Week of December 12th, 2016

Laid off steel workers in Illinois are hoping a new administration will bring positive change.

Procter & Gamble and NASA take different approaches to their newest target audience.

China, the single largest holder of the U.S. debt, sold off its Treasury positions in order to raise cash to back the Yuan.

Yesterday, President Obama vowed to punish Russia for its recent cyber attacks.

Data algorithms help advertisers put together your digital profile.

Sarah Archer explores Christmas gift giving in post-war America in her book, "Midcentury Christmas."

President-elect Donald Trump told the country's tech leaders that his team has "no formal chain of command." What that could foreshadow in the next four years.

Yesterday, President Obama vowed to punish Russia for its recent cyber attacks. But the U.S. and the E.U. have already imposed sanctions on Russia dating back to 2014, so what other measures could the U.S. take? Also, the steel mills of Granite City, Illinois have seen lots of layoffs over the past few years. Many of the workers are still unemployed, but are hopeful that President-elect Donald Trump will fulfill his promise to bring their jobs back, can he keep his promise? Finally, we look back on the last five days of economic news with the Weekly Wrap. 

Got Milk? Beef: It’s What’s for Dinner. The Incredible, Edible Egg. All of these advertising slogans have something in common: they were created by marketing groups, overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and funded by fees collected from farmers. Now you can add another slogan to the list: “It’s Christmas. Keep it Real.” It […]

New data out this week show the average 30-year fixed mortgage at 4.16 percent. That’s a 2016 high, and is set to keep rising with the Fed promising more interest rate hikes. That means home buying is getting more expensive just ahead of the important spring selling season. But the economy is strengthening overall, which […]

Disney paid $4 billion for the “Star Wars” franchise — and “Indiana Jones” — when it bought Lucasfilm.  It seems the movie studio is quite intent on getting its money’s worth.  The new movie “Rogue One” opens in theaters today — the first of two, possibly more, stand-alone “Star Wars” films that Disney has in […]

On today’s show, we’ll talk about Facebook’s plans to tackle the spread of fake news on its platform; look at how the password-manager business is faring amid news about Yahoo’s data breach; and play this week’s Silicon Tally with Justin Hendrix, the executive director of NYC Media Lab.

On today’s show, we’ll talk about the relationship between the cost of borrowing for a home and interest rate hikes; how the Russian stock exchange is doing post-election; and Disney’s development of the “Star Wars” franchise.

City's mayor asks those who want to help to "come and visit us."

Baby steps.

Many department stores no longer offer free gift wrapping services because it isn't cost effective.

There’s been a big selloff worldwide in bond markets since the Fed’s decision yesterday to hike interest rates. The yield on government bonds rose sharply in Germany, the U.K., Australia and Japan. In China bond futures fell so much exchange authorities halted trading of those securities. In fact, yields on long-term U.S. Treasuries have been […]

S. Matthew Liao talks cat eyes, meat allergies and short humans on Codebreaker’s World Building episode

Yahoo users list many reasons to stay loyal.

It's a red hot market, with investors and collectors alike.

Plus, how recess appointments work and explaining the stock market's 'Trump bounce.'

Today we’re tracking the fallout of the Fed’s rate hike decision through the global bond market. Plus, after learning earlier this year half a billion Yahoo users were hacked, and the revelation another billion were hacked in 2013 — who still uses Yahoo anyway? Finally, we’ll look at the economics of gift wrapping and the secondary market for sneakers.

Frito-Lay is sitting out for the first time in a decade.

The world is embracing sustainability, says one Marketplace contributor.

A few days after the fire, worried residents packed Oakland City Hall to ask for a moratorium on evictions.

The oyster farms compete with boaters and other users of the coast's shallow salt ponds.

“Super Mario Brothers,” the Japanese video game franchise, is releasing its first mobile game today for iPhones and iPads, called “Super Mario Run.” There’s a free trial version, but Mario enthusiasts will have to pay $10 to play the full game. That’s in contrast to the freemium model, where you play for free but then […]

On today’s show, we’ll talk about yesterday’s meeting between Trump and the heads of various tech companies; the latest Pinterest trends and whether they accurately reflect consumer interests; and how batteries can fight climate change. 

On today’s show, we’ll talk about Yahoo’s announcement about another hack that affected about 1 billion users; Janet Yellen’s evaluation of the economy following the Fed’s interest rate hike; and one Marketplace contributor’s take on why the country should implement a carbon tax. 

Just a quarter of a percent, but still.

The company released a statement detailing yet another security breach.

A quarter-percent actually means a lot, and it's just the beginning.

Apple CEO Tim Cook was there… but Jack Dorsey of Twitter wasn't.

The Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the second time in more than a decade.

It offers tax breaks to those willing to help fund upkeep of monuments.

He's had more than 100 jobs, but hasn't progressed economically.

This week, The Atlantic’s Gillian White and Marketplace’s Andy Uhler play the Long and Short game. Lizzie talks with the founder of Moon Juice about her budding business and online controversies. Entertainment Weekly’s Nicole Sperling fills us in on the business of awards season, plus author Andrea Chang takes the Marketplace Quiz.

Don't ask her about her favorite color.

So the Fed came in under the wire and finally raised rates by a quarter percent.  So what’s the big deal? Then: President-elect Donald Trump met with leaders from big tech companies in New York today. Given how little we know about Trump’s tech policy, what’s the meeting mean? Plus, Homer Simpson’s many jobs and why some advertisers are sitting out the Super Bowl.

Testing the "Bennett Hypothesis" that colleges raise prices because they can.

Welcome the six-year high school.

