Marketplace All-in-One

As climate change drives hotter, drier summers, vineyard owners have to adapt. They're turning to grape varietals more suited to warmer weather. Today, we take a trip to an Oregon vineyard and learn about its preparations for the new season. Also in this episode: Check-ins on the copper market and the barge industry. Plus, why investors are pulling out of private credit, and why labor productivity revisions aren't too shocking. And finally, FedEx is giving same-day delivery another shot.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.

Primary season for the 2026 midterm elections is underway. And the money from super PACs is already flowing. But how well is it working? On today's show, Kimberly talks with democratic strategist Tim Lim about how spending from outside groups is shaping this year's races so far and why strategists are waiting on the outcome of an under-the-radar Supreme Court case that could loosen the rules on how parties can coordinate with candidates.Here's everything we talked about today:"MAGA Inc.'s $300 Million War Chest Waits for Go-Ahead From Trump" from Bloomberg "Super PAC spending passes $200M, with some groups hiding their cause" from The Washington Post"Big-spending Democratic PACs see mixed results in Illinois" from Semafor"This Supreme Court decision could upend millions in political spending ahead of the midterms. Here's how the parties are preparing." from Politico "Pivotal U.S. Supreme Court Case Could Further Reshape Federal Campaign Finance Law" from Bernstein Shur Got a question about the Iran war and its impact on the global economy? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The Treasury Department is holding several government bond auctions this week. Treasury auctions can tell us a lot about the interest rates investors are demanding to be paid, which in turn can tell us about what investors expect the economy to do in the future. We'll also learn about a ban on foreign-made consumer routers. Plus, from Marketplace's "This Is Uncomfortable," should I turn my hobby into a side hustle?

Starting in mid-June, soccer fans will flock to 16 cities across North America for the World Cup. Each match will draw tens of thousands of fans, many of whom will take public transit. That's spurred transit agencies in host cities to expand service or finish big infrastructure projects. We'll learn more. But first, a quick update on the Middle East and a look at changes to the state and local tax deduction.

Marketplace's Meghan McCarty Carino takes a look at how platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are allowed to function in states with varying gambling restrictions, plus what the CFTC is looking at to try to rein such platforms.

The war in Iran has cost the global oil supply roughly 15 million barrels a day so far. Today, International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol said the war's impact on oil is worse than the two oil shocks of the 1970s, combined. On today's episode, a look at how long this shock could last. Plus, how skyrocketing natural gas prices will impact U.S. data centers, and why the stock market isn't “baking in” the long-term impacts of the war with Iran. Also, a journey to Beaver County, Pennsylvania, a former steel hub looking toward a different kind of industry — with middling results.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.

It's tax season. Therefore, it's also tax scam season. A new McAfee survey finds nearly one in four Americans has been a victim of a tax-related scam, and AI is only making scams more convincing. This morning, we'll share what to look out for and how to stay safe. Also, the uncertainty of war in the Middle East means that safe haven investments aren't acting all that safe, and a San Francisco jury decided that Elon Musk defrauded Twitter shareholders during takeover negotiations.

Top brass at the most consequential energy companies in the world are meeting in Houston this week for the annual CERAWeek. Energy industry leaders are meeting at a time when war in the Middle East has caused a major disruption in the global supply of oil and gas. We'll hear more. Then later, exactly how concerned should we be about artificial superintelligence? We'll jump in with the president of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute.

More than 60% of middle, high school, and college students in the U.S. are turning to AI for homework help, according to a new study from Rand. Some use it to help them brainstorm or like an encyclopedia. Others do it to get answers. But while kids are relying more on AI, about two-thirds of students surveyed in the study also believe that this AI use will hurt their critical thinking skills. Marketplace's Stephanie Hughes spoke with Heather Schwartz, co-director of the American Youth Panel at Rand and one of the authors of the report, about why students are worried.

Looking for an exclusive pastel Trader Joe's mini tote? How about the latest Labubu? Once a staple of sneaker and streetwear, the “limited drop” release model is popping up all over the place. In this episode, find out why every brand seems to be chasing the “drop.” Later, we spill the tea on office gossip and what it's like to run a dance studio. Also: A new survey shows 9% of Affordable Care Act enrollees are now uninsured after subsidies expired.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.

