, Ken Buck announce they won’t seek reelection” from CNBC “Buck says GOP is ‘lying to America’ and he won’t run again” from Roll Call “Deaf since birth, some children in China can hear after gene treatment” from MIT Technology Review “We’ve Used Showers for Centuries. Why Can’t Hotels Make Them Easier?” from The Wall Street Journal Got a question for the hosts? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The Federal Reserve opted to keep interest rates unchanged at its policymaking meeting today, but there’s Treasury news that has interest rate implications. In this episode, we’ll get into the Treasury market and why the Fed isn’t buying bonds but hedge funds are. Plus, tribal nations are fighting for a role in river management decisions, WeWork is on the brink of filing for bankruptcy and remote workers are at their wits’ end with digital communication tools.

Stocks rise; Powell says growth will likely to have to slow to bring down inflation; quits rate unchanged; private employers add jobs.

Job openings totaled 9.6 million in September; private payrolls add 116,000 jobs; Yum Brands boost profits; automakers oppose steel industry consolidation.

The past few years have been anything but melodious for the music industry. Concerts have roared back with pandemic restrictions lifted, but how have the economics of live shows, streaming platforms and new technologies changed? But first: A jury found that realtors have kept commissions artificially high.

The Federal Reserve wraps up its two-day meeting today, but something else may overshadow Chairman Jerome Powell’s news conference: a Treasury Department announcement detailing the mix of bonds it’ll use throughout the rest of the year. While it’s usually a snoozefest, we explain why economists (and the Marketplace team!) are planning to stay wide awake. Plus, smaller homes are having a moment and Maine’s “yellow-flag” law is under scrutiny.

From the BBC World Service: Government representatives and tech leaders are meeting in the United Kingdom for the world’s first safety summit on artificial intelligence. What might come out of it? Plus, a drought is forcing a traffic reduction through the Panama Canal. And there’s another controversial host for the men’s soccer World Cup, as Saudi Arabia is set to hold the 2034 competition.

It’s been about seven months since leaders in tech signed an open letter calling for a temporary pause on artificial intelligence development. The gist was that the risks of advanced AI are too great for developers to keep tinkering with the technology in the absence of proper safeguards. That pause ultimately did not happen, and for some researchers, the core concerns in that letter still exist. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Jonas Schuett, research fellow at the Centre for the Governance of AI, about a recent paper he co-authored that has a different take on the question of pausing development.

When it comes to solutions to the climate crisis, we’re going to need a whole menu of options. One item on the menu: clean hydrogen. The Joe Biden administration recently invested $7 billion into developing clean hydrogen hubs across the country, with hopes the technology could help reduce carbon emissions in a variety of industries. “Many people call it a Swiss Army knife of decarbonization,” said Emily Pontecorvo, staff writer at Heatmap News. “But the problem of thinking of it that way is that it takes so much energy to make hydrogen that you really only want to use it in cases where you don’t really have any other options.” On the show today, Pontecorvo explains the difference between “clean” and “dirty” hydrogen, how we might use hydrogen fuel, and why some climate advocates are skeptical of its climate friendliness. Then, the other labor story of the summer: rounds of walkouts by pharmacy staff at CVS and Walgreens. And we’ll get into how Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s ongoing military promotion blockade has complicated a top military official’s health emergency. Later, we’ll hear a listener’s concerns about nuclear energy. And another listener was wrong about which countries export petroleum (until they played Tradle). Here’s everything we talked about: “Biden’s Big Hydrogen Experiment Is About to Begin” from Heatmap News “White House puts $7 billion toward hydrogen hubs” from Marketplace “The race to scale up green hydrogen” from Financial Times “Column: Hydrogen is a crucial climate solution. It’s also a distraction” from The Los Angeles Times “What is hydrogen, and can it really become a climate change solution?” from The Conversation “Biden administration invests in hydrogen fuel, but hurdles remain” from Marketplace “Top Marine General Hospitalized After Apparently Having Heart Attack” from The New York Times “CVS and Walgreens pharmacy staff begin 3-day walkout” from CNN We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Recent data shows that while labor costs are still rising, they aren’t growing crazy fast. That’s good news for the Federal Reserve, which wouldn’t want to see a wage-price spiral nightmare this Halloween. In this episode, we’ll look at why the Fed is spooked by too-fast wage growth and where labor costs might be headed. Plus, an Iowa corn and soybean farmer reports a record harvest, Japan eases up on its bond yield controls and California child care workers unionize for better pay and benefits.

Stocks rise; labor costs up 4.3% from last year; consumer confidence ticks down; Caterpillar earnings rise.

