Make Me Smart

It's Day 28 of the government shutdown, and lawmakers still aren't budging on the budget. But Congress faces key deadlines this week: Funds for assistance programs like SNAP could run out, and Americans may see their healthcare premiums skyrocket as open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans begins Nov. 1. On today's show, Kimberly unpacks what's at stake with CQ Roll Call reporter Aris Folley. Plus, we'll answer some of your questions along the way.Here's everything we talked about today: ”6 ways the shutdown is about to get worse” from Politico ”Largest federal workers union calls for an end to the shutdown, putting pressure on Democrats” from NBC ”Government shutdown continues to add to stress on air traffic controllers and disrupt flights” from AP News ”As Shutdown Drags and Trump Flexes, Congress Cedes Its Relevance” from the New York TimesWe want to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Hey Smarties! Today we're sharing another episode from the latest season of “How We Survive,” Marketplace's climate solutions podcast. Host Amy Scott and the “How We Survive” crew continue their exploration into the future of climate-conscious food with a look at the cutting edge of meat alternatives. Plus, Francis Lam, host of “The Splendid Table,” joins Amy to put cell cultivated meat to the test and shares some tips for cooking climate-friendly proteins.

Chicago has been dealing with a lot these days. The city has been a battleground for the Trump administration's immigration crackdown and efforts to deploy the National Guard. On today's show, Kimberly asks WBEZ's Sasha-Ann Simons about what it's like to be there now. And, we'll get into more economic stories from the Windy City you should know about. Plus, we'll play a game of Half Full/Half Empty!Here's everything we talked about today:"ICE Is Cracking Down on Chicago. Some Chicagoans Are Fighting Back." from The New York Times"Local leaders react to ‘brutal escalation' of immigration arrests in Little Village, Cicero" from WBEZ"Judge's order blocking National Guard deployment will remain in effect for now, but all eyes on Supreme Court" from WBEZ"Coca-Cola taps mini cans and new flavors to spark a fizzling soda market" from Marketplace"‘It's PR, not the ER': Gen Z is resisting the workplace emergency" The Washington Post"Netflix's ‘Stranger Things' Series Finale Officially Coming to Theaters, Despite Previous Statements" from The Hollywood Reporter"Amazon Plans to Replace More Than Half a Million Jobs With Robots" from The New York Times We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The climate crisis has a lot to do with what we eat. That's what the latest season of Marketplace's climate solutions podcast “How We Survive” is all about. On today's show, host Amy Scott joins Kimberly to share her big takeaways from the season. We'll get into the business of cell cultivated meat and the tradeoffs that come with regenerative farming. Then, we'll do some smiles. Plus, Kimberly's PSA to use your fancy china!Here's everything we talked about today:"How We Survive" from Marketplace"State of Climate Action 2025" from Systems Change Lab"I paid $65 for a giant collection of vintage dishes at a thrift store. Then I found out it's worth almost $1,000." from Business InsiderJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Hey Smarties! Today we're passing the mic to our friends over at “How We Survive.” This season, Marketplace's climate solutions podcast is diving into the future of food on a hotter, drier planet. In this episode, host Amy Scott and the “How We Survive” crew go on a food tour around Northern California to find out how some companies are experimenting with new ways to make foods threatened by climate change.

Today we're taking a trip to Kimberly's hometown: St. Louis, Missouri. St. Louis Public Radio's politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum joins Kimberly to break down the fights over Missouri's congressional maps and voter-led ballot initiatives. And, we'll get into how St. Louis is recovering from the historic tornado that swept through the city earlier this year. Plus, are you Half Full or Half Empty on St. Louis style pizza?Here's everything we talked about today:"Democratic National Committee will contribute to blocking Missouri congressional map" from STLPR"Missouri voters and lawmakers clash over ballot initiative powers" from AP News"Missouri Gov. Kehoe activates National Guard to assist ICE agents" from STLPR"FEMA approves additional funding and assistance for St. Louis tornado debris cleanup" from STLPR"Should you postpone your flight during the government shutdown?" from Marketplace"Thune dangles Obamacare vote after shutdown ends" from Politico "Thin-Crust Fans, Meet St. Louis Pizza: Crunchy, Cheesy, and Totally Underrated" from Serious EatsWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