From the success of “K-pop Demon Hunters” to the return of BTS, K-pop is having a moment. But the rise of Korean culture was no accident—it has a decades-long backstory of investment by the South Korean government. On “Economics on Tap,” Kimberly talks with Michelle Cho, researcher of East Asian pop cultures at the University of Toronto, about the history behind the spread of Korean culture and how it's shaped industries from entertainment to beauty. Speaking of K-beauty: sunscreen or sheet masks?Here's everything we talked about today:‘KPop Demon Hunters' Leads the Wave Back to Korea from Foreign PolicyBTS Is Back With ‘Arirang,' but the K-Pop Landscape Has Changed from The New York TimesK-everything: the rise and rise of Korean culture from The Guardian "Americans Are Learning Korean Because of ‘KPop Demon Hunters'" from The New York Times"What's So Special About Korean Sunscreens?" from Vogue"How K-pop Stars Are Leading Mental Health Conversations for AAPI People and Beyond" from Teen VogueWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

If you're traveling in the next week or so, get to the airport early. Airport security lines are growing as workers with the Transportation Security Administration go without pay during the partial government shutdown. Nearly 50,000 TSA workers missed a paycheck last week, and if Congress doesn't act, they could miss another one next Friday. Then, we'll dig into how wide salary ranges on job postings can influence an applicant's approach to negotiation over pay.

The Postal Service says it's facing a "severe financial crisis." Postmaster General David Steiner testified before a House subcommittee this week and said that the USPS was struggling and could “be out of cash in less than 12 months” unless something changes. Today, we check the finances of the postal service. And later, war in the Middle East is driving up fertilizer and diesel costs, worrying U.S. farmers during planting season.

This week, Amazon speeds up delivery even more. Plus, will BuzzFeed stay in business?But first, Gecko, a robotics startup, landed a $71 million contract with the U.S. Navy. The 13-year-old Pittsburgh-based company says it'll be using its drones and wall-climbing robots to help find defects on ships. Then, it will use artificial intelligence to model current and future structural issues.Marketplace's Stephanie Hughes spoke with Anita Ramaswamy, financial analysis columnist at The Information, about all these headlines for this week's “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Newport, Oregon is a small town on the coast with beautiful beach views. After the town's rescue helicopter was taken to the southern border, the community came together against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In this episode, we talk to a local reporter who covered the story. Plus, we check on lower-than-expected January home sales numbers and jobless claims. Later, a drugstore owner in a “pharmacy desert,” and a look at the climate cost of war in Iran.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.

In line with the Pentagon's ambitions to build an “AI-first warfighting force,” earlier this year, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanded unrestricted use of Anthropic's Claude model. Anthropic had concerns. Now the two parties are engaged in a legal battle that could shape the future of AI safety. Kimberly talks with Justin Hendrix, CEO and editor of Tech Policy Press, to explain Anthropic's lawsuit and why this could signal a turning point in the tech industry's chummy relationship with the Trump administration.

Iran attacked critical liquefied natural gas and oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, including a major source of gas for Europe. It was retaliating in response to Israeli strikes on a gas field that supplies a lot of Iran's domestic energy. This morning, we delve into what it means for the price of oil, precious metals, government bonds, and more. Plus, we learn how China's entry into the World Trade Organization impacted local U.S. banks.

War continues to rage in the Middle East, and energy infrastructure is being targeted. The price of oil has surged to $115 a barrel, and gas in the U.S. is now averaging $3.88 a gallon — up almost a dollar from before the war. President Trump recently waived the Jones Act in an attempt to lower oil prices. Will it work? Also: what's next for the Federal Reserve, and where U.S.-China relations currently stand.

There have been decades of attempts to make destructive drones, going back to World War I. The technology has advanced significantly since then. Drones now range in size from tiny — as in, fitting in the palm of your hand — to so big they look like little planes.Stacie Pettyjohn directs the defense program at the Center for a New American Security. She spoke with Marketplace's Stephanie Hughes about how drones are being used in the war between Iran, Israel and the U.S., including Iran's Shahed-136 drone.

It's bound to happen in any friendship: an unfulfilled Venmo request, a trip that's way out of your budget, or a dispute over splitting the bill at a restaurant. This week, we're answering your questions about navigating tricky money situations with friends. Reema is joined by comedians and real-life friends Josh Gondelman and Alison Leiby to talk through everything from expensive bachelorettes to Venmo nickel-and-diming. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 347-RING-TIU.Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok!

