Marketplace Morning Report

At Nadine's Hair Braiding, located in suburban Maryland, customers can walk in at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. and find a stylist. The 10,000-square-foot salon operates with roughly 400 braiders working as independent contractors and serves hundreds of clients a day. Today, we're visiting the salon to learn about the challenges — and successes — of running such a huge operation. Also: why President Trump is reducing tariffs on certain large machinery, and how remote work could be sidelining younger workers.

It's been about four months since President Donald Trump threatened sanctions against countries supplying much-needed oil to Cuba. The country's economy is already struggling with shortages, inflation, rolling blackouts, and the longstanding U.S. embargo. This morning, we'll hear from a sociologist and retired professor at the University of Havana who's lived through nearly every major chapter of Cuba's modern economy — from the rise of Fidel Castro to the current economic crisis. But first, there's a modern gold rush (but this time for uranium).

Former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell accepted the Profile in Courage award last night. Today, we'll delve into the role of the central bank, its current controversies, and signals from new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. Then, there's another potential wrinkle in the tariff refund process. And later, who's underrepresented when it comes to shaping AI policy? A new mapping tool aims to boost transparency over the future of AI.

Dollar General reports earnings tomorrow. The company already saw its stock jump last week after one of its rivals, Dollar Tree, reported a great first quarter. This hints at a growing demand for deals from consumers across the income spectrum who are feeling pinched by inflation. Then, we chat with the creators of an interactive map, which shows users the different companies and people who are shaping AI regulation across the U.S.

The Jeff Bezos-backed Slate is a super bare-bones EV that can be configured as an SUV or pickup with starting costs in the mid-$20,000s. Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota, and Subaru presently offer fully electric models in the $30,000 and $35,000 range, and Ford plans on launching a lower-cost electric truck next year, too. Today, we dig into the growing competition for cheaper electric cars. Also on the show: a check-in on consumer savings and market movements.

More than a third of all Americans think they'll lack enough savings to retire, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. For some, one solution to financial precarity in retirement is going back to work, or unretiring. Today, we hear from a 74-year-old retiree who's back in the job market in order to make ends meet. But first, durable goods orders are a sign of strong growth in a sea of economic worry.

Inflation's heating up and is well above the Federal Reserve's goal. The central bank's preferred reading on inflation came out this morning for April. Prices are up 3.8% from a year ago; it was 3.5% in March. What does that mean for the future of interest rates and the inflation consumers expect going forward? Then, we'll discuss how the war in Iran has added new pressure to an already strained farm economy.

Before war in the Middle East, roughly one-third of the world's fertilizer shipped by sea moved through the Strait of Hormuz. In the last three months, fertilizer prices have climbed between 30% and 50%, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. It's yet another growing expense for farmers, and it comes at a time when more farms in the U.S. are closing or going bankrupt. But first: A new study finds racial bias in AI hiring tools.

The Office of Personnel Management is proposing a strict new non-disclosure agreement for federal workers, which would bar them from disclosing “non-public, confidential, or proprietary information.” The Trump administration says a new agreement is needed to stop leaks to the press. A draft of the NDA is being published today. Then, from the latest season of Marketplace's "How We Survive," can we engineer nature to slow the climate crisis?

Consumers have grown increasingly worried about inflation, and many are delaying major purchases, according to J.D. Power. That's especially true for people under 40. In a survey, J.D. Power found that only about a third in that age group believe they can cover everyday expenses. We'll dig in. But first, Spotify has long invested in podcasts and audiobooks. Now, it wants you to listen to magazine articles on the platform, too.

Heard of "doomspending"? It refers to a feeling of hopelessness about your financial future and spending more freely now than you maybe should. From Marketplace's "This Is Uncomfortable," we dig into the self-defeating financial decisions we sometimes make — from splurging to regain a sense of control to not saving for retirement because it's hard to envision the future — and how to rethink those impulses. But first: new strikes in Iran but the same old market uncertainty.

At a recent conference, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman toned down his talk of mass worker displacement caused by AI. He said he thought AI would have had more of an impact on the elimination of white-collar jobs by now, adding that he's “delighted to be wrong about this” and that there's a “human part” of work that can't be replaced. Also on the show: a preview of a Q1 GDP revision and the astronomical costs to attend this year's World Cup.

Last month, four high school seniors participated in an experiment. A Stanford economist was given a list of colleges they were accepted to, what they were contemplating studying, their financial situations, and the aid packages they were offered. Then, she recommended the most economically sound college choice for each. Today, we'll delve into her choices and thinking. But first: why it would be crazy to think about cutting interest rates right now.

A new U.S. Department of the Interior report confirms what many already feared: The Colorado River system, which pumps out water to 40 million people in seven western states, is looking grim. It was already depleted from drought and a dry winter, but there's now concern over hydropower and keeping taps flowing in Phoenix and Tucson. We'll dig in. Then, the number of Latino-owned businesses is growing at a fast pace.