An 80-year-old woman watches retail surveillance cameras from her home computer using a service called Internet Eyes.

The government of China says it will soon announce a timetable to close down its domestic ivory industry. China has long been the site of the world’s largest market for both legal and illegal ivory. Conservationists say a total ban would effectively end the elephant poaching crisis in Africa. Click the above audio player to […]

Customers want green — and not just the color.

We checked in with one nonpartisan organization.

The city has a program called "Welcome Dayton" that encourages immigrants to settle down there.

On today’s show, we’ll talk about how an interest rate hike would affect emerging markets; check in to see how Trump is doing on his promise to “drain the swamp”; and look at Zara’s efforts to become environmentally conscious.

On today’s show, we’ll talk about a new deal between Google and Cuba for that’ll provide Cubans with faster access to the tech company’s content; look at the release of Apple’s AirPods, a set of wireless earbuds; and preview a conversation with Bill Nye the Science Guy as part of the latest episode from our “Codebreaker” podcast. 

A proposal to bioengineer shorter humans with cat eyes, a decades-old idea for a totally new kind of power, a battery made from trash and Bill Nye the Science Guy tries to get us in gear.

Google’s plan to take over the world takes another step forward. The company has turned its self-driving car project from a research operation to a full-fledged business division, according to the latest from Reuters. The new venture is called Waymo — which stands for “a new way forward in mobility”. The move seems to suggest […]

Kathia Garcia is able to work and support her family now, but worries about what might change under a Trump administration.

The President-elect emphasizes no new deals while in office.

The multinational oil company has what amounts to its own foreign policy, which can be contrary to U.S. policy.

As Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell leaves office, she looks back on the Affordable Care Act and the challenges the incoming administration may face.

Conservatives hope a basic income can cut other welfare costs.

After stressing last year that hydraulic fracturing had no “widespread, systematic impact” on water, the EPA now is emphasizing that fracking can affect drinking water under some circumstances. More of our investigation with APM Reports on the show today. But first, Trump’s conflict of interest tweet raises more questions than it answers — what does “no new deals” mean? Plus, an interview with Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell and holiday shopping at the airport.

We take a break from the news to discuss 2016's political categories.

Trump has said he will in a recent tweet.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a final report on the connection between hydraulic fracturing and contamination in drinking water. After stressing in June 2015 that there was no "widespread, systematic impact" on water, the agency now is emphasizing that fracking can affect drinking water under some circumstances.

If you're doing last minute shopping, this is the perfect solution.

Shareholders vote Tuesday on whether to approve Smith & Wesson’s name change to “American Outdoor Brands.” The firearms unit will continue as Smith & Wesson — one of the most iconic American brands — but the name change for the parent company comes as it expands into outdoor camping gear. The old name might interfere […]

When it comes to interest rate hikes, it’s never a done deal until it’s actually done. However, it’s a near certainty that the Fed will raise rates when it meets today and tomorrow. What the interest rate outlook will be for 2017, under a Trump presidency, is far less clear.

Gates also spoke to us about the future of energy innovation and clean tech.

On today’s show, we’ll talk with Bill Gates about his $1 billion fund for clean energy, whether alternative energy can garner support from both political parties, and the future of energy innovation. Plus: We look at the latest updates on how Trump will handle his businesses once he’s in office. 

On today’s show, we’ll talk about how difficult it is to determine who executed a cyberattack; kids who star in their own YouTube series; and a new report that says Uber isn’t properly protecting your personal information. 

The Star Wars film franchise changed this history of film, for better or for worse.

Manufacturers pay steep fees to get their products on grocery store shelves, which can eliminate smaller companies from entering the market.

The president elect said he wasn't bound by the 37 year old One China policy.

Amanda Chantal Bacon, Moon Juice founder, doesn't care if you think she's silly.

There's a barfing face!

Trump tweets that the defense program cost is out of control.

OPEC and Russia plan to cut oil production to raise prices – which could spur drilling in the U.S.

A new study from real estate company Redfin shows three million families are evicted annually.

Companies in the state are finding it hard to attract skilled and unskilled workers.

We’re getting more glimpses as what deal-making could look like under President-elect Donald Trump. First, the One China policy — where the U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state — has been seen as non-negotiable, but it could be a bargaining chip for Trump. Then, Lockheed Martin shares dropped after Trump criticized its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program on Twitter, but fixing his issues won’t be easy. Plus, the war waging at your grocery store and why (one writer says) you should hate “Star Wars.”

Plus, Trump targets Lockheed Martin and F-35 fighter jet costs.

President-elect Trump has invited the chief executives of the nation’s largest tech companies to meet on Wednesday in Trump Tower. Silicon Valley was overwhelmingly opposed to Trump’s candidacy, but it’s dependent on Washington on several key issues. Click the above audio player to hear the full story.

President Barack Obama is expected to sign legislation on Tuesday that should speed FDA approval of some drugs and devices, as well as making a significant investment in medical research. The measure – known as the 21st Century Cures Act – also should make it easier for patient data to move from the hospital to […]

Target's spending on Spanish-language TV ads is up nearly 70 percent over the year.

On today’s show, we’ll talk about non-OPEC countries agreeing to make production cuts; a planned meeting between Trump and the heads of companies like Amazon, Oracle and Cisco; and the stagnation of wages in the country as rents rise. 

Evictions are on the rise as renters pay increasing share of income for housing.

On today’s show, we’ll talk about a planned meeting between tech billionaire Peter Thiel, President-elect Donald Trump and the powers that be of Silicon Valley. We’ll also look at a production called “Elements of Oz” that encourages the audience to have their phones out — with the volume up.

How a play in New York is incorporating technology into its production.