The Federal Reserve is focused on cooling inflation right now, which has stayed stubbornly above the 2% target. But price stabilization is just one half of the central bank's dual mandate. In this episode, when will the Fed pivot to buoying the stagnant job market? After that, wholesale vegetables see huge price spikes, the imported seafood industry staggers despite easing tariffs, and your credit history could determine your mortgage rate.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.

The supply chains of gold and precious gems are notoriously difficult to track. Human rights abuses and environmental devastation are often at the root of the work. This morning, we'll hear the story of one jeweler trying to change this by bringing women together from regions scarred by conflict to create a more ethical business model. But first: Microsoft is considering suing Amazon and OpenAI, and we look at what's behind a run on red yarn.

Why not report earnings twice a year? The Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing a proposal to eliminate the requirement for publicly traded companies to report quarterly earnings, according to The Wall Street Journal. It's a move that companies are cheering, but it also means less transparency for investors. Also on this morning's show: a preliminary deal between the WNBA and its players' union, and what older adults should keep in mind this tax season.

There's an emerging industry that uses artificial intelligence to create simulations of people who've died. These post mortem avatars are also called griefbots.Some critics, including Tomasz Hollanek, a researcher at the University of Cambridge, say this practice raises a number of ethical issues. He walks us through the mechanics of how this technology works, and how it may or may not be used responsibly.

When gas prices go up, Americans freak out. It doesn't matter that gas prices often fluctuate independently of all the other stuff we have to buy and pay for; more expensive fuel makes an impact on the consumer psyche. In this episode, Americans' unique emotional relationship to gas costs. Plus: Airlines contend with jet fuel price growth and TSA shortages, the trucking industry is hit by a diesel price-immigration restriction double whammy, and a federal tax code change could reduce charitable giving.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.

Farm bills are huge, sprawling pieces of legislation that affect all Americans — not just farmers. But as they've gotten more expensive, they've gotten tougher to pass. And due to the SNAP cuts in Congress's big budget bill passed last summer, the coalitions that have historically gotten this legislation over the finish line may be fractured beyond repair. Kimberly talks with Chris Neubert, agriculture policy expert at Arizona State University, about what this could mean for this year's farm bill prospects.

Two of the three major credit bureaus are dismissing a larger share of consumer complaints. At the same time, the Trump administration has attempted to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — the government watchdog agency established following the Great Recession. Today, we'll delve into what it means for consumer protections. Also, the price of a barrel of Brent crude is about 50% higher than it was a month ago. Where do things go from here?

If you are one of the millions of people who haven't done your taxes yet, you've got a month and a day left to file. Something to look forward to, though? Refunds are up over 10% on average so far this year, and more people are receiving tax refunds. But first, we'll check in on how discount retailers are doing and learn how the war in the Middle East is impacting Federal Reserve officials' thinking about a rate cut.

More and more companies are incorporating artificial intelligence into their workflows — from AI assistants that record and analyze meetings, to AI notetakers that keep track of what's said, to AI summaries and analyses of emails.Workers may know this technology is being used, but some of these tools, which record and monitor, can still catch them off guard. Still, Josh Bersin, an human resources industry analyst and consultant, says the productivity gains from these tools mean many employers are embracing them.Marketplace's Stephanie Hughes had him walk her through what he's seeing businesses try and what they're using at his company — including one HR tool that his company makes and sells called Galileo.

 For a lot of us, money is a source of anxiety and guilt. Reema recently joined the podcast “Happier with Gretchen Rubin” for a roundtable conversation with Gretchen and Haley Sacks (a.k.a. Mrs. Dow Jones) about why money feels so emotionally loaded – and the small, realistic changes that can make managing it feel easier.

Crude oil prices have risen about $30 a barrel in the three weeks since the U.S. and Israel launched a war in Iran. At some point, U.S. consumers will really feel the war in their wallets. Turns out, it's hard to say when. Also in this episode, more economic fallout from the war: The Fed and other central banks will likely hold rates steady this week amid global uncertainty, and Texas farmers brace for higher prices while Texas oil stands to rake in profits.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.

Is Europe's reliance on U.S. tech a vulnerability? With geopolitical uncertainties growing under the second Trump administration, governments and institutions abroad seem to think so. The International Criminal Court announced that it's ditching Microsoft, and government employees in France will use an open-source alternative to Zoom. Today, we dig into "digital sovereignty." Also on the show: new homeowners turn to buy now, pay later to deal with expenses, and we'll preview the Fed's interest rate meeting this week.

