Week of July 10th, 2017

A disproportionate number of out-of-work adults have little education, a Brookings Institution study finds.

The Formula E circuit lets car makers test their electric vehicles and promote their products to buyers.

Would you use fingerprint scanning and facial recognition to get through the airport faster?

Gary Cohn, Trump's chief economic adviser, is the rumored front-runner for a replacement.

We take a deeper look at the true meaning behind the unemployment rate. Who’s really unemployed, and how should we talk about it? Plus, what’s it like to work remotely while on a trip around the world, a conversation about the social rules that govern the office and a look at how biometrics could change the way we check in at the airport.     

The remote work travel industry is growing.

Alison Green weighs in on flip-flops, office culture and … biting?

One company tried to book the entire hotel four years out.

The Senate has a pretty full plate between now and its delayed August recess, but two Republican senators are adding an immigration bill to the list. They’re reportedly working with the White House on legislation that would cut legal immigration in half by 2027. That’s in line with President Trump’s campaign promise, but it directly contradicts another one. Plus, we got the latest inflation numbers today, and June was pretty flat: core prices were up just 10 percent. That’s lower than analysts expected and much lower than the Fed’s 2 percent target. But why do we want prices to rise anyway? Then: For two decades, the railroad CSX let crews nap under certain circumstances. This spring the new CEO got rid of that practice, shining a light on a frequent topic of discussion in the transportation business.

The Diamond Match factory is one of three major wood products plants in Cloquet, Minn. But it’s slated to close later this summer, leaving Cloquet with a hole in both its history and economy.

More of your thoughts on a dry, but important book for our times.

“We have not missed a beat, we won’t miss a beat," says the Phoenix bureau's agent in charge.

During a two-day trip to France, President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed topics like trade and the Paris climate agreement. Despite the different approaches the two have toward these subjects, the countries face similar problems. We’ll take a look at what some of those are, along with the benefits this visit had for Trump. Afterwards, we’ll look at what’s included in the House’s expansion plans for the GI Bill, and then talk with one Oregon hotel owner about how tourist plans for next month’s solar eclipse are affecting business. 

A trillion-ton iceberg broke off the western coast of Antarctica this week. The news raised questions like: Will the chunk disrupt shipping routes? But aside from the physical consequences, there are also digital ones: like the changes mapping services will now have to make. On today’s show, we’ll chat with Denis Dean — a professor at the University of Texas at Dallas — about what services do in situations like these. Then, we’ll cap off the week by playing Silicon Tally with Sara Fischer, a media reporter with Axios. 

Companies have learned that a steady stream of feedback is more effective than a yearly review.

Making the American economy great again is not as easy as it seems.

"Women experience significantly more unfairness than men,” the lead researcher says.

Five years later, we check back with pipe organ builder Bradley Gawthrop about what's it's like trying to get insurance when you're self-employed or unemployed.

Can't take your eyes away? You're not the only one.

The Box Options Exchange wants to bring back the open-outcry floor.

Salad chain Sweetgreen spent 2 hours a day managing bills and coins. But not everyone is ready to give up cash.

President Trump’s budget director Mick Mulvaney took to the Wall Street Journal’s op-ed page today to make the case for “MAGAnomics.” There’s a lot to unpack. We’ll take it line by line, starting with the White House’s promise of 3 percent growth. Then: It’s performance review season, at least it is at Marketplace. But some companies are finding that a steady stream of feedback is more effective. Plus: Silicon Valley is just 25 percent women, and a new study found many women who leave tech jobs were sexually harassed and passed over for promotions.

20,000 businesses have borrowed money from its invite-only loan program.

"Brandless is about limiting the choice. It's about curating the just what matters," says co-founder Tina Sharkey.

But you probably won't see this speedy travel technology in the U.S. anytime soon.

We’re getting closer and closer to ultra-fast travel. Hyperloop One recently completed a test that sent a vehicle down a vacuum track at 70 miles per hour. On today’s show, we’ll talk to the company’s co-founders about their goals and what this technology can actually be used for. Next, we’ll speak with Tina Sharkey, cofounder of the new online grocery store Brandless, about their company’s unique business model — everything at the store is just 3 bucks. 

The Senate is expected to unveil a revised health care bill later today. On today’s show, we’ll take a look at what’ll stay the same, and a new proposal that would allow insurers to sell plans that don’t comply with Obamacare standards. Afterwards, we’ll look at one trading exchange’s plan to launch an open-outcry trading pit — a move that some trading firms are opposing.

We check in with Cary Quigley, who runs a plastics company in Pennsylvania.

The retail giant will impose a 3 percent fine on products that don't arrive on time.

Today's summer internships — 42 percent of which are unpaid — have their roots in apprenticeships from an earlier era.

Thousands have obtained access to housing, services and medical care through Athens outsiders.

The Humphrey Hawkins Act of 1978 codified two fundamental parts of the Federal Reserve. First, the dual mandate of full employment and steady inflation. Second, that twice a year the Fed chair would schlep up to Capitol Hill and tell Congress what’s goin’ on with the economy. Today was possibly the last Humphrey Hawkins day for Chair Janet Yellen, so we’ll go over a few highlights of her testimony. Then: The refugee crisis is still very real in Greece, where the government is struggling to keep up. Now, help is coming from an unlikely source. Plus, when does corporate-funded research cross the line? Google might be skirting it, according to an investigation from The Wall Street Journal.

