Marketplace All-in-One

However, the reason for the dip in Christmas tree supply has to do with climate change. A dome of heat earlier in the covered the Pacific Northwest, wreaking havoc on tree farms and putting a dent in the overall inventory of trees that would have been on the market. Inflation has eaten into the increased benefits for SNAP recipients. We discuss the markets with Gus Faucher of PNC Financial Services Group.

Flames and explosions forced the shutdown of Greenberg Smoked Turkeys in Tyler, Texas last year. The company sold hundreds of thousands of turkeys every holiday season. Now, one year later, business appears to be booming, according to owner Sam Greenberg. President Biden announced today that the U.S. is releasing crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. We have more details on what this means.

From the BBC World Service: The Red Cross says policies designed to withhold funds from the Taliban are depriving ordinary Afghan people of the means of survival. The Taliban blames the west for the worsening humanitarian crisis. Plus, Beijing issues another warning to Taiwanese firms and those who finance them. And, the U.S. trade representative, Katherine Tai, is in India for talks about deepening trade ties and easing tensions.

For Ruben Trujillo, coffee is not just a beverage, it’s his passion. He spent several years working as an English teacher in South Korea, getting deep into the coffee culture there. When he returned to the U.S., he decided to start his own business, Cafe Emporos, selling selling pre-filled personalized coffee filters. Trujillo shares his story and tells how TikTok marketing really launched his business.

President Joe Biden says he wants to reappoint Jerome Powell to serve as chair of the Federal Reserve for a second term. It’s a big deal, but it wasn’t unexpected. We’ll explain the political calculus behind the decision. Plus, we’ll highlight a few long reads you may have missed over the weekend, including one about how China is winning the clean energy contest. And a “Turducken”-inspired Thanksgiving dessert, plus we ask listeners to share their version of a “Turducken” Thanksgiving cocktail.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

Read the transcript here.

Tomorrow, we’re doing a deep dive into the Federal Reserve. If you have a question about the central bank and how it works, send a voice memo or give us a call at 508-82-SMART (508-827-6278).

President Joe Biden announced today that he will nominate Jerome Powell for a second term as Federal Reserve chair. Progressive Democrats were hoping Biden would nominate board member Lael Brainard, whom he instead picked for vice chair. The decision indicates a “business as usual” stance amid the economic recovery and spiking inflation. Also: We examine why Target’s nearly 2,000 stores will no longer stay open on Thanksgiving Day, unpack the Deere strike and its impact on farmers and look at businesses filling the void in China’s mental health care sector.

Elizabeth Holmes, the former CEO of tech company Theranos, took the stand over the weekend during her fraud trial and will do so again. For a recap, we turn to Adam Lashinsky of Business Insider. With news that President Biden has tabbed Jerome Powell for another tour as Fed Chair, we discuss the economic picture with Julia Coronado.

Recruiting data shows that within the mass of people quitting their jobs at record rates, you’re going to find more than a few CEOs. It’s a culmination of a trend that’s been picking up momentum in recent years. The airline industry remains short on staff as the busiest travel days of the year approach. A program in Oregon has opened up motels and hotels to help shelter the homeless.

From the BBC World Service: The World Health Organization’s director for Europe warned half a million more people might die this winter unless regional restrictions are tightened. But some European cities have seen a weekend of anti-lockdown protests. Plus, Australia is opening its border to more fully vaccinated travelers. And, the economic challenges for oil-rich Venezuela as President Maduro’s party sweeps to victory in regional elections.

The holidays often mean traveling, which frequently means flying. For many who are hyper-aware of their carbon footprints, flying can bring on a guilt trip. Commercial flights account for about 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. Now, though, there are a variety of sustainable aviation fuels designed to lower the emissions that are generated by air travel. Marketplace’s Jed Kim speaks with Evan Sherwin, a postdoctoral researcher in energy and resources engineering at Stanford University, about the kinds of sustainable jet fuels out there.