TSA agents and air traffic controllers are missing their first full month of paychecks as a result of the partial government shutdown. In response, CEOs of major U.S. airlines have written an open letter urging Congress to fund the Department of Homeland Security and end the shutdown, which has dragged on as Democrats demand reforms to immigration enforcement practices. Plus, how might emerging technologies like AI amplify global threats, such as nuclear war?

Here at Marketplace, we often report on a monthly economic indicator from the University of Michigan called the consumer sentiment index. It basically looks how people are feeling about the economy. Now, a team of academics at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School have used that index as a model to create something similar though much more niche: how people feel about cryptocurrency. It's called the Consumer Cryptocurrency Confidence Index, a monthly survey now in its third year. Marketplace's Stephanie Hughes spoke with Wharton marketing professor Dave Reibstein, one of the creators of the index, about what he hopes to accomplish with it.

After the Supreme Court overturned many of President Trump's tariffs, his administration implemented new import taxes through a different legal avenue. But those are only temporary. Next up in the White House's game plan to claw those tariffs back? Unfair trade practice probes into dozens of countries — including several U.S. allies. Also in this episode: SNAP recipients sue the USDA over restrictive policies, a federal agency considers regulating prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, and e-retailers hawk counterfeit skincare products.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 today's show, we're preparing for the Oscars by checking in on the state of the film industry. Marketplace's Amy Scott sits down with Wall Street Journal entertainment reporter Ben Fritz to discuss what slumping ticket sales means for the future of movies, why the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger has Hollywood workers worried, and what it would take for the industry to make a comeback. Plus, movie watchers weigh in: subtitles on or off?Here's everything we talked about today:A look at how the Oscar best picture nominees have fared at the box office from AP News"Disney's Surprise Box-Office Champion is ‘Zootopia 2,' Thanks to China" from The Wall Street Journal "The Movie Theater Comeback That Wasn't: Why 2025 Was Such a Dud for Struggling Cinemas" from Variety "Teamsters Call on DOJ to Stop Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger: “We've Seen What Happens When Corporations Consolidate Power'" from The Hollywood Reporter"Paramount Wins, Everybody Loses" from Vulture "Hollywood Jobs Are Disappearing" from “The Journal” Amy's documentary film: ”Saving Etting Street”We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The Senate passed a bipartisan bill yesterday that aims to take on housing affordability by increasing the housing supply and cutting red tape. But it has a tough road ahead in the House and possibly the White House. This morning, we'll dig in. Also on the show: GDP growth was revised down to just 0.7%. Plus, China's latest five-year plan aims to transform the country into a tech-driven global power, while boosting domestic demand.

Some Christians observe the weeks of Lent leading up to Easter by not eating meat on Fridays. That means that we're in the thick of fish fry season. Thing is, tariffs have raised the price of seafood. We head to one local fish fry near Akron, Ohio, to learn about the impact. But first, the war in the Middle East is threatening critical water desalination plants, which many Gulf countries rely on to make seawater potable.

This week, the AI chatbot social network Moltbook finds a new home. Plus, YouTube dominates the media landscape. But first, a look at AI-related site outages at Amazon. Marketplace's Stephanie Hughes spoke with Jewel Burks Solomon, managing partner at Collab Capital, about all these headlines for this week's “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

President Trump's war with Iran continues to provoke economic consequences. With the Strait of Hormuz closed, Middle East crude oil will be blocked from reaching refineries, including those in California. In this episode, what happens if those refineries run out of oil. Plus: Single-family home construction slows as costs rise, winter Paralympians face unique obstacles, and fickle weather reshapes the ski resort business model.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.

ICE may have wound down its operations in Minnesota, but the state is still facing the economic consequences of Operation Metro Surge. This has fueled concerns that an eviction crisis could take hold, particularly in the Twin Cities. On today's show, Kimberly joins MPR News correspondent Dana Ferguson in St. Paul, Minnesota to discuss measures the state legislature is taking to provide economic relief to renters, and what life has been like since she last checked in with us on “Make Me Smart.”

Data shows that chain restaurants grew by 3% last year, while smaller independent restaurants declined by more than 2% as they struggled to navigate rising prices for real estate, food, insurance, and labor. When all restaurants are basically the same city to city, what does it mean for the unique flavor of a place? But first, Iran has ratcheted up its attacks on Gulf countries and in the Strait of Hormuz.