Week of January 8th, 2018

Close, but no cigar.

Yes, it's that thing people are talking about on Twitter.

This week could have been an economic messaging home run for the White House and congressional Republicans. The tax law’s kicking it, companies are giving bonuses and raises, some raises anyway. But no. We’ll talk about it. Then: T. Boone Pickens announced today he’s hanging it up. He’s pretty much the stereotype of the big-time oil man, with his Oklahoma-Texas drawl. He made more than a billion dollars in the energy industry and ran a hedge fund, too. We’ll talk about his legacy. Plus: Facebook hasn’t had the best week, and it capped it off with changes to the News Feed. We’ll explain. 

According to winemaker Elizabeth Vianna, making wine is more scientific and less romantic than most people think.

On this episode of Marketplace Weekend, a look at the role grocery store real estate deals have in creating food deserts. Plus, Ask a Manager’s Alison Green on how to quit your job without burning bridges, a look at hacking the Winter Olympics and a story about how to become a winemaker. 

When grocery stores close, critics say restrictive covenants — clauses in grocery store leases that says a landlord can't rent the space to another grocer — can lead to food deserts.

From new attractions in Atlanta to a U.S. Civil Rights Trail, tourism around civil rights history is growing.

Alison Green joins Marketplace Weekend to discuss the art of resigning without burning bridges.

(Markets Edition) The stock market seems to be doing well, but the bond market — not so much. Chris Low, chief economist at FTN Financial, joined us to explain what could be going on. Afterwards, we’ll look at a new report that shows more than half of Americans now live in places where it’s more affordable to rent than own a house, and then discuss why so many in the U.S. are struggling to pay back their credit card debt.

(U.S. Edition) Facebook is making big changes to the content you’ll see on your news feed. On today’s show, we’ll discuss the company’s push to prioritize posts that it thinks will spark “meaningful” social interactions. Afterwards, we’ll look at Saudi Arabia’s decision to open the first car showroom for women, and then talk about the IRS’ daunting challenge of implementing the GOP’s tax overhaul.

“Comparing whether to buy or rent is really picking the lesser of two affordability evils,” says ATTOM Data Solutions' vice president.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service… A breakthrough in Germany four months after elections: Prime Minister Angela Merkel’s center-right block has made a deal with the center-left Social Democrats, with compromises in sight on migration and taxes. Afterwards, new data from China shows its trade surplus with the U.S. hit a record high last year. We’ll explain what that mean for the two nations. Then,  the bond market caused whiplash for investors this week and though things have calmed down a bit, is more volatility on the way … and would it be such a bad thing? We chat with Allianz chief economic advisor Mohamed El-Erian. 

The twin security flaws called Spectre and Meltdown let hackers take advantage of almost any device with a chip in it and steal data, passwords, keystrokes — pretty much all the things you want to keep private. Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood talks with independent security reporter Brian Krebs, who says that on the scale of one to 10 in terms of how worried he is, this is about an eight. He also says we should patch our computers. We get into the nitty gritty of the hack for our segment Quality Assurance, a second look at the news. 

The Trump administration has proposed doing away with a rule that mandated that organic egg laying chickens spend time outdoors.

Advocates for low-income people say work has never been a requirement for Medicaid, originally intended as a health program for the poor and disabled.

(Markets Edition) As companies start to unveil their final quarterly earnings report from 2017, we’ll talk to Susan Schmidt — senior portfolio manager from Westwood Holdings — about retail sales and consumer shopping habits. Afterwards, we’ll discuss what the upcoming year might look for the banking industry, and then examine what the Republican tax plan could mean for airlines.

Walmart is raising wages, but that might have less to do with taxes and more to do with the labor market.

(U.S. Edition) Coca-Cola has announced its South African divisions will stop working with McKinsey, the world’s biggest consulting company. We’ll look at the reason behind the soda giant’s decision, which has to do with the company’s entanglement in a big corruption scandal in South Africa. Afterwards, we’ll talk to Ariella Cohen — editor in chief of the online publication Next City — about the lingering effects of redlining on Philadelphia. Back in the 1930s, the federal government began encouraging mortgage lenders to withhold credit from areas where people of color or immigrant communities lived.

