Marketplace

In 2017, President Trump overhauled the federal tax structure. Eight years later, the corporate tax part of the deal hasn’t quite “paid for itself,” as promised. But the personal income part, which is set to expire this year, did help some lower-income Americans pay off debt and keep up with the cost of essentials. Will Congress act to renew it? Also in this episode: The legal outlook on Elon Musk gaining access to the Treasury’s payment system; Los Angeles fire property insurance payouts could reach historic levels; and the services sector is stronger than manufacturing right now.

You know that national debt we’re always talking about? It’s at $36 trillion right now, and around $7 trillion of that is owed … back to the U.S. government. We’ll explain. Also in this episode: Oil prices will be moved by more than tariffs this year, AI firms are spending big on Super Bowl ads and lenders see an uptick in business loan demand.

Between President Trump’s changeable policy plans and sticky inflation in some sectors, everyone participating in this economy is, in a word, uncertain. In this episode, we hear how manufacturers, importers and consumers are dealing with that uneasy feeling and get some perspective from Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Austan Goolsbee. Plus, the new Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has unprecedented access to the Treasury’s chief payment system. Should we be worried?

Spent a lot on health care last year? So did employers. The cost of employee health insurance benefits rose 4 to 5% faster than inflation in 2024. That’s not unusual, but rising premiums do put a dent in corporate budgets. In this episode, why health care costs aren’t slowing down. Plus, a California port aims for total decarbonization by the end of the decade and once-incarcerated firefighters face significant barriers trying to find a job.

If you’re a regular “Marketplace” listener, you’ve probably heard of the Fed’s Beige Book. But have you heard of the Tealbook? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the Fed’s fortune-telling report that helps monetary policy mandarins ideate on possible economic scenarios. Plus: AI tools juggle search dominance with profitability, the GDP report shows consumers still haven’t stopped spending and we wrap up our sojourn in Cumberland County, Tennessee.

When the Federal Reserve changes its key interest rate, borrowing costs adjust accordingly … usually. There are times, though, when they move in the opposite direction. In this episode, we break down interest rate sensitivity and why borrowing rates don’t always align with the Fed’s moves. Plus, we visit the Save a Lot grocery store and Good Samaritans charity in Crossville, Tennessee — two places that support the area’s aging residents, including those who live on low or fixed incomes.

As America’s population ages, so does its workforce. That’s why this week, Kai and ADP’s Nela Richardson are visiting Cumberland County, Tennessee, where a third of residents are 65 and older. In this episode, we talk to an exterminator, a part-time dance teacher, a hospital president and a minister-turned-shop owner to illustrate that  Cumberland’s aging population brings new opportunities — and challenges.

It’s a demographic reality: The U.S. has an aging workforce. That’s gonna affect our economy, big time. In this episode, Kai takes a trip to Cumberland County, Tennessee, with payroll firm ADP’s chief economist, Nela Richardson. It’s home to one of the oldest labor forces in the country — around a third of residents are older than 65 — meaning this rural nook of Tennessee can give us a glimpse into the future.

Private label sales hit an all-time high in 2024, a new report shows. We’re talking about retail stores’ in-house brands, like Costco’s Kirkland or Target’s Everspring. What does it say about today’s consumers that they’re willing to abandon brand loyalty on certain items in favor of (usually cheaper) private label goods? Also in this episode: A seamstress upcycles fan gear and a retiree volunteers in his adopted community to build hiking trails.

Though first-time unemployment filings barely ticked up last week, continuing claims hit a high not seen since 2021 and nearly 1.9 million Americans are receiving jobless benefits. What gives? A mix of hiring freezes, the time of year and choosy job seekers. Also in this episode: We compare today’s labor market to how things looked just before the pandemic began. Plus, three cities where rents are falling and a visit to a 24-hour diner.