Author: Marketplace

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities and the continuation of missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, stock, bond, and oil markets are in a holding pattern. This morning, we'll unpack how financial markets are responding to war headlines. Plus, the big tax and spending legislation includes a ban on state AI regulation and would override more than 100 local laws already on the books.

From the BBC World Service: We're tracking volatility in global oil prices following U.S. attacks on Iran over the weekend. There's a renewed focus on a key oil transport waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran’s parliament voted to shut down. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also called on China to influence the situation there. Plus, the Spanish city of Seville carried out a pilot project naming heat waves to raise public awareness and better prepare local economies.

In California, the state Senate has voted in favor of a so-called AI Bill of Rights, which would establish new guardrails around automated decision systems. To learn more about them, Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with Kate Brennan, associate director of the think tank AI Now Institute.

In the “tariffs the Trump administration has announced and actually put into long-term effect” category? A 25% tax on some automotive parts. In this episode, we visit an auto repair shop in Vermont where unexpected price increases are affecting business. Plus: Cities invest in revitalized waterways as recreational moneymakers and the Philly Fed reports manufacturing employment slumped in the region.

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Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

This week, we’ve looked at the budget reconciliation bill and its effects on student debt, taxes, health care and social programs. The bill is currently moving through the Senate. Today, we discuss the reconciliation bill and the national deficit. And we dig into other proposals such as AI regulation ban and private foundation taxes. Plus, we play a special budget round of Half Full/Half Empty.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “AI moratorium sparks GOP battle over states’ rights” from The Hill
• “Introduction to Budget “Reconciliation” from The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• “One, Big, Beautiful Bill: Impact on Philanthropy” from Council on Foundations
• “Senate Judiciary Unveils Its Own Plan To Curtail Court Orders” from CATO Institute
• “Parliamentarian rulings would kill key climate provisions in GOP megabill” from Politico

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

A bipartisan law slated to kick in in January would have required TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app to an American company or be banned. But the Trump administration delayed the law's implementation for a third time this week. We'll unpack how we got here and chart the app's path forward. Plus: how one U.S. shoemaker is planning to shift the balance from imports to domestic production.

Divestment is often credited with helping end apartheid in South Africa. So can divestment from fossil fuel businesses similarly help make a difference when it comes to climate and the environment? This morning, we're joined by Amy Scott, host of Marketplace's "How We Survive" podcast, to discuss. But first: plans to cut funding for financial literacy and consumer education at the CFPB and headwinds for the consulting industry.

From the BBC World Service: Vacation rental giant Airbnb has lost its appeal against the Spanish government, which ordered the platform to block 66,000 listings from the country. We'll hear more about how the country is being strained by and dealing with mass tourism. Plus, Greenland's government wants to extend a minerals deal signed by President Donald Trump during his first term. Then, can automation help boost U.S. shoe production?

OpenAI and Microsoft are reportedly caught up in protracted behind-the-scenes negotiations that are in danger of boiling over into public conflict. Prosecutors say the man accused of assassinating a Minnesota Democratic lawmaker used online data brokers to help target his victims. And, the Trump Organization unveiled a new venture this week: a mobile service and a smartphone. Marketplace’s Nova Safo is joined by Natasha Mascarenhas at The Information, who explains why.

This spring, just 28% of U.S. homes sold above asking price, according to Redfin. That’s the lowest spring rate since 2020. The trend toward selling at or below asking price is good news for buyers. In this episode, why buyer competition — in some places — has thinned out. Plus: Federal cuts threaten childcare centers for government workers, Oklahoma teens learn about gambling risks in the classroom and we explain the difference between leading and trailing economic indicators.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.