Make Me Smart (Marketplace)

The Supreme Court on Friday chose not to intervene in a case involving President Donald Trump’s firing of an independent agency head. As the case is passed back to the lower courts, it tees up a legal battle that will test the president’s power to dismiss officials. We’ll get into what this could all mean for the Federal Reserve. And, U.S. national parks are being hit by the administration’s purge of the federal workforce. Plus, we’ll weigh in on Birkenstocks, prebiotic sodas and the “White Lotus effect” during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Supreme Court Declines for Now to Let Trump Fire Agency Head” from Bloomberg
•  Post on Bluesky about national park closures
• “Trump administration backtracks on eliminating thousands of national parks employees” from The L.A. Times
• “Firings Squeeze National Parks: ‘You Won’t Have the Full Experience’” from The New York Times
• “Can sandals be art? Birkenstock says yes, but a German court says no” from AP News
• “‘Gut Pop’ Is Injecting New Fizz Into the Beverage Aisle” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Politics are changing how and where consumers spend” from Marketplace
• “The ‘White Lotus effect’ on tourism” from Marketplace
• “Amazon Gains Creative Control Over the James Bond Franchise” from The New York Times

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

A new report estimates global damages from extreme weather events between 2014 and 2023 at about $2 trillion, roughly in line with the 2008 financial crisis. It comes as world leaders meet at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or Cop29, under the shadow of President-elect Donald Trump’s promises to roll back environmental standards. We’ll get into what it all might mean for climate policy here at home. Plus, is economic growth abroad in Trump’s hands? Then, we’ll smile at Mattel’s mea culpa for a misprint on its new “Wicked” toys.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “‘Science is still science’: US still committed to climate fight despite Trump’s win, Podesta says at COP29” from Politico
• “A shadow ‘financial crisis’ has cost the world $2 trillion” from CNN
• “Rest of World’s Growth Is at Trump’s Mercy” from The Wall Street Journal
• “FDA to Finally Ban Controversial Ingredient in Popular Decongestants” from ScienceAlert
• “Mattel Apologizes for Porn Site Misprint on ‘Wicked’ Toy Packaging” from The Wall Street Journal

Got a question for the hosts about the election, Trump’s next presidency and the U.S. economy? Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Joe Biden today announced an additional $600 million investment in a rail project that will connect multiple African countries. It will expand U.S. access to important minerals like cobalt and copper. But will it be enough to counter China’s dominance over the critical minerals supply chain? We’ll get into it. Plus, why President-elect Donald Trump’s trade adviser pick is giving us serious deja vu. And, Dylan Bachelet, the “Jack Sparrow” of “The Great British Baking Show,” is making us smile.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Biden in Africa pledges millions more for a rail project the US hopes will boost its influence there” from AP News
• “Biden Hopes Train Project in Angola Defines Africa Legacy” from The New York Times
• “Trump picks Peter Navarro as top trade advisor” from CNBC
• “Q&A With Dylan Bachelet of ‘Great British Baking Show’” from The New York Times

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In the aftermath of the debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, money’s been talking. Major donors to a key pro-Biden super PAC are reportedly putting donations worth $90 million on ice if Biden stays in the race. We’ll get into what the funding freeze means for the future of Biden’s campaign. Plus, guest host Sabri Ben-Achour makes us smart about cricket protein powder. And we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Donors to Pro-Biden Super PAC Are Said to Withhold Roughly $90 Million” from The New York Times
• “Inside the glitzy Biden fundraiser that lost the president George Clooney” from The Washington Post
• “Silkworm satay? Singapore approves insects as food” from CNN
• “Dynamic pricing tech may brighten retail bottom lines and put consumers in the dark” from Marketplace
• “Kids want $70 wrinkle creams. Parents and lawmakers are “fighting a losing battle”’ from Marketplace
• “A Fancy Card Is Becoming the Only Way to Get a Restaurant Reservation” from The Atlantic
• “Influencer Style Case Risks More Stolen Vibe Suits From Creators” from Bloomberg Law
• “Amazon launched an AI shopping assistant — just in time for Prime Day” from Quartz

Before you get your weekend started, send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Associated Press journalists have been blocked from accessing spaces like the Oval Office after the organization opted not to use the term “Gulf of America.” We’ll unpack the conundrum this creates for other news outlets covering the White House. And, while the GOP eyes spending cuts to key social safety net programs, some Republican representatives are feeling pressure from their constituents. We’ll get into it. Plus, a penny for your thoughts on getting rid of the penny. We’ll weigh in during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Hagan Scotten, Adams’s Lead Prosecutor, Quits Defiantly” from The New York Times
• “Republicans rush to soften Trump’s cuts” from Politico
• “Vulnerable Republican fires warning shot on House budget” from Politico
• “Seeking a Mar-a-Lago Vibe, Trump Considers Paving Over Grass in Rose Garden” from The New York Times
• “White House Will Continue to Bar Associated Press in Gulf of Mexico Fight” from The New York Times
• “Opinion | ‘Gulf of America’ leads to AP removal from Trump White House events” from The Washington Post
• “This Is How Much the Average Couple Spends on Valentine’s Day” from U.S. News
• “Apple and Google Restore TikTok to App Stores in the U.S.” from The New York Times
• “Americans are turning to social media for financial advice” from Marketplace
• “So, This 2000s Denim Trend Is About to Blow Up for Spring 2025” from InStyle
• “What Trump’s Plan to Stop Minting Pennies Means for Consumers” from The Wall Street Journal

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Comcast said it plans to turn its cable networks, including CNBC and MSNBC, into a new, separate company. We’ll get into why it could be a sign of what’s to come in the media industry. And, the Joe Biden administration is shifting into overdrive trying to spend money intended to boost microchip manufacturing before President-elect Donald Trump returns to office. Plus, we’ll smile about breakthroughs in automatic braking technology and a new version of chess that’s pushing the game forward.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Comcast to Spin Off MSNBC, CNBC and Other Cable Networks” from The New York Times
• “It’s Official! Comcast To Spin Off Cable Networks, Sees New Standalone Company A ‘Partner And Acquirer’ Of Media Assets” from Deadline
• “Raimondo’s new mission: Leave no cash for Trump” from Politico
• “Automatic Braking Systems Save Lives. Now They’ll Need to Work at 62 MPH” from Wired
• “The Greatest Chess Player of All Time Is Bored With Chess” from The Wall Street Journal

We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

A union election at Volkswagen is testing the power of the United Auto Workers. As voting gets underway this week, guest host Nova Safo explains what unionization could mean for three big automakers and the labor movement in the South. Plus, how a unanimous Supreme Court ruling expands the scope of workplace bias suits. And, why Billy Joel came up at a Pentagon press briefing.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “The South has few unionized auto plants. Workers say this one could be next.” from The Washington Post
• “Supreme Court makes it easier to sue for job discrimination over forced transfers” from The Associated Press
• “Hugh Grant says he took ‘enormous sum’ to settle suit alleging illegal snooping by The Sun tabloid” from The Associated Press
• “Conservative Broadcaster OAN Settles Defamation Claims by Voting-Machine Company Smartmatic” from The Wall Street Journal
• Pentagon press conference moment from Travis Akers on X
• Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” (Official HD Video) 

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.

If you’re waiting for interest rates to fall back to the near-zero levels of the 2010s, don’t hold your breath. On Capitol Hill this week, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told senators that era is probably over. We’ll get into it. And, we’ll unpack why more NATO members are spending more on defense and what’s causing widespread financial strain for hospitals and health systems. Plus, how things could change for federal agencies and lawmakers in a post-Chevron doctrine world.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Era of near-zero interest rates likely over: Powell” from The Hill
• “Fed steers interest rates on path toward ‘neutral'” from Marketplace
• “NATO’s place in the global economy” from Marketplace
• “NATO on the Edge: Biden Praises and Trump Denigrates a 75-Year Alliance” from The New York Times
• “Health care openings still hot amid cooling job market” from Marketplace
• “New AHA Report: Hospitals and Health Systems Continue to Face Rising Costs, Economic Pressures” from the American Hospital Association
• “With end of ‘Chevron deference,’ Supreme Court changes how agencies, lawmakers work” from Marketplace

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 Biden administration is in a mad dash to address student debt relief ahead of the presidential election. A new plan could benefit tens of millions of Americans. We’ll explain. Plus, a Kai rant about a CEO who gets too much attention. And, there seems to be a market for everything! We’ll tell you about a new fad involving kids and mini pencils.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Biden announces new student debt relief plan for millions of borrowers” from The Hill

• • “Biden seeks student debt relief for millions” from NPR

• • “Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Might Face Interest-Rate Spike” from The Wall Street Journal

• • “2024 Total Solar Eclipse: Through the Eyes of NASA” from NASA

• • “Hot Market for Pencils Help Kids Turn Lead Into Gold” from The Wall Street Journal

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.

A Supreme Court ruling today gives companies a dramatically wider window to challenge federal regulations with lawsuits. We’ll get into why this is particularly important in light of a separate decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine, and how it could impact other federal regulations like the Federal Trade Commission’s ban on noncompete clauses. Then, we’ll discuss the Supreme Court’s decision on former President Donald Trump’s immunity case and where the heck we go from here. Plus, what you can do to protect the health of our democracy.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Supreme Court rules Trump has some immunity in D.C. election interference case” from NBC News
• “Supreme Court Extends Time Frame for Challenges to Regulations” from The New York Times
• “Biden to extend overtime protections for 1 million workers” from The Hill
• Post on Bluesky from Squire Boone
• “American democracy is cracking. These ideas could help repair it.” from The Washington Post
• “Five Strategies to Support U.S. Democracy” from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
• “How to Protect Democracy” from Protect Democracy
• “Opinion | John Lewis: Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation” from The New York Times

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 Joe Biden administration announced highly anticipated updates to Title IX. The new rule expands protections for LGBTQ+ students and sexual assault survivors. But it stops short of addressing the rights of trans athletes. Then, we’ll get into the outrageous hoops rich people jump through to get out of paying state taxes. Plus, we’ll weigh in on swapping seats on airplanes and more in a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “How to Avoid State Taxes? New York Rich Use Private Jets” from Bloomberg

• • “New Title IX rules protect LGBTQ+ students, avoids trans athletes” from AP News

• • “New Title IX rules offer ‘comprehensive coverage’ for LGBTQ+ students and sexual violence survivors” from The 19th

• • “As drive-thrus get bigger, some cities aren’t lovin’ it” from Marketplace

• • “Make robots like Boston Dynamics’ new Atlas hairy” from The Verge

• • “Washington, D.C., is a test case for phasing out the tipped minimum wage” from Marketplace

• • “Pringles Crocs: New shoes, ankle holster and crisp flavor unveiled” from Axios

• • “The Four Most Divisive Words on a Flight: Will You Swap Seats?” from from The Wall Street Journal

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 results of a new Bloomberg poll indicate that the markets suspect a second Trump presidency would put the Federal Reserve’s independence in jeopardy. We’ll get into what the former president’s advisors have said about his plans for the central bank. And, Republicans are gearing up to challenge upcoming election results while Democrats prepare to counter those lawsuits. Plus, why we want to be Simone Biles when we grow up.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Launch of NASA Astronauts in Boeing’s Starliner Is Scrubbed” from The New York Times
• “A Trump Win Would Threaten Fed Independence, Move Bonds: Poll” from Bloomberg
• “Washington Journal: Stephen Moore on Economic Issues and Campaign 2024” from C-SPAN
• “The legal fight over the 2024 election has begun” from Axios
• “Congress Just Made It Basically Impossible to Track Taylor Swift’s Private Jet” from Gizmodo
• “Clarence Thomas Secretly Accepted Luxury Trips From GOP Donor” from ProPublica
• “Simone Biles cruises to 9th national title and gives Olympic champ Sunisa Lee a boost along the way” from The Associated Press

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.

