Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about what every senior needs to know about Medicare. Terry explains what has changed about Medicare enrollment and answers all of your Medicare questions.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Abbott Laboratories is launching a $7 billion stock buyback program. The North Chicago-based company made the announcement as it reported 3rd quarter earnings. The stock buyback was approved earlier this month by Abbott’s board of directors. The company says sales rose 5% year over year to more than $10 billion. Abbott says strong demand for medical devices fueled its sales growth, especially devices used by diabetes patients. 

Also, fashion store H&M is set to open its newest store in Chicago, at 679 N. Michigan. Listen for more below:

Segment 1:  Craig Bolanos, Co-Founder and CEO of Wealth Management Group, joins John Williams to talk about the ‘magnificent’ bull market, how long he thinks this bull market might continue, his thoughts on Walgreens closing stores, the changing retail behavior, and crude oil prices settling down.

Segment 2: Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter for Crain’s, joins John to talk about interest rates not moving much, very little inventory coming on the market, Chicago being much more affordable than other cities, a Gold Coast row house selling for first time in a century, and a vacant city-owned mansion on Evanston’s lakefront taking a big step toward a comeback.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Another Magnificent Mile office building could be converted into apartments if the City of Chicago gives approval. A Connecticut developer wants to transform the building at 500 N. Michigan with a plan that would more than 300 apartments to the 24-story building. The conversion plan will be before Chicago Plan Commission later this week, according to the Sun Times. The ground floor and second floor of the building would remain retail. It currently houses a Vans shoe store, a bank branch and Chick-fil-A. The developer says the conversion would happen in two phases and 20% of the units would be available as affordable housing. 

Also, there’s a settlement to report in a case involving the Chicago-based Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and 33 member companies. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media and Best Money Moves, joins John to talk about how well the markets have been performing this year, the S&P hitting another record today, the economic impact of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton,

Segment 2: Stephen Fluhr, Senior Vice President of Development for Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, tells John to talk about the Village of Skokie authorizing the next steps for a development project at Westfield Old Orchard.

Segment 3: Christiana Trapani, Owner, Door County Candle Company, tells John about their Beachside Candle, where 100% of the profits from the candle will be donated for Hurricane Helene & Hurricane Milton relief.

Segment 1: Faron Daugs, CFP, Founder and CEO, Harrison Wallace Financial Group, joins John to talk about what the Producer Price Index data means for the consumer, inflation remaining sticky, how recent hurricanes will impact the economy, the market continuing to reach record highs, if he believes the market is overvalued, and the disconnect between Wall Street and Main Street.

Segment 2: Dan Swan, Senior Partner and manufacturing expert, McKinsey & Company, talks to John about the health of manufacturing in Chicago, the amount of open manufacturing jobs in the U.S., the need to address the shortage of skilled labor, how automation has evolved since the pandemic, and solutions to get more people involved in the workforce.

Segment 3: Bob Apter, President, The Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL), joins John to talk about the interest in youth hockey, how the NIHL works, and the support they receive from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Northern Illinois University in DeKalb  has announced the largest gift in its history. It’ll fund a new $87 million health care and technology-focused hub for students in multiple disciplines. The Baustert Family Foundation has gifted $40 million to NIU. The health technology center will also offer community health care clinics in audiology, physical therapy and speech-language pathology. The center will include research, teaching, study and innovation spaces as well, along with specialized laboratories. Construction is set to begin in 2026.

Also, Chicago-based United Airlines is adding flights to eight new overseas destinations next year. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Jack Ablin, Chief Investment Officer, Cresset Capital, talks to John about today’s CPI data, if the inflation data is good news or bad news, why most consumers root for an aggressive Fed, and what recent labor and inflation data means for Fed policy and interest rates.

Segment 2: Bree Fowler, Senior Writer, CNET, joins John Williams to talk about federal officials warning consumers to be on the lookout for scammers in the wake of Hurricane Milton, a federal judge saying the Federal Trade Commission can proceed with its landmark antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, and Tesla unveiling their robotaxi.

Segment 3: Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, tells John where Kefir originates from, how the company started, the growth they have shown and how they took their product globally, the health benefits of Kefir products, the announcement of 10 new Kefir flavors, and their participation at this weekend’s Chicago Marathon!

Segment 4: Bob Broskey, Lettuce Executive Chef Partner, joins John to share details of specials available at select Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants for the upcoming Chicago Marathon.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Deerfield-based Baxter International says Hurricane Helene could cause a shortage of IV fluids that could last months. The company says its largest manufacturing plant in North Carolina was hard hit last month by the storm. It could take until the end of the year to bring some operations back to 100%. Baxter has been capping some orders for IV fluid. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized IV imports from other Baxter plants, from Canada, Ireland, China and the U.K. 

Also, the United Auto Workers union says a strike against at least one Stellantis plant could start within weeks as part of a controversy tied to Illinois. Listen for more below:

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about Kamala Harris proposing that Medicare cover long-term care at home, the stock market continuing to reach record highs, and the economic impact of recent hurricanes. Terry also answers all of your financial questions.