Real estate appraisers would negatively evaluate areas if people of color lived there.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service… More trouble for bitcoin: South Korea is mulling a plan to ban cryptocurrency trading in an area of the world that’s seen some of the highest demand. We explain what it means for the future of bitcoin.  Then, peaceful protests have turned violent in Tunisia as anger over government austerity measures heats up. We’ll take you there and explain why protesters are calling the 2018 budget unfair. Afterwards, we’ll explain how one organization in the U.K. is getting women back to work using a model akin to speed dating. 

Sen. Ed Markey says there is powerful momentum to restore the consumer protection.

The controversy over net neutrality hasn’t died down a bit. In December, the Federal Communications Commission overturned rules that prevent internet service providers from blocking, slowing down or charging more to access content online. The ruling drew the ire of internet users and small business owners arguing that net neutrality protects consumers and internet startups. Since then, states are considering their own laws, and this week, some 44 senators, including Republican Susan Collins of Maine, said they’ll support a bill that would overturn the FCC’s ruling.

California and New Jersey are exploring the use of charitable contributions to offset taxes.

You’ve probably seen a bit of that televised negotiating session congressional leaders had with President Donald Trump yesterday. Immigration was the headline news out of it, but the president floated something else that hasn’t gotten as much attention: bringing back earmarks. They let members of Congress direct money specifically toward their pet projects, and the GOP basically banned the practice in 2010. We’ll catch you up on why they left, and why they might be coming back. Plus, the latest on offshore drilling exceptions in Florida and elsewhere, why Warren Buffett is doing succession right and the long, slow death of the power suit.

As Brexit looms, the EU has banned the cities from getting the lucrative label.

The cars are roughly the same price of regular autos, but not everyone can drive one.

(Markets Edition) 2018 could be a strong year for economic growth around the world, particularly for one South American country. On today’s show, we’ll discuss at why Brazil is expected to see big gains. Afterwards, we’ll look at how some San Diego workers are deciding to commute from Tijuana, Mexico, so they can save on rent.

The Trump administration is ending temporary protected status for nearly 200,000 Salvadorans.

"An American can just be a dishwasher and live here like a king."

(U.S. Edition) AT&T had planned to carry a phone made by the China-based electronics company Huawei, but they’re now pulling out based on national security concerns. On today’s show, we’ll examine why the end of this deal is a huge blow to Huawei. Afterwards, we’ll discuss how the number of vehicles Mexico has imported to the U.S. reached an all-time high last year — despite the Trump administration’s threats to renegotiate NAFTA. Then, we’ll look at how Bay Area restaurants have started training programs to address the race wage gap.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Higher oil prices and cultural changes are expected to help boost economic growth in developing areas of the world this year. We dive into momentum drivers and looming risks with Franziska Ohnsorge, the author of some new World Bank research. Then, against the backdrop of a strong economy with full employment, steelworkers in Germany are demanding higher wages and more flexible working hours. We’ll tell you what it means for the industry and the nation’s economy. 

In the restaurant industry, people of color are more likely to hold lower-paying, back-of-house jobs, but some restaurants are trying to change that.

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation. It’s a new privacy regulation that will affect people who live in the European Union beginning in May. It affects any company that serves residents of the EU, and it could make it harder for companies to access their data. So any company that relies on data as a form of currency may have to figure out another revenue stream. Does this mean that European residents might have to pay for Google searches? And could this trickle over to the United States? Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood talks about it with Jessica Lee, a partner with the law firm Loeb & Loeb, who’s advising clients on the upcoming regulation.  

We talk about the yield of the 10-year T-note a lot on our show. Maybe you’re not quite sure what that means. Maybe your eyes glaze over a little bit. Well, it’s time to pay attention. We’ll tell you everything you need to know to read the tea leaves with us. Then: Residents of New York City pay some of the highest taxes in the country, and in turn they have some of the most expensive public services in in the country. The top 1 percent of the city’s economic pyramid pays nearly half of New York’s income taxes. So what happens to them under the new federal tax law? We’ll talk about it. Plus, a conversation with “The Good Place” creator Mike Schur.

