A tax credit for electric vehicles was killed under the latest GOP tax and spending bill. It's a credit that has existed in some form for nearly 20 years. In this episode, how the tax break supported EV innovation and what might change when it ends in September. Plus: Big retailers eye vertical integration as a salve to supply chain and tariff drama, Canada’s first liquefied natural gas ship sails to Asia, and some employers choose brutal honesty in the recruiting process. Every story has an eco...
Jul 08, 2025•25 min
Last week’s massive spending and tax bill, named the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” was signed into law by President Trump . It includes major cuts to clean energy incentives, pushed forward by the Biden Administration’s signature climate law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The new law is a huge setback against cutting emissions and transitioning to clean energy. “How We Survive” host Amy Scott talks with Shannon Osaka, climate zeitgeist reporter at The Washington Post, to find out how...
Jul 08, 2025•14 min
Republicans’ freshly passed spending bill sets aside $45 billion just to expand immigration detention centers. And a number of private companies are poised to profit from the surge in funding. On the show today, Deirdre Conlon, co-author of the new book “Immigration Detention Inc" explains how immigration detention became dominated by private companies, how local economies have become entangled with the business of detention, and how Trump’s spending law changes everything. Plus, we’ll celebrate...
Jul 08, 2025•25 min
Being a CEO is a big job and 9-year-old Shreen is wondering how to become one! On today’s episode, Bridget and Ryan learn about the different paths people take to be the boss and what it really means to lead a company. (Hint: its not just about meetings and fancy suits). And, guess what? Even CEOs have a boss sometimes, too! If your family is interested in learning more about the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website . We’ve got discussion questions and tips! This episode ...
Jul 08, 2025•31 min
Among the spending cuts in the big tax bill signed into law by President Donald Trump last week: $186 billion over the next decade to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. Community food banks are already strained. Now, many worry whether they'll be able to keep up. Also on the program: Delta tries to crack the "last mile" in parcel delivery, and new tariffs could hit in three and a half weeks.
Jul 08, 2025•7 min
Today marks six months since the Eaton Fire ravaged the town of Altadena, about a half hour northeast of downtown LA. More than 9,000 structures burned — most of them homes. We'll check in with Lucie Russo of Southern California Radio/LAist about the loss of her home and where rebuild efforts stand. But first: Tariffs and other inflationary pressures are on the minds of shoppers during Amazon Prime Day.
Jul 08, 2025•7 min
From the BBC World Service: 14 countries received a letter from the White House saying a pause on tariffs due to expire Wednesday will now be extended to Aug. 1. Japan and South Korea are among the countries facing a renewed threat of 25% tax on U.S. exports, with other import duties ranging from 30% for South Africa to 40% for Myanmar and Laos. We hear reactions. Plus, a move to ban employer misconduct NDAs in the U.K.
Jul 08, 2025•7 min
As technology has advanced, the ways countries fight wars has changed drastically. Now, AI companies are hoping technology can also play peacekeeper and prevent the next global conflict. Anadyr Horizon, one of the AI startups, developing what many are calling “peace tech,” is doing so through simulating future conflicts and the world leaders they may involve.
Jul 08, 2025•6 min
Trump officials signaled tariffs will be once again postponed, possibly to August 1. But as the White House nails down details, some businesses are suffering while they wait. In this episode, retailers explain why ongoing trade negotiations have put a damper on profits. Plus: Consumers could pull back spending if tariff-related worries persist, employment data shows it’s getting harder to find a job, and we check in with Altadena small business owners recovering from the L.A. fires. Every story ...
Jul 07, 2025•26 min
Republicans’ newly passed tax and spending law establishes the first major federal program for shifting public money to private schools. It comes in the form of a wonky tax break. We’ll explain how it will work. And, we’ll get into how massive cuts to Medicaid will impact rural hospitals across the United States. Plus, anime is more popular than ever on Netflix. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Burning Questions: How do cuts to NOAA impact all of us?" from Marketplace "Congress Passes N...
