Week of January 11th, 2016

It’s the start of the election year and it can be hard to weed through the fundraising emails, attack ads and numerous debates, to figure out what issues are actually being talked about. This week we want to know: When it comes to your money and your economy, what’s the most important issue you want […]

It turns out raising tariffs on imports can hurt more help; how the standoff in Burns, Oregon is boosting a local economy; and the evolution of children’s television 

After decades on public television, "Sesame Street" debuts on the pay service

There’s pressure for free tuition at universities with billions in endowments.

A conversation with the author of the book "Broad Influence"

Donald Trump is calling for tariffs against China — but how effective are they?

Would you pay for an ESPN subscription?

Lease prices for federal coal lands are below market value, and don't factor in any cost for the carbon pollution coal causes

For remote community in Oregon, wildlife standoff brings new customers

Sudeep Reddy and Catherine Rampell join Molly Wood to recap the week that was.

This weekend, guest host David Lazarus from the LA Times looks at the future of China’s economy, Marketplace Tech host Ben Johnson explains why the new social media hotness is a platform called Peach, and filmmaker and author Davy Rothbart takes our economics-inspired questionnaire. 

Recalls and brand damage related to food fraud cost companies billions.

Savings, GE's appliance division, and lawns.

Airing on Friday, January 15, 2016: On today’s show, we’ll talk about Intel earnings; internal ratings on Tinder; and Paula Willey, who blogs at unadulterated.us, joins us for Silicon Tally.

Airing on Friday, January 15, 2016: On today’s show, we’ll talk about Goldman Sachs’s $5 billion dollar fine; children’s television heading to cable; and Adam Gardner, from the band Guster, about his work in Guatemala and advocating for guitar wood that is sourced with sustainable logging practices. 

It can save water, but done the wrong way, it hurts the environment and the eyes.

A musician tries to root out guitars made from poached wood.

Getting kids — even healthy ones — onto Medicaid improves education rates.

Here are the numbers we're reading and watching for Friday.

Turns out, buying a Birkin can get you really good returns

A look at the rise and fall of GoPro; people in the city of Flint continue to get sick from water contamination; and an interview with the creators of the new Showtime series, “Billions.”

Until recently, pullbacks were a normal part of the market.

A lesson in dinosaurnomics: big new dinosaurs are good for museums

Lead and copper contamination has sparked disease and devastation in the city of Flint

When companies go public they have to disclose any risks they face. Here's what some big tech IPOs said.

The wearable camera company announced significant layoffs. Revenue is down.

Political financing, market turbulence, and fast food combos.

Airing on Thursday, January 14, 2016: On today’s show, we’ll talk about what wages have to do with the stock market; JPMorgan reporting earnings via Twitter; and we’ll have a check-in from the Detroit auto show.

Airing on Thursday, January 14, 2016: On today’s show, we’ll talk about creating regulations for new forms of transportation; research on a possible new material for smartphone screens; and building a computer to support virtual reality hardware.

A "me, too" philosophy among fast food giants means many are offering combo meal deals.

Wary of hackers and other issues, some big companies are dumping business-wires.

With FOMO lurking about, people are finding unique ways to enjoy virtual reality.

Here are the numbers we're reading and watching for Thursday.

The White House is poised to weigh in.

Car makers want regulations to protect themselves from liability. But who should create them?

Vice President Joe Biden might have to look to big data in the “moon shot” to cure cancer; how airlines are benefiting from cheap jet fuel; and what happens to the LA river when it rains in SoCal?

Investors who went on a buying spree could win big as airwaves shift to digital.

Airlines are benefiting from cheap jet fuel, new passenger fees and industry consolidation.

Vice President Biden in charge of a moon shot to help find a cure for cancer.

The claims in the president's State of the Union vs. our Economic Anxiety Index.

In a dry region, the city of Los Angeles was designed to shed rainfall fast.

The media is just as crazy about the lotto as everyone else is — maybe more.

MetLife, stock markets, and Medicaid.

The Rams are headed to a new $3 billion stadium ten miles from downtown L.A.

Airing on Wednesday, January 13, 2016: On today’s show, we’ll talk about the economics themes in President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address; creating more robust flood insurance; and why its a good time to be an economist.

Airing on Wednesday, January 13, 2016: On today’s show, we’ll talk about Microsoft ending support for old versions of Internet Explorer; how the low price of oil has led to new technology; and the technology used to scan King Tut’s mummy.

The price of oil has fallen more than 70 percent since June 2014.

The government wants more private companies to provide flood insurance so it won't have to.

Moves come as Obamacare's requirements grow more stringent.

Job listings for economists Ph.D.s increased significantly in the last year.

Here are the numbers we're reading and watching for Wednesday.

The president will deliver the State of the Union tonight. A look at what we can expect.

The platform used to be just for rap fans, but news makers and journalists alike are keen on it now.

The University of Phoenix owner could be taken private.

The drama in the yogurt aisle is getting serious

Looking ahead at tonight’s State of the Union address with former White House speechwriter, James Fallows; an interview with Fred Armisen about Broadway Video’s new Latino comedy venture; and how Oakland is struggling to maintain it’s identity as gentrification continues to grow. 

Apparently someone missed the memo about Don Charney

As the tech boom spreads to the East Bay, the city tries to maintain its character

Fizz-less beers boast high alcohol content and taste more like wine and spirits than traditional beer.

Unlimited data, China in Hollywood, and carbon markets.

Airing on Tuesday, January 12, 2016: On today’s show, we’ll speak with Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, about doing business in China, sourcing, and supporting employees; and we’ll talk about why when it comes to buying homes, cash is king.

Airing on Tuesday, January 12, 2016: On today’s show, we’ll talk about AT&T trying to knit its phone and TV products; Ukraine power grid hacking; and the hardware debuting at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

At least for now. But don't expect a widespread return to the pricing model.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz explains why he's investing in baristas in China.

It's the first known outage caused by a cyberattack, and it could happen in the U.S.

Two pilot programs in Oregon are experimenting with carbon markets.

Nearly 40 percent of home sales were cash deals in November.

Here are the numbers we're reading and watching for Tuesday.

Because 13 wasn't enough

Could the Golden Globes foreshadow what's to come during the rest of awards season?

The company became the first of Big Food to reverse its stance

Unlike last week, China's market troubles didn't seem to have much global impact.

How are global markets coping at China continues its nosedive; what happens when college is too expensive for applicants; and who really wins when someone finally hits the lottery jackpot?

Combined, Shire and Baxalta expect 65 percent of total revenue to come from rare disease treatments.

The jackpot has never been this high, but not all the winners cash in big

Unions at the Supreme Court, the Detroit auto show, and churches in the clouds.

Airing on Monday, January 11, 2016: On today’s show, we’ll talk about the White House meeting with tech executives; and the e-commerce and tech aspects of the TPP.

Airing on Monday, January 11, 2016: On today’s show, we’ll talk about David Bowie’s financial innovations; and forest land in Oregon that may soon change hands due to aging owners.

Not just an artistic risk taker, Bowie was innovative with his intellectual property.

Swelling inventories, a strong dollar and China's slowdown are to blame.

Like other enterprises, churches increasingly use digital services for business.

Much of U.S. forests are owned by private families, many of whom are senior citizens.

Detroit's auto show, one of the biggest in the world, kicks off today.

Here are the numbers we're reading and watching for Monday.