Marketplace Morning Report

Congress returns from summer recess to a slate of legislative business including hashing out a spending bill before the end of the month. Gig workers could be reclassified as employees, if a California bill passes. And a profile of one of the “GM Gypsies.”

From the BBC World Service … British Airways cancels thousands of flights as pilots strike. The U.K. prime minister says he now wants a Brexit deal with the EU. China’s economy sees fresh hit from U.S. trade spat.

The August jobs numbers are out, and serve as a springboard into our talk about the markets with Chris Low. We also discuss the moves to make Fannie & Freddie private (or private-ish). Then, we check out an app designed to foil gas-pump skimmers.

With the release of the August jobs report coming, we examine how there are indicators job growth has actually slowed down. We look at a report from the Federal Reserve on the global cost of trade tensions. Also, some of Florida’s largest counties are spending money to attract film and TV.

From the BBC World Service … Zimbabwe’s former president Robert Mugabe has died at age 95. South African businesses face boycotts after a week of looting and violence. And New Zealand unveils a tax framework for firms looking to pay salaries in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

We discuss privacy following a story about a researcher who found a database with millions of phone numbers tied to Facebook accounts. Diane Swonk checks in with us to talk about markets and jobs. Also, a new law in Texas aims for stiffer penalties against mail and package thieves.

With the ongoing trade war, the U.S. bond yield has surged to new lows, which has attracted the attention of big corporations. Elsewhere, Michigan has become the first state to ban flavored e-cigarettes. Then, we discuss the dangers of the high seas with author Ian Urbina.

From the BBC World Service … U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is in the U.K. to discuss closer economic ties. But is a trade deal even possible with British parliamentary politics in chaos? Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is heading to Beijing, where she also faces a tricky balancing act. Nissan’s chief executive is under scrutiny about his pay after his predecessor was arrested last year for financial misconduct.

Susan Schmidt joins us to discuss the markets a couple of days before the release of the August jobs report. Amazon has decided to donate unsold items instead of dumping them. Then, we get advice on how to avoid being conned from someone whose own con-artist-turned-fraud-expert life inspired a movie.

We talk about an upcoming assessment on food security in the U.S., which details the access people have to meals. Walmart is planning to stop sales of certain kinds of ammunition. We also talk about the level of trust people have in business to stay strong.