Carmakers are keeping a close eye on the steel industry. A bidding war over U.S. Steel, an iconic American manufacturer, is brewing, and car companies are concerned about antitrust issues and what that could mean for the auto business. We’ll get into it and explain our new theory about why the economy feels so precarious at the moment. Plus, we’ll weigh in on side hustles, raising the retirement age and Beyonce’s rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” in a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Automakers urge White House to oppose US Steel sale to Cleveland-Cliffs” from Reuters

• • “Powell says Fed wants to see ‘more good inflation readings’ before it can cut rates” from AP News

• • “Fed chair: Focusing solely on inflation is “no longer appropriate'” from Marketplace

• • “Biology is not as hierarchical as most textbooks paint it” from Aeon

• • “Dolly Loves Beyoncé: The Country Legend Is Wowed By The Fiercely Revised ‘Jolene'” from Deadline

• • “LinkedIn moves in on TikTok’s turf with video option” from Axios

• • “Owning a vending machine is an emerging side hustle” from Marketplace

• • “Krispy Kreme doughnuts are coming to McDonald’s” from The Washington Post

• • “Should the U.S. raise the retirement age?” from Marketplace

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 failures are a case study of America’s manufacturing “dark age” from Marketplace
  • “How science could disrupt the gin industry” 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 and play a round of Half Full/Half Empty.

It was a big week for tech earnings calls. Guest host Nova Safo unpacks how they went down for Tesla and Meta, and why the stock market reacted so differently to what their CEOs had to say. Plus, what Boeing’s troubles say about the state of U.S. manufacturing. And, would you try an AI-generated gin cocktail?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • Tesla, Inc. Q1 2024 Financial Results and Q&A Webcast

• • “Elon Musk Would Like to Talk About AI” from Heatmap News

• • Meta Q1’24 Earnings Presentation

• • “Boeing failures are a case study of America’s manufacturing “dark age” from Marketplace
  • “How science could disrupt the gin industry” 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 and play a round of Half Full/Half Empty.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Fewer Americans to Make Political Donations in 2024” from LendingTree 
• “Fewer Americans plan to donate to political campaigns: Survey” from The Hill
• “Inside Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Growing Alliance” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Two New Giant Pandas Coming to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute From China by End of the Year” from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
• “The Pandas Are Coming!” from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
• “Latest North Korean Offensive: Dumping Trash on South Korea From the Sky” from The New York Times

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.

Today, we’re bringing you a special series from “Marketplace Morning Report” that explores how communities are impacted by the absence of local news coverage, especially in a big election year. As part of the “Democracy in the Desert” series, host David Brancaccio travels to “news deserts” in Texas, North Carolina and Virginia to learn how various business models are struggling to inform voters, and where newspaper economics went wrong.

Pledge your monthly support for our newsroom and your donations will be matched for a full year by the Investors Challenge Fund!

Kai has been tracking news about a giant asteroid heading toward Earth. NASA says we’re safe, for now! But first, the hosts discuss troubling trends in the news business and a shift in who gets to exert control over media narratives. And, we’re keeping a close eye on growing fears over possible layoffs.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “US Workers Cite Growing Layoff Fear in Philadelphia Fed Survey” from Bloomberg
• “White House takes control of press pool that covers Trump” by BBC
• “Washington Post opinion editor departs as Bezos pushes to promote ‘personal liberties and free markets’” by The Guardian
• “Costa Rica Is Saving Forest Ecosystems by Listening to Them” from Wired
• “NASA Gives ‘All Clear’ for Asteroid That Seemed to Threaten Earth” by The New York Times

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

New survey data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that the percentage of Americans who expect to get laid off in the next four months has gone up. On the other hand, the share of Americans who expect to get a job offer in the next four months is also up. So what gives? We’ll get into the labor market unease and why the Federal Reserve will be paying close attention. Then, we’ll smile about a new tool that could help prevent death from life threatening injuries.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Expectation of Losing One’s Job at Record High in NY Fed Survey” from Bloomberg
• “More and more Americans are worried they will lose their job” from CNN Business
• “US FDA clears use of Cresilon’s gel to stop severe bleeding in seconds” from Reuters
• Tweet from Jesse Byrnes about errors in the Democratic Party’s 2024 platform

We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The National Women’s Soccer League’s regular season kicks off next week. And thanks in part to a record-breaking media rights agreement and the growth of women’s professional sports across the board, the league is gaining more attention — and investment — than ever. Angel City Football Club became the highest-valued women’s sports team in the world last year when Willow Bay and Bob Iger acquired a controlling stake in the franchise for $250 million. Julie Uhrman, the team’s CEO and co-founder, says Angel City is just the beginning. On the show today, Uhrman explains how she and her co-founders got investors to see their vision, why a game day experience that leaves you with FOMO is key to Angel City’s growth, and how to watch the NWSL’s season.

Later, how proposed funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health could leave a generational impact on the United States’ reputation as a science leader. And Adam Grant, host of the “Re:Thinking” podcast, answers the Make Me Smart question.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “How Angel City became ‘the most valuable women’s sports team in the world’ with new owners” from The Athletic
• “Ranking new 2025 NWSL team jerseys: Which kits hit?” from ESPN
• “Without the Draft, NWSL Clubs Are Navigating a Changing Landscape in College Recruitment” from Sports Illustrated
• “NWSL announces landmark media partnerships with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports” from NWSL
• “National Women’s Soccer League Playoffs Docuseries Gets Premiere Date At Prime Video” from Deadline
• Listen: Adam Grant’s interview with Sabri Ben-Achour on Marketplace Morning Report

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Donald Trump has fired dozens of government officials since he took office. The latest is the chair of the Federal Election Commission. But is any of this legal? We’ll get into it. Plus: A “Make Me Smart” alum shares the trauma of losing his home in the Los Angeles fires. Finally, we’ll wrap with a dose of uplifting news (thanks to you!) and a round of our favorite game, Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Democratic FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub says Trump fired her. She says it’s not  legal.” from CBS News

• “Trump Illegally Attempts to Fire Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen Weintraub” from Campaign Legal Center

• “How to Watch All the 2025 Oscar Nominated Short Films” by Town & Country magazine

• “2025 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From!” by Erin in the Morning

• “The Trauma of Losing Your Home in the Eaton Fire” from The New York Times

• “A Los Angeles-area developer gives advice on rebuilding after the fires” from Marketplace

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

In the wake of the COVID-19 recession, many economists were describing the United States’ economic recovery as K-shaped. Basically, high-income Americans bounced back quicker than those at the lower end of the income scale. So, did we ever ditch that K shape? The person who coined the phrase “K-shaped recovery” back then, says no. On the show today, Peter Atwater, president of Financial Insyghts and adjunct professor at the College of William & Mary, explains why he believes economic inequality has grown since the pandemic recovery, why considerable wage gains for low-wage workers tell only part of the story and the risks of letting a K-shaped economy run wild.

Then, we’ll get into how the fragility of global shipping supply chains could be playing into Federal Reserve decisions on interest rates. And, happy wedding anniversary, Susanna!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “The ‘K’ Is Not OK” from LinkedIn
• “Inflation Is Bringing Back the K-Shaped Economy” from Bloomberg
• “Behind America’s divided economy: Booming luxury travel and a jump in ‘relief’ loans” from CNBC
• “A tight labor market and state minimum wage increases boosted low-end wage growth between 2019 and 2023” from the Economic Policy Institute
• “U.S. Wealth Inequality: Gaps Remain Despite Widespread Wealth Gains” from the St. Louis Federal Reserve
• “First publicly funded religious charter school in US ruled unconstitutional” from The Hill
• “Fed’s Bowman Warns of Upside Risks to Inflation, Not Time to Cut” from Bloomberg
• “Supply Chain Under Strain as Houthis Intensify Red Sea Strikes” from The New York Times
• Support Make Me Smart: Marketplace.org/givesmart

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.

In all the talk about senior White House officials discussing military attack plans over the messaging app Signal (and accidentally invited a journalist to the chat), one detail is being overlooked: the impact of the attacks on Yemen. We’ll get into it. And, we’ll unpack the chilling effect the Trump administration is having on U.S. tourism. Plus, nobody remembers that embarrassing time you misspoke in a Zoom meeting, right?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Foreign Travelers Are Rethinking Travel to the U.S.” from The New York Times
• “Beyond the Signal fiasco, Trump’s Yemen strategy needs more scrutiny” from The Washington Post
• “Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal” (gift link) from The Atlantic
• “Living Car-Free in Arizona, on Purpose and Happily” from The New York Times
• “The Ford Executive Who Kept Score of Colleagues’ Verbal Flubs” from The Wall Street Journal
• “As Republicans Denounce NPR and PBS, Democrats Mock Hearing” from The New York Times

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More tariffs from the Joe Biden administration on Chinese goods are on the way, and he gave his blessing to some Trump-era tariffs. We’ll break it down. Plus, why a story about a local public library becoming an adults-only space may be a warning of things to come. Later, we’ll weigh in on Chuck E. Cheese’s animatronic band, whales sinking yachts and “quiet vacationing” during a round of Half Full / Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Biden Extends Tariff Exemptions on Some Imports From China” from Bloomberg
• “Donnelly Public Library announces it will become adults-only library, cites Idaho Legislature’s library bill” from KTVB
• “Employers can offer a new benefit: Matching student loan payments with 401(k) contributions” from Marketplace
• “After Outcry, Chuck E. Cheese Says It Will Keep More Animatronic Bands” from The New York Times
• “The Mad Scientist and the Killer Whales” from Rolling Stone
• “The restaurant reservation resale game is on the rise in New York City” from Marketplace
• “Some younger workers are ‘quiet vacationing’ rather than using PTO” from Marketplace

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When President Biden leaves office in 2025, he’ll leave behind a series of industrial policies like the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act that have turned United States economic policy on its head. We’ll get into why it may take decades to see these initiatives fully play out. And, we’ll get into Vice President Kamala Harris’s budding economic agenda. Plus, why Tesla and other tech companies were a drag on the stock market this week.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “What happens to Biden’s industrial policy initiatives now?” from Marketplace
• “The Momala Economy: The candidate caregivers have been waiting for” from 19th News
• “Tesla earnings: Automotive revenue falls 7% in Q2, robotaxi timing unclear” from Axios
• “What goes up must come back down” from Marketplace
• VIDEO: “Paris” by The Brevet

Join us tomorrow for our 2024 Olympics Edition of Economics on Tap. The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. And watch the hosts square off in a round of This/That!

Nope. It’s not just your imagination. The Biden administration has been on a roll to finalize several regulations — from changes at nursing homes and updates to Title IX to health care protections for transgender people. Kimberly explains what’s really behind the mad dash. Also, Kai is back with a reminder: Don’t sleep on the foreign exchange market, folks! And we’ll smile about the tales of two cats.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Biden administration strengthens health care protections for LGBTQ+ Americans” from The 19th News
• “Congressional Review Act Threat Looms Over Biden Administration Rulemakings” from Inside Privacy
• “A Strong U.S. Dollar Weighs on the World”from The New York Times
• “Japan Intervenes After Yen Slides Against the Dollar” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Nebraska’s “Capitol Cat” brings paw-sitivity to politics” from USA Today
• “Stowaway Cat Gets From Utah to California in Amazon Returns Package” from The New York Times

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.