Jul 07, 2025•19 min
Nations the world over have until Wednesday to strike trade agreements with the U.S., or face the return of astronomically high tariffs that were announced — and later paused — in April. But the White House has signaled some wiggle room, saying tariffs might not actually come back until August 1, should countries not make a deal. Plus, in the final installment of our "Buy Now, Pay Later" series, we look into why more people 65 and older are finding themselves in bankruptcy court.
Jul 07, 2025•7 min
Wednesday marks the deadline for countries around the world to strike new trade deals with the U.S. The steep reciprocal tariffs President Trump announced, and then delayed, back in April could come roaring back. Or maybe not. Mixed messages from President Trump and his advisors have left the outcome uncertain. But as the Wednesday deadline approaches, there are a number of new developments. Also on the show: consumer inflation expectations and knockoff clothing designs.
Jul 07, 2025•7 min
From the BBC World Service: An alliance of emerging countries — which includes Brazil, South Africa, China and Russia — has criticized the Trump administration’s tariffs, causing the president to threaten them with an extra 10% tariff on trade. And as trade tensions rise, we take a look at how the art of negotiations are being transformed by the U.S. approach to trade deals.
Jul 07, 2025•7 min
More than half of all Americans have used artificial intelligence tools recently, according to a study published by Silicon Valley venture capital firm Menlo Ventures. And one in five people use it daily. Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with Amy Wu Martin, a partner at Menlo Ventures, to learn how they’re using it in their day-to-day lives.
Jul 07, 2025•8 min
Some conservatives think states should take over management of federal land. But often, states lack adequate resources, or use land for revenue rather than recreation or conservation. This Independence Day, we visit state trust land in Wyoming to learn more about state versus federal management issue. Plus: Homeownership is a tough bargain if you travel for work and data shows the manufacturing sector has contracted since Trump took office. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your in...
Jul 04, 2025•26 min
Since President Trump began imposing on-and-off tariffs earlier this year, “tariff” has become a buzzword. And you might have a kid in your life who’s asked what the deal with tariffs is all about. So today, we’re sharing an episode from the latest season of Million Bazillion that breaks down how they work. Hosts Bridget and Ryan help out a local fifth-grader whose slime business is facing competition from a rival school. Could a tariff solve her problem?...
Jul 04, 2025•28 min
Layoffs have been in the headlines a fair amount recently, with some companies cutting jobs in stages. Microsoft, Amazon and BlackRock are among the employers that have reportedly had repeated rounds of layoffs in recent months. Plus, it's been 10 years since Ireland became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote. A decade later, these couples are contributing significantly to the wedding business in Ireland at a time when overall marriage numbers are falling...
Jul 04, 2025•7 min
Changes in the interpretation of campaign finance law could be on the horizon. It's been 15 years since the high court decided that corporations and unions can give unlimited amounts of money to candidates. But political parties have to work within separate limits when it's money used in tandem by the party and the candidate. Also on the show: the state of news consumption in the U.S. and a new approach to homeless encampments in Northern California.
Jul 04, 2025•7 min
From the BBC World Service: President Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, has squeaked through Congress. It boosts military and border spending and extends Trump-era tax cuts, but makes deep cuts to healthcare and food aid. Saturday marks a year in office for the Labour Party in the UK, so what’s the economic verdict of the past 52 weeks? And it's been 10 years since Ireland became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote, and same-sex couples are contri...
Jul 04, 2025•7 min
On this week’s “Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review,” Marketplace’s Nova Safo and Paresh Dave, senior writer at WIRED, discuss Amazon releasing its 1 millionth robot at one of its warehouses. Plus, lawmakers contended with provisions dealing with artificial intelligence and renewable energy in that big tax and spending bill, recently passed by Congress, that consumed Washington this week.