Wages and benefits in Q3 rose 4.3%; consumer confidence weakened for third straight month; home prices rose 2.6% in August; U.S. sues SolarWinds over 2020 hack.

More colleges are offering early decision admissions, where students signal that a particular university is their top choice but have to commit before seeing their financial aid package. Early decision is not without controversy. Students who apply early tend to be wealthier, and critics say the practice undermines fairness. Plus, child care costs continue to climb, and the UAW hopes its contract wins will encourage other car manufacturers to unionize.

While there’s often a narrative that scammers target older adults, scammers don’t discriminate. Turns out, younger people are more likely to report losing money to a scam. We delve into the types of scams Gen Zers fall for and what consumers can do to protect themselves. Also, the Biden administration cracks down on junk fees from financial advisers, and the market might be doing some of the Fed’s work.

From the BBC World Service: A tour company has been found guilty of not “minimizing risk” in the 2019 White Island volcano eruption, in which 22 people died. Then, the government in Haiti has suspended flights to Nicaragua, which has become a popular connection point for migrants trying to reach the United States. Also: Scaring people is big business. We look at the tourism attractions recreating the dark side of history.

In 2017, then-MIT graduate student Joy Buolamwini shared the challenge of getting facial analysis software to notice her. “Hi camera, can you see my face? You can see her face. What about my face?” she asks the program as she stares at her webcam. It couldn’t “see” her until she wore a white mask. The reason, argued Buolamwini, who is Black, is because of algorithmic bias. Fighting it is one goal of the executive order on AI unveiled Monday by the Biden administration. Buolamwini, author of the new book “Unmasking AI,” told Marketplace’s Lily Jamali the executive order is a step in the right direction.

A $14.3 billion Israel aid package from the House GOP is in the works, and some Republican representatives are looking into unconventional ways to fund it. We’ll get into where U.S. military aid usually ends up and who stands to make a profit from global conflict. Plus, how the media coverage leading up to the 2024 election often makes false equivalencies between the speaking abilities of former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Here’s everything we talked about: “House GOP announces standalone $14.3 billion Israel aid package, setting up Senate clash — Live Updates” from Politico “Ukraine war orders starting to boost revenues for big US defense contractors” from Reuters “Israel’s Economy Set to Shrink 11% as Hamas War Escalates: JPMorgan” from Bloomberg “Trump’s Verbal Slips Could Weaken His Attacks on Biden’s Age” from The New York Times “‘I had no idea I’d become a national event’: Orson Welles on the mass hysteria of The War of the Worlds” from BBC Culture Do you have a question that you want to ask us or a comment about something we talked about? Call us at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

In a recent Harris poll, 44% of respondents said they’re stressed economically. But in the same poll, 34% said they’re optimistic. What gives? In this episode, how the American middle class is experiencing the current economy. Higher costs and lower personal savings are two big components affecting that economic vibe. Plus, how is New York City dealing with subway flooding, which parts of artificial intelligence can the Biden administration regulate and what the heck is the employment cost index?

Stocks close higher; UAW reaches tentative deal with GM; Biden signs executive order on AI; COVID-19 antivirals transitioning to the commercial health insurance market.

Holdout GM reached deal with autoworkers’ union this morning; COVID-19 antiviral treatments to be distributed by commercial health insurance; McDonald’s reports strong profits on promotional sales; Southwest likely to face regulatory fine over customer service failures.

More than 1,400 CEOs have left their jobs from January to September this year. That’s up by almost 50% from the same period last year, and it’s the biggest turnover in more than two decades, according to a recent report. What’s behind the exodus? Also: The Biden administration looks to regulate artificial intelligence, and federal oversight can get in the way of Native homeownership.

Be honest: Do you prefer self-checkouts at stores or do you actually kinda dread them? Today, we hear how self-checkout machines failed to deliver on their promises to save time and money for both retailers and consumers. Plus, the United Auto Workers union reached a tentative deal with carmaker Stellantis but has no deal yet with General Motors, where strikes are expanding.

From the BBC World Service: The world’s most indebted real estate developer, Evergrande, has been told it has weeks to avoid liquidation by agreeing a repayment plan for the money it owes. Then: Ecuador’s incoming interim President faces a number of challenges, including revitalizing the economy while also shutting down a key oil field.

It was declared the winner of the search-engine wars way back in 1998. Fortune magazine said the company was poised for much bigger things. That company was, actually, Yahoo. As it turned out, that prediction didn’t age well. Of course, Google is the real winner of the battle for search engine dominance. How it got there is the subject of the U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust case against it. Google has just started mounting its defense as the 10-week trial nears its end. Much of the case hinges on the question of default settings on tech devices. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with her colleague Matt Levin about the role of those settings in the government’s argument.