President Joe Biden has forgiven $167.3 billion in student loan debt since taking office. But his administration’s wins are often overshadowed by obstacles to its most ambitious debt relief programs. We’ll get into what this could mean for Biden’s economic legacy. And, we’ll explain why the 30-year mortgage rate can tell us what the markets think about the Federal Reserve’s next move. Plus, we’ll play a very demure, very mindful round of This or That!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “30-Year Mortgage Rate Falls Again, Now at 6.35%” from The New York Times
• “$167.3 billion in student loan forgiveness” from The Washington Post
• “Very demure, mindful and viral: the TikTok trend explained” from Axios

Kick off your Labor Day holiday weekend with our “Tunes on Tap” Spotify playlist featuring some of our favorite summer jams! Get the playlist here: marketplace.org/playlist.

Today, the Biden administration announced plans to implement strict staffing requirements at nursing homes. Kimberly Adams unpacks what this rule may mean for care and the nursing home business model. Plus, guest host Nova Safo returns to discuss the United Auto Workers’ historic victory in the South and the latest troubles at Tesla. And, high-speed rail is finally coming to the U.S.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “UAW wins big in historic union vote at Volkswagen Tennessee factory” from Reuters
• “Tesla shares tumble on price cuts in run-up to earnings” from Reuters
• “Biden administration finalizes controversial minimum staffing mandate at nursing homes” from CNN
• “Nursing homes must hit minimum staffing levels under new federal rule” from The Hill
• “Long Term Care Insurance Costs by State and Region” from New York Life
• “How much does long-term care insurance cost?” from CBS News
• “I’m 68 and My Long-Term Care Insurance Now Costs $600 Per Month. Is This Too Much?” from Yahoo Finance
• “Nine practices from Native American culture that could help the environment” from The Washington Post
• “From Sin City to the City of Angels, building starts on high-speed rail line” from The Associated Press

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.

New research from the Federal Reserve shows that wealthier Americans are driving retail spending while lower-income Americans have been squeezed by higher prices. We’ll discuss how this disparity could help explain the United States’ often unexpectedly strong consumer economy, and what the Birkin bag side of TikTok can tell us about this divide. And, Cuba is enduring a nationwide power outage. We’ll explain how a grid failure today has left millions in the dark. Plus, we’ll play a spooky season edition of This or That!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “How to Watch the Bright and Speedy Orionid Meteor Shower” from Smithsonian
• “Cuban electrical collapse causes island-wide blackout, paralyzes economy” from The Washington Post
• “Wealthier Americans are driving retail spending and powering US economy” from AP News
• “Chocolate is on its way out. Why Halloween is about gummy candy now.” from The Washington Post

Join Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams for a live taping of “Make Me Smart” on Oct. 25 in Boston. In-person tickets are sold out, but you can still join us virtually. Get your tickets here.

In corporate America, struggling companies often pull a classic move: They promote women to lead them through a crisis. Boeing did just that. We’ll talk about the new boss at Boeing and how the “glass cliff” phenomenon impacts women and people of color moving up the corporate ladder. Also in this episode, a Kai rant about Truth Social and the greater fool theory, why dogs might be even smarter than we think, and is “bazoodaful” a new Kai word?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • Trump’s Truth Social stock from CNN

• • The greater fool theory from Investopedia

• • “Boeing just pulled a classic corporate America move and promoted a woman to clean up its mess” from Business Insider

• • “Dogs can understand the meaning of nouns, new research finds” from The Guardian

• • “Dogs can understand words for specific objects” from BBC

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.

Today, we’re discussing the bond market’s big reaction to the latest inflation news and why you shouldn’t worry about it. Plus, a new Boeing whistleblower comes forward, and Beyoncé calls out the home insurance industry.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Bonds are talking to us after inflation gauge comes in above forecasts” from Marketplace

• • “US consumer prices heat up in March; seen delaying Fed rate cut” from Reuters

• • “$6.6 billion TSMC deal in Arizona the latest in the CHIPS Act’s rollout” from Marketplace

• • “TSMC: Biden to give Taiwanese company $6.6 billion to ramp up US chip production” from CNN

• • “Biden administration bets an old plant can make new chips” from Marketplace

• • “‘Benefit of the doubt running thin with Boeing’: Capt. Dennis Tajer on whistleblower claims” from CNBC

• • “Boeing whistleblower says the Dreamliner 787 could ‘break apart’ because of safety flaws, report says” from NBC

• • Beyoncé’s YA YA (Clean Version)

• • Video breaking down Beyoncé’s “YA YA” from Daryl Fairweather on X

Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. We’ll have news, drink, and play a round of Half Full/Half Empty.

Increasingly popular buy now, pay later services allow shoppers to split their purchases into smaller, recurring payments. We’ll get into why these loans are blurring economists’ understanding of today’s consumer debt landscape. We’ll also discuss President Joe Biden’s climate and infrastructure spending spree, and the knock-on effects of parents dying from drug overdoses. Plus, singer Tyla’s sandy Met Gala look, and forgotten 100-year-old love letters make us smile.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “More than 320000 U.S. children lost a parent to drug overdose from 2011-2021” from Axios

• • “Playbook: Biden’s race to Trump-proof his legacy” from Politico

• • “Biden’s biggest challenge: How do you even spend $1.6 trillion?” from Politico

• • “‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Has Americans Racking Up Phantom Debt” from Bloomberg

• • “Video: See moment Tyla is carried up Met Gala steps” from CNN

• • “Tyla’s sand-covered Met Gala 2024 gown was chopped in half after the red carpet” from Page Six

• • “When to use buy now, pay later services” from Marketplace

• • “Hidden love letters spark historical mystery in Baltimore” from The Baltimore Banner

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.

Ahead of this year’s election, politicians are spinning out all kinds of narratives about how immigration hurts the U.S. economy. But an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office projects that a surge in immigration over the next decade will ultimately lower the federal deficit. We’ll do the numbers. Then, we’ll get into why former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers compared the Republican Party’s economic agenda to former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss’ infamous mini-budget disaster. And, Kai tells us about his cool dad moment.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Summers Says GOP Fiscal Plans Set US Up for ‘Liz Truss Moment’” from Bloomberg
• “Undocumented immigrants will boost economy, lower deficit, CBO says” from The Hill
• “Effects of the Immigration Surge on the Federal Budget and the Economy” from the Congressional Budget Office
• “Why Hydrangeas Are Blooming Spectacularly in the Northeast This Summer” from The New York Times
• “Chappell Roan Booked a Tour. Then She Blew Up.” from The New York Times

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Biden’s hallmark Inflation Reduction Act set aside nearly $150 billion for various climate projects. But not all of that money has been spent, and President-elect Trump has vowed to take it back. The question, is how much money is leftover? Kimberly explains why it’s taken years to get the money out the door. Plus, we’ll unpack some gains in women’s sports and wage growth.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Carbon emissions from fossil fuels hit record highs in 2024: report” from Axios
• “Dreaming of snow this winter? Look up the forecast in your area.” from The Washington Post
• “Fossil fuel CO2 emissions increase again in 2024” from the Global Carbon Project
• “The mystery number that’s key to whether Biden’s spending survives” from Politico
• “Women’s baseball players could soon have a league of their own again” from AP News
• Tweet from The Washington Post’s Heather Long about wage growth

Got a question for the hosts about the election, Trump’s next presidency and the U.S. economy? Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

A person of interest in the killing of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson was arrested today. We’ll get into the public’s reaction to the killing and what it says about our for-profit health system. Plus, we discuss the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in U.S. history, which is projected to take place over the next 25 years. And, Dick Van Dyke has us smiling as he waltzes into his 99th birthday.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Live Updates: Police Identify ‘Strong Person of Interest’ in C.E.O.’s Killing” from The New York Times

• “Suspect in fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson ID’d as Luigi Mangione, an ex-Ivy League student” from New York Post

• “Manhunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer Meets Unexpected Obstacle: Sympathy for the Gunman” from The Wall Street Journal

• “A $105 Trillion Inheritance Windfall Is On the Way for US Heirs” from Bloomberg

• “Dick Van Dyke, Approaching 99, Dances in Coldplay’s Latest Video” from The New York Times

• “Biden says U.S. government believes Austin Tice is alive in Syria” from Axios

We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Elon Musk and the rest of the DOGE gang have been inside the guts of the federal government attempting to shut down agencies and gain access to the Treasury Department’s main payment system. We’ll discuss the constitutionality of it all and why some members of Congress may be reluctant to say it like it is. Plus, the toy business is paying attention to prices as Trump threatens trade war. And, AI is making a splash at the 2025 Super Bowl.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• Watch: “Rep. Khanna: If Elon Musk finds fraud or wasteful spending, come to Congress and force a vote on it” by CNBC Television

• “Is the way Trump and Musk are running the economy even legal?” by Marketplace

• “Trump admin agrees to limit DOGE access to Treasury payments system” from Axios

• “Musk DOGE agents access sensitive personnel data, alarming officials” by The Washington Post

• “U.S. nonprofits still reeling from federal funding freeze” from Marketplace

• 2024 Q4 Earnings Call from Alphabet Investor Relations

• “Mattel may hike prices for Barbie, Hot Wheels and other toys after Trump tariffs” by CBS News

• “Fast fashion, laptops and toys are likely to cost more due to US tariffs on Chinese imports” from AP News
• Watch: Act Like You Know :60 | GoDaddy Super Bowl Commercial 2025 on YouTube

• “Super Bowl to feature AI product ads from Big Tech” 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.

The Joe Biden administration announced a final rule aimed at making sure insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse disorders is on par with traditional medical benefits. We’ll explain why the Supreme Court’s Chevron decision poses a threat to the rule. Plus, the Supreme Court’s emergency docket is filling up with challenges to Environmental Protection Agency standards. And, we’ll talk about a Paralympic marathoner who opted to help out her stumbling guide, even if it cost her a medal.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Supreme Court Is Swamped With Emergency Appeals, Led by Challenges to EPA” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Biden administration finalizes rule to strengthen mental health parity law” from Reuters
• “Supreme Court’s Chevron Decision Threatens Decades of Progress in Access to Mental Health Care” from MedCity News
• “New Mental Health Rule Introduces Employer Benefit Parity Test” from Bloomberg Law
• “Paralympic Marathoner Loses Medal After Helping Her Guide Yards From Finish” from The New York Times

We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Protests over Israel’s war in Gaza have erupted at universities across the United States. We’ll discuss what the sweeping protests and other high-profile political battles at colleges could mean for the economics of higher education. And, what the Federal Reserve might look like under a second Donald Trump presidency. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full / Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Protests Threaten College Graduations, Denying Seniors Second Chance at Normalcy” from The New York Times

• • “What students say about the protests rocking their campuses” from The Washington Post

• • “Americans are falling out of love with the idea of college” from Noahpinion

• • “Americans Are Losing Faith in College Education, WSJ-NORC Poll Finds” from The Wall Street Journal

• • “Trump Allies Draw Up Plans to Blunt Fed’s Independence” from The Wall Street Journal

• • “Job trend ‘resenteeism’ has employees coasting through workdays and hanging on, rather than quitting” from Fox Business

• • “How science could disrupt the gin industry” from Marketplace

• • “Celebs head to DC for correspondents’ dinner: Here’s who’s coming” from The Hill

• • “California lawmakers are tired of Clear’s airport line-cutters — but airlines are not” from Fast Company

• • “Christopher Bess, 5-year-old basketball coach, goes viral” from Marketplace

Want more Make Me Smart in your life? Sign up for our newsletter at marketplace.org/smarter.

