The U.S. is facing a housing affordability crisis — one that's been exacerbated by natural disasters like Hurricane Helene in 2024 and last year in California, when fires destroyed 12,000 homes. This morning, "Marketplace Morning Report" host David Brancaccio checks in with two people who are rebuilding differently to ensure the safety and comfort of their new abodes. Also on the show: a look at January's job market and votes to repeal President Donald Trump's import taxes.
Marketplace All-in-One - Flights suspended as Cuba faces fuel crisis
From the BBC World Service: Cuba's tourism industry suffered a major blow after dozens of flights were cancelled because of a lack of aviation fuel; Air Canada, which flies many tourists to the Caribbean island, suspended flights because of the shortages. Plus, British department store Harrods said more than 180 survivors of abuse by the store's former owner, Mohamed Al-Fayed, are currently engaged in its compensation scheme. And later, could 2026 be the year high-powered electric motorcycles go mainstream?
Marketplace All-in-One - Is the moon (and its resources) up for grabs?
NASA’s Artemis II mission, which will send humans around the moon for the first time in over five decades, could launch as early as March. This is part of a larger campaign to establish a long-term presence on the moon and eventually prepare for human space flight to Mars.
Meanwhile, China also has a goal of landing humans on the moon by 2030, setting up a kind of modern space race. One reason for the rush: It's like a game of finders keepers, said Saadia Pekkanen, a professor focused on space law and policy at the University of Washington.
Marketplace All-in-One - Holiday spending slowdown
New data show retail sales were flat in December, despite high expectations for the holiday season. So did shoppers spend less? Or did they just frontload that gift spending in November? Also in this episode: AI tools propel widespread online shopping scams, a Colorado utility company shuts off power to prevent wildfires, and what’s next for crypto after last week’s freefall.
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PBS News Hour - World - ‘No one wants war’: Iran spokesman discusses diplomatic path with U.S. after Oman talks
The drumbeat of war between the U.S. and Iran seems to have quieted after indirect talks in Oman, but the threat remains. For a rare view from Iran and its perspective, special correspondent Reza Sayah sat down with Esmail Baghaei, a member of Iran's negotiating team and the spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
Marketplace All-in-One - The power of reading and writing as self-care
Cliche or not, engaging with art is certainly one of the best ways to take a step back when the news cycle gets extra heavy. On the show today, Kimberly is joined by Maggie Smith, poet and host of “The Slowdown” podcast. They talk about why reading and writing are so good for the soul, and about the importance of practicing creativity when funding for the arts is under attack. Maggie also reads a poem she selected specially for us! Plus, we’ll hear from two listeners about their self-care rituals.
In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - The Chicago Newsroom Where Aspiring Journalists Cut Their Teeth
For 115 years, the City News Bureau was a training ground for young journalists in Chicago. Known for its long hours, low pay, and intense, fast-paced atmosphere, the wire service broke stories on courts, crime, and government for local papers, television, and radio stations.
The new book Sirens in the Loop tells the story of the City News Bureau through the voices of former staffers.
In The Loop hears about what a day in the newsroom of City News was like from James Elsener, the co-author of “Sirens,” and City News alums Abdon Pallasch and Rummana Hussain.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Marketplace All-in-One - A closer eye on employment costs
The cost of employing people didn't go up as much as predicted. At one level, that's too bad since who doesn't want a bigger raise? But if you're worried about interest rates or want inflation to come down, you may see this differently, which may be a bigger story than news of disappointing retail sales. Plus, South African farmers are turning to China for sales, and job market expectations improved in January.
Marketplace All-in-One - The EPA’s major climate policy rollback
Reuters reports that the Environmental Protection Agency will roll back its "endangerment finding" determination, which had been at the core of its regulation of gases linked to climate change and recognized greenhouse gases as a public health threat. Opponents of the rollback say it could encourage states to write new rules on emissions and allow for more pollution. Then, we'll learn how some states are choosing to conform to federal tax changes (or not) made in last summer's huge spending and tax law.
Marketplace All-in-One - A bridge at the center of trade tensions
From the BBC World Service: President Trump says he'll prevent a multibillion-dollar bridge linking Canada and the United States from opening unless Canada compensates the U.S. In a lengthy social media post complaining about Canadian trade practices, Trump suggested the U.S. should own half of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which connects Ontario and Michigan. We'll hear the latest. Plus, how have farmers been dealing with disruption to export markets resulting from Trump's tariffs?