Marketplace All-in-One

President Donald Trump wants Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates. But the Fed makes that call based on analyzing the economy, not a president's wishes. This has some concerned that the president is looking for a pretext to fire Powell — like costly renovations to the Fed's DC headquarters. Plus, these are the dog days of summer travel. And, who's really paying for tariffs: foreign exporters or U.S. businesses?

From the BBC World Service: The Canadian firm Couche-Tard, best known for Circle K, is walking away from a $47 billion bid to buy Japan's Seven & i, the parent company of 7-Eleven. Couche-Tard says it faced a “calculated campaign of obfuscation and delay” from the Japanese side. Then, Americans are firing up their grills this summer, but they're getting singed by the cost of beef. Prices continue to rise. We find out why.

Marketplace's Meghan McCarty Carino speaks with Joseph Cox, a reporter at the tech news site 404 Media, about his recent reporting on how ICE is uses ISO ClaimSearch, among other databases, to find deportation targets.

The number of people 85 years and older is expected to double in the U.K. over the next couple of decades. Apian, a London-based health care logistics company that partners with the National Health Service, thinks automation can help. We visit Apian to understand how automated robots could ease the burden of caring for an aging population. Also in this episode: A pilot pushes for menopause policies at British Airways, and an entrepreneur launches a skincare business at 50.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.

According to the latest consumer price index, the reported prices of several items, including apparel and household furnishings, increased in June, suggesting some preliminary effects of the Trump administration's tariff policies. We discuss President Donald Trump's response calling for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, and why it's so crucial to preserve an independent central bank. Then, we take a look at Missouri, where the state's legislature and the governor overturned the outcome of a ballot initiative. What does that say about the state of public participation in the democratic process? And, we celebrate some wins from listeners about a rekindled drive to write poetry and what it means to be a good friend. Here's everything we talked about today:"Missouri governor repeals paid sick leave law approved last year by voters" from The Associated Press"Missouri Rolls Back Paid Sick Leave Entitlement; $15 Minimum Wage Remains" from National Law Review“Missouri's voters restored abortion rights. Their leaders are trying to overrule them” from the newsletter The 19th News"D.C. budget update: Tipped minimum wage compromise fails, ranked choice voting funded as budget advances" from WAMU"Inflation picks up again in June, rising at 2.7% annual rate" from CNBCWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

More than five years after the start of the pandemic, we're learning more about who's working in person and who isn't. Labor Department data shows 29% of men work from home, down from 34% two years ago. But the number of women working remotely has stayed flat at 36%. We'll discuss what to make of the dynamic. Also: Wholesale inflation remains unchanged, and the White House launches an investigation into unfair trade practices by Brazil.

Real average hourly earnings fell in June. Just one month of data doesn't make a trend, but forces at work in both the labor market and inflation data could further eat into Americans' wages. We'll unpack. Then, President Donald Trump's bill to claw back federal funding for foreign aid programs and public broadcasting could get a final vote in the Senate today. Plus, the Department of Defense is investing in a U.S.-based rare earth mining company.

From the BBC World Service: The annual inflation rate in the United Kingdom clocked in higher than expected in the month of June, at 3.6%. Much of inflation's stickiness there has to do with rising food and gasoline prices. Meanwhile, U.K. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced steps to encourage people to invest in stocks and shares. Also on today's show: a look at why Cuba's labor minister has resigned and more tariff news for Indonesia and Brazil.

Know how some companies intentionally make it hard for customers to fix their own gadgets? In the armed forces, as military contractors consolidate and equipment becomes increasingly software-driven, it's become a problem. Now, some Pentagon leaders are talking about adding right to repair provisions into procurement contracts. Marketplace's Nova Safo spoke with now-retired Master Sergeant Wesley Reid, who's spoken out in favor of the military's right to repair, informed by his experiences at an Afghanistan army field hospital in the late 2000s.