In this rough labor market, job seekers are more vulnerable to scams. We've all seen those texts, right? The ones offering jobs with suspiciously high pay for suspiciously little work? On today's show, Marketplace's Kristin Schwab joins Kimberly to share what happened when she replied to one of these scam messages. Plus, why AI and the shift to remote work has fueled the rise in job scams.Here's everything we talked about today:"Job scam texts have become more frequent and more believable" from Marketplace"Who experiences scams? A story for all ages" from the Federal Trade Commission"Job Scam Texts Are Duping Gen Z, Millennials Amid Unemployment Fears" from Business InsiderJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

The effects of government shutdowns are felt particularly deeply in tribal communities across the United States. That's because the federal government has a constitutional obligation to fund services in Indian Country. But when the government closes, tribal nations are left to pick up the tab. Marketplace's Savannah Peters joins Kimberly to explain how tribal communities get caught up in the federal government's dysfunctional budget process and why tribal leaders argue this needs to change.Here's everything we talked about today:"How the government shutdown is playing out in Indian Country" from Marketplace "Tribal governments fend off the worst of the impacts of the shutdown" from High Country News "The shutdown isn't big for Utah's tribes yet. If it drags on, that's the problem" from KUER "In Indian Country, federal budget dysfunction takes a toll" from MarketplaceWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

On today's show, Kimberly is joined by the host of NPR's “Life Kit” podcast, Marielle Segarra, who's recently been working on a four-week newsletter series all about credit card debt — and how to avoid it all snowballing. Plus, we'll play a round of Headline or Head-lyin'!Here's everything we talked about today:“In credit card debt? There's a path out” from Life Kit“Medical bills can cause a financial crisis. Here's how to negotiate them” from Life Kit“A big misconception about debt — and how to tackle it” from Life Kit

Today we're all getting smarter about some of the economic and political terms dominating the headlines these days. Terms like “authoritarianism” and “state capitalism” that have been hotly debated during the second Trump administration. Plus, “stagflation” and other vocabulary words our listeners have been curious about. With some help from experts, Kimberly breaks them all down. Here's everything we talked about today:"Why journalists are reluctant to call Trump an authoritarian – and why that matters for democracy" from The Conversation"What do we call the Trump administration's economic interventions?" from Marketplace"The U.S. Marches Toward State Capitalism With American Characteristics" from The Wall Street Journal"Trump's Latest Trade Deals Raise More Questions Than Answers and Harm America's Future" from the Center for American Progress"Supreme Court Agrees to Review Trump's Sprawling Tariffs" from The New York Times"What Is Stagflation, What Causes It, and Why Is It Bad?" from Investopedia"Are Donald Trump's tariffs the new sanctions?" from Stanford UniversityJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

A growing list of U.S. cities are set to see National Guard troops in their communities as President Trump explores ways to deploy the military on American soil. But legal challenges are piling up. On today's show, Kimberly talks with Patrick Eddington, senior fellow in homeland security and civil liberties at the Cato Institute, about the changing role of the National Guard and why Trump's use of the Guard defies precedent.Here's everything we talked about today:"The President's List of Subversive Organizations" from the Cato Institute"Trump's use of Guard may have lasting impact on cities and troops" from The Washington Post"Trump's use of the National Guard sets up a legal clash testing presidential power" from AP News"Troops and marines deeply troubled by LA deployment: ‘Morale is not great'" from The Guardian"What We Lose by Distorting the Mission of the National Guard" from The AtlanticWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