It’s Friday, folks! Today we’re talking about some news coming from former President Donald Trump, who has vowed to take away key spending powers from Congress if reelected. We’ll get into what that would mean in practice. Plus, we’ll talk through the latest from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which just announced it’ll be decreasing the number of households surveyed for important reports like the monthly jobs report. It’s a move that will make decoding what’s going on in our economy more a little more challenging. Plus, we’ll get into Bazooka gum, the rise of Uncrustables and Forever Stamps getting more expensive during a round of Half Full/Half Empty.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “US Jobs Household Survey Size to Be Cut Due to Budget Constraints” from Bloomberg
• “Trump plans to claim sweeping powers to cancel federal spending” from The Washington Post 
• “Does Texas need its own stock exchange?” from Marketplace
• “From school cafeterias to professional athletes, Uncrustables sandwiches are everywhere” from Marketplace
• “Bazooka Candy’s CEO on the brand’s sweet athlete investment deal” from Marketplace
• “Some New Yorkers are pushing for open streets to be permanent” from Marketplace
• “Forever stamps are about to get more expensive — again” from Marketplace

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.

Negotiators at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP29, agreed on wealthy nations providing up to $300 billion a year to help poorer countries deal with the effects of climate change. We discuss the deal falling short of the $1.3 trillion poorer countries asked for. Then, we talk about how Tesla’s pollution violations could weaken the company’s eco-friendly image. And, we look at the costly Arizona program heralded by school choice advocates as a taxpayer-supported way to opt out of public schools. Plus, U.S. farm groups are preparing for possible mass deportations under the incoming Trump administration. Finally, we’ll smile at an A.I.-generated granny as an unlikely hero to combat phone scams.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “As Musk Assumes Deregulation Role, Tesla Racks Up Pollution Violations” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Developing nations blast $300 billion COP29 climate deal as insufficient” from Reuters
• “No-Limit Vouchers Are Blowing Up Arizona’s Budget. This Woman Is Leading the Way”  from Politico
• “US farm groups want Trump to spare their workers from deportation” from Reuters
• “An A.I. Granny Is Phone Scammers’ Worst Nightmare” from The New York Times
• “Giving thanks may make your brain more altruistic” from Vox
• “The Case for Being Ungrateful” from The Wall Street Journal

We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The artificial intelligence cloud computing provider CoreWeave sold shares to the public today with so-so results. Because it’s the first major IPO of the current generative AI era, some argue that CoreWeave could be a barometer of the AI boom. We’ll get into it. And, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of President Donald Trump’s firings of independent agency heads. The case will likely make its way to the Supreme Court. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Appeals court clears way for Trump to fire leaders of ‘independent’ federal agencies” from Politico
• “CoreWeave stock seesaws after IPO in first big test of AI trade” from Yahoo Finance
• “CoreWeave Is A Time Bomb” from Ed Zitron’s Where’s Your Ed At
• “OpenAI Unveils New Image Generator for ChatGPT” from The New York Times
• “DoorDash and Klarna partner to offer buy now, pay later for takeout” from Marketplace
• “Crocs hits record revenue as popularity with younger consumers soars” from Marketplace
• “When should we pay rent with a credit card? from Marketplace
• “Facebook’s New Friends Tab Brings App Back to Its Roots” from The New York Times

Marketplace’s March fundraiser ends today! Chip in now and pick up a classic public media thank-you gift: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Things are getting tense at the Internal Revenue Service. Layoffs are looming smack in the middle of tax season as part of DOGE’s mission to cut the federal workforce. Meanwhile, the commerce secretary says President Donald Trump wants to abolish the agency altogether. Get ready for a Kai rant! Plus, Trump wants to know if there’s still gold at Ft. Knox. No, really! And, finally, we’ll smile about all the good things that have happened to you lately.

Here’s everything we talked about:

• “Joint Chiefs Chairman CQ Brown on list to be possibly removed by Hegseth” by ABC News
• “Commerce Secretary Lutnick: Trump’s goal is to abolish the IRS” from Axios
• “I.R.S. to Begin Laying Off Roughly 6,000 Employees on Thursday” from The New York Times
• Watch: “Trump wants to know if there’s gold in Fort Knox” by AP News
• Watch: “Fmr. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on U.S. gold reserves at Fort Knox” from CNBC Television
• “What to know about Fort Knox’s gold depository that Musk wants audited” from Axios
• “A campus sign said, ‘Tell us something good.’ Students delivered.” by 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.

Campaigns for both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are trying to get ahead of the curve on election legal battles. According to The Hill, there are already over 200 voting and election cases pending across the country. We’ll get into it. Then, we’ll explain how Trump’s recent battles with CBS and ABC could signal his intention to punish broadcasters if reelected. And, how do you feel about rolling back our clocks as daylight saving time ends? That and more in a round of Half Full/Half Empty.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “How Trump could weaponize the FCC against the media in a second term” from The Washington Post
• “Trump, Harris camps prepare to ‘go to the mattress’ in election legal battles” from The Hill
• “You Call That An Ad Blackout? Consultants Shrug Off Alphabet’s Post-Election Restrictions” from Campaigns & Elections

We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The richest man in the world just became even more influential after pouring millions into former President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign. Tesla shares soared after Trump’s win and CEO Elon Musk was already invited to join a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We’ll get into what the cozy relationship between Trump and Musk could mean for the U.S. economy and national security. And, we’ll talk about the many Americans who are looking to move abroad in the face of the U.S. election results. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Scoop: Elon Musk joined Trump’s call with Zelensky” from Axios
• “Tesla hits $1 trillion market cap as stock rallies after Trump win” from CNBC
• “Exhausted by the Election, Some Americans Are Catching Flights Abroad” from The New York Times
• “American interest in Canadian citizenship is spiking again after Trump’s victory” from Politico
• “Nvidia, Sherwin-Williams to replace Intel, Dow on Dow Jones” from Marketplace
• “Steven Madden C.E.O. Says It Is Moving Production Out of China” from The New York Times
• “Painting by A.I.-Powered Robot Sells for $1.1 Million” from The New York Times
• “Pad Thai, Spring Rolls and a Side of Peacock? Why Streamers Are Teaming Up With Delivery Apps” from The Hollywood Reporter
• “Should cars still have AM radios? Congress might require them.” from Marketplace

Got a question for the hosts about the election, Trump’s next presidency and the U.S. economy? Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Southern European economies, including Greece, are growing faster than some of Europe’s longtime powerhouses, like Germany. We’ll get into how Greece pulled off an economic turnaround after the devastating 2012 financial crisis. And, Halle Berry’s shouts from the steps of the Capitol are calling attention to the need for more menopause research. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full / Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Europe’s Economic Laggards Have Become Its Leaders” from The New York Times

• • “Halle Berry shouts from the Capitol, ‘I’m in menopause’ as she seeks to end a stigma and win funding” from AP News

• • “Dave & Buster’s to let adult customers bet on arcade games” from Marketplace

• • “As work communication migrates to mobile devices, desk phones hang up for good” from Marketplace

• • “Pop-up coworking events are uniting lonely workers” from Marketplace

• • “The conspiracy theory behind Florida’s lab-grown meat ban” from The Verge

• • “Unfrosted Review: Jerry Seinfeld’s Pop-Tarts Comedy Is Painfully Stale” from IndieWire

Want more “Make Me Smart” in your life? Sign up for our newsletter at marketplace.org/smarter.

It’s been about four years since the great remote work experiment took off for many employees who work computer-bound jobs. After plenty of back and forth between return-to-office mandates and work-from-home advocates, neither side really won. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the share of Americans doing some or all of their work from home has leveled off to about 35%. On the show today, The New York Times’ Emma Goldberg explains who’s working from home these days and how it’s impacting both employees and their bosses. Plus, the commercial real estate question looms large over the remote work debate.

Then, we’ll get into why the Joe Biden administration’s new protections for workers in extreme heat could be threatened by recent Supreme Court rulings and a potential second Trump presidency. And, the CEO of GS1, the company administering retail barcodes, didn’t see the QR code takeover coming.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Work From Home Data Shows Who’s Fully Remote, Hybrid and in Person” from The New York Times
• “Research: How Remote Work Impacts Women at Different Stages of Their Careers” from Harvard Business Review
• “More Americans now prefer hybrid over fully remote work, survey finds” from Axios
• “Remote Workers Are Losing Out on Promotions, New Data Shows” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Dell said return to the office or else—nearly half of workers chose “or else'” from Ars Technica
• “Tesla delivered fewer vehicles to customers for the second quarter in a row” from The Verge
• “Biden to announce heat rules as climate-related deaths rise” from Politico
• “Fact check: Republicans, not Democrats, eliminated the Senate filibuster on Supreme Court nominees” from USA Today

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.

Federal Emergency Management Agency crews working hurricane recovery efforts paused aid in parts of North Carolina over the weekend after threats were made against workers and an armed suspect was arrested. We talk about the rise of misinformation around FEMA’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, including falsehoods pushed by former President Donald Trump. And, we discuss an atmosphere of political violence as Trump urges using the military on Election Day. Plus, are we one step closer to commercial space travel?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Trump urges using military to handle ‘radical left lunatics’ on Election Day” from The Washington Post

• “North Carolina authorities arrest armed man after threats against FEMA workers” from The Washington Post

• “Federal personnel are facing threats during hurricane response, DHS chief warns” from Government Executive

• Hurricane Rumor Response from FEMA

• “SpaceX catches giant Starship booster in fifth flight test” from Reuters

• “Why yesterday’s SpaceX launch was such a huge deal for space travel” from Business Insider

• “SpaceX catches Starship rocket booster in historic test launch” from NBC News

We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Purdue Pharma’s owners in the Sackler family have agreed to a new $6.5 billion settlement to lawsuits over their role in the U.S. opioid crisis. This comes after a previous deal was rejected by the Supreme Court last year. We’ll break down the details of the settlement and what could come next. And, the U.S. housing market is the slowest it’s been in 30 years, but prices aren’t coming down. What gives? Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Existing-Home Sales in 2024 Were Slowest in Decades Amid High Mortgage Rates” from The New York Times
• “United States Housing Market & Prices” from Redfin
• “Purdue Pharma’s Sacklers Agree to New $6.5 Billion Deal for Opioid Lawsuits” from The Wall Street
• “Supreme Court Jeopardizes Opioid Deal, Rejecting Protections for Sacklers” from The New York Times
• “Is there a market for luxury EVs? GM thinks so.” from Marketplace
• “This 24-hour diner helps New Yorkers make it through the night” from Marketplace
• “The American workweek is shrinking” from Marketplace
• “‘Lost’ Tina Turner track to be released 2 years after queen of rock ‘n’ roll’s death” from USA Today
• “UK’s 20mph speed limits ‘are cutting car insurance costs’” from The Guardian

We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

NASA is pushing back its highly anticipated Artemis 2 mission from September 2025 to April 2026. It will be the first crewed mission to the moon since 1972. We’ll unpack NASA’s setbacks. Plus, momentum is building for a TikTok ban. And the hosts share their thoughts on the word of the year in a round of Half Full / Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “NASA delays Artemis 2 moon mission to 2026, Artemis 3 astronaut landing to mid-2027” from Space
• “Trump Defends His Imperiled Pick for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth” from The New York Times
• “Appeals court upholds nationwide TikTok ban-or-sale law” from The Washington Post
• “TikTok advertisers stay put after US appeals court upholds law forcing sale” from Reuters
• “Bitcoin mining surge strains energy grids as miners make a fortune” from Marketplace
• “OpenAI is charging $200 a month for an exclusive version of its o1 ‘reasoning’ model” from The Verge
• “50% off! Cyber Monday deal today only! (Kidding!)” from Marketplace
• “Dolly Parton launches search for actors to play her in a new Broadway musical” from USA Today
• “‘Brain rot’ is the Oxford University Press word of the year” from AP News

We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Hey Smarties! If you’ve ever wondered how you make your diet more climate friendly, this episode of “Burning Questions” has you covered. From our friends over at “How We Survive,” the series answers your questions about climate change. In this episode, host Amy Scott chats with Melissa Nelson, professor of Indigenous sustainability at Arizona State University, about how our day-to-day food choices affect the planet and steps you can take to make your diet a little greener, without getting overwhelmed.