The National Labor Relations Board is redefining what it means to be an employer by changing the so-called joint-employer rule. We’ll explain how the change could impact the rights of contract and franchise workers across many industries, from tech to fast food. And, polling numbers on congressional approval are sinking lower and lower. Plus, are SEO-bait names and bloated movie runtimes the new norms? We’ll get into it in a round of Half Full / Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about: “New labor rule could be a big deal for millions of franchise and contract workers. Here’s why.” from CBS News “NLRB joint-employer rule triggers fears of higher trucking costs” from FreightWaves “Congress’ Job Approval Drops to 13%, Lowest Since 2017” from Gallup “‘Overemployed’ people secretly work overlapping remote jobs” from Marketplace “Why it feels like movies are getting longer” from CNN “In tight labor market, businesses practice ‘strategic retention'” from Marketplace “Do CEOs make too much money?” from Marketplace “The restaurant nearest Google” from The Verge “Halloween 2023: Costumes fuel expected record holiday spending” from Axios If you’ve got a question about today’s economy, send it our way. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Health care costs contributed big to September’s inflation reading, though the sector’s price increases have lagged other industries for most of the last year. But lately, consumers and insurers are shelling out more for medication, nursing homes and hospitals. In this episode, we’ll diagnose the root cause of high health care spending, which is expected to make up a fifth of the U.S. economy by 2030. Plus, why the cost of corporate debt is on the rise and haunted houses’ frightening finances.

Stocks close mixed; services prices rise; consumer spending stays strong; consumer sentiment falls in October.

New initiatives announced by the White House would repurpose downtown offices; Treasury Department issues sanctions to block Iran’s support of Hamas; inflation held steady in September at 3.4%; Alphabet CEO Pichai to testify in Google antitrust trial.

The Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes have forced plenty of consumers to put off bigger purchases, such as a new appliance. But people are still spending lots on cheaper, everyday services — like a haircut or dining out. That, coupled with wage increases, have caused services inflation to remain elevated. Plus, thousands of hotel workers strike in downtown in LA and October can be a spooky month for stocks.

Folks in econ circles sure do love their acronyms. Later this morning, the Commerce Department releases the PCE, or the personal consumption expenditures price index, for September. But there’s also the CPI, or the consumer price index. We give you the TL;DR on both measures of inflation. Then: a case study of an immigration scam and how communities are fighting back.

From the BBC World Service: The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in Washington meeting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Has the bubble burst for the Hipgnosis Songs Fund? It owns the rights to songs written by Blondie, Shakira, Neil Young and others, and more than 80% of its shareholders voted against plans for it to continue as an investment trust.  

This week, Marketplace Tech is introducing a new regular Friday segment called Bytes: a week in review, where we’ll dive into the major news stories of the week, giving you the context and information you need. And what a week it’s been in the tech industry! Disarray in Congress disrupts plans to deal with deepfakes ahead of the 2024 election. Also, the White House prepares an executive order on artificial intelligence, set for release as soon as next week. But the biggest tech headline of the week? Dozens of states are suing Facebook and Instagram’s parent company Meta for allegedly harming the mental health of its young users with “addictive” features aiming at keeping kids on their various social media sites at the risk of their well-being. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali is joined by Maria Curi, tech policy reporter at Axios for her take on those stories.

There’s been a lot of talk about the ever-growing U.S. federal deficit lately. That discussion has largely revolved around spending cuts. But the flip side of the issue— that is, increasing revenue — is largely ignored. We’ll get into what increasing the government’s revenue could look like and how an approaching expiration date for some Trump-era tax cut provisions could impact taxpayers in the coming years. Also, we’ll hear from UAW President Shawn Fain about the union’s tentative deal with Ford and the outsized CEO salaries that made headlines this year. Here’s everything we talked about: “UAW President Shawn Fain: We’ve got a tentative deal with Ford” from Detroit Free Press “CD282: Chaos Fires McCarthy” from Congressional Dish “Pentagon spending stuck in neutral even as lawmakers back budget boost” from Politico “Do CEOs make too much money?” from Marketplace “Let’s talk about revenue and the budget deficit” from Marketplace “The Problem With a $2 Trillion Deficit” from The New York Times podcast “The Daily” Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks, a game and more.

Gross domestic product expanded at a 4.9% rate in the third quarter, driven by a consumer who couldn’t pass up high-priced concert tickets and big-ticket durable goods. But is that torrid pace sustainable? We’ll also examine why companies are holding on tight to their workers and how Buy American rules can complicate infrastructure buildouts.