On today's show, Kimberly is joined by Marketplace's very own Henry Epp to chat about his reporting on the “maturing” of the craft beer industry, and just who's sipping all those IPAs and sours. They'll also get into how the Trump administration is using the government shutdown to consolidate power. Plus, we'll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here's everything we talked about today:“For years, craft beer was booming. Now, it's ‘maturing'” from Marketplace“Trump charts path to total control amid government shutdown” from Axios“AOL's dial up internet takes its last bow, marking the end of an era” from the Associated Press“Colleges turn to video essays to counter AI-written submissions” from Marketplace Tech“Robots are learning to make human babies. Twenty have already been born.” from The Washington Post“Buy it in ChatGPT: Instant Checkout and the Agentic Commerce Protocol” from OpenAI“The future of loyalty” from Business Insider

Messy fights over funding the federal government have become all too familiar in American politics. Why are we like this? On the show today, The Brookings Institution's Molly Reynolds joins Kimberly to explain how shutdowns became Congress' political weapon of choice and why the federal budget process has gotten even more complicated under the Trump administration. Plus, we hear from you, our dear listeners.Here's everything we talked about today:"Congress has long struggled to pass spending bills on time" from Pew Research Center"Government shutdown continues as Senate Democrats hold firm on health care demands" from AP News"How John Thune sees the shutdown ending" from Politico"What are Democrats' demands in the government shutdown fight?" from MarketplaceShow your love for Make Me Smart and our community of curious listeners! Donate now to get us one step closer to our Fall Fundraiser

Las Vegas is facing a months long decline in tourism, partly due fewer international visitors to the United States overall. So is Las Vegas dead? “Marketplace Morning Report” host David Brancaccio went to find out. He joins Kimberly on the show today to share what he's hearing from business owners and tourists about the city's economic slump. Here's everything we talked about today:"Sin City tourism slump signals wider economic slowdown" from Axios"An Empty Strip And Fewer Tips: Is Las Vegas In Trouble?" from Time"Las Vegas is hurting as tourism drops. Are Canadians behind the Sin City slump?" from CBC NewsThe way forward is together! Step up and be one of 2,000 Marketplace Investors before our fundraiser ends Friday. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Hey Smarties! Today we're sharing a special bonus episode from “How We Survive.” It's a conversation between host Amy Scott, “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal and Pulitzer Prize winning science writer Elizabeth Kolbert. Together, they dig into how the climate crisis is triggering economic disruption. Plus, some solutions to be hopeful about.And, we get a peek into Kolbert's forthcoming book, ”Life on a Little-Known Planet: Dispatches from a Changing World.” In this collection of her most influential essays, Kolbert takes readers around the globe, telling stories about caterpillars, whale conversations and the people trying to preserve our planet.This conversation was recorded live, over Zoom, in front of an audience. You can watch the webinar here. The event is presented by Odoo with additional underwriting support from The Economist. 

On today's show, Alaska Public Media reporter Ava White joins Kimberly to make us smarter about Fat Bear Week and the issues that are top of mind for Alaskans right now. Alaska residents receive an annual check funded by the state's oil royalties. But its purchasing power is lower than ever. We'll get into it. Plus, we'll weigh in on AI live translations and a rise in Hamburger Helper sales during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here's everything we talked about today:"Meet the superfans going wild for Alaska's fattest bears" from Alaska Public Media"Alaska ignored warning signs of a budget crisis. Now it doesn't have money to fix crumbling schools" from KYUK”The 2025 Alaska Permanent Fund dividend will be $1,000” from Alaska Public Media"North Slope leaders applaud tax breaks for whalers in the GOP megabill” from KNBA"Why are restaurant chains opening beverage-focused spinoffs?" from Marketplace"AI is taking on live translations. But jobs and meaning are getting lost." from The Washington Post"Touchscreens in cars are finally on their way out. Good riddance" from Fast Company"Hamburger Helper Sales Rise as Americans Try to Stretch Their Food Dollars" from The New York TimesIt's Half-Priced Hoodie Weekend! Give $10 a month to support our journalism today, and we'll thank you with a cozy Marketplace zip-up hoodie: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Today we're diving into the business of music. Trapital founder Dan Runcie joins Kimberly to explain what Anthropic's recent copyright settlement with authors could mean for record labels who've sued AI companies, the “fair use” debates dominating the music industry, and why even the biggest stars are struggling to create chart-toppers these days. Plus, we'll celebrate a win from one of our listeners.Here's everything we talked about today:"The Generative AI Music Sweepstakes" from Trapital "Anthropic Agrees to Pay Authors at Least $1.5 Billion in AI Copyright Settlement" from Wired"Labels Claim Suno Pirated Songs From YouTube in Bulked-Up AI Copyright Lawsuit" from Billboard"YouTube copyright fight: Rick Beato warns UMG claims over short music clips could end his channel" from TechSpot TikTok from Lizzo"Kneecap, Faye Webster & 400 Other Artists Remove Their Catalogs From Israel: ‘No Music for Genocide'" from Billboard Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