Today we’re handing the mic over to the team behind “Burning Questions” from Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast “How We Survive” as they survey the devastation on the ground in the Pacific Palisades, and dig into the homeowners insurance crisis. Since the Los Angeles fires broke out, thousands have lost their homes and current estimates say insured losses may exceed $30 billion. The disaster has raised existential questions about the future of the insurance industry and its potential impact on the housing market. Host Amy Scott talks with Carolyn Kousky from the Environmental Defense Fund to find answers.

With the big push to unionize auto workers in the South, it looks like it might be another hot labor summer. And if you and your little ones have questions, this episode is for you! Today, we’re bringing you a special episode from Marketplace’s kids podcast, “Million Bazillion,” all about the history of labor unions, collective bargaining and how unions changed the way we work. Plus, how many hours a day should a person work? Kids have thoughts!

The next $50,000 in donations to Marketplace will be matched, thanks to a generous gift from Joe Rush in Florida. Give now and double your impact: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Hey Smarties! We’re off for the Fourth of July holiday. So today we’re bringing you a super fun episode of “Million Bazillion” that’ll teach you and your kiddos about a bit of our nation’s history and a highly secretive landmark. It’s all about Fort Knox, known as one of the most secure places in the world, and why it holds so much of the country’s gold. Plus, its role in stabilizing the U.S. economy in a time of crisis.

Hey Smarties! We’re on a little break for the Fourth of July holiday. So today we’re bringing you an episode from our friends at “This Is Uncomfortable.” It’s all about the fashion industry and the workers who make the clothes we buy (and often throw away). In this episode, producer Alice Wilder introduces us to one garment worker’s personal fight for fair pay and the push to improve conditions for garment workers like her.

In honor of Juneteenth, we’re bringing you an episode of a new podcast from APM Studios that’s especially relevant on this holiday. In the podcast, “What Happened in Alabama?” host Lee Hawkins unpacks his family history, confronts cycles of trauma and grapples with an issue many Black families face: how to keep land in the family.

This episode is about Black land loss. In 1910, Black farmers collectively owned over 16 million acres of farmland. A century later, over 90% of that land is no longer owned by Black farmers. Lee explores that tumultuous history and what Black families can do to hold on to their property.

If you’d like to hear more episodes from the series, you can find “What Happened in Alabama?” wherever you get podcasts.

Five months into the Israel-Hamas war, the United Nations is warning of “imminent famine” in northern Gaza. Guest host Samantha Fields discusses the challenge of getting food aid delivered to the region. Plus, the nation’s largest employer is considering pay transparency laws. Then, we’ll smile about cherry blossoms and the upcoming solar eclipse.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “UN says famine is ‘imminent’ in northern Gaza as Israel launches another raid on main hospital” from The Associated Press

• • “The first ship to use a new sea route delivers aid to Gaza, Israeli military says” from The Associated Press

• • Data on Gaza Strip Acute Food Insecurity from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification

• • “Senators Urge Biden to Stop Arming Israel, Citing Violation of U.S. Aid Law” from The New York Times

• • Acquisition Regulation: Pay Equity and Transparency in Federal Contracting

• • A Snapshot of Government-wide Contracting for FY 2021 from the U.S. Government Accountability Office

• • “What Constituent Correspondence Reveals About Voter Sentiment” from FiscalNote

• • 2024 National Eclipse Maps

• • “Commentary: Eclipsenomics: April’s solar eclipse will be the most profitable 22 minutes in Texas history” from San Antonio Express-News

• • #BloomCam from the Trust for the National Mall

• • Live: Iconic cherry trees begin to blossom in Washington D.C. from The Associated Press

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.

Today, we’re talking about the different efforts to invest in artificial intelligence. First up, guest host Lily Jamali breaks down Argentina’s endeavor to turn the country into an AI hub. Then, we’ll discuss the use of AI and deepfakes in India’s election in an attempt to reach voters. Later, we’ll smile about America’s first Black astronaut candidate finally taking a trip to space.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Argentina’s Milei Plans to Meet With Zuckerberg at End of May” from Bloomberg
•  “Indian Voters Are Being Bombarded With Millions of Deepfakes. Political Candidates Approve” from Wired
•  Marketplace’s Decoding Democracy election series
• “Dirty Dancing, Back to the Future and E.T. Voted Best 80s Films: Poll Reveals Top 40 Movies From Big-Hair Days” from Good News Network
• “Ed Dwight Goes to Space 63 Years After Training as 1st Black Astronaut” from The New York Times
• “Can life exist on Europa, Jupiter’s moon?” from Marketplace

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.

With the 2024 election only five months away, polls abound. But since 2016, polls have had somewhat of a bad rap, and many Americans have become skeptical of their reliability.

David Dutwin, senior vice president of strategic initiatives at NORC at the University of Chicago, said we’re thinking about polls all wrong. On the show today, Dutwin explains what polls can and can’t tell us, how to spot a high-quality poll and what kind of role polling should play in our understanding of elections. Plus, what’s keeping pollsters up at night.

Then, we’ll talk about how the Joe Biden administration is addressing an issue that’s top of mind, according to a new Gallup survey: immigration. And, a Half Full/Half Empty update on the job market.

Later, one listener’s small-scale solution to the Big Food problem, and a divisive grammar debate. Plus, a listener was wrong about the meaning of “vibecession.”

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “What Can Election 2024 Polls Really Tell Us?” from Scientific American
• “Polling in 2024” from Reuters
• View the latest national polls from FiveThirtyEight
• “Public Opinion Polling Basics” from Pew Research Center
• “We still don’t know much about this election — except that the media and pollsters blew it again” from The Washington Post
• “US Job Openings Fall to Lowest Since 2021 in Broad Cooldown” from Bloomberg  
• “Immigration Named Top U.S. Problem for Third Straight Month” from Gallup
• “Biden issues new executive action: Much of southern border to close at midnight” from Politico 
• “Biden prepares an order that would shut down asylum requests at US-Mexico border” from The Associated Press
• “Kyla Scanlon wants to remind us that ‘people are the economy’” from Marketplace

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.

A federal judge on Monday ruled that Google acted illegally to maintain a monopoly over online search. It’s the biggest antitrust ruling in decades. Could it be the cherry on top for President Joe Biden’s economic legacy? We’ll get into it. Plus, climate change and the future of the home insurance industry. And, gymnastics girl power and meteor showers make us smile.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Google Loses Antitrust Case Over Search-Engine Dominance” from The Wall Street Journal
• “All the spiciest parts of the Google antitrust ruling” from The Verge
• “How Does Harris View Big Business? Her Time as California’s Top Lawyer Offers Clues” from The New York Times
• “Your Next Home Insurance Nightmare: AI, Drones, and Surveillance” from Business Insider
• “Trump vs. Biden: Who Got More Done on Antitrust?” from Washington Monthly
• “For the VP also-rans’ political futures, Walz’s elevation ‘complicates it a lot’” from Politico
• “Michelle Obama Weighs In On Simone Biles’ Bowing Gesture After NFL Star Trashes It” from HuffPost Sports
• “Perseid meteor shower 2024 peaks this weekend. Here’s how to see summer’s best ‘shooting stars'” from Space
• “Mountain Bikers Are Rewilding Land by Paying the Government to Do It” from Wired

Make Me Smart is headed to Boston! You can find details about the live event and how to get early bird tickets here.

Congress is once again in a race against the clock to pass a gargantuan federal spending bill to keep the government up and running past Saturday. We’ll get into it. And, the Joe Biden administration made a groundbreaking investment in Intel’s chip manufacturing business in an effort to spur the domestic semiconductor industry. Plus, Nvidia’s next generation AI chips and Caitlin Clark’s place in the booming world of women’s sports.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Nvidia reveals Blackwell B200 GPU, the ‘world’s most powerful chip’ for AI” from The Verge

• • “CHIPS Act to give Intel $8.5 billion in direct funding, plus loans” from Marketplace

• • “For Women’s Basketball, Caitlin Clark’s Lasting Impact May Be Economic” from The New York Times

• • “NCAA women’s basketball success is about more than Caitlin Clark” from Marketplace

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Since Vice President Harris proposed a federal ban on price gouging in the food and grocery industries, her campaign has offered up few details about what the policy would actually look like. That’s left room for wild speculation. We’ll get into it. And, we’ll debunk former President Trump’s claims that the Biden administration manipulated job data to influence the election. Plus, the future of V2X technology on our roadways and the National Women’s Soccer League’s historic move to do away with drafts.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “And today Trump and his allies are being dishonest about jobs data” from The Washington Post
• “US job totals will likely be revised down by 818,000 as Trump cries fraud” from Politico
• “Commerce Sec. Raimondo on VP Harris: She’s pro-business, pro-worker, and opposed to price-fixing” from CNBC
• “FTC to investigate high grocery prices” from Marketplace
• “Harris’s Price-Gouging Ban: Price Controls or No Quick Effect?” from The New York Times
• “DOT plans to implement V2X technology raise privacy concerns” from Marketplace
• “The U.S. Sports League That Just Scrapped the Draft—and Made Everyone a Free Agent” from The Wall Street Journal
• “National Women’s Soccer League and its players agree to a new contract deal” 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.

The Harris campaign is proposing a bump in the capital gains tax that’s well below the rate President Biden had put forward. We’ll get into why remixing Biden’s tax plan scored her some points with corporate supporters. And, we’ll explain the fight between Disney and DirecTV that’s causing channel outages for subscribers. Plus, why Medicaid patients are struggling to access GLP-1 weight loss drugs and what the vibes are in the restaurant industry right now.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Harris Tells the Business Community: I’m Friendlier Than Biden” from The New York Times
• “DirecTV chief content officer on ESPN blackout: Disney is still mandating minimum penetration” from CNBC
• “TV viewers get screwed again as Disney channels are blacked out on DirecTV” from Ars Technica
• “Disney networks go dark on DirecTV amid carriage dispute” from Axios
• “DirecTV is compensating customers affected by the Disney outage. But they have to take action to get it” from CNN
• “Who’s able to get weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy?” from Marketplace
• “Restaurant industry still struggles with staffing, consultant says” 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.

Today we’re talking about food. Specifically, Big Food. In his book, “Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry,” Austin Frerick, agricultural and antitrust policy fellow at Yale, argues the food system is the most consolidated sector in the United States. On the show today, Frerick explains how the American food system became so concentrated, how that’s inflated prices and eroded quality, and what we should do about it. Plus, Walmart’s role as king of grocery kings.

Then, we’ll get into why Boeing can’t keep up with SpaceX. And, an expert on youth mental health (and former guest on “Make Me Smart”) was wrong about how teens curate their social media feeds.

Here’s everything else we talked about today:

• • “Lax Antitrust Enforcement Imperils The Nation’s Supply Chains” from Forbes

• • “What Is “Big Ag,” and Why Should You Be Worried About Them?” from Union of Concerned Scientists

• • “The problem with growing corporate concentration and power in the global food system” from Nature Food

• • “Major retailers are offering summer deals to entice inflation-weary shoppers” from AP News

• • “US Consumer Confidence Rises for First Time in Four Months” from Bloomberg

• • “Inflation now means high prices, not just rising costs” from Axios

• • “What do Americans think about inflation?” from The Brookings Institution

• • “Boeing Prepared to Fly Crewed Space Taxi With Helium Leak” 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.

Hey smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2024. 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 2025 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 food. Specifically, Big Food. In his book, “Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry,” Austin Frerick, agricultural and antitrust policy fellow at Yale, argues the food system is the most consolidated sector in the United States. On the show today, Frerick explains how the American food system became so concentrated, how that’s inflated prices and eroded quality, and what we should do about it. Plus, Walmart’s role as king of grocery kings.

