Mid-day Update

House Republicans could pass new economic sanctions on Russia amid reports that Moscow meddled in the U.S. presidential election. But Russia might not be the only country unhappy with the decision. On today's show, we'll look at why European companies could become collateral damage. Afterwards, we'll discuss possible collusion among German carmakers over diesel emissions, then look at how the Kansas City Royals are trying to accommodate those on the autism spectrum during games.

The Treasury Department has fined ExxonMobil $2 million for violating economic sanctions against Russia while Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was running the company. On today's show, the BBC's Jonathan Frewin joined us to break down the controversy. Afterwards, we'll discuss Sears' new business relationship with Amazon, and then look at a possible cut in federal funding to an early earthquake-warning system.

In Paris, 25 senior economists and public officials from about two dozen countries recently met behind closed doors to talk about how the world economy is doing. One of them: Diane Swonk from DS Economics. She shared some good news (the rest of the world seems to be doing better) and bad news (these gains have caused negative undercurrents in political elections). Afterwards, we'll look at how companies are trying to allow free speech, while blocking propaganda from terrorist organizations like ISIS at the same time.

Markets have more to think about than health care (thankfully). Susan Schmidt from Westwood Holdings Group joined us to talk about other factors investors are looking to, like earnings season and housing starts. Afterwards, we'll talk about the state of the manufacturing industry, and then discuss how Comic-Con makes money for itself.

Senate Leader Mitch McConnell has scrapped plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act after two more senators said they couldn't support the measure. But McConnell says he's already got another plan in place, which would involve a straight up repeal of Obamacare. On today's show, we'll look at how feasible this plan actually is. Afterwards, we'll talk about a ripple effect from the failure of health care reform in currency markets, and then discuss how Coursera, which provides massive open online courses, is partnering up with the insurance company AXA to provide free courses to AXA's employees.

The Senate was supposed to vote on the latest attempt at health care reform, but that's been delayed. Julia Coronado, founder of MacroPolicy Perspectives, stopped by to explain what this means for the legislative calendar and other parts of the GOP's agenda. Afterwards, we'll look at the pros and cons of Netflix's investment in original content, and then discuss the possibility that Sweden may become the first nation to go cashless.

Consumer prices didn't undergo any changes from May to June, according to the Labor Department's Consumer Price Index. Meanwhile, core prices — excluding volatile food and energy — were up from the same time last year. Amid the news, Christopher Low — chief economist at FTN Financial — joined us to talk about what the Fed might have planned for future interest rate increases. Afterwards, we'll look at how leadership changes at the FBI affect work their the ground.

Appearing before the House yesterday, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said that the Fed could slow down interest rate increases — and the markets seemed to like what she said. Jay Brayson, managing director and global economist at Wells Fargo, stopped by to talk about what we should expect from her testimony today, along with current inflation rates. Afterwards, we'll discuss why the National Defense Authorization Act is one of the most popular bills in Congress, and then look at Amazon's decision to ramp up its lending business.

With Fed Janet Yellen's term set to expire next year, we'll take a look at who Trump might nominate to replace her. Rumors are swirling that Gary Cohn, Trump's top economic adviser, will nab the role. However, that could end up changing his role in the tax-strategy plans going on within the administration. Afterwards, we'll look at why paper coupons are experiencing a resurgence.

The Trump administration has selected Randal Quarles, a former Treasury official, to be the Fed's vice chairman for bank supervision. On today's show, we'll talk about what the position entails and why it's such a significant one. Afterwards, we'll discuss the resources it takes to combat California's wildfires, and then look at an increase in "financial wellness" programs offered by companies to their employees.