President Trump is not a fan of the United Nations—he made that clear in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly today. Under Trump, the United States has pulled back from several efforts, including U.N. organizations, that have contributed to the country's so-called soft power goals. On the show today, Joshua Eisenman, professor of politics in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, joins Kimberly to discuss the changing role of the U.S. in global politics and how China is seizing this moment to gain more influence.Here's everything we talked about today:"Trump tells UN in speech that it is 'not even coming close to living up' to its potential" from AP News"Geopolitics of Trump Tariffs: How U.S. Trade Policy Has Shaken Allies" from Council on Foreign Relations"How China Stands to Gain as the U.S. Steps Away From the U.N." from The New York Times"The Global South Won't Give Up on China" from Foreign RelationsIt's Marketplace's Fall Fundraiser! Give now and be one of 2,000 donors in 10 days: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

On today's show, Kimberly is joined by Marlon Hyde, business and economics reporter for WABE in Atlanta, to unpack the fallout of the massive ICE raid at a Hyundai facility in Georgia in which hundreds of South Korean nationals were arrested. And, we'll get into what Atlanta small business owners are worried about these days. (Spoiler: it's tariffs.) Plus, we'll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here's everything we talked about today:"Immigration raid at Georgia Hyundai factory tests state's longstanding relationship with South Korea" from WABE"Hyundai says it will spend $2.7 billion expanding part of the Georgia complex raided by ICE" from AP News"Atlanta develops human rights action plan for 2026 FIFA World Cup" from WABE"After another subpar summer of going to the movies, what's next?" from Marketplace"Finally, the era of free in-flight WiFi is near" from The Washington Post"Costco's New Shopping Hours Are a Sign of Tierification of US Economy" from Business Insider "People are boycotting Disney, Hulu, and ESPN after ABC yanked Jimmy Kimmel off the air. Will it work?" from Fast CompanyWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

This week, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates and made it clear that its attention is turning to the labor market. It's showing cracks, particularly for Black workers. On the show today, Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley joins Kimberly to discuss rising Black women's unemployment in the United States and why she's calling on the Fed to do something about it. Plus, Kimberly digs through your anime recs. Which ones have you seen?Here's everything we talked about today:"Pressley urges Fed chair to address Black women's unemployment as the figure rises" from NBC News"There are worrying signs buried in the August jobs report" from Marketplace "Rising Unemployment Among Black Women Is a Bad Economic Sign" from Time"Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle slays the U.S. box office with record-breaking debut" from PolygonJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