By 2050, around a quarter of people in the U.K. will be 65 or older — about ten years before the U.S. reaches that milestone. For our ongoing “Age of Work” series, host Kai Ryssdal and ADP chief economist Nela Richardson take a trip to across the pond to understand how businesses and the government are preparing for an aging population. Plus, hear how one Brit is navigating the job market in his 60s, and check in on a London honey shop owner we last spoke with during Brexit.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 One Big Beautiful Bill Act is projected to cut Medicaid spending by more than $1 trillion. The law changes eligibility rules, and some predictions estimate at least 10.5 million people will be eliminated from the program. “For some adults, Medicaid will step in and help pay for care at home, or if care at home is not available, for care in nursing homes,” said Rachel Werner, executive director of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. “With the cuts to Medicaid funding, we are expecting that the availability of care in both of those settings will diminish, and it will be harder for people to get the care they need to live independently.” States will have to respond to the changes by either making up the funding gap or reducing services. On the show today, Werner explains how the funding cuts could limit the caregiving options for older Americans who need at-home care and place a larger responsibility on their families. Plus, we discuss how to start planning for long-term care amid all the legislative changes.Then, we'll celebrate a listener's win about her chocolate lab puppy. And, another listener's quest to find life on Mars.Here's everything we talked about today:“How Medicaid Cuts Could Force Millions Into Nursing Homes” from The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania“Advocates warn that Medicaid cuts in the big budget law put home-based health care at risk” from Marketplace“New AARP Report: Majority of Adults 50-plus Want to Age in Place, But Policies and Communities Must Catch Up” from AARP“A Closer Look at the Medicaid Work Requirement Provisions in the “Big Beautiful Bill” from KFF“Medicaid cuts: The how and why” from the newsletter Your Local Epidemiologist“As the need for nursing homes grows, nurses are in short supply” from MarketplaceWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

New tariff threats are piling up. The president has threatened higher tariffs on goods from the EU and on anyone who trades with Russia. The EU is preparing retaliatory tariffs in response. Stuck in the middle of this tariff whirlwind are small businesses. Today, we check in with the owner of a Virginia tea shop to discover how her store is faring. But first, this morning's consumer price index shows accelerating price increases. Plus, from Marketplace's “The Age of Work” series, we hear a story about aging and one family business in London.

The Texas economy is among the most vulnerable in the country when it comes to the threat of escalating tariffs. While much of the focus has been on trade with Mexico due to tightly integrated supply chains, the future of European trade with Texas is also uncertain. We'll hear what's at stake. Plus, Nvidia can sell chips in China again, and, from Marketplace's "How We Survive," we'll learn what the big tax cut and spending law means for the climate crisis.

From the BBC World Service: President Donald Trump says he backs NATO now that countries in the military alliance boosted funding. The president's comments are part of a wide-ranging exclusive interview with the BBC and follow a threat of tariffs for Russia if there's no ceasefire with Ukraine in 50 days. We'll hear a bit of the conversation. Then, China's economy has outpaced expectations despite pressure from tariffs, and Tesla is set to launch operations in India.

Marketplace's Meghan McCarty Carino speaks with Adam Aleksic, author of the new book “Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language." He's a trained linguist and also an influencer who goes by the handle "Etymology Nerd" online. True to his name, he told us what he means when he uses the term “algospeak.”

Listener Cecilia wrote in to ask: “Why does organic food cost more than non organic food?” And she's right! Certified organic foods do usually cost more than other options. Bridget and Ryan dive into the question with the help of Stephanie Hughes, Marketplace's reporter on the organic farming beat. Ryan's inspired to try his own hand at organic farming ... but will his crops be able to survive an attack of horn worms, a stampede of chickens and a dustbowl to turn a profit at the farmer's market?After you listen to this episode, be sure to check out our website. We've got conversation starters and tips!This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.