Then, we’ll get into why Boeing can’t keep up with SpaceX. And, an expert on youth mental health (and former guest on “Make Me Smart”) was wrong about how teens curate their social media feeds.

Here’s everything else we talked about today:

• “Lax Antitrust Enforcement Imperils The Nation’s Supply Chains” from Forbes
• “What Is “Big Ag,” and Why Should You Be Worried About Them?” from Union of Concerned Scientists
• “The problem with growing corporate concentration and power in the global food system” from Nature Food
• “Major retailers are offering summer deals to entice inflation-weary shoppers” from AP News
• “US Consumer Confidence Rises for First Time in Four Months” from Bloomberg
• “Inflation now means high prices, not just rising costs” from Axios
• “What do Americans think about inflation?” from The Brookings Institution
• “Boeing Prepared to Fly Crewed Space Taxi With Helium Leak” 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.

It’s decision week for the Federal Reserve! Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues are expected to reduce interest rates for the first time since 2020. Investors are predicting a half-percentage-point cut, but we’re on Team 25. We’ll explain why. Plus, the origin of the false rumors about Haitian immigrants that reached the presidential debate stage. And why the cost of your Temu and Shein orders may go up.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Stock Market Today: Investors Bet on Bigger Fed Cut” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Elon Musk Writes, Then Deletes, a Post Musing About Threats to Biden and Harris” from The New York Times
• “Biden Takes Aim at China’s Temu and Shein With Trade Crackdown” from The Wall Street Journal
• “‘It just exploded’: Springfield woman claims she never meant to spark false rumors about Haitians” from NBC News
• “In celebration of being a terrible gardener” from The Washington Post

We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Billionaire families contributed roughly 18% of all money raised during the 2024 election cycle. And many of those mega donors are being tapped for high-level positions in the incoming Donald Trump administration. This begs the question: Is the U.S. government controlled by the ultra rich? David Sirota, founder and editor in chief of The Lever, said he believes the U.S. resembles an oligarchy. On the show today, Sirota explains how the erosion of campaign finance regulations has created a culture in which big money in politics is normalized.

Then, we’ll get into China’s latest move in the ongoing chip trade war with the United States. Plus, what’s the correct way to pronounce “pecan”?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Election 2024: How Billionaire Avengers Destroyed Democracy” from The Lever
• “What’s different about billionaire donor Elon Musk’s relationship with Trump” from Vox
• “How billionaires are influencing the 2024 U.S. election” from Axios
• “Battle of the billionaires: the mega rich spending to swing the US election” from Financial Times
• “Remember that study saying America is an oligarchy? 3 rebuttals say it’s wrong.” from Vox
• “China bans export of critical minerals to US as trade tensions escalate” from Reuters
• “SpaceX Weighs Tender Offer Raising Valuation to $350 Billion” from Bloomberg
• “​​Yes We Pecan, with Martha Stewart” from NPR

It’s Giving Tuesday! Your donation will be matched today when you support Marketplace.

The United States is on a mission to revitalize its chip manufacturing industry by giving billions in grants and loans to companies including Intel. But mistakes have cost Intel the opportunity to lead in artificial intelligence. Guest host Sabri Ben-Achour explains how the company fell behind. And, President-elect Donald Trump tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for more than you might think. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “What to know about HHS and how RFK Jr. could lead it” from Axios
• “The Anti-Fluoride Movement Vaults Into the Mainstream” from The New York Times
• “The Great American Microchip Mobilization” from Wired
• “Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones’ Infowars at auction with Sandy Hook families’ backing” from AP News
• “The Great Migration to Bluesky Gives Me Hope for the Future of the Internet” from 404 Media
• “Want to Network in Silicon Valley? Bring a Bathing Suit” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Good-bye to the Broker Fee” from Curbed
• “Americans Are Hoarding Their Friends” from The Atlantic

We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Starting today, many fast-food workers in California will be paid $20 an hour under a new minimum-wage law. It’s time for a Kimberly rant! We’ll get into the subsidization of low-wage work, the reals costs behind all the stuff we buy — from burgers to clothes — and who’s picking up the tab. Plus, guest host Reema Khrais reminisces about the early years of Google as the company celebrates 20 years of Gmail.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Fast fashion retailer Shein doubles profits as it awaits IPO approval” from The Guardian

• • “California’s Fast-Food Workers Just Got a Pay Bump” from The New York Times

• • “California’s Crazy ‘Fast Food’ Minimum Wage Takes Effect” from The Wall Street Journal

• • “Your hair looks gorgeous. It cost … what?!” from The Washington Post

• • “Hey, Gen X, Z and millennials: the great wealth transfer could go to health care, not you” from USA Today

• • “Ancient giant dolphin discovered in the Amazon” from CNN

• • “Gmail revolutionized email 20 years ago. People thought it was Google’s April Fools’ Day joke” from The Associated Press

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.

Even though the economy is going strong, many Americans are still pessimistic about it. We’ll get into how feelings and beliefs about the economy are playing into the 2024 presidential election. Plus, guest host Matt Levin joins us to discuss the latest AI news, including a new state law — known as the ELVIS Act — focused on protecting artists’ voices. And he’ll explain why he has the song “Barbie Girl” (Johnny Cash’s version) stuck in his head.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Bush Campaign Rally” from  C-SPAN

• • “The Media’s Role in Forming Voters’ National Economic Evaluations in 1992” from the American Journal of Political Science

• • “Should politicians know the price of a pint of milk?” from BBC News

• • “The Primary Problem” from Unite America

• • “Johnny Cash Covers Aqua Girl’s ‘Barbie Girl’ Using AI” from Business Insider

• • “New Tennessee law aims to protect musicians from generative AI” from Marketplace

• • “An early look our AI Music experiment” from YouTube Blog

• • “First stop on the road to regulating AI? Finding humans to do the job.” from Marketplace

• • “Every US federal agency must hire a chief AI officer” 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.

As many Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with their friends and families, gratitude is top of mind. We’ll break down research that shows how individual acts of kindness and connection can have large-scale impact. And, we’ll discuss a poignant firsthand account of an award-winning journalist experiencing homelessness. Plus, we’ll get into why the Justice Department isn’t satisfied with the National Association of Realtors commission lawsuit settlement, and why parking lots will be the new hot spot for solar energy in France.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “‘The DOJ is coming for NAR’: What’s next after the $418M settlement?” from HousingWire
• “The Invisible Man” from Esquire
• “An upward spiral – how small acts of kindness and connection really can change the world, according to psychology research” from The Conversation
• “Solar installations are now mandatory for large parking lots in France” from The Progress Playbook

Let us know what you’re thankful for. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Branding is big in contemporary political campaigns. But some candidates are going to odd lengths to appeal to women in 2024. We’ll explain. Plus, the wave of new state voting laws since 2020 has the potential to dramatically reshape ballot access in the 2024 election. And we’ll weigh in on the doomsday prepping economy and “fridgescaping” during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “G.O.P. Candidates, Looking to Soften Their Image, Turn to Their Wives” from The New York Times
• “In the tightest states, new voting laws could tip the outcome in November” from Stateline
• “Battleground State Removes Nearly 10 Percent of Voters for Being Ineligible” from Newsweek
• “VoteFlare’s mission to upgrade voter communication” from Marketplace
• “In uncertain times, the prepper supply business is booming” from Marketplace
• “Spurned by Social Media, Publishers Chase Readers on WhatsApp” from The New York Times
• “Southwest may need to change the perks that made customers loyal” from Marketplace
• “Earth will capture ‘second moon’ this weekend, scientists say” from Space
• “The pros and cons of fridgescaping your refrigerator” from The Washington Post

New artist-designed Marketplace sweatshirts are half off this weekend! Invest in Marketplace and get yours: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

After Israel threatened to cut ties between Israeli and Palestinian banks, Treasury Secretary Yellen warned it could worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and create economic instability in the West Bank. We’ll also explain one reason why U.S. military spending is so high, get updates on the AI economy’s hot shot, Nvidia, and the U.S. government’s battle against Big Ticket.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Yellen Warns Israel Against Cutting off Palestinian Banks” from The New York Times
  • “Yellen concerned about Israel’s threats to cut off Palestinian banks” from Reuters
  • VIDEO: “VIRAL MOMENT: Michael Waltz Confronts Air Force Officials With Staggeringly Expensive Components” from Forbes Breaking News
  • “Pentagon falling victim to price gouging by military contractors” from CBS News
  • “New Bipartisan Bill Allows Military Contractors To Fleece Taxpayers” from The Lever
  • “Nvidia dominates in AI, but others are trying to chip away” from Marketplace
  • “US sues to break up Ticketmaster and Live Nation in a groundbreaking monopoly lawsuit” from CNN Business

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 and play a round of Half Full/Ha

It’s decision season for the U.S. Supreme Court, meaning the court is weighing in on a slew of cases dealing with a wide range of issues, including abortion medication restrictions and the power of federal agencies. One legal doctrine has become more and more influential in that decision-making: originalism. But Madiba Dennie, author of the new book “The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back,” calls that a relatively recent phenomenon. On the show today, Dennie explains what originalism is, how it gained a foothold in American legal thought and why she believes its rise has eroded Americans’ rights and threatened economic stability. Plus, her idea for how we move forward.

Then, we’ll get into the movie-worthy story of an African American man who escaped slavery and became a fierce critic of the Constitution. Plus, Patrick Schumacker, an executive producer of the TV series “Abbott Elementary,” answers the Make Me Smart question.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Throw Originalism Out. It’s Time for Inclusive Constitutionalism.” from Slate
• “Originalism, Amy Coney Barrett’s approach to the Constitution, explained” from Vox
• “Even the Founders Didn’t Believe in Originalism” from The Atlantic
• “What is originalism? Did it underpin the Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion and guns? Debunking the myths” from The Conversation
• “The biggest 2024 Supreme Court rulings so far, and what’s still to come” from The Washington Post
• “A Furious, Forgotten Slave Narrative Resurfaces After Nearly 170 Years” from The New York Times
• “Facebook owner Meta seeks to train AI model on European data as it faces privacy concerns” from AP News

What have you been wrong about lately? Let us know at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Elon Musk and his DOGE team have been inside the pipes of the federal government on a mission to cut government spending and root out waste. We know government waste exists. But today, we’ll explain the problem with the way DOGE is going about it. Plus, blue state Republicans and their newfound power! And, stick around for your daily dose of positive news: We’ll hear about some of the good things that have been happening to “Make Me Smart” listeners. (Keep ‘em coming!)

Here’s everything we talked about:

• Watch: Watch live: House DOGE subcommittee holds first hearing on federal spending on YouTube
• “DOGE fight: New subcommittee holds its first House hearing” by Roll Call
• “The Government Waste DOGE Should Be Cutting” from The Atlantic
• Improper Payments and Fraud: How They Are Related but Different from the Government Accountability Office
• Watch: Happening Now: Powell Testifies Before Senate Banking Committee on YouTube
• “What does having the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on hold mean for consumers?” from AP News
• “How blue state Republicans could shape Congressional legislation this year” by Marketplace

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The Los Angeles fires are a warning to all of us. Over the past week, lives, homes, businesses and entire communities have been lost in what’s expected to be among the nation’s costliest disasters ever. But with more than one-third of the U.S. population living in counties with high wildfire risk, this begs the question: Should lots of people relocate? Crystal Kolden, director of the Fire Resilience Center at the University of California at Merced and a former wildland firefighter, said abandoning these places isn’t the only option. On the show today, Kolden explains why the L.A. fires have been so tough to put out, why wildfires are different from other natural disasters like hurricanes and floods, and how devastated communities can rebuild in a way that makes them more resilient to future fires.