HotSOS Housekeeping is an app that uses real-time data to help hotel housekeepers speed up room turnover. But the constant monitoring means the tracking of every move, which can add stress and discomfort for some workers. Today, we hear from two housekeepers — one who has union protections and one who doesn't — about how the algorithmic app has changed their worklives. But first, rising prices mean the central bank may flirt with interest rate hikes this year.

Memorial Day weekend is here, kicking off the summer travel season. More Americans are expected to hit the roads this year, but it comes at a time when gas prices are the highest they've been in four years — up about a $1.40 since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, and Iran effectively closed off the Strait of Hormuz. Also on this morning's podcast: high-profile concert cancellations and a preview of consumer sentiment.

Some of the biggest names in tech are making moves to go public this week. SpaceX — Elon Musk's rocket, social media, and AI company — filed for an initial public offering yesterday. And the Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, could file for an IPO as soon as tomorrow. These companies have raised a lot of private capital over the years. Why go public now? Plus, the pharmaceutical industry is investing billions in finding exotic radioactive isotopes to treat cancers.

About 8,000 Meta employees lost their jobs this week. The company is looking to offset its massive AI spending and “operate with a flatter structure." 'Flatness' has become a common refrain when tech companies shed jobs. It refers to the elimination of layers of middle-management roles, as AI agents take over some coordinating functions. Also on the show: Nvidia faces stiffer competition, and we learn about advancements in radiation cancer therapies.

Investors have been souring on bonds. To entice them back, bond yields have been rising. The yield on the 30-year bond yesterday hit 5.2%, the highest rate since 2007; 10-year yields are about as high as they've been in more than a year. Many people have exposure to bonds in their retirement accounts. Bond yields also impact the rates on mortgages and business loans. We'll explain. Then, Google's search revenue remains strong — thanks in large part to AI.

The number of hot, dry, windy days is increasing, setting the stage for fires. Wildfire season is off to an awful start. In March, Nebraska had its largest wildfire in state history. Right now, a fire outside of LA is forcing evacuations. While the federal government spends about $3 billion on wildfire suppression each year, most of that is being spent, and states are having to fill the gaps. Also: why Google is "leading the way" in the AI race.

If you're a homeowner — this is no surprise to you — property insurance can be expensive. It seems to get more and more pricey each year. Some might blame climate change or natural disasters, but if you look under the hood of the $1 trillion in premium payments last year, the numbers might tell a different story. We'll unpack. But first, we'll discuss and preview earnings for some of America's largest retailers.

President Donald Trump has dropped his lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns in exchange for the creation of a new $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which will compensate people who have been investigated or targeted for “political, personal, or ideological reasons.” We'll dig into the highly controversial fund. Also on the show: home sellers stay on the sidelines, and a pro dumpster diver finds gems amid dorm moveouts.

The U.S. and Iran remain far apart on a ceasefire, as President Donald Trump warns on social media that "the clock is ticking." The standoff is rattling global markets. Government bonds are rising, pushing up borrowing costs. And oil prices are moving higher this morning, as traders worry that the war in the Middle East will lead to a prolonged period of higher inflation. We'll discuss. And later: how Brazil became BYD's biggest market outside of China.

The war in Iran has cost Americans more than $40 billion in additional fuel costs, according to an analysis from Brown University's Watson School of International and Public Affairs. The costs go beyond just what Americans pay at the pump; higher diesel costs are factoring into rising prices for other consumer goods, too. This morning, we'll do the numbers. Plus, after a slowdown, "vertical dramas" are putting some Hollywood crews back to work.

Tomorrow is the Preakness Stakes, the second event in the Triple Crown. Betting on horse racing in the U.S. has declined by more than 50% over the last few decades. And while you might think platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket would see opportunity in horse racing bets, they haven't made inroads. Why don't prediction markets have a horse on that race? We explain. And later, we'll do the numbers on defense lobbying.

"LNG is the next growth story of the next decade," says Kent Britton, CEO of the Port of Corpus Christi. Liquefied natural gas exports are expected to grow 30% in the U.S. in the next year and a half. That growth is driven mostly by new and expanding LNG export projects along the Gulf Coast. What does it mean for the global energy market and coastal economies? But first: inflation, imports, and U.S.-China trade deals.

Retail sales in April were up 0.5% compared to the month before and are up 4.9% from a year ago, according to the Census Bureau. So are retail sales higher because consumers are resilient and buying more stuff, or are we spending more just because prices are higher and the stuff we want is more expensive? We discuss. Then, in search of cleaner energy, two new power transmission lines are connecting Quebec to New York and Massachusetts.

Kevin Warsh is officially the next chair of the Federal Reserve. The Senate voted to confirm him to a four-year term on Wednesday. He'll replace Chair Jerome Powell, who led the central bank for the last eight years. He'll face a challenging economic environment, worsening inflation, and pressure from President Donald Trump to cut rates. Plus, a look at how median actually rents fell in April and why one Arizona coffee roaster is unable to claim tariff refunds.