Stocks fall; plane tickets and health care spending picks up; durable goods orders rise; UPS lowers revenue forecast.

Average interest rates for retail credit cards, like cards for Gap or Home Depot, have reached new highs at nearly 29%, according to data from Bankrate. That’s compared to the typical rate for your standard Visa or Mastercard, which runs around 21%. What gives? Also: Unpacking today’s GDP figures and the UAW’s tentative deal with Ford.

The GDP growth rate in the third quarter was the highest in nearly two years; federal regulators issue new rules for labeling meat products as organic; jobless claims rise to a still-low total of 210,000; UAW, Ford reach tentative labor deal.

Republican Mike Johnson of Louisiana was elected as the speaker of the house yesterday. What does this new leadership mean for spending bills to avert a looming government shutdown, aid packages to Ukraine and Israel, and the farm bill? We explore. Plus, food insecurity climbed last year. Then, more states are requiring financial literacy classes. We look at the impact.

From the BBC World Service: New figures suggest Germany could already be in recession, as business activity contracted for a fourth straight month in October. Also, China and Colombia have elevated diplomatic relations to the next level — a so-called “strategic-partnership” — which is likely to raise eyebrows in Washington. And it turns out that the “Barbie” movie has boosted toy sales for its maker, Mattel.

Here in the U.S., big tech is having a good earnings season as companies release their quarterly report cards this week. This, after a year marked by layoffs, with many tech workers going through the first industry downturn of their careers. China’s tech industry has been even more exposed. The world’s second largest economy is struggling. Turns out, a long resume isn’t always helpful to those thrown out of work, as a result. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Marketplace’s China correspondent Jennifer Pak, who explained what’s being called the “curse of 35.”

After a three-week vacancy, House Republicans elected Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana speaker. We’ll give you the rundown on who Johnson is and what his far-right associations could mean for the challenging weeks ahead in Congress. And, on the other side of the Capitol rotunda, senators are working on new ways to end Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s military promotion blockade. Plus, a 14-year-old scientist’s cancer-fighting bar of soap. Here’s everything we talked about: “5 things to know about Speaker Mike Johnson” from The Hill “McCarthy’s fundraising guru will back newly anointed Speaker Mike Johnson” from Politico “Mike Johnson is the least experienced House speaker in 140 years” from Axios “Virginia teen named top young scientist for cancer-fighting soap” from The Washington Post “Senators prep proposal to go around Tuberville’s holds” from Politico Got a question for the hosts? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

As America gets older, its people need nursing homes, and nursing homes need nurses. There’s not enough of them, and even government mandates may not fix the problem. We delve into the gap. Also, GM slows down its electric vehicle program, and Microsoft has the momentum in its long rivalry with Google.

Stocks close down; sales pick up in the South and Northeast; Alphabet profits rise; Microsoft cloud services revenue jumps.

New home sales rose to their fastest pace since February 2022; Boeing losses mount amid 737 Max production hiccups; California orders GM Cruise autonomous vehicles off roads; Alphabet’s cloud unit stumbles as Microsoft’s booms.

While we’ve gotten cozy to the idea that money’s nearly free to borrow over the last few years, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note briefly crossed 5% last week. But 10-year Treasury rates have historically been 5%. Is this actually just a return to normal? Plus, major state lawsuits against Meta loom over its quarterly earnings report today. Also: what U.S. sanctions relief means for Venezuela’s oil production.

U.S. financial regulators recently made big changes to the Community Reinvestment Act. The fair lending rules are from 1977 and were designed to stop damage from redlining. But not everyone’s happy with updates to the law. We discuss. Plus, there are tons of applications — and big benefits — to gamified training.

From the BBC World Service: The lab-grown diamond industry is now a $14 trillion market. Pandora, the world’s largest jewelry-maker, is expanding its lab-grown diamond range. Plus, eToro, a trading and investing platform, says that short selling has risen in popularity among ordinary investors in the last few years. And lastly, France’s government has announced new rules that mean businesses must tell customers whether food on the menu is house-made.  

Last year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) got more than 10,000 tips about minors extorted in sexting scams. The number is even higher so far this year. And what authorities are noticing is that in a lot of these cases boys are the target. It often starts with direct messages on social media. Flirting leads to requests for explicit photos. And as soon as they hit send, the person on the other end threatens to share the photos unless they get paid. Freelance reporter Chris Moody wrote about what’s being called “sextortion” for the Washington Post. A warning: this conversation includes a mention of teen suicide.