Jul 04, 2025•10 min
On California farms, ICE raid fears persist — at least half of the state’s crop workers are undocumented. As a result, the farms that grow three-quarters of U.S. fruits and nuts are experiencing worker shortages as harvests begin. In this episode, Trump's immigration policy clashes with the realities of labor-intensive farm work. Plus, growth on the June jobs report may be overstated, lower tariffs are still tariffs, and we check in on the import sector. Every story has an economic angle. Want s...
Jul 03, 2025•26 min
The Labor Department today reported the United States added 147,000 jobs in June. The number beat economists expectations, and it sits in stark contrast to yesterday’s ADP report which showed private sector lost 33,000 jobs last month. So what gives? We’ll explain what the two reports can tell us about the labor market right now. And, President Trump’s immigration crackdown could lead to more federal surveillance on all Americans. Plus, we want to hear about the wins in your life! Here’s everyth...
Jul 03, 2025•14 min
The government reported today that 147,000 more people were on payrolls in June compared to May — a stronger outcome than initially forecasted. This data comes despite all the tariff-related uncertainty that many business execs have been speaking about lately. We’ll discuss. Plus, AI scraping could fundamentally break the business model of the internet, and an oasis of merch and pop-up stores is appearing ahead of the Oasis reunion tour kick-off.
Jul 03, 2025•9 min
Rebuilding a business after a natural disaster can be slow and arduous. That’s certainly the case in Asheville, North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene engulfed hundreds of structures in mud, water and debris last fall. In some parts of the city, damage was so severe that many businesses won't rebuild. Others, however, believe it’s worth the risk and are rebuilding with resilience in mind. But first: a U.S. trade deal with Vietnam, and resumed semiconductor chip business with China.
Jul 03, 2025•7 min
From the BBC World Service: President Donald Trump says that under the deal, goods from Vietnam will face a 20% tariff — significantly lower than the 46% levy he announced in April. Then, seen as a safe-haven, platinum has been riding high recently. Last week, it climbed above $1,400 per troy ounce for the first time since September 2014. And the long-awaited Oasis reunion tour kicks off in Wales on Friday. We'll check out the merch economy.
Jul 03, 2025•7 min
In today’s episode, Marketplace’s Nova Safo speaks with Sharon Lurye, a data reporter at the Associated Press, about her recent investigation into “ghost students” — scammers who use AI to pretend to be college students in order to steal financial aid and loan money.
Jul 03, 2025•8 min
Consumer spending sputtered in May, likely thanks to tariffs and related uncertainty. Not only does that give us a clue as to where GDP is headed, it could also help us predict the labor market's next move. Later in this episode: Slowed hiring could have a silver lining (depending on your perspective), the U.S. dollar is down 10% so far this year, and we visit a pop-up brewery focused on racial equity. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly n...
Jul 02, 2025•27 min
On today’s show, we’ll discuss some headlines that might’ve slipped under the radar this week. First, most staff at the U.S. Agency for International Deveopment officially marked their final day with the agency. What might the dismantling of USAID mean for U.S. influence abroad? Plus, school districts are scrambling as federal education dollars are on hold. Then, we’ll smile about Andy Weir’s latest sci-fi novel being adapted for the big screen and the WNBA expanding into more cities! Here’s eve...
Jul 02, 2025•13 min
The House of Representatives could vote as soon as today on President Donald Trump’s big tax and spending bill. Trump says the legislation gets rid of taxes on Social Security benefits, but it’s not quite that simple. We'll unpack. Then, we’ll discuss this morning’s surprisingly weak private payroll data. And, we'll travel to London ahead of the city's Pride festival, which has been hit by declining corporate sponsorship.
Jul 02, 2025•7 min
An ADP report providing a reading on the strength of the job market comes out today. Meanwhile, another measure shows the labor market treading water: job churn. Do we have the confidence to leave and take a different job? Amid continued economic uncertainty, many workers seem to be staying put, and employers seem hesitant to let workers go. Also on the show: the financial burden of deployment for military families.
Jul 02, 2025•7 min
