The Opening Bell

Nearly half of Americans don’t have a will to make sure their wishes are fulfilled when they pass on, but the digital realm is something that might also commonly be left out of their consideration. Steve Grzanich discussed the new book Your Digital Undertaker: Exploring Death in The Digital Age in Canada with author Sharon Hartung and eased the concerns about how to navigate digital assets before passing. Dalton Barker (Consumer Products and Retailing Reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business) then […]

The summer season is for kids to relax, adults to enjoy shorter work days, and people to cherish warmer weather. Kilian Heilmann (Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Dornsife Institute for New Economic Thinking at USC) explained to Steve Grzanich how he has been looking at the correlation between hot weather and violence. Jim Kirk (Publisher and Executive Editor at Crain’s Chicago Business) then previewed the new Crain’s Forum series that is breaking down Chicago’s biggest issues by discussing them in […]

It’s the sixth year that Walmart is opening it’s B2B doors for their “Open Call” competition and Anne Hatfield (Director of State and Local Communications at Walmart) told Steve Grzanich that four of the 26 Illinois companies that competed for a deal instantly made an impact. The two talked about the grassroots program that is continuing the search for new U.S. made products and continue their push for adding more American products for customers.  

The Paris Air Show is wrapping up this week and Boeing is feeling good thanks to securing a large purchase of 737 Max airplanes to British Airways. Steve Grzanich and Brian Sumers (Sr. Aviation Business Editor at Skift.com) recapped the biggest news coming out of the major industry event along with a number of aviation business news flyers should know about.  

On June 20th, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: The report on First Time Claims for Unemployment Benefits is out today (Expects a slight jump from last week) The Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey is released today The EIA Natural Gas Report will be shared by the end of the day  

On June 19th, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares today’s potential market drivers: Weekly Mortgage Applications from the Mortgage Bankers Association is released this morning The Federal Reserve FOMC Meeting wraps up today (announcements expected at 1:00pm CT) EIA Petroleum Status Report is out today

Food deserts are common throughout the U.S. but people may not even be aware of the transportation deserts that exist. Steve Grzanich and Mary Wisniewski (Transportation Reporter at The Chicago Tribune) caught up to chat about the South and Southwest side of the city that hasn’t felt as much love for transportation updates compared to other areas. Mary explained the small and large fix options including talks of extending the CTA Red Line past 95th Street. Steve then recapped some […]

The climate change discussion is constantly evolving and it regularly finds itself looking at the problem through a business lens. Steve Grzanich discussed the latest report detailing the potential $1 trillion dollar cost to global businesses with Bruno Sarda (President of CDP North America) who broke down where these costs will come from and how soon. Jillian Berman (Reporter at MarketWatch Covering Student Debt) then shared the story coming out of the Midwest that could provide a glimpse into the […]

Student loan debt is one of the biggest burdens for our economy today, but there are a handful of students who will be completely free from their student debt. Steve Grzanich and Jillian Berman (Reporter at MarketWatch Covering Student Debt) caught up to discuss the factors that are allowing ITT Tech students to rid themselves of their student debt after the schools bankruptcy and scheming from a loan business.  

Plant-based foods are all the rage right now in the food industry and you know it has some ground underneath it when big chain food restaurants like Burger King and Carl’s Jr. are diving into the trend. Steve Grzanich caught up with Jonathan Maze (Executive Editor at Restaurant Business Magazine) to discuss all of the factors that go into adding these new plant-based foods to their menus.