As the federal budget deficit widens, we’ll take a look at one contributing factor: the Federal Reserve’s obligation to pay interest to banks. It’s outpacing income the Fed makes from the securities it bought as part of its quantitative easing strategy. Also in this episode, women who’ve started their own businesses weigh in on the pros and cons compared to traditional jobs. Hydropower dams struggle in the face of changing weather patterns, and the H-1B visa application process may get some updates.

Stocks rise; staffing issues, food costs burden after-school meal programs; services sector expands; manufacturing demand picks up.

Hey Smarties! Today we’re bringing you a special episode of “Marketplace Morning Report” that dives into what the video game industry can teach us about the economy, from the socioeconomic hurdles that keep many young people from breaking into the field to the economics at work in many games. It’s part of the “Skin in the Game” series from David Brancaccio and the “Marketplace Morning Report” team, which explores how the massive industry can help us understand economics, business, money and careers. Do you have a question or comment about the video game industry? Call us at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

S&P Global reported improvements in both services and manufacturing sectors; Tesla discloses expanding Justice Department probe; fossil fuel use to peak by 2030, IEA says; UAW strikes at Stellantis Ram truck plant.

Have no doubt: Fossil fuels are out and renewables are in. The International Energy Agency predicts a dramatic shift toward green energy by the end of this decade. And more than 130 large companies recently signed onto a letter urging world leaders to ditch fossil fuels. Plus, the Biden administration is making a bet that hydrogen fuel will help bring the American economy to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Both General Motors and Ford will report quarterly earnings this week as the United Auto Worker strike stretches into its sixth week. Investors — and the union — will be scrutinizing the numbers for clues about how the extended work stoppage is affecting the companies. Also: a preview of Big Tech earnings and the importance of “Davos in the Desert.”

From the BBC World Service: Women across Iceland are to strike from paid and unpaid work on Tuesday to bring attention to inequality. Then, the China-U.S. Economic Working Group holds its first meeting in a effort to make relations between the two countries more constructive. Lastly, the wool industry once helped save the vicuna from extinction, but a fall in wool prices could pose a new threat.

As recently as August, Airbnb was doing brisk business in New York City, with more than 22,000 listings there. Two months and a citywide crackdown later, that number has fallen to just above 3,000, a decrease of more than 80%. Local Law 18, which took effect last month, requires hosts of short-term rentals on Airbnb, Vrbo and similar sites to register with the city and live in the property they’re renting out. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali spoke with Amanda Hoover, a staff writer at Wired, who’s been following the fallout from the new law.

Without a speaker in the House of Representatives, Congress isn’t getting much work done. That includes progress on the farm bill, which is up for renewal this year. We’ll get into what potential cuts to the farm bill could mean and some of the bill’s past shortcomings. Plus, a new study found that the West Antarctic ice sheet will continue to melt faster despite serious action on climate change. Also, we say goodbye to a record holder who was a very good boy. Here’s everything we talked about: “House Ag Dems fight farm bill cuts” from Politico “Introducing “How We Survive: The Worth of Water”’ from Marketplace “Crop insurance costs soar over time, reaching a record high in 2022″ from Environmental Working Group “Faster Melting of West Antarctic Ice Sheet Is ‘Unavoidable’” from Bloomberg “Jump scares are declining in horror movies — but the scariest remain” from The Washington Post “Bobi, world’s oldest dog ever, dies at 31 (or about 217 in dog years)” from ABC News Do you have a question that you want to ask us or a comment about something we talked about? Call us at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Do users actually like Google’s search engine best, or does its role as default option seal the deal? That’s the question at the center of the Justice Department’s antitrust trial against Google — whose parent company, Alphabet, spends billions to be the default on all sorts of devices. In this episode, we examine the psychology of defaults and why they wield serious power. Plus, we’ll investigate the revenue side of the budget deficit and get your bond yield questions answered.

Stocks close mixed; investors expect higher rates for longer; Chevron to buy Hess Corporation; GDP data due this week.

A European think tank says the minimum tax on corporations will generate half of the hoped-for revenue; group also urges new tax on billionaires; Japan launches Google antitrust probe; major companies urge rich countries to ditch fossil fuels by 2035.

The U.S. government ran a budget deficit of about $1.7 trillion for the 2023 fiscal year, up 23% compared to the year before. How did we get here? We dig into what the government is spending, what it’s taking in and the steep toll interest rates are taking. Also: a brief history on U.S. aid to Israel.

The first two groups of trucks carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza crossed over the border from Egypt this weekend. Today, we discuss how international gets where it needs to go and the sort of complications that can arise when distributing it. But first: Chevron looks to buy Hess in the latest major fossil fuel industry deal.