Up and down the supply chain, companies are facing a dilemma: Should they absorb tariff surcharges and keep prices down, or pass on the cost to customers, and risk losing business? Most are taking a mixed approach. In this episode, how firms are negotiating — and communicating — higher costs. Plus: Economists discuss what they'll be looking for in tomorrow's CPI, housing discrimination persists in the fine print of home deeds, and economists attempt to model the U.S. economy's debt forecast.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 Senate is expected to vote on President Donald Trump's rescissions package this week, which proposes rescinding $9.4 billion in previously approved spending to several programs, including public media and foreign aid spending. We discuss how this could undermine the bipartisan process. Then, we take a look at Bitcoin trading at new record highs, as U.S. lawmakers prepare to pass new regulations on cryptocurrency. We explain the bills being proposed in what's been dubbed “Crypto Week.” Plus, we hear listeners' wins about a resurgence of monarch butterflies and a lifelong dream of clubbing in Berlin. Here's everything we talked about today:“GOP leader faces showdown with Republicans on Trump-backed funding cuts” from The Hill“Schumer warns package to claw back funding would ‘poison' annual spending talks” from The Hill“A Senate vote this week will test the popularity of DOGE spending cuts” from The Associated Press“Bitcoin Soars Past $120,000 as House Takes Up Crypto Bills” from The New York Times“‘Crypto Week' on Capitol Hill” from Marketplace“Trump Rescission Proposal Builds on Illegal Impoundments, Would Undermine Future Funding Deals” from Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiesWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Bitcoin hit a record $122,000 this morning as the House of Representatives ramps up for what's being called "Crypto Week," where lawmakers will be taking up three bills that could lay the foundation for how digital assets are regulated. We'll hear more about what to expect. And later, we'll unpack market reactions to daily swings in tariff policy and learn how China's rare earth metal dominance comes at a significant environmental cost.

This week, we get a few snapshots of what inflation is doing. Everyone wants to know when tariffs will start showing up in the overall data, because they mostly haven't yet, partly due to the Federal Reserve's tight monetary policy. But that doesn't mean tariffs aren't affecting the economy. We'll discuss. Also: how Europe is trying to keep U.S. trade tensions from boiling over, and where copper imports are being diverted ahead of looming tariffs.

From the BBC World Service: The European Union is looking further afield for trade agreements after weeks of testy talks with the U.S. We'll hear how European leaders are feeling and discuss the likelihood of any trade deals. Plus, China holds a powerful card in the global economy: control over rare earth minerals, used in everything from smartphones to wind turbines and electric cars. We travel to the country's two biggest rare earth mining regions.

Marketplace's Meghan McCarty Carino speaks with Rebecca Lester, a professor of accounting at Stanford, about a tax provision within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that could further tech R&D and innovation.

The Trump Administration today said it will restrict undocumented immigrants from accessing public programs, including Head Start. Kimberly explains how the move fits into the government's broader effort to change who's entitled to services in the United States. And, the Supreme Court gave Trump the green light to continue mass federal layoffs, for now. We'll get into the emotional rollercoaster many of these workers have been on this year. Plus, we'll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here's everything we talked about today:"What the Media Gets Wrong About Medicaid ‘Cuts'" from DC Journal"Taxpayer-Funded Benefits Are for American Citizens — Not Illegals" from The White House "Trump to cut off Head Start for immigrants in US illegally" from AP News  "State Department fires more than 1,300 employees in downsizing plan" from The Washington Post "Federal workers fearful after Supreme Court backs Trump's mass firings plan" from The Washington Post"How Trump's immigration policies could threaten Social Security" from Marketplace "Tariffs push companies to rethink traditional forecasts" from Marketplace"In new food fad, protein products are no longer just for gym-goers" from Marketplace"Microsoft Pledges $4 Billion Toward A.I. Education" from The New York Times"A 70-hour work week? Some job listings are foregoing work-life balance" from Marketplace”The disturbing parallels between modern accounting and the business of slavery” from MarketplaceWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The Medicaid budget just lost about $1 trillion. Eleven million more Americans will go uninsured, the CBO estimates, and those who remain Medicaid-eligible may lose coverage for "optional" services. That could include in-home health care recipients, like 9-year-old Noah. In this episode, we talk with his mom, who lobbied Congress to vote against the bill. Plus: An environmentalist makes a case for solar power, and why the Fed will rely on data — not the whims of the stock market or President Trump — to make its next rate cut decision.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.