To address pain at the pump, President Donald Trump and some Congressional Republicans are floating the idea of temporarily pausing the federal gas tax. The thing is, that gas tax helps pay for the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, and more. Today, we delve into how the tax shows up in our everyday lives. Then, we head to Boston to hear how a small college there is serving low-income, first-generation students.

Household debt ticked up slightly in the first three months of this year, increasing by $18 billion, according to the New York Fed. Credit card debt is actually down slightly, but mortgage balances, home equity lines of credit, and car loan balances all grew. We unpack. Plus, later in this morning's show, how might economic tensions appear at the summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping?

Prices in the U.S. were up 3.8% year over year in April. That's a faster rate of annual inflation than we saw in March. A main driver was higher energy prices, a result of the war with Iran. Those price increases are taking a bite out of consumer wages, but the pain may be temporary. Plus, small businesses are hanging in there. And, we'll preview President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In late February, mortgage rates dipped below 6%, and affordability was beginning to improve. In April, people bought and sold more homes than they did the year before, but not by much. The reason? A whole new source of uncertainty brought on by war in the Middle East. Later in the show: While specialty farmers aren't caught in trade war crosshairs the way commodity farmers are, they still have plenty to worry about domestically.

Younger workers typically feel more optimistic about the job market than older ones, but a new Gallup poll found that only 43% of Americans aged 15 to 34 thought that last year was a good time to find a job. That's compared to 64% of those above the age of 55. The optimism of young workers has dropped by 27 points since 2023, potentially signaling the influence of AI. Plus: a breakdown of the costs, both human and financial, of Nebraska's Medicaid eligibility rollout and a look into the impact of rising gas prices on inflation.

An announcement from Meta that information about employees' keystroke and mouse movement would be collected and used to train its artificial intelligence has reportedly caused turmoil within the company. But the concept of harvesting data from everyday digital interactions isn't new. “Marketplace Morning Report” Host Sabri Ben-Achour spoke with Panagiotis Ipeirotis, a professor of Technology and Business at NYU Stern, about how seemingly innocuous online activity can be used to train AI. But first: rising gas prices are making some Americans cut back, but the k-shaped economy knows no bounds.

President Donald Trump has tried to pressure foreign countries to invest in the U.S. by threatening tariffs. But for decades, the federal government has also been putting on the SelectUSA Investment Summit, a giant trade show where states and businesses try to attract foreign investors. We have a dispatch from this year's Investment Summit. Plus, some of Trump's latest tariffs have been deemed illegal. And: a better-than-expected jobs report and some slower-than-expected World Cup hotel bookings.

This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released fresh jobs data for April. Unemployment remained unchanged at 4.3%, and the overall economy added 115,000 new jobs. A warmer-than-average April resulted in strong seasonal hiring, though it may be too early to see drags from war and high gas prices. Then later, we'll check in with the owner of a Virginia tea shop, who — like many small business owners — has been buffeted around by changing tariff policy.

Labor productivity has been on a growth streak for the past year and a half. It increased 0.8% in the first quarter of this year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is up almost 3% from a year ago. How much of this boils down to AI? Also on the show: threatened tariffs against the European Union and a conversation about U.S. dollars, the oil shock, and investment from Gulf countries.

If you ask people what they're most worried about affording these days, healthcare tops the list (now tied with gas). And that concern may translate to a wave of resentment at the ballot box: About 90% of people say healthcare costs will influence whether and how they vote in November, and more than half say it will have a major impact. Then, the United Arab Emirates wants a currency swap with the United States. We explain.

The U.S. and Iran are reportedly back to working on an end to the war, and sources say a deal is close. Axios reports that the deal would involve a moratorium on nuclear enrichment and an end to sanctions. This morning, we dig into how seriously markets are taking these peace talks. Then, we continue our discussion of Iran's beleaguered economy — and who exactly they blame for it.

United Healthcare, the nation's biggest insurer, announced that it's cutting back on its requirements for prior authorization by 30%. Prior authorization is when your doctor orders a medical procedure, test, or drug, but you can't get it before the insurance company's approval. For insurers, it's a way to cut costs. For doctors and patients, it's a source of massive frustration. Plus, we check in on the state of Iran's wartime economy.

Immigrant detention facilities are being bought and retrofitted seemingly overnight without public input across the U.S., and there's little to no notice given to local governments. How can this happen? It's all traced back to a war-focused contracting method Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been using to its advantage. But first, the New York Times reports that the president is considering setting up a safety-vetting process for AI models.

Roughly one in every 20 U.S. workers is holding down multiple jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's fallen a fraction of a percent since last fall, when we saw the highest rate since 1999 — around the moment just before the dot-com bubble burst, when there were fears about what increasing automation meant for job-holders. Sound familiar? Then, we'll unpack a recent water-saving plan to address the ongoing water crisis in the Colorado River Basin.