From the BBC World Service… China has launched an investigation into Taiwan-based iPhone-maker Foxconn. Officials are conducting tax inspections into the company which is the biggest maker of iPhones for US tech giant Apple and is one of the largest employers in the world. There was no clear winner in Argentina’s presidential election, with Javier Milei and Sergio Massa heading for a run-off vote. Earlier this month, the arctic town of Kirkenes in North Norway near the Russian border banned Russian-registered cars – the last of the European countries sharing the land border with Russia, to do so; we look at the effect on the local economy.

The technology known as CRISPR is considered one of modern biology’s biggest breakthroughs. It allows scientists to edit genes, similar to how you cut and paste text in a word processor. More than a decade after pioneering CRISPR, Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna of the University of California, Berkeley, is applying it to big problems, like chronic disease and climate change.Marketplace’s Lily Jamali recently met up with Doudna at Berkeley’s Innovative Genomics Institute. It’s a cluster of lab stations, researchers and very loud refrigerators where CRISPR is used to edit microbiomes.

It’s been a disheartening time in the Middle East lately. Today’s guest host, Reema Khrais, shares how the recent conflict has affected her family in Gaza. We’ll also discuss how the ever-increasing U.S. deficit reached new heights in the past year. Plus, what have you splurged on lately? Here’s everything we talked about: “Gaza aid stalled at Egypt border amid wrangling at Rafah” from The Washington Post “US Budget Gap Widened 23% During Year on Rate Rise, Revenue Drop” from Bloomberg “U.S. Deficit, Pegged at $1.7 Trillion, Effectively Doubled in 2023” from The New York Times “Why Doesn’t Artificial Banana Flavor Taste Like Bananas?” from Food and Wine Defend Your Splurge and sign up for the This Is Uncomfortable newsletter If you’ve got a question about today’s economy, send it our way. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

In the most recent Beige Book, the Philadelphia Fed reported a staffing firm said it’s having an easier time filling night and weekend shifts. Could this mean the labor market is loosening up? We’ll talk to some folks around the country who are picking up jobs at odd hours. Also in this episode: rental car agencies pile on fees, China restricts graphite exports, and class barriers break down at … Applebee’s?

Stocks fall; GM proposes to hike pay 23%; Cleveland Fed president says rates likely near “holding point”; China to restrict graphite exports.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said another hike may not be necessary right away; CVS removing phenylephrine-based cold treatments; Rite Aid plans 154 store closures; Toyota adopting Tesla’s charging standard.

Later today, President Joe Biden is expected to send an urgent foreign aid request to Congress, including funding for Israel and Ukraine. The House of Representatives can’t vote on anything until a speaker is elected. In the meantime, we dig into the funds at stake. Plus, the fight over net neutrality is reignited and an Argentine presidential candidate wants to nix the peso in favor of the dollar.

The country’s interest rates can make the difference between a growing economy and one headed toward recession. But the decision on what the Federal Reserve should do next month with interest rates looks like a day-by-day calculation. So what is Fed Chair Jerome Powell thinking right now? We unpack. And later, we take a closer look at the world of immigration scams.

From the BBC World Service: Nestlé is closing a baby milk factory in Ireland; the BBC’s John Campbell explains how a falling birth rate in China is responsible. Then, in the middle of an economic crisis and with inflation at almost 140%, Argentina votes for a new government this weekend, Natalio Cosoy reports on one of the candidates who’s promising to dollarize the economy.      

Thousands of Israelis and Palestinians have lost their lives since Hamas gunmen staged their surprise raid on Oct. 7. In the wake of the attack, Israel’s defense forces have called up more than 350,000 reservists, about 4% of its population. The country’s booming tech industry could be affected more than most, given that so many younger Israelis work in the sector. Fast Company contributing writer Issie Lapowsky recently interviewed several of them, including an Israeli tech lawyer named Yitzy Hammer.

New York Mayor Eric Adams doesn’t speak Mandarin. But with AI he can. Some New Yorkers may have received a robocall of the mayor speaking in their native tongue. Is this a golden opportunity or ethical dilemma? Plus, we’ll hear the latest on the Federal Reserve’s fight against inflation, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen answers questions on financially supporting Israel and Ukraine. Here’s everything we talked about: “Powell Says Strong Economic Data ‘Could Warrant’ Higher Rates” from The New York Times Climate protesters disrupt Jay Powell’s speech from Elisabeth Buchwald on X “Heating costs should be down this winter for natural gas users” from Marketplace “Janet Yellen: America can ‘certainly’ afford to support Israel and Ukraine, US Treasury secretary says” from Sky News “How much aid does the US give to Israel?” from USA Facts “Can New York’s mayor speak Mandarin? No, but with AI he’s making robocalls in different languages” from AP News “Tongue Twisted: Adams Taps AI to Make City Robocalls in Languages He Doesn’t Speak” from The City “NYC Mayor Eric Adams uses AI to make robocalls in languages he doesn’t speak” from The Verge Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks, a game and more.