A cheap and accessible form of energy lies in a large ball of burning gas 93 million miles up in the sky: the sun. So why haven't we adopted solar energy more widely? “How We Survive” host Amy Scott recently talked with longtime climate writer and activist Bill McKibben about his upcoming book “Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization.” In this exclusive extended interview, McKibben explains how solar power has had explosive growth in the past few years, why it's not widely adopted in the U.S. (and ways to change that) and offers some hopeful examples of how solar power has been adopted around the world.

What would you do with a million dollars…in crypto? Reema Khrais talks with Marketplace reporter Matt Levin about one man's journey to becoming crypto rich. Levin's reporting reveals a complicated picture, not just about the ups and downs of crypto, but also about what it means to chase the American dream when you're living on the margins.We want to know what you think about This Is Uncomfortable. Please complete a short, anonymous survey by going to marketplace.org/survey. It should only take about 10 minutes, and you do all of us at Marketplace a huge favor by filling it out.

Medicaid is run by the states, but about 70% of its funding comes from the federal government. Now, given $1 trillion in cuts from President Donald Trump's tax and spending law, states are left trying to fill in the gaps and will have difficult care and coverage decisions to make. We'll unpack it all. Also on this morning's program, we'll learn about higher taxes on Canadian imports and how markets are responding to them.

Back-to-school shopping already? We're only about halfway through July, but for retailers — and some very organized parents — the back-to-school shopping season is already underway. Thing is, the sales forecast isn't looking so good. We'll hear more. A new survey from Deloitte says school shopping spending is expected to dip this year, when adjusting for inflation. Plus, President Donald Trump threatens new tariffs against Canada, and banks grow more cautious about making new loans.

From the BBC World Service: President Donald Trump has announced a new 35% tariff on Canadian imports, due to start next month. Tariffs are dominating talks at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Malaysia, where many of its attendees could face import taxes of up to 50%. And following a peace deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the U.S., which brokered the deal, has signaled it wants a stake in the DRC's resources.

X CEO Linda Yaccarino leaves the social media giant on the heels of antisemitic posts from AI chatbot Grok. SCOTUS rejects a challenge to a Texas law for age verification online. President Trump this week said he'll impose a 50% tariff on copper. Marketplace's Meghan McCarty Carino is joined by Maria Curi, tech policy reporter at Axios, to discuss all this.

When companies release earnings reports, they often predict where they're headed next, profit-wise. Lately, thanks to all that pesky economic uncertainty, some firms have altered their forecasts or opted out altogether. In this episode, why some guidance is better than no guidance. Plus: OPEC foresees oil demand growth through 2050, protein is the latest food fad, and an environmental organizer takes us on a mini “toxic” tour of his community that's adjacent to a petrochemical complex.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.

Even before the catastrophic flooding in Texas, weather experts were ringing alarm bells over how staffing cuts at federal weather agencies could affect the reliability of weather forecasts in the United States. Marketplace's Amy Scott joins us on the show today to explain how these cuts are impacting the day-to-day at the National Weather Service, and look at other headwinds the agency could face in the future, including privatization efforts and the ever-complicating factor of climate change. Here's everything we talked about today:"Burning Questions: How do cuts to NOAA impact all of us?" from “How We Survive” "FEMA cuts put more pressure on local disaster relief" from Marketplace "Debate erupts over role job cuts played in weather forecasts ahead of deadly Texas floods" from AP News"Flood predictions could worsen when Trump's cuts take hold" from Politico"As Floods Hit, Key Roles Were Vacant at Weather Service Offices in Texas" from The New York Times"Republicans want to privatize weather forecasts. Do Trump appointees stand to benefit?" from Fast Company We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

More than 200,000 federal workers have been fired, resigned, or taken early retirement since President Donald Trump's inauguration. Now, this week, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump can proceed with additional job cuts at federal agencies. We'll unpack the sort of labor market fired federal employees face and hear how some job hunters are faring. Also, this spring's power outage in the Iberian Peninsula highlighted the vulnerability of modern payment systems.

