In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam explores the "great disconnect" in the American economy, starting with a look at why consumers feel a squeeze that Wall Street’s billion-dollar bank profits seem to ignore. Financial advisor and "Watchdog on Wall Street" host Chris Markowski joins the studio to pull back the curtain on the latest wholesale inflation data and explain why a "booming" GDP doesn’t always translate to the local grocery aisle. The conversation shifts to the global stage, where a heating tech war sees China officially blocking NVIDIA’s most advanced chips, while domestic giants Tesla and Amazon aggressively rewrite the rules for their customers and suppliers. She also dives into a landmark moment for the world’s fastest-growing sport as Nike signs its first-ever pickleball athlete, 18-year-old sensation Anna Lee Waters.

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In today’s Dollars and Cents, Pam dives into the intensifying corporate tug-of-war between Warner Bros., Paramount’s and Netflix. Then,

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Pam Cook has your Dollars & Sense:

In today’s episode, Pam breaks down the high-stakes deal to sell a 50% stake in TikTok’s U.S. operations to an investor group that includes Oracle and MGX. While tech stocks rally on the Nasdaq, OpenAI is making headlines with a massive push to raise $100 billion, potentially vaulting its valuation past other industry giants. Then a look at why your morning cup of coffee remains at record high prices despite recent tariff rollbacks on global producers. Here in the Golden State, California pear farmers are calling for federal intervention as they struggle against a surge of counter-seasonal imports from South America. Turning to the world of AI, a new survey shows that most U.S. executives admit to routine data errors despite claiming high accuracy and a celebration for the kickoff of the women’s college basketball Champions Classic this weekend.

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Pam Cook has your Dollars & Sense:

The entertainment landscape is shifting as the Warner Brothers board urges shareholders to reject a takeover bid from Paramount in favor of a deeper partnership with Netflix. Pam talks to an industry expert about the move that could redefine the future of movie theaters. FIFA is responding to fan backlash by introducing a special $60 ticket tier for the 2026 World Cup, specifically targeting "super fans." In the financial world, Medline made waves today with the year's largest IPO, raising over $6 billion as tech and AI stocks simultaneously dragged down the Nasdaq and S&P 500. American Airlines is also making headlines with a "customer reimagination plan" featuring luxury suites to combat recent losses, while air taxi pioneer Joby Aviation prepares to double its U.S. manufacturing with significant backing from Toyota. On the tech front, Amazon is reportedly in talks to invest a staggering $10 billion in OpenAI, a deal that would secure the use of Amazon’s custom AI chips and skyrocket OpenAI’s valuation. Finally, we wrap up with news from Napa Valley, where the iconic Mumm Napa has been acquired by Trinchero Family Wine & Spirits, and a special holiday segment featuring the best gift ideas for the men on your list.

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The episode dives into the Nasdaq’s groundbreaking proposal to extend trading hours to nearly 24/7, a move money managers are comparing to the risk of 24-hour casino gambling. Pam also discusses the market's initial drop following the jobs news and hear from financial advisors who prioritize anecdotal data from small businesses. Then major corporate shifts, including Ford’s expensive pullback from pure electric vehicles to hybrids and PayPal’s formal application to become a chartered bank. Finally, Pam touches on an investor group's purchase of California Pizza Kitchen and the skyrocketing use of AI in the American workplace.

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Pam Cook has your Dollars & Sense today:

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Pam Cook has your Dollars & Sense:

The markets are split, with a disappointing Oracle earnings report pulling the NASDAQ down and raising concerns about the timeline for AI investment returns, despite the technology's architects being named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. Meanwhile, San Francisco is hoping to see an influx of cash and excitement by proposing new tax incentives to bring Hollywood film and television productions to the city. On a positive local note, nearly 80,000 California high school seniors are receiving their early Cal Grant eligibility notices, and a Bay Area housing fund has doubled its investment to boost affordable home construction. Moving internationally, Mexico is imposing new tariffs on Asian imports, while NVIDIA is developing software to track the usage of its AI chips due to national security concerns. Finally, a new character from the movie Zootopia 2, the "constantly smiling" Quokka, is driving a massive travel surge to Western Australia. This trend is made easier by a new direct United Airlines flight from SFO, although officials are working hard to balance tourism with preserving the adorable marsupials.

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Pam Cook has you Dollars & Sense:

She covers concerns over an AI Santa experience and a security flaw discovered on the Petco website that exposed customer data. In the financial world, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve as they are widely expected to cut the federal funds rate by a quarter point—but will this mean lower rates for consumers? Plus, a look at Magnum ice cream's spin-off from Unilever, the public dispute involving Ben & Jerry's founders, updates on SpaceX's IPO plans, a new AI-driven dating app from the founder of Hinge, and Amazon Ring's new facial recognition feature.

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Pam Cook has today's Dollars & Sense:

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Pam Cook has you Dollars & Sense:

First, Netflix's massive, $82 billion industry-altering acquisition of Warner Brothers, including HBO Max and key franchises like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. We also look at the slightly lower-than-expected core inflation report and what it means for the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions next week. Finally, we explore the launch of an innovative, internet-free AI gadget for children, designed to foster creativity and safety amid growing concerns about inappropriate content and kids' screen addiction. Founder of Kids Company, Robert Locascio, stops by the studio to tell us about the invention and inspiration behind it.

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