Initial jobless claims dropped last week, according to the Labor Department, but continuing claims ticked up. That could mean companies are hanging on to employees, but aren’t hiring new ones, an economist told us. We’ll talk about that at the top of the show. Later, Black and Hispanic household wealth grew faster than other households from 2019 to 2022. But that growth is a bit of an illusion. In this episode, two data stories with lots of nuance. Plus, the U.S.-to-Mexico gun pipeline and revenge spending.

Stocks fall; home sales down 2 percent from August; unemployment claims rise; leading economic indicators suggest further economic weakness.

According to a recent survey by the Federal Reserve, the median household net worth jumped 37% from 2019 to 2022 after adjusting for inflation. Pandemic relief checks and extended unemployment benefits helped fatten bank accounts, even for low-income families. We’ll also check out what’s going on in the treasury market and hear the latest developments in the Sam Bankman-Fried trial.

Existing home sales are down 15% compared to a year ago; jobless claims fall below 200,000; American Airlines posts quarterly loss; E.U. increases scrutiny of social media’s handling of Israel-Hamas war disinformation.

All parents want their kids to succeed. But with AP and IB classes, extracurriculars and test prep, it seems like the bar to achieve for high school students just keeps getting higher. We delve into how we got here and how parents can help teens reframe their value and self-worth. But first: Netflix and bill? After a surge in subscribers following its password crackdown, Netflix is hiking prices.

From the BBC World Service: Manchester United’s board is meeting on Thursday to consider a bid from British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe to buy a 25% stake in the club. Plus, Nokia cuts 14,000 jobs as its bet on 5G proves costly. And finally, the BBC’s James Graham explores why the cost of sending your children to private school in the United Kingdom is rising.  

The talk of late at the Federal Communications Commission is whether to restore net neutrality. When the Barack Obama administration put those rules in place in 2015, the idea was to ensure that internet service providers — or ISPs — like Verizon and Comcast gave consumers fair access to the web and didn’t favor sites and services they controlled. But that mandate was repealed two years later under then-FCC Chair Ajit Pai, chosen by then-President Donald Trump. He argued that net neutrality would disincentivize companies from building their networks in low-income, urban and rural areas. Critics of the repeal argued that rural America’s ability to access the internet would be hurt. After the federal repeal, some states adopted their own net neutrality regulations while others didn’t, which provided a pretty great data set for researchers wanting to know: What would getting rid of net neutrality mean for internet access in rural areas? 

COVID-19 drug Paxlovid will soon hit the commercial market, and it won’t be cheap. We’ll talk about what the change means for patients and the drug’s accessibility. Plus, drone drug delivery is coming to certain rural communities. Also, in one woman’s case, a new pet is just what the doctor ordered. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Introducing “How We Survive: The Worth of Water”‘ from Marketplace “Pfizer Prices Covid Drug Paxlovid at $1,400 for a Five-Day Course” from The Wall Street Journal “Price of lifesaving Covid-19 antiviral Paxlovid expected to rise next year, raising concerns about access” from CNN “Rite Aid’s bankruptcy reflects how much drugstores have changed” from Marketplace “Biden administration announces ‘largest ever’ investment in US electric grid” from The Verge “Amazon begins delivering medications by drone in Texas” from CNBC “Robin Sipes was feeling sad. Her doctor prescribed her a cat.” from The Washington Post “Here are the Top 10 most popular Halloween candies, according to Instacart” from CBS News Got a question for the hosts? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

A fast-growing city in the Arizona desert wants to spend millions buying extra land just to access the water beneath it. Drought in the Panama Canal is causing headaches for a Pennsylvania customs broker. And in Texas, a shrinking water management workforce means utilities companies are recruiting high schoolers to join the trade. In this episode, we’ll dive into why water matters in this economy. Plus, small businesses navigate growing insurance premiums and teens try out LinkedIn.

Stocks fall; housing starts are lower than this time last year; resumption of student loan payments will have minor impact on consumer spending; labor market continues to loosen.

U.S. sanctioned 10 people and organizations; United Airlines to allow some window seat passengers to board first; Procter & Gamble profits lifted by higher prices; U.S. Bank beats quarterly earnings estimates by charging higher interest to customers.