Later, a listener shares a teamwork approach to cleaning up after a house party. And, Brad Stulberg, author of “Master of Change,” was wrong about how to find motivation.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “L.A. Fires Show Limits of America’s Efforts to Cope With Climate Change” from The New York Times
• “Column: Recovery will be tempered by hard decisions and, if we aren’t careful, inequality” from The L.A. Times
• “Palisades and other Southern California fires could be most expensive in US history” from LAist
• “More People Are Living in the Riskiest Wildfire Zones” from Bloomberg
• “‘Zone Zero’ Mandates Near Completion for High Wildfire Risk Areas” from the Sierra Club
• “‘Conditions’ should be placed on California wildfire aid: House Speaker Mike Johnson” from USA Today

We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The Democratic Party has traditionally been pro-union and relied on the support of the working class. But the results of yesterday’s election show the tide may be turning. We’ll get into how President-elect Trump enamored these voters to win another term in the White House and how we can expect a new Trump administration to shake up the economy and defy democratic norms. Plus, we’ll talk about some of the trailblazers elected to Congress and state offices.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Who is Bernie Moreno, Ohio’s new GOP senator-elect and crypto champion?” from The Washington Post
• “Sarah McBride becomes the first out transgender person elected to Congress” from NBC News
• “How markets are responding to the prospect of another Trump presidency” from Marketplace
• “Black women notch historic Senate wins in an election year defined by potential firsts” from AP News
• “Meet the history-makers of the 2024 elections” from CNN Politics
• “How could the return of Trump-era ‘Schedule F’ job appointments reshape the federal workforce?” from Marketplace
• “Donald Trump Has Tools to Fire Powerful Financial Regulator in Term Two” from Bloomberg

Send us all your thoughts, feelings and questions about the election. You can email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

During his first week back in office, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders targeting immigrant communities. We’ll hear how migrant workers are responding. Then, Kimberly explains the fiasco over Trump’s plan to “drill, baby, drill.” Plus, an economics professor shares a 1940s movie pick that’s on point for today’s debate on tariffs.

Here’s everything we talked about today: 

• “Central Valley farmworkers scared to show up to work over deportation fear” from NBC
• “Farmer ties immigration to food security, strong exports” from Marketplace
• “Rush for preterm babies to beat birthright citizenship deadline” from the Times of India
• “ICE Watch Programs Can Protect Immigrants in Your Neighborhood — Here’s What to Know” from Teen Vogue
• “Trump clarifies executive order restricting IRA-related funding” from Marketplace
• “White House says order pausing IRA disbursements only applies to some programs” from Reuters
• “As LA blazes rage, even firefighters turn to Watch Duty” from Marketplace from YouTube
• WATCH: “Life With Father” | Elizabeth Taylor, William Powell, Irene Dunne | Classic Drama Comedy from YouTube

Join Amy and Nova tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Hey Smarties! We’re on the road to Boston for a live taping of “Make Me Smart” with special guest, historian Heather Cox Richardson. So today we’re bringing you an episode from the latest season of “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. In this episode, Kai Ryssdal and the “How We Survive” team head to the very, very top of Alaska to understand how climate change and national security are converging in the Arctic.

Want to join Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams for our live taping of “Make Me Smart” in Boston on Oct. 25? In-person tickets are sold out, but you can still join us virtually. Get your tickets here.

Since the Congressional Budget Office last released its long-term outlook for the federal deficit and strength of the U.S. economy, things have become a teeny bit better. Why? The CBO points to increased immigration and last year’s spending deal struck between Congress and President Joe Biden. And, we’ll get into the looming commercial real-estate reckoning. Plus, we’ll weigh in on tote bags, Free Blockbuster libraries and more in a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “PRP Pays $323M For Market Square, D.C.’s Largest Sale In 18 Months” from Bisnow

• “Budget Office report credits immigration and spending deals with improved outlook despite huge debt” from AP News

• “The Long-Term Budget Outlook: 2024 to 2054” from the CBO

• “How the tote bag became the hottest fashion accessory around” from Marketplace

• “Tired of Streaming? Free Blockbuster Libraries Offer an Alternative.” from The New York Times

• “Encyclopædia Britannica is eyeing a $1 billion valuation in its IPO, report says” from Quartz

• “I Pizza A | Voodoo Ranger” from Voodoo Ranger

• “Walmart Is Luring Wealthy Shoppers With Blazers and Duck Breast” from Bloomberg

Help us meet our spring fundraiser goal and get your throwback Marketplace swag today!

Inflation is coming in hot! Today’s consumer price index shows prices kept rising in March. Kai Ryssdal explains the one thing everybody should be doing right about now in addition to taking a deep breath! Plus, the rising cost of insurance — from homeowners coverage to life insurance — and what companies are doing to dump customers. Also, hear a whale talk to a scientist.

Here’s everything we talk about today:

• • “Hot Inflation Report Derails Case for Fed’s June Rate Cut” from The Wall Street Journal

• • “Insurers Are Spying on Your Home From the Sky” from The Wall Street Journal

• • “The Soaring Cost of Homeowners Insurance” from Comstock’s Magazine

• • “MassMutual is rolling out free genetic testing for members, a dicey area for life insurers” from STAT+

• • “The scientists learning to speak whale” from BBC

• • Solar Grazing Resources from the American Solar Grazing Association

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 Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates this week for the first time in four years. It would be a major milestone in the central bank’s long fight to get inflation under control. The Fed changes interest rates to keep inflation in check. But inflation is a complex phenomenon, and people have different ideas about what drives it. On the show today, Harvard economics professor Stefanie Stantcheva explains what Americans believe about the root causes of inflation and how the government should manage it, how views differ along party lines and the role media play.

Then, the narrative around retail theft is changing. And, comedian Rola Z who hosts the “Funny Arabs” show in Washington, D.C., answers the Make Me Smart question.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “People’s Understanding of Inflation” from the Social Economics Lab at Harvard
• “The Fed And Public Opinion” from Forbes
• “What actually happens when the Fed cuts interest rates?” from Marketplace
• “No, Americans Are Not Completely Stupid About Inflation” from The New York Times
• “The Growing Use of Voting Before Election Day” from the Center for Election Innovation and Research
• “America’s stores are winning the war on shoplifting” from CNN Business
• “Federal Debt Is Soaring. Here’s Why Trump and Harris Aren’t Talking About It.” from The Wall Street Journal
• “How would Project 2025 impact troops and veterans?” from Military Times

We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

A week after Apple CEO Tim Cook met with President Donald Trump, the company said today that it plans to invest $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. Is Apple aligning with Trump’s America First agenda? We’ll explain why Apple’s domestic investment isn’t what you may think it is. Plus, how would you respond to an email from your boss with the subject line: “What did you do last week?” And, a big thank you to Tammy from Oregon for today’s Make Me Smile moment.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Apple’s $500 Billion U.S. Investment Is Mostly Already in the Books” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Elon Musk Tells Federal Workers to Detail Work in an Email or Lose Their Jobs” by The New York Times
• “Are federal workers lazy? Let’s look at the data.” from The Washington Post
• “The Long Flight to Teach an Endangered Ibis Species to Migrate” from The New Yorker
• “The Trump administration tells agencies they could ignore Musk order on email reply” from The Washington Post (latest developments after we recorded today’s episode)

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Tech companies like Google and Meta have been pouring billions into artificial intelligence. But investors have been waiting for those investments to pay off. We’ll get into what the latest earnings report from Google’s parent company signals about AI’s money-making potential. And, American companies are responding to former President Trump’s tariff promises by preparing to raise prices. Plus, guest host Matt Levin makes us smile about the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series run.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Companies ready price hikes to offset Trump’s global tariff plans” from The New York Times
• “More than a quarter of new code at Google is generated by AI” from The Verge
• “Google’s Cloud Business Powers Accelerating Revenue Growth” from The Wall Street Journal
• “World Series: Ice Cube performs ‘It Was a Good Day’ ahead of Yankees vs. Dodgers Game 2” from Fox Sports

We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

A growing number of young American consumers say they’re opting out of the economy entirely or pulling back from spending at certain stores over their political views. We’ll explain how this trend could collide with other economic shifts, creating the perfect recipe for a recession. Plus, by popular demand, we unpack a recent feat of nature: beavers successfully taking on civil engineering!

Here’s everything we talked about:

• “Kremlin Message to Trump: There’s Money to Be Made in Russia” from The New York Times

• “A quarter of US shoppers have dumped favorite stores over political stances” by The Guardian

• “NAACP calls for consumers to leverage their purchasing power as some companies pull back from DEI policies” from Marketplace

• “Black faith leaders call for Target boycott over DEI rollback” from The Hill

• “Czech Dam Project Was Stalled by Bureaucracy. Beavers Built Their Own.” from The New York Times

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Last night’s presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump kicked off with a question about the economy — often cited as the top issue for voters. But the discussion that followed was notably light on economic policy. So, can the state of the economy swing this election? And, we’ll get into more takeaways from the big debate. Plus, are run clubs and grocery stores the new dating apps for singles?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Harris-Trump debate takeaways: Clashes on race, abortion, economy” from AP News
• “Fact-checking Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s 1st presidential debate” from ABC News
• “Trump “less inclined” to do another debate with Harris” from Axios
• “First it was childless cat ladies. Now it’s eating cats. How the topic led to ‘ALF’ memes” from Yahoo News
• “Love on Aisle 9? A TikTok Fad Fills Grocery Stores With Singles.” from The New York Times
• “Run clubs in NYC have just become another oversaturated dating market, singles say” from NBC News

Kimberly Adams is headed to the Mile High City. Join us for a live panel discussion on the singles economy Sept. 23. in Denver. Use promo code “SMART” for a special discount on your ticket. We hope to see you there.

Throughout the 2024 election campaign, voters kept saying the economy felt bad, even though it looked good on paper. A new report blames that disconnect on the way the government measures the economy — sending economic circles abuzz! We’ll explain what the tizzy is all about. Plus, is the Senate confirmation process for federal officials still useful? And, we’ll smile about the adorableness that is the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Voters Were Right About the Economy. The Data Was Wrong.” from Politico
• Article 2 Section 2 Clause 2 | Constitution Annotated from the Library of Congress
• “Tulsi Gabbard confirmed by Senate as director of national intelligence” from The Washington Post
• “Best of 2025 Masters Agility Championships from Westminster Kennel Club” from Fox Sports
• “In pictures: The 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show” from CNN
• “A Spa Day for Louis Before the Westminster Dog Show” from The New York Times
• “Westminster 2025 Preview: Why Can’t Golden Retrievers Win Best in Show?” from The New York Times

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Is Elon Musk’s control of government offices as an unelected official a coup? Lots of people seem to think so. We’ll explain why. Plus, another potential government shutdown is looming and it may work in Democrats’ favor. And, one surprisingly effective (and protein-rich) way food insecurity in Pennsylvania is being addressed.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “What the Black Hawk Pilots Could See, Just Before the Crash” by The New York Times

• “Shutdown fears grow as Trump battles multiply” by The Hill

• “‘We would call it a coup’: Watchdogs and Dems attack Elon Musk Treasury Department takeover” from USA Today

• “The ‘Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly’ of the United States Government” by The Atlantic

• “Elon Musk’s Power Grab Is Lawless, Dangerous, and—Yes—a Coup” from Slate

• “The Guardian view on Donald Trump’s power grab: a coup veiled by chaos” by The Guardian

• “Processing Deer to Eliminate Food Insecurity” by the Daily Yonder

Got a question or comment for us? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

General Electric is breaking up! The megacorporation is splintering off into three separate companies. We’ll get into what that means for one of America’s biggest industrial conglomerates. Also, guest host Amy Scott joins us to discuss the dangers of humanitarian work in times of war. And dynamic pricing is coming for checked luggage. We’ll get smart (and angry!) about airline baggage fees.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “José Andrés: Let People Eat” from The New York Times

• • “Israel-Hamas war: Aid group halts delivery in Gaza after Israeli strike” from The Associated Press

• • “How José Andrés and World Central Kitchen Became Leaders in Disaster Aid” from The New York Times

• • “We Feed People” documentary from National Geographic

• •  “With GE’s split, the last chapter of the Jack Welch era is over” from Axios

• • “JetBlue’s new checked bag fees now depend on the day” from CNN

• • “Why do airlines charge so much for checked bags? This obscure rule helps explain why” from The Conversation

• • “For families that need the most help, child care costs are about to drop” from The 19th

• • “Column: Disneyland is ditching gas cars at Autopia. It’s a great first step for Tomorrowland” from the Los Angeles Times

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.