The latest retail sales data shows U.S. consumers are still spending it up, even in the face of higher tariff costs and a shaky labor market. Wealthier Americans are driving the trend, but a “culture of treats” might also play a role. Marketplace's Kristin Schwab joins Kimberly to explain her theory. Plus, brands like Gap are pitching themselves to Gen Z by riffing on Y2K fashion. Are you onboard?Here's everything we talked about today:"Retail sales up 0.6% in August from July even as tariffs hurt jobs and lead to price hikes" from AP News"Top 10% of Earners Drive a Growing Share of US Consumer Spending" from Bloomberg "For some consumers, luxury is not a treat — it's a lifestyle" from Marketplace "Why are millennial brands trying to ride the Y2K trend?" from Marketplace"Why Gap's ‘Better In Denim' Ad Struck The Right Chord" from ForbesWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Today's news comes with a side of pawpaws. Kimberly is joined by Laura Blessing, senior fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University, to break down the moves President Trump is making to exert more control over government spending. As Congress faces the possibility of another shutdown head on, it's souring the mood. Plus, we'll play a new game! Can you guess which headline is fake?Here's everything we talked about today:"What is a pawpaw, and will I ever be able to buy it at the grocery store?" from Marketplace"‘Don't even bother dealing with them,' Trump says of Democrats' shutdown demands" from Politico"What to know about Trump's ‘pocket rescission'" from The Hill "Paris Hilton mini-fridges recalled due to fire, burn hazards" from The Hill  "Musk got DOGE's mission "backward," Lutnick says" from Axios  "Trump announces crackdown on pharmaceutical advertising" from Politico We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

In the wake of yesterday's assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Regina Bateson, a political science professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, joins Kimberly to unpack the rise of targeted political violence in the United States and what it means for the health of our democracy. Then, one of our listeners shares how digitizing her great grandmother's WWII diaries helped connect her with her family's past.Here's everything we talked about today:"A new dark normal of political violence still shocks the nation" Politico "Tracking Attitudes About Elections and Political Violence Over Time" from States United Democracy Center"How Americans Justify Political Violence" from The New York Times Magazine "Special Report: Key Political Violence and Resilience Trends From 2024" from the Bridging Divides Initiative Check out Beth's digitized diary project Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

On today's show, host of APM Reports' “Sold a Story” podcast Emily Hanford joins Kimberly to make us smarter about the science of reading movement. It's gained a foothold over the past few years (thanks in part to “Sold a Story”). But the Trump administration's cuts to the Department of Education could slow the momentum of reading research and the effort to share it with educators.Here's everything we talked about today:"Episode 14: The Cuts" from “Sold a Story”"$900 Million in Institute of Education Sciences Contracts Axed" from Inside Higher Ed"How legislation on reading instruction is changing across the country" from APM Reports"What to Know About the Science of Reading" from The New York TimesLearn some Kimberly Adams trivia on Marketplace's InstagramWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Hey Smarties! Today we're sharing an episode from the latest season of “How We Survive,” Marketplace's climate solutions podcast. Host Amy Scott and the team have been digging into the rise and fall of environmental, social and governance-based investing, or ESG. In this episode, ESG comes back to life in new forms of climate-conscious investing.

Hey Smarties! Today we're passing the mic to our friends over at “How We Survive,” Marketplace's climate solutions podcast. Their latest season digs into the rise and fall of environmental, social and governance-based investing, or ESG. In this episode, host Amy Scott and the team dig into how one Texas law spurred a right-wing movement against ESG.

Hey Smarties! “Make Me Smart” will be back with new episodes Sept. 9. In the meantime, we're sharing an episode from the latest season of “Million Bazillion.” Hosts Bridget and Ryan dive into why organic food tends to cost more than non-organic with the help of Marketplace reporter Stephanie Hughes. Whether you're a kid or grown-up, if you're curious about the prices we pay at the grocery store, there's something in this episode for you.

These are tumultuous times in the economy. Inflation is still happening, the job market is weakening, and there's uncertainty over tariffs and other federal policies. But the headlines don't capture the real costs of everything happening right now. Today, Kai Ryssdal is popping into your feed with special coverage and reporting from “Marketplace" to explore the way we measure this economy and what's at stake if those statistics become suspect.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

