Marketplace All-in-One

Today we’re looking ahead to next week, when kids 6 months to 5 years old should finally get access to a COVID vaccine. It’s giving us spring 2021 flashbacks. Then we’ll touch on the latest in rising infla — HEY, PAY ATTENTION, THIS IS IMPORTANT! Plus, climate change and the significance of corporate America speaking out about the threats to our democracy. We’ll wrap up the week with a round of our favorite game, Half Full / Half Empty.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

We’ll be off Monday to observe Juneteenth. Join us Tuesday for a deep dive about inflation. In the meantime, keep sending your inflation- and non-inflation- related questions to [email protected] and (508) 827-6278 or (508) U-B-SMART.

After delta and omicron, employers’ return-to-office plans have run into another hurdle: the price of gas. Plus, how the Federal Reserve is letting an “unsustainably hot” job market cool off; and Raphael Bostic, head of the Atlanta Fed, tells us he understands that inflation is “going to weigh on your psyche.”

As supply chain issues linger, ports on the West Coast are in the middle of renegotiating labor contracts with the union that represents dock workers. One major talking point: automation. It’s part of a length history of dock workers being wary of tech innovations that could threaten jobs. We look at how renewable energy is becoming more available in Texas, but faces an infrastructure in need of an update.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused billions in economic damage to Ukraine. Many Western leaders suggest that money from seized or frozen Russian assets should held rebuild the country, but as Matthieu Favas of The Economist tells us, that’s much easier said than done. A wave of flight cancellations has burdened airlines once again. The BBC checks in regarding the World Trade Organization holding its first conference of ministers in five years.

From the BBC World Service: Senior EU officials are expected to give their recommendation today to grant Ukraine candidate status for membership, but several economic hurdles still stand in the country’s way. The World Trade Organization has held its first ministers’ conference in five years, reaching agreements on patent waivers for COVID vaccines and fishing. And as French voters return to the polls this weekend for the second round of parliamentary elections, we visit a struggling farmer who has staved off bankruptcy by opening a cabaret show in his barn.

One of the big players in the push to update tech industry regulations is the Federal Trade Commission, whose job is to protect consumers and promote competition in the economy. It’s been just over a year since Lina Khan took over as chair of the agency and about a month since the confirmation of a third Democrat, Alvaro Bedoya, to the five-member commission, which broke a prolonged deadlock at the agency. That means Khan has a fresh chance to advance her agenda. Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams recently spoke with Khan at her office and asked her about taking on Big Tech in the courts.

During today’s Jan. 6 committee hearing, we learned about the role former Vice President Mike Pence played in responding to the insurrection at the Capitol. On the show, the hosts breakdown some of the key testimony and look to history as a guide for what they hope might come next in the hearings. Plus, we’ll introduce you another TikTokker with ridiculous geolocating skills. And good news for the ship that inspired the film “The Goonies”!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

If you’re watching the Jan. 6 hearings, tell us what your biggest takeaways have been so far. We’re at [email protected] and (508) 827-6278 or (508) U-B-SMART.

Rising prices are a problem around the world, and dozens of central banks are hiking interest rates in response. Today, we delve into the global forces driving inflation and look at the countries most vulnerable to higher interest rates and recessions. Later in the program: a housing market that may be cooling, a patent system that irks inventors and rising costs that challenge schools’ creditworthiness.

Adam had worked his way up to manager at a branch of a global bank, only to see his responsibilities double during the pandemic. After trying to make it work, the extra duties without extra pay began to compromise his well-being. Adam decided to slow down — to do only what he physically and mentally could without overworking himself. In this episode, we’ll look at what happens when workers slow down and explore the historical precedent for reclaiming your body and time at work.

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Fresh off the Fed’s interest rate hike, we look at how the federal funds rate – which affects consumer debt – could impact monthly payments on things like car loans and mortgages. Bear markets are a harrowing time for everyone, but especially nonprofits. Michael Schumacher of Wells Fargo discusses market activity with us.