Servant leadership, a concept that emerged in the 1970s, is gaining in popularity with millennial employees and bosses

Upscale brands are tempting millennials with deals delivered in glossy envelopes.

"As economic policy becomes less clear and more uncertain, small businesses are more hesitant to invest," economist says.

Two experts debate net neutrality.

Several tech giants are coming together today to protest a roll back of net neutrality rules. Advocates for net neutrality support the idea that internet service providers should treat all websites the same — without favoring or blocking certain ones — while opponents say that the price of a resource should reflect its value. On today’s show, we’ll get some perspective on the issue from the president and CEO of the Internet Association, Michael Beckerman, and the president of the Technology Policy Institute, Scott Wallsten.

As part of her bi-annual visit to the Hill, Fed Chair Janet Yellen is set to testify in front of the House Financial Services Committee. On today’s show, we’ll take a look at what topics she’s likely to address, which may include interest rates and the Fed’s plans for any bond sales. Afterwards, we’ll discuss how thousands of internet companies are banding together today to protest the possible roll back of net neutrality rules. Then, we’ll talk about why airline companies are enjoying higher profit margins from passengers, and how politics might be shaping the economy.

The New York Times and ProPublica found 28 people with potential conflicts of interest.

"A narrow swath of people, places and firms" account for a huge part of national growth, EIG co-founder says.

President Trump’s penchant for regulatory roll-backs raises hard questions.

It's the first-ever Make Me Smart Book Club!

We told you yesterday about Congress’ long to-do list, and today Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed the August recess to address it. But over on the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, there’s a lot going on. President Trump sent Congress his first nominee for the Federal Reserve and got his nominee for the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs approved. We’ll talk about both. Then: Snap shares are trading below their initial public offering price back in March amid advertising worries. We’ll look at a possible case of buyer’s remorse. Plus: the business of building big stadiums.

An increasing number of companies have started offering free programs to teach employees how to manage their own money.

It's become the norm for pro sports franchises to count on tax-free municipal bonds for building stadium projects.

A look at why the Department of Justice pursues settlements instead of indictments.

Let’s do the numbers on the online giant’s subscription service.

We are now officially in the midst of Amazon Prime Day, the company’s invented online shopping holiday. A lot of people who are buying electronics from the retail giant may not know how to immediately install them, which is why Amazon has started a service that will provide in-person help. On today’s show, we’ll talk about why the company is dipping its toes in this area. Afterwards, we’ll discuss a payment startup called Stripe that will allow companies from all over the world to take payments — whether we’re talking credit cards or apps. And finally, we’ll look at how ordering pizza can help us understand the debate over net neutrality. 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has adopted a new rule that will allow consumers to sue financial institutions in class-action lawsuits. On today’s show, we’ll look at the route you’ve typically had to take in the event that you had a financial dispute, and what industries this new rule will apply to. Afterwards, ProPublica’s Jesse Eisinger joins us to discuss why it’s difficult to indict corporations. 

Yes, swimwear and cut-offs really are office no-nos.

"There's been a lot of instability and drama in the helium market in the past few years."

An alliance of news outlets wants special permission to bargain collectively when dealing with Facebook and Google.

Average farms are growing and adopting new technologies to make ends meet.

Congress is back from its July Fourth break, and there’s a lot to do in a short few weeks before the next recess. Health care is at the top of a long agenda, but if it doesn’t pass, the delay will push onto other legislation coming down the pike. We’ll break it all down. Then: President Trump and European leaders had pretty different assessments of this weekend’s G-20 Summit, so with that in mind, let’s do an economic cost-benefit analysis of “America First.” Plus, a story of good intentions gone wrong in a couple of the busiest ports in the country. 

Because we all need a refresher.

Funding for the much-lauded ARPA-E innovation program, which funds energy projects with serious potential, will be removed.

The Senate returns from its Fourth of July recess, with health care top of mind. On today’s show, we’ll look at where reform on the issue stands and why there’s dissent among Republicans on what changes should be made. Next, we’ll discuss a new government rule that will allow companies to file IPO paperwork confidentially, regardless of size. And finally, we’ll talk about the Census Bureau’s decision to reconsider asking about sexual orientation and gender identity on upcoming surveys, a move that has advocates for the LGBTQ community concerned.

Gay rights advocates say questions about sexual orientation and gender identity would connect the LGBTQ community to all the rich data of the census.

It’s Christmas in July for Amazon. The retail giant is kicking off its summer online shopping sale this week: Prime Day. (Which you’ve probably seen the advertisements for.) But how sweet will the deals actually be? Adam Burakowski, deals editor at The Wirecutter, joined us to discuss whether all the hype is worth it. Plus: we’ll look at news that thousands of tech companies are engaging in a day of action on the 12th to prevent the roll back of net neutrality rules. Net neutrality is the idea that internet service providers should give equal access to all information and websites. To get a better idea of how this concept works, Charles Duan, a staff attorney at Public Knowledge, gave us some analogies. And afterwards, we’ll hear from one company — Vimeo — about how they’re preparing for this day of action.