On the show today, Kimberly joins us from the anime convention AnimeNYC to share more about the economic impact of the anime industry and what cosplayers and business owners are saying about the economy right now. Spoiler alert: Tariffs are top of mind! And, we'll weigh in on corporate apologies and the spicy food craze during a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Plus, a big thank you to Reema as she wraps up her time on the show.Here's everything we talked about today:"10 anime series that will teach you about economics" from Marketplace"Here's the corporate strategy behind switching from merit increases to flat raises" from Marketplace"The era of the public apology is ending" from Axios"Amazon now sells used Hertz rental cars" from The Verge"How spicy became the hottest flavor in town" from Marketplace"Money and Relationships" e-book from Marketplace“Make Me Smart” will be back Sept. 9. Until then, leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise again, and the federal guidelines for who should get vaccinated are in flux. We'll unpack how it could impact what insurers are willing to cover this fall. And, as President Trump's federal takeover of Washington D.C. continues, why is the city so quiet? Kimberly shares her take as a local. Plus, The Onion is proving that print publications can still thrive in the digital age.Here's everything we talked about today:"Why Washington Residents Aren't Flooding the Streets to Protest Trump" from Politico  "Top White House officials turn to public appearances with troops as a tense Washington watches" from AP News"JD Vance booed during hamburger handout to national guard troops in DC" from The Guardian "Trump's police takeover of DC has a surprising casualty: restaurant reservations" from Fortune"Will I Be Able to Get the New 2025 COVID Vaccine This Fall?" from The Cut "For some, fall Covid shots may come with copays — or no coverage at all" from NBC News"The Onion Brought Back Its Print Edition. The Gamble Is Paying Off." from The Wall Street JournalDon't miss Kimberly's anime recommendations in this week's Marketplace newsletter. Sign up at marketplace.org/subscribe.

Ahead of the central bank's big meeting in Jackson Hole this week, President Trump is ramping up pressure on the Federal Reserve, calling for Fed governor Lisa Cook to resign over accusations of fraud. We'll get into it. And, SpaceX got a win in federal court that could have lasting effects on the power of the National Labor Relations Board. Plus, what makes a good life?"Appeals court says NLRB structure unconstitutional, in a win for SpaceX" from Tech Crunch"The Government Just Made it Harder for The Public to Comment on Regulations" from 404 Media"Trump Says Smithsonian Focuses Too Much on ‘How Bad Slavery Was'" from The New York Times"Trump Considers Firing Fed Official After Accusation of Mortgage Fraud" from The Wall Street Journal"There's a path to a good life beyond happiness and meaning" from The Washington Post We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Over the past few years, the anime industry has reached new heights on the global stage. Netflix reported that over half of its global viewers watch anime. And, certain anime titles will soon be streaming on Delta flights. On the show today, Anime News Networks' Egan Loo makes us smart about the rise of the anime and manga industries, the global dynamics of anime production, and how AI could change everything. Later, we'll get some advice on making a career change from a listener. And chess player-turned-economist Kenneth Rogoff answers the Make Me Smart question.Here's everything we talked about today:"Anime Is Booming. So Why Are Animators Living in Poverty?" from The New York Times"From Piracy Problems to Labor Shortages, the Anime Industry Is Facing a Reckoning" from Screen Rant"Thousands of Anime Titles Will Soon Be Streamable on Delta Flights" from Timeout"Sony's Crunchyroll Makes Layoffs as It Restructures to Lean Into International Growth Markets" from Variety"The Biggest Movie You Haven't Seen Is Finally Coming To US Theaters" from Inverse  "How Korean webtoons are changing the comic industry—and the careers of creators" from Fast CompanyDon't miss Kimberly's anime recommendations in this week's Marketplace newsletter. Sign up at marketplace.org/subscribe.

