Author: Marketplace

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.

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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.

Following the murder of George Floyd, the social justice movement it accelerated led to a wave of support for Black-owned businesses — from consumers, banks, and big corporations. But a lot of that support has faded away. Today, we'll hear how small business owners have grappled with the ebbs and flows. Plus, as films and television shows opt to film in places like Georgia or New York, businesses in Los Angeles say the move away from Hollywood is hitting their bottom line.

Last month, Marketplace's Mitchell Hartman visited Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he reported on the history of the area's “Black Wall Street” and its destruction during the Tulsa Race Massacre more than a century ago. The city's mayor recently announced a $105 million reparations plan. Tulsa joins a number of localities addressing the racial wealth gap, but if addressed federally, the sum would have to be closer to $16 trillion. We'll hear more. But first: how to tell how factories are navigating tariff pivots.

From the BBC World Service: Oil prices influence the prices of many goods that we buy. Now, mixed signals from President Donald Trump about whether to get involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran are causing volatility in global oil prices and adding to overall economic uncertainty. And, we'll look at how key industries in Thailand are feeling about the prospect of steep U.S. tariffs.

Despite having free primary schools, children in Malawi are lagging behind. According to UNESCO, almost 90% of them cant read a simple sentence at the age of 10, due in part to a shortage of teachers and basic resources. But the government has gone for a high-tech solution — digital tablets.

The Fed kept interest rates as-is today, and Chair Powell said policymakers are “well-positioned to wait” before making another move. But what if oil price shock, propelled by roiling conflict in the Middle East, forces his hand? In this episode, we break open the Fed oil crisis playbook — but we hope Powell won’t need it. Plus, projections show the GOP tax bill will cost more than it makes, AI productivity won't boost humans equally and port logistics get complicated under shifting tariff policy.

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.