Marketplace All-in-One

Following backlash from Republican leaders, the Federal Election Commission is giving the OK to a pilot program from Google that would allow authorized political committees or campaigns to bypass Gmail’s spam filters and go directly into a user’s inbox. Google came up with the program after the GOP accused the company of disproportionately shunting Republican campaign emails to spam, citing a recent study from North Carolina State University. “Marketplace Tech’s” Kimberly Adams spoke with Ashley Gold, a tech and policy reporter for Axios, about the details of that study, the pilot program and more.

Adam Neumann, the guy who built and then nearly drove WeWork into the ground (we’ve talked about it, a lot) just got a ginormous check for his new business venture. We’ll talk about how that’s even possible (see, WeWork?). Plus, gas prices are falling like a feather, and why is China cutting interest rates? Then, the only guide you need to really understand Kai’s favorite type of beer!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

Keep sending your voice messages. If you’ve got a question, comment or suggestion, send us a voice memo at [email protected] or leave a voice message at 508-U-B-SMART.

While it may not be the best time to be building (or purchasing) a single-family home, apartment construction has reached a 40-year high. All those new units could ease rent prices eventually, but rising labor costs and a supply chain backlog mean it won’t be soon. Plus: A look at “sticky” prices and how the oil and gas industry is betting on fracking as we try to reach net-zero carbon emissions.

Gas prices have dropped, but that hasn’t led to the big bump in consumer sentiment some might have expected. We check in on the minutes from the Fed’s July policy meeting. The BBC checks in on Afghanistan one year after the Taliban’s seizing of control. It appears colleges still have a long way to go when it comes to dealing with small businesses owned by people of color.

First, we peek ahead to some big retail data coming out this week. The People’s Bank of China makes a surprising move. Felicia Wong of the Roosevelt Institute discusses what could be next for the Democrats following a number of agenda victories.

From the BBC World Service: The People’s Bank of China cut its benchmark interest rate for the second time this year, in a surprise move after data showed slower than expected economic growth in July. Plus, South Korea promises aid to North Korea if the country stops developing nuclear weapons. And, a year after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, many women and girls are still excluded from work and formal education.

Weapons detection screening systems are becoming more and more common. These systems use touchless sensors to screen for objects that look like weapons in people’s pockets or backpacks, then they feed that information back to a computer system where security guards can view it. In Detroit, city leaders hope the technology can be used to prevent gun violence. As WDET’s Eli Newman reports, that means bringing security checkpoints to public spaces.

We couldn’t end the week without talking about the story we’ve (quietly) been avoiding: the FBI raid on former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. Kimberly and guest host Meghan McCarty Carino explain how the story went from an investigation about classified documents to espionage. Plus, is polio making a comeback? Then, the hosts weigh in on Serena Williams’ retirement, Peloton getting pricier and splooting!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

We want to hear from you. If you’ve got a question, comment or suggestion, send us a voice memo at [email protected] or leave a voice message at 508-U-B-SMART.

The economy is a mixed bag right now. Inflation remains high but may have peaked. There’s talk of recession, but the labor market is holding up and wage growth is strong. And though consumer sentiment is relatively low, optimism appears to be rebounding. Today, we’ll read the economic tea leaves. Also: The economic case for a four-day school week, and a summer vacation in the Greek islands.

Christopher Low measures market activity with us. A wrinkle in the ongoing saga of gas prices: The price of crude is rising. The BBC looks in on how new COVID restrictions in the East have affected local lives as well as the global supply chain.