Republicans in Congress are attempting to claw back federal funding to replace the U.S. Postal Service's outdated mail trucks with a mostly electric fleet. We'll break down the fight. And, parents across the country are facing a slew of economic headwinds. How does a couple with 5 kids and a modest income make it work? Plus, a mysterious comet and a rebrand at MSNBC.Here's everything we talked about today:"Republicans look to make a U-turn on federal commitment to electric vehicles for the Postal Service" from AP News"Senate Republicans cannot force US Postal Service to scrap EVs, parliamentarian says" from Reuters "What It's Really Like to Support a Big Family on a Modest Income in America" from The Wall Street Journal "MSNBC to change name to MS NOW amid spinoff from NBCUniversal" from NBC News"A mysterious comet is shooting through our solar system. Why are scientists so excited about 3I/Atlas?" from The Guardian We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has plans to nearly double the number of its immigration detention centers by the end of the year. The agency has an enormous budget to carry out its agenda, but can it find enough workers to do the job? We'll get into it. And, we'll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here's everything we talked about today:"ICE documents reveal plan to double immigrant detention space this year" from The Washington Post"ICE Has Tons of Cash, But Is Struggling to Hire Enough Agents" from Time"Secretary Noem Unveils No Age Limit for Patriotic Americans to Join ICE Law Enforcement to Help Remove Worst of the Worst from U.S." from the Department of Homeland Security "Spike in Corruption Followed Last Hiring Surge at CBP and ICE" from American Immigration Council"Adjustable-rate mortgages make a comeback" from Marketplace"The White House makes a play for Intel" from Marketplace"Work weeks are getting more intense for AI startups" from Marketplace"LA 2028 Olympics to sell venue naming rights" from AxiosWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

It's not just you — we feel the bad vibes in the job market too. On the show today, we'll unpack how what we're hearing from those on the job hunt compares to what the data shows about a labor market slump. And, President Donald Trump says he wants to allow riskier assets like crypto and private equity investments in retirement accounts. Plus, mocktails make us smile.Here's everything we talked about today:"Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(K) Investors" from The White House"Should You Include Cryptocurrency in 401(k) Investments?" from AARP"Trump wants your 401(k) to access crypto and private equity. Here's what to know." from CBS News"Would you add crypto to your retirement portfolio?" from Marketplace"How do hiring sites deal with a slowing job market?" from Marketplace"Long-term unemployment is rising as uncertain businesses hold off on hiring" from MarketplaceWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Since President Trump's firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner over a weak jobs report, we've been thinking a lot about the trustworthiness of U.S. economic data. Other countries like China can offer a glimpse of what happens when that trust erodes. On the show today, Marketplace's China correspondent Jennifer Pak explains how she works around unreliable data when reporting on the Chinese economy. Plus, could the United States be headed in the same direction?Here's everything we talked about today:"12 million students in China will graduate this year into a shaky job market" from Marketplace"China says its unemployment rate is “stable,” but job seekers remain gloomy" from Marketplace "Is GDP still a useful gauge of China's economy?" from Marketplace"How Bad Is China's Economy? The Data Needed to Answer Is Vanishing" from The Wall Street Journal  "How to deal with untrustworthy government economic data? Look to China" from Marketplace"Trump taps Heritage economist to lead BLS" from PoliticoWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Today we're diving into some ongoing battles over athlete pay, from college athletics to the WNBA. In the case of college sports, a recent lawsuit settlement involving the NCAA allows colleges and universities to pay their athletes directly. On the show today, sports journalist Kennington Lloyd Smith III explains how college athlete pay has evolved, how the recent House v. NCAA settlement could strain athletic departments, and what could come from the WNBA players' current fight for more equitable pay. Plus, the sports private equity firms are eyeing.Then, we'll hear how one listener got involved in local government. Plus, Paralympic sled hockey gold medalist Declan Farmer answers the Make Me Smart question.Here's everything we talked about today:"How college athletes will be paid after House v. NCAA settlement: NIL changes, enforcement, contracts and more" from CBS Sports"Trump signs executive order to 'protect' college sports" from Politico "Down to Business: Valuations are wild, returns are rocky. But women's sports teams are in demand" from The Athletic "The WNBA Has a Good Problem on Its Hands" from The Atlantic "Private equity tees up to invest in youth sports" from Marketplace  "Travelers aren't big fans of TSA's facial recognition program, report finds" from Marketplace  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

