Author: Marketplace

Republicans’ freshly passed spending bill sets aside $45 billion just to expand immigration detention centers. And a number of private companies are poised to profit from the surge in funding. On the show today, Deirdre Conlon, co-author of the new book “Immigration Detention Inc" explains how immigration detention became dominated by private companies, how local economies have become entangled with the business of detention, and how Trump’s spending law changes everything.

Plus, we’ll celebrate a listener’s cross-country move. And, a reminder to try being a local tourist.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Trump got $170 billion for immigration. Now he has to enact it." from Politico 
• "We Asked Trump’s Former Prisons Chief How $45 Billion Will Reshape Immigrant Detention" from Mother Jones
• "Budget Bill Massively Increases Funding for Immigration Detention" from the Brennan Center for Justice
• "Trump administration seeks to turn mass deportations into an efficient business ‘like Amazon’" from PBS News
• "Unchecked Growth: Private Prison Corporations and Immigration Detention, Three Years Into the Biden Administration" from the ACLU

Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Among the spending cuts in the big tax bill signed into law by President Donald Trump last week: $186 billion over the next decade to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. Community food banks are already strained. Now, many worry whether they'll be able to keep up. Also on the program: Delta tries to crack the "last mile" in parcel delivery, and new tariffs could hit in three and a half weeks.

Today marks six months since the Eaton Fire ravaged the town of Altadena, about a half hour northeast of downtown LA. More than 9,000 structures burned — most of them homes. We'll check in with Lucie Russo of Southern California Radio/LAist about the loss of her home and where rebuild efforts stand. But first: Tariffs and other inflationary pressures are on the minds of shoppers during Amazon Prime Day.

From the BBC World Service: 14 countries received a letter from the White House saying a pause on tariffs due to expire Wednesday will now be extended to Aug. 1. Japan and South Korea are among the countries facing a renewed threat of 25% tax on U.S. exports, with other import duties ranging from 30% for South Africa to 40% for Myanmar and Laos. We hear reactions. Plus, a move to ban employer misconduct NDAs in the U.K.

As technology has advanced, the ways countries fight wars has changed drastically. Now, AI companies are hoping technology can also play peacekeeper and prevent the next global conflict.

Anadyr Horizon, one of the AI startups, developing what many are calling “peace tech,” is doing so through simulating future conflicts and the world leaders they may involve.

In the latest episode of Million Bazillion, listener Shreen wanted to know, “How do you become a CEO?” No spoilers, but after Ryan and Bridget’s adventure in attempting to become CEOs themselves, Shreen still had some questions about how a successful CEO gets their job, and what they do all day. In this special bonus episode, Shreen interviews Christina Stembel, CEO of Farmgirl Flowers to find out more about what it’s really like to be a CEO, how to start and run a company, and what Christina did as a kid that helped set her on the path to becoming a CEO as a grownup.  

This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.

Trump officials signaled tariffs will be once again postponed, possibly to August 1. But as the White House nails down details, some businesses are suffering while they wait. In this episode, retailers explain why ongoing trade negotiations have put a damper on profits. Plus: Consumers could pull back spending if tariff-related worries persist, employment data shows it’s getting harder to find a job, and we check in with Altadena small business owners recovering from the L.A. fires.

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Republicans’ newly passed tax and spending law establishes the first major federal program for shifting public money to private schools. It comes in the form of a wonky tax break. We’ll explain how it will work. And, we’ll get into how massive cuts to Medicaid will impact rural hospitals across the United States. Plus, anime is more popular than ever on Netflix.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Burning Questions: How do cuts to NOAA impact all of us?" from Marketplace
• "Congress Passes National Private School Voucher Program as Part of Policy Bill" from The New York Times
• "The new wave of private school vouchers" from Make Me Smart  
• "Rural hospitals will be hit hard by Trump’s signature spending package" from The Conversation
• "Trump bill's health effects won't be felt until after midterms" from Axios 
• "Netflix Says 50 Percent of Global Users Now Watch Anime, Reveals Expanded Slate" from The Hollywood Reporter 
• "A new start after 60: I quit my job, bought a camera – and became a successful wildlife photographer" from The Guardian
• "At 40, She Discovered She Was One of America’s Best Free Divers" from Texas Monthly  

Got a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Nations the world over have until Wednesday to strike trade agreements with the U.S., or face the return of astronomically high tariffs that were announced — and later paused — in April. But the White House has signaled some wiggle room, saying tariffs might not actually come back until August 1, should countries not make a deal. Plus, in the final installment of our "Buy Now, Pay Later" series, we look into why more people 65 and older are finding themselves in bankruptcy court.

Wednesday marks the deadline for countries around the world to strike new trade deals with the U.S. The steep reciprocal tariffs President Trump announced, and then delayed, back in April could come roaring back. Or maybe not. Mixed messages from President Trump and his advisors have left the outcome uncertain. But as the Wednesday deadline approaches, there are a number of new developments. Also on the show: consumer inflation expectations and knockoff clothing designs.