Mike Schur, creator of NBC's "The Good Place," tells us about the inspiration for his show and how no one has time to watch all of the television and streaming content out there.

They pay half of the city's income tax revenue. Now that they can't deduct it, some may leave.

Is there a future in growing our food and trading it for the things we want?

Why it’s so hard for people to listen … even when they want to.

(Markets Edition) The yield on the 1-year U.S. treasury note moved above 2.5 percent this morning. What are the global implications of this milestone, and what does it means for the U.S. government? Then, fashion brand H&M is under fire for “cultural incompetency” over an advertising misstep. And, how Airbnb may keep French châteaux from becoming ruins.      

The forthcoming Winter Olympic Games may become the catalyst for some easing of tensions between the Koreas.

(U.S. Edition) After the first formal talks between North and South Korea in just over two years, the forthcoming Winter Olympic Games have become the catalyst for some easing of tensions. We speak with BBC’s Hyung Kim about what that means for economic sanctions. Plus, Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood gives us the rundown on what to expect from this year’s CES.

Vacation rental websites like Airbnb are providing much needed renovation funds for owners of historic châteaux.

They're sort of like teenage drivers who grew up in Southern California.

It’s hard for humans to drive in bad weather, and it’s hard for self-driving cars to drive in it, too.  Many of the cars started their lives in sunny California and haven’t experienced much of the world. So automakers are sending them out into more snowy climes. Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood talks about it with Chris Gerdes, director of the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford.  

(Global edition) From the BBC World Service… Talks between North and South Korea for the first time in two years — could it usher in a new era in trade for the two countries? Then, Singapore is one of the world’s biggest oil-refining hubs and police there say they’ve arrested 17 men after a major fuel theft at Royal Dutch Shell’s biggest crude refinery. We’ll explain. Afterward, could President Trump’s State of the Union usher in an aggressive crackdown on trade? We explore why January is decision time for the U.S. in the global-trade picture. 

The president announced a new initiative to expand access to rural broadband in a speech to the Farm Bureau convention.

President Donald Trump was in Nashville, Tennessee, today, giving the keynote address at the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. We’re starting today’s show with everything you need to know about the ag economy in 2018, and what farmers are looking for from the president. Then: It’s been 110 days since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. More than 40 percent of the island is still without power, and that’s starting to have ripple effects throughout the wider American economy. Plus, Los Angeles’ new strategy for dealing with overdue library books.

Marketplace Weekend asks Alison Green how to resign a position.

Officials say when young readers rack up fines, the likelihood they'll use their card again, or return to the library, diminishes.

A CEO's job is pretty clear … but what does a corporate board do?

The GenForward survey spoke with millennials about their views on the future of America.

An industry that once defined Camas, Washington, is coming to an end. Now the former mill town is searching for its future identity.

(Markets Edition) Following the recent release of the December jobs report, we’ll talk to economist Diane Swonk about what’s in store this year. Unemployment might drop even further and wages could (finally) start accelerating. Afterwards, we’ll look at how two big Apple investors have called on the company to address the issue of “smartphone addiction.” Finally, we’ll discuss how big data might be able to improve cyclist safety.

The deadline to pass government funding on Jan. 19 is fast approaching.

Facebook groups and Facebook live videos are the new Tupperware parties when it comes to LuLaRoe, which is growing fast despite some criticism and lawsuits.

There was a 64 percent increase in people biking to work between 2000-2012. With more cyclists on the roads, cities are struggling to keep up with infrastructure.

(U.S. Edition) Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) last month to keep the government funded, but it’ll come at a cost. On today’s show, we’ll look at how CRs can be a headache for some agencies. Afterwards, we’ll discuss how Alex Azar — the next head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services —  differs from his predecessor, Tom Price. Plus: we talk to University of Chicago professor Cathy Cohen about the attitudes that millennials have toward the direction our country is heading in. (Hint: They’re not exactly pleased.)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … French President Emmanuel Macron kicks off a tour of China, with the goal of getting the nation to open up more on trade. Afterwards, an Iranian oil tanker burned in the East China Sea after colliding with a Chinese freight ship over the weekend. We’ll discuss whether that could give the