President Donald Trump says he wants 50% import taxes on goods from Brazil, even though Brazil buys more from the U.S. than it sells here. Trump has criticized Brazil's treatment of its former right-wing president, who's on trial for an alleged coup attempt. We'll hear more. Plus, most Federal Reserve officials think Trump's tariffs will have enduring effects on inflation. And, a new report finds deportations could cost California $275 billion annually.

From the BBC World Service: Lesotho has declared a national state of disaster that will last for two years. The government says soaring youth unemployment and job losses have pushed the small, mountainous country into crisis, and it's bracing for things to get worse with U.S. tariffs and aid cuts announced by President Donald Trump. Plus, a growing number of countries are stepping in with new laws to make sure cash payments don't disappear.

For years, AI crawlers have scraped data and content from the internet for free. But last week, Cloudflare attempted to change that. With an update to its web services, the tech company keeps AI crawlers out by default. The hope? To create a new economic model that makes AI companies finally pay for the content they collect.In this episode, Marketplace's Meghan McCarty Carino speaks with Cloudflare co-founder and CEO, Matthew Prince, about his vision for a fairer internet.

The June jobs report gave a sunny picture of the labor market. But if you're, say, looking for a job right now, you may see things a bit differently. What gives? In this episode, we break down the pros and cons of backward-looking data, and search elsewhere for answers about the current employment situation. Plus: Entrepreneurship chugs along in this uncertain economy, rents finally seem to hold steady, and U.S. copper prices spike.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.

Now that the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is law, Congress is turning its attention to another matter: avoiding a government shutdown. We'll explain what it will take to keep the government running beyond Congress' Sept. 30 deadline. And, we'll fill you in on another deadline: President Trump's new due date for trade deals before a slew of higher tariff rates kick in. Plus, a listener's story of frozen pizza and facing fears.Here's everything we talked about today:"Why the federal government will shut down. And why it won't" from Punchbowl News"Trump combats TACO reputation as White House extends tariff deadline" from The Washington Post"Too Many Goods Are About To Face Historically High Tariffs" from Tax Policy Center"Flint finally replaced its lead pipes" from The Washington PostGot a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The high court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to plan out mass layoffs across the government. It's somewhat of a confounding decision, though, in that it appears to say two things at once: the job cuts can proceed, but they may or may not be legal. We'll discuss the implications. And later: Investors take a wait-and-see approach on tariffs, copper futures hit an all-time high, and teachers ramp up their AI skills.

More than 100 people are dead and 170 are still missing in Texas, where, on July Fourth, the Guadalupe River in Kerrville rose more than 30 feet in five hours. Staff shortages at the National Weather Service may have made it harder to coordinate a response, and Texas lawmakers are now reconsidering a bill to improve local governments' emergency communications infrastructure. Also: the economics of rebuilding wildfire-burnt homes with fire-resistant steel framing.

From the BBC World Service: England's biggest agricultural show has started, but away from the sheep shearing competitions and livestock judging, farmers are talking about international trade — and they're adamant about not giving ground in any future negotiations. Plus, the U.K. government is capping tax relief on farmland passed down through generations. And, we hear from a Scottish sheep farmer with more than 400,000 followers on YouTube about how merchandise tie-ins are supporting his business.

The National Weather Service lost some 600 positions early in the second Trump administration, through early retirements and layoffs. Now the agency says it's working to fill some “mission-critical” roles. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has also proposed cutting the greater NOAA budget by more than 25% next year.A rising chorus of meteorologists and climate experts warn that efforts to shrink the federal workforce and downplay global warming could compromise accurate weather forecasts and climate monitoring.