President Trump today said he's temporarily taking over Washington's police department and sending in National Guard troops to crack down on crime. We'll get into the legal questions surrounding the move, and Kimberly shares her thoughts as a local. Plus, key inflation data set to come out this week could bring the impact of tariffs into clearer view. Then, we'll smile about meteor showers and beach glass.Here's everything we talked about today:"Trump says he's placing Washington police under federal control and deploying the National Guard" from AP News"Trump says crime in D.C. is out of control. Here's what the data shows." from The Washington Post "What Trump can — and can't — do in his bid to take over law enforcement in DC" from Politico  "Small Businesses Brace for the Punishing Side Effects of Trump's Tariffs" from The New York Times"July Inflation Data: What to Watch in Tuesday's CPI Report" from The Wall Street Journal "How to Watch the Perseids, the Strongest Meteor Shower of the Summer" from The New York TimesWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

President Trump will replace Billy Long as the head of the Internal Revenue Service, less than two months since he was confirmed. This comes after months of turmoil at the IRS. We'll explain. And, did you know could opt out of facial recognition software when going through airport security? Plus, we'll weigh in on Instagram's new map feature and more during a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here's everything we talked about today:"Trump Is Removing Billy Long as the I.R.S. Head 2 Months After He Was Confirmed" from The New York Times"The Comply To Fly?" from The Algorithmic Justice League"This wedding season, some couples are using their registries to give back" from Marketplace"Should buy now, pay later factor into credit scores?" from Marketplace"The New York Post is launching a California edition. Why?" from The Washington Post "Instagram Map lets your friends, and possibly exes, track your every move'" from The Washington PostTell us about your experience with TSA's facial recognition system. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Remember the K-shaped economy? It's the idea that the American economy recovered unevenly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week's bombshell jobs report showed a similar pattern in the labor market, where certain sectors are booming, while others are falling behind. We'll explain. And, we'll unpack President Trump's threats for a 100% tariff on semiconductors and the gap between what workers and employers want out of AI on the job. Plus, we'll celebrate a listener's career win!Here's everything we talked about today:"Tracking Trump's New Tariffs on Every Country" from The New York Times"Trump vows 100% tariff on chips, unless companies are building in the U.S." from CNBC"Employers Pull Back on Hiring as Uncertainty Weighs on Plans" from The New York Times"How much say do workers have over the tech employers make them use?" from Marketplace"Providing ChatGPT to the entire U.S. federal workforce" from OpenAI"What workers really want from AI" from Stanford Report We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Apple today plans to announce a new $100 billion investment aimed at boosting the compan's production in the United States. It's the latest in a string of moves by tech companies that could help maintain favor with the president and avoid tariffs. And, the Federal Aviation Administration wants to ease restrictions for drone package deliveries. We'll get into the pros and cons of more drone-friendly skies. Plus, the origins of Pac-Man and a funeral fit for an AI chatbot model.Here's everything we talked about today:"Federal Aviation Administration looks to expand drone package delivery" from ABC News"Video Shows Drone Rescuing Man During Flood in China" from The New York Times "Trump, Apple to Announce Fresh $100 Billion US Investment" from Bloomberg”Trump to Double India's Tariff to 50% Over Russian Oil Purchases” from The New York Times"'It's a reminder of childhood': How Pac-Man changed gaming - and the world" from BBC News"Claude Fans Threw a Funeral for Anthropic's Retired AI Model" from WiredWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The Trump administration has vowed to roll back all sorts of federal regulations, from workplace safety standards to environmental protections. State and local governments have faced pressure from the White House to comply with this agenda. And it's turned them into even more important battlegrounds in the regulatory wars. On the show today, Liane Jollon, executive director of Western Leaders Network, explains how local officials grapple with threats of funding cuts coming from the White House, and how you can get more involved in your state and local politics.Later, listeners share some love for public libraries. And, Steve Pierson, co-host of “The Practivist Pod,” answers the Make Me Smart question. Here's everything we talked about today:"States Ramping Up Regulations Amid Federal Pullback" from Forbes "Trump administration moves to repeal climate ‘holy grail'" from Politico"Texas House issues arrest warrants for Democrats who left state to block congressional redistricting" from The Texas Tribune"Donald Trump wants states and cities to do as they are told" from The Economist"The Documenters Network" from City Bureau We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.