While Morgan Stanley reported a drop in quarterly profits this morning, most major banks have posted strong earnings thanks to higher interest rates. But some are finding evidence of financial strain among businesses and consumers. Then, X experiments with an annual fee for users in New Zealand and the Philippines. And later: a look at why mandated diversity training doesn’t really work.

While the writers strike is over, actors have been striking for some three months now. That’s had impacts on those throughout the movie biz, including set builders, costume designers, production crews and more. But first: Lululemon joins the S&P 500. Additionally, the human toll of the Israel-Hamas War continues to mount, but the conflict also brings geopolitical risks for the global economy. We discuss.

From the BBC World Service: A senior aid worker explains the challenges and the urgency of getting humanitarian support into Gaza. Plus, X users in New Zealand and the Philippines will soon need to pay for basic features under Elon Musk’s latest plans. Then, as China’s Belt and Road infrastructure forum continues, we look at a project in Kenya, where work has halted after Beijing withdrew funding.

The word “bacteria” doesn’t exactly evoke positive images, but scientists at Cornell University recently discovered a novel way to replicate and use a bacterium from Oneida Lake in New York state. It’s called Shewanella oneidensis, and it has a special affinity for the rare-earth elements — such as so-called lanthanides, metals that are important for clean, renewable energy technology. The bacteria can be used to process rare-earth metals through a method called biosorption, which is considered safer and less taxing on the environment than current means of extraction. Marketplace’s Lily Jamali discussed the findings with Buz Barstow, a professor of biological and environmental engineering at Cornell and a lead researcher on the project.

Despite a long period of relative stagnation, nuclear power has remained the quiet backbone of the United States’ clean energy supply for decades. Now, the Joe Biden administration wants more from the sector as the country hustles to meet ambitious emissions goals. Jigar Shah, the director of the Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office, said nuclear energy will only become more critical as demand for electricity surges over the next 20 years. On the show today, Shah makes us smart about how much the country relies on nuclear energy. We’ll also discuss lessons learned from building the first nuclear reactor from scratch in decades, and how the industry plans to win over Americans who are concerned about safety and toxic waste. Then, we’ll get into the high stakes of today’s vote for speaker of the House of Representatives. And Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink is part of geopolitical conversation yet again, this time in Israel. Later, we’ll hear from a teacher about the expectations that educators pay for classroom supplies themselves. And this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question comes from Kai Bird, co-author of “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer.” Here’s everything we talked about today: “Nuclear power is having a resurgence” from Axios “Utilities Want to Convert Coal Plants to Nuclear; Skeptics Abound” from The Wall Street Journal “New Georgia reactor shows benefits and costs of nuclear power” from Marketplace “Study identifies reasons for soaring nuclear plant cost overruns in the U.S.” from MIT News “Advanced Nuclear – Pathways to Commercial Liftoff” from The Department of Energy “NRC Certifies First U.S. Small Modular Reactor Design” from The Department of Energy “Playbook: Jim Jordan’s day of reckoning” from Politico “Google, Amazon, Apple could see antitrust bills put on hold if Jim Jordan is House speaker” from CNBC “Israel Latest: Musk’s Starlink Approached as Biden Readies Trip” from Bloomberg We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Many medical businesses thrived early in the pandemic. But now, domestic producers of personal protective equipment are struggling, COVID test makers have shuttered and vaccine developer Pfizer cut its revenue forecast for the year by $9 billion. In this episode, what might be next for the COVID economy. Plus, we’ll meet a writer who followed a meal literally from farm to table and visit two states that offer very different opportunities for remote work.

Stocks close mixed; inflation pushes up retail sales; industrial production rises; Bank of America profits grow.

Following the murder of George Floyd, more than 50 districts ended or curbed their use of school resource officers, or SROs. But school shootings have continued since then, and some of those districts are now reversing course. We visit one school district reinstating SROs and look at the costs. But first: the not-so-obvious connection between how much consumers are buying and our mortgage rates.

September retail sales jumped 0.7%; Choice Hotels makes $8 billion bid for Wyndham; Bill Ford warns strike could hurt automaker’s future; analysts expect Netflix to report subscriber growth when it posts quarterly earnings tomorrow.

While many companies have taken steps to address racial inequality, certain workplace dynamics and practices still allow racism to persist. We discuss what this looks like and what steps organizations can take to create more inclusive workplaces. Also: A recent ranking of retirement systems puts the Netherlands at the top of the list, while the United States received a C+. How can the U.S. raise its grade?