Kai Ryssdal takes over the mic today as he digs into the U.S. military’s climate change paradox. While the military is fueling the climate crisis, it’s also on the frontlines of the fallout. It’s an issue that hits home for Kai, a Navy veteran. And it’s all part of the latest season of Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast, “How We Survive.” Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

It’s official, folks. Over the weekend, President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris stepped in. Some are pointing out similarities between VP Harris’ eleventh-hour candidacy and the “glass cliff effect,” when a woman is put in a position of leadership to fix a company in crisis. We’ll get into it and fill you in on how the Harris campaign is leaning into memes to attract the Gen Z vote. Plus, gaps in China’s newly released economic plans leave questions about the country’s ability to turn things around.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Heat pumps, EV chargers and more: U.S. unveils $4.3 billion in local climate funds” from The Washington Post
• “When That Job Promotion Is Really a ‘Glass Cliff'” from The New York Times
• “China’s Long Blueprint for Economy Falls Short on Details, Raising Concerns” from The Wall Street Journal
• “What coconut trees and Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ have to do with Kamala Harris” from The Washington Post
• “What is Kamala Harris’ ‘brat’ rebrand all about?” from BBC News
• “Brat campaign: Harris team swiftly embraces Gen Z memes about VP” from Axios

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

News outlets aren’t mincing words about the offensive and racist remarks featured at former President Donald Trump’s rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday. We’ll talk about the media backlash to the event, which was intended to be a part of Trump’s closing argument against Vice President Kamala Harris. Then, we discuss reports of ballot drop boxes on fire and give tips on how to ride out the last few days before Election Day. Plus, a story that has us waltzing through our emotions.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Hundreds of Ballots Damaged in Drop-Box Fire in Washington State” from Bloomberg

• “No More Euphemisms: Media Gets Real on Trump’s MSG Hate Rally” from Parker Molloy on Substack

• Post about the 2024 U.S. presidential election’s impact on Europe from Benjamin Haddad on X

• “Hear a Chopin Waltz Unearthed After Nearly 200 Years” from The New York Times

We can’t do this show without you. Send us your questions, comments or wild suggestions at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART!

This year’s Supreme Court decision season has been a busy one, and it’s not over yet. We’ll get into the court’s leaked opinion on emergency abortions and two other expected decisions that have the business world watching. Plus, another round of Cybertruck recalls and why it’s fine to keep referring to X as Twitter (per one Supreme Court justice).

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Supreme Court Poised to Allow Idaho Emergency Abortions: Exclusive” from Bloomberg
• “Trump’s immunity, Jan. 6, abortion: The Supreme Court’s most controversial decisions are about to drop” from Politico
• “What would Congress do without Chevron deference?” from Roll Call
• “Tesla recalls every Cybertruck again” from Mashable
• “Tesla is recalling the Cybertruck again, this time because a piece can fly off” from CNN
• Tweet from John Shelton about the Supreme Court and the X/Twitter name debacle
• Your donation powers the journalism you rely on. Give today to support “Make Me Smart.”

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 CEO of Klarna, the by now, pay later service, said the company plans to cut its workforce dramatically by opting not to replace workers when they quit and instead use artificial intelligence to fill in the gaps. We’ll get into it. And, Nvidia’s earnings that beat analysts’ expectations didn’t impress everybody. Plus, we’ll unpack the Justice Department’s new lawsuit against a rent-setting software company, and celebrate a win for the American wheelchair rugby team.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Klarna: AI lets us cut thousands of jobs – but pay more” from BBC News
• “Nvidia reports 122% revenue growth on surging demand for data center chips” from CNBC
• “How one company transformed the apartment rental market” from Axios
• “Chuck Aoki dominates, Sarah Adam makes history as USA Wheelchair Rugby holds off Canada | NBC Sports” from NBC Sports
• “Paralympic wheelchair rugby or ‘murderball’ isn’t for the faint of heart” 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 read the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last meeting so you don’t have to! Kai Ryssdal explains why an interest rate cut in September is looking more and more likely. Plus, how the Ozempic boom is changing the cost of workplace insurance plans. And, Chicago’s hottest dance club is at the … Democratic National Convention?!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee” from the Federal Reserve

• • “Workplace insurance could soon be stripped down” from Axios

• • “The FTC’s noncompete agreements ban is blocked” from The Verge

• • “The DNC roll call featured a musical salute to each state. Here’s what your state chose” from NPR

• • “‘Crowd’ size 📏 “ from Politico

Kimberly Adams is headed to Denver on Sept. 23 for a live Marketplace event all about the economics of being single! You can find details about it here.

In June, global temperatures had surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for 12 months straight, encroaching on the goal set in the Paris climate accord. We’ll explain why scientists use 1.5 degrees as a key benchmark and why it’s important to have hard conversations about climate change. Then, we’ll get into an investigation revealing how insurers profited from false diagnoses of Medicare patients. And, a billion-dollar donation to a medical school and new developments in textile recycling make us smile.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “In a troubling milestone, Earth surpasses 1.5 degrees C of warming for 12 consecutive months” from LA Times
• “June 2024 marks 12th month of global temperature reaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial” from Copernicus
• “Burning Questions: What’s the deal with 1.5 degrees?” from Marketplace
• “‘We’re Not Dead Yet.’ Baby Boomers’ Good Times Drive the Economy.” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Insurers Pocketed $50 Billion From Medicare for Diseases No Doctor Treated” from The Wall Street Journal
• “How the Journal Analyzed Medicare Advantage Data” from The Wall Street Journal
• “Why scientists think they may finally have found a way to recycle clothes” from The Washington Post
• “Johns Hopkins to offer free medical school tuition from $1 billion Bloomberg Philanthropies grant” from The Baltimore Banner
• “$1 Billion Donation Will Provide Free Tuition at a Bronx Medical School” from The New York Times

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.

Today, we’re talking earthquakes! First, our East Coast-based hosts react to the shaking on their side of the country. Then, we’ll examine how earthquake preparedness in Taiwan saved lives and prevented a big problem for the global tech economy. Later, we’ll weigh in on restoring blue check marks on X, New York earthquake memes and solar eclipse tourism in a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Taiwan’s earthquake preparedness saved a lot of lives — and prevented a catastrophe for the global tech economy” from Vox

• • “It’s not just you. Here’s why pollen allergies are worse than ever” from CNN

• • “FDA to Drop Ban on Sperm Donations From Gay and Bisexual Men” from The Wall Street Journal

• • “America has a Black sperm donor shortage. Black women are paying the price.” from The Washington Post

• • “Elon Musk’s X restores free blue check marks. Here’s what it means.” from The Washington Post

• • “Why demand for jeans persists across the decades” from Marketplace

• • “Why multigenerational households are making a comeback in a big way” from Marketplace

• • “X becomes ‘earthquake Twitter’ as users flood site with memes and jokes” from NBC News

• • “How much are you spending for the eclipse? Here’s what Americans are saying” from Fox 10 Phoenix

• • “Countdown to the total solar eclipse: How it will unfold, play by play” 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.

A new contender has entered the podcast landscape: wait, is that California Governor Gavin Newsom? His show features a surprisingly conservative guest list, including MAGA stars Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk. Kai and Kimberly break down the fourth wall and discuss whether there’s value in platforming guests who hold a different set of values. Plus, more federal layoffs took place this past week, this time in the U.S. Department of Education and its civil rights division. Then, the hosts get smiley about rescue dogs in a sled dog race (thanks, Abigail!) and the birds in Kai’s neighborhood.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• • “Gavin Newsom Finds Some Surprising Common Ground With Steve Bannon” from The New York Times

• • “Massive Layoffs at the Department of Education Erode Its Civil Rights Division” by ProPublica

• • “U.S. Department of Education Launches “End DEI” Portal” from the U.S. Department of Education

• • “This Iditarod musher is racing with mostly rescue dogs from Alaska shelters” from Alaska Public Media

• • Kai’s been using Merlin Bird ID from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to identify birds in his neighborhood

• • Meanwhile, Kimberly’s uses the Seek app to help her tell the difference between weeds and plants in her garden

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today we’re sharing an excerpt from our live show at WBUR CitySpace in Boston featuring our special guest, historian Heather Cox Richardson. (Check out the first part of our live show here.) Richardson, a professor at Boston College, talked with us about the high stakes of this year’s election, how the economy is woven into political narratives, and what we can do to protect the health of our democracy. Plus, she shares what she had wrong about hummingbirds.

Where should “Make Me Smart” go next? Let us know at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Almost half of adults in the U.S. are single. But so many of our economic policies and financial systems, from homeownership to retirement planning, cater to couples. Today’s episode is an excerpt from a Marketplace live show in Denver, hosted by “Make Me Smart” co-host Kimberly Adams, on the economics of being single. Kimberly is joined by a panel of experts who break down the financial challenges (and perks) of living the single life, and the power of pushing back against the societal pressures to pair up.

On today’s edition of Economics on Tap, we’ll get into some news while toasting the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics. First, Kimberly teaches us how to make an Olympic torch cocktail (complete with a real flame)! And, we’ll play a Paris Games-themed round of This or That. But first, a discussion of the history of women’s sportswear at the Olympic Games and Boeing’s Starliner crew (still) stuck in space.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “50 days after launch to ISS, Boeing Starliner astronauts still have no landing date” from Space
• “Olympic athletes are approaching the limits of human performance” from The Washington Post
• “From Corsets to Singlets, the Olympics Have Driven the Evolution of Women’s Sportswear” from Smithsonian magazine
• “How Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky does what no one else does. Every day.” from The Washington Post
• “The Double Kick” from 99% Invisible
• “Today, Explained podcast” from Vox

Keep sending us your Olympic-themed cocktail ideas. Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Kai and Kimberly host our weekly happy hour episode, “Economics on Tap,” live from the stage of WBUR CitySpace in Boston. We’ll dive into the biggest headlines making waves this week while sipping on our favorite drinks. Plus, Drew joins the stage to host a round of our favorite game, Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “‘Washington Post’ won’t endorse in White House race for first time since 1980s” from NPR
• “Exclusive: Europe seeks to underpin Russia sanctions, fearing Trump overhaul” from Reuters
• “German finance minister warns of retaliation if U.S. kicks off trade war” from CNBC
• “American Airlines Cracks Down on ‘Gate Lice’ With New Boarding System” from The New York Times
• “Axiom Space, Prada Unveil Spacesuit Design for Moon Return” from Axiom Space
• “Every Yankees vs. Dodgers World Series matchup in two charts” from CNN
• “Salem Mayor predicts another record-breaking year of Halloween tourism” from WBUR News
• Tweet from Tyler Perry at a Harris campaign rally
• “Last-minute Boston-themed Halloween costumes” from WBUR

We can’t do this show without you. Send us your questions, comments or wild suggestions at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART!