Week of January 9th, 2017

It’s the nation’s second-largest media market. What does that mean for the former San Diego team?

If recent earnings reports are any indication, big banks have a ways to go before they’ll benefit from rising interest rates. Plus, the EPA passes new auto regulations just under the wire. Then, the massive spy agency project that’s displacing a St. Louis neighborhood to save it and, of course, the Weekly Wrap. 

He says everyone should know their "coffee soul."

A look at the legal guidelines involved in balancing business and country.

What could the relationship between Russia and the United States look like during the Trump administration?

We’re going long and short on private prisons and President Barack Obama’s legacy as a job creator with Marketplace’s Lewis Wallace and The Atlantic’s Gillian White. Then, UCLA law professor Jon Michaels talks us through President-elect Donald Trump’s potential conflicts of interest and Russia expert Matt Rojansky explains the economic and political relationship between the U.S. and Russia. Plus, “A Prairie Home Companion” host Chris Thile takes the Marketplace Quiz.

Global political and business elites gather as globalization is questioned.

A $1.75 billion project displaced a neighborhood in hopes of revitalizing it.

The Obama Treasury Department made financial inclusion a priority. Will Trump?

Political outsiders are applying for jobs in the Trump administration.

The Justice Department announced that it would phase out the use of private prisons. But the Georgia town of McRae-Helena has staked its future on these facilities. We’ve visited the region to see how residents feel about their presence. And in Trump-related news, we’ll look at some of the cabinet picks who have yet to be scheduled for confirmation hearings, and discuss what the future might look like for big banks during his tenure. 

With the expectation of big domestic growth, Amazon plans to create 100,000 full-time positions in the U.S. over the next year and a half. We’ll look at where the retailer expects to see growth and where its thousands of new employees are likely to be working. Next, we’ll talk about a new study that says fitness trackers can be used for the early detection of health problems, and then cap off the show with our weekly numbers game, “Silicon Tally.” This week’s opponent: Alex Davies, the transportation editor at Wired.com. 

McRae-Helena could see its fortunes change under the Trump administration.

It's as strange as it sounds.

As the charter movement grows, the NAACP has called for a moratorium.

Airports are at the intersection of infrastructure and geopolitics.

Two very big fish in one barrel presents a delicate situation for businesses.

Let Bon Appetit's Adam Rapoport teach you how to eat like you work at a fancy food magazine.

What the heck is reconciliation? For starters, it’s the latest way Congressional Republicans are hoping to get rid of Obamacare. We’ll look at how it’s used and whether it’s a winning tactic. Then: hundreds of thousands are people are due in Washington, D.C. for next week’s inauguration, and all the protests and parties that come with it. Local businesses and merch-sellers are preparing for a crush of business, and opening themselves up to criticism in the process. Then: the civil rights divide in charter schools and how to make your desk lunch less sad. 

This year, the Sundance Film Festival will feature a category of documentaries and special projects about climate change.

Trump says he’ll turn over control of his businesses to his two sons, but he won’t divest completely. We’ll look at whether ethics watchdogs who think he should be held more accountable can do anything. As for those who are still a part of the current administration, outgoing Treasury Secretary Jack Lew joined us to chat about his legacy and where he sees our economy heading.

During his first press conference as president-elect, Trump said he’s requesting a “major report” from intelligence agencies on Russia and hacking. Computer science professor Matthew Green stopped by to talk about whether the U.S. needs to improve its defenses against cyber threats. Next, we’ll check out the startup Knightscope, a company that makes egg-shaped security robots that protect against crime.

One company's plan to use robots to fight crime.

Kai Ryssdal spoke with Harvard professor Lawrence Summers about his latest column for the Washington Post.

The president highlighted a growing U.S. economy but, as we know, that doesn't ring true for all Americans.

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to repeal and replace it, but Republicans haven't presented a plan.

Assets will be transferred to a trust, overseen by his sons

The president-elect insulted the digital news site. Here's what happened next.

President-elect Donald Trump laid out plans today for addressing his conflicts of interest, but government ethics experts on both sides weren’t impressed. Plus, with HHS Secretary nominee Tom Price’s confirmation hearings coming up, what’s next for the Affordable Care Act? Then, George Lucas’ new LA museum and the effect of renewed U.S.-Cuba relations on Big Pharma.

The project is the brainchild of a former Wall Street analyst.

"The fact there hasn't been a financial crisis is not a reason to unwind what we've done."

President-elect Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, begins his Senate confirmation hearing later today. What could he bring to the table as leader? We’ll look at his Boy Scout past and find out how experts would grade his ExxonMobil tenure. Next, we’ll discuss Volkswagen’s announcement that it’s close to a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over rigged cars, and then chat with a former Wall Street analyst about a project of his that aims to help the elderly live independently.

The Detroit Auto show has revved up, and there’s an unlikely star at the center of it all: the minivan. CNET’s Tim Stevens joined us to talk about how the vehicle can be a playground for all kinds of tech. Next, we’ll talk about a division at Yahoo, where some assets will be separated and placed under a new brand name: “Altaba.” Finally, we’ll look at Norway’s decision to phase out its FM radio network.  

Northwestern University economist Robert Gordon argues that new technology can't improve living standards as dramatically as it did 100 years ago.

Hey everyone, Just a quick update to let you know that we’re working hard to get ready for the official launch of “Make Me Smart with Kai and Molly,” our new podcast dedicated to, you guessed it,  getting smart about business, tech, culture, and how all those things affect each other and your everyday lives. Our […]

An insurance policy allowed them to save more than $1 million after the championship victory, to make sure coaches received their bonuses.

Soccer's international governing body hopes to move past its corruption scandal and expand the World Cup. Will it generate more money in the process?

Right now could be a very good time to own a big commercial space in California. Why? Marijuana.

Glossy and costly is a winner for some in the magazine industry.

An oil CEO may seem dire for climate change, but he has some moderate leanings.

Confirmation hearings for the Trump administration are underway on Capitol Hill. We’ll look at what to expect from Wilbur Ross and Rex Tillerson in the coming days. Plus, the trials of the marijuana and magazine businesses, and the problem of American productivity. 

A look back at the history of the law and whether it'll prevent Trump's son-in-law from becoming a White House adviser.

Some savers invest their hard-earned dollars in footwear.

Nearly half of the millennial leaders surveyed by The Conference Board said they plan to work for their companies for more than 15 years.

A "refreeze" could jeopardize cooperation on cancer drugs.

In his farewell speech, Obama is likely to list the nation’s highs and lows.

Obama is set to make his last speech as U.S. president tonight, with plans to reflect on the past eight years. In the meantime, we’ll reflect on his economic record. Next, we’ll explore how the possibility of chillier U.S.-Cuba relations in the Trump administration could affect international access to Cuban drugs. And finally, we’ll take a look at what the FIFA World Cup’s expansion from 32 to 48 national teams means for revenue. 

Confirmation hearings for Trump’s cabinet picks are beginning — and the tech world is watching. As Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions goes in front of the Judiciary Committee today, Silicon Valley will see whether he could be an ally or opponent. Politico’s Tony Romm breaks down why Sessions is relevant to their interests. Plus: a conversation with Flatiron’s VP of career services about the coding academy’s plan to award new scholarships to women. 

Margaret Enos of Pennsylvania says it’s a full-time job.

Despite it being the President-elect's main form of communication

Ethics officials are concerned at the pace of confirmation hearings.

With fewer EU migrants to take low-paid farm jobs, UK farmers look to automation.

It’s a big week in politics. President Barack Obama will deliver his farewell address in Chicago tomorrow as confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet start in D.C. We’ll look at the vetting process Trump’s picks have (or haven’t) gone through, and how this confirmation compares to past administrations. Plus, Twitter is Trump’s favorite way to get the message out — why can’t the company find a way to make money off that? Then, how athlesiure killed the mall and a startup that’s trying to fight the opiod epidemic.

Babies born addicted to opioids require expensive hospital stays. One Tennessee company is trying to cut those costs.

A study in 2013 found that nearly 40 percent of people in New Jersey jails were only there because they could not afford to pay their bail.

The city is looking at a few different ways to add more housing.

As the Detroit auto show kicks off today, we’ll explore what the future relationship between carmakers and President-elect Trump might look like. Then, we’ll take a look at why McDonald’s sold its China business for $2 billion, and discuss Seattle’s decision to use bond funding to pay for affordable housing. 

Uber’s releasing a trove of data from its cars in three cities, with plans to provide average trip times in the countries where it operates. We’ll look at how that data could help with city planning. Also on the show: a conversation with the Federal Trade Commission’s chairwoman, Edith Ramirez, about cross-device tracking, and Marketplace’s Molly Wood on her experience at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.