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The Today in Manufacturing Podcast is a new podcast brought to you by the editors from Manufacturing.net and Industrial Equipment News (IEN).

In each episode, we discuss the five biggest stories in manufacturing, and the implications they have on the industry moving forward. This week:

Air Force Funds Hypersonic Aircraft Startup

Hermeus is developing the world’s fastest reusable aircraft. Last week, Hermeus announced a $60 million agreement with the U.S. Air Force to test its first aircraft.

Protesters Block Raytheon Plant Entrances

Activists blocked the entrance to a Raytheon plant in Rhode Island on Thursday morning. They are protesting what they call the company's role in the “killing civilians" and “other human rights abuses."

VW Halts Sales on Vehicles that Can Unexpectedly Shut Down

Volkswagen has asked dealerships to stop selling the Taos, the company's new subcompact SUV. Reports have surfaced of engines unexpectedly shutting down when the car comes to a stop.

Factory Raises Wages to Combat Labor Shortage

Custom Rubber Corp is an Ohio rubber parts factory. The company recently received an $879,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.  President Charlie Braun used the money for an interesting experiment, he raised wages in an effort to help solve staffing problems.

LA Deputies Shot in Ambush Sue 'Ghost Gun' Kit Maker

A pair of Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were badly wounded in an ambush shooting last year. On Monday, the deputies sued Nevada-based Polymer80 for making the parts for a “ghost gun” used in the attack.

In Case You Missed It

Want to Pretend to Live on Mars? 

On Friday, NASA began taking applications for four people to live for a year in Mars Dune Alpha. It's a 1,700-square-foot Martian habitat, created by a 3D-printer, inside a building at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Samsung Slashes Prices on Foldable Phones

Will a cheaper, more durable foldable phone solve Samsung's problems?

New Postal Trucks Delayed Due to Lawsuit

Workhorse Group has challenged the fairness of the contract, which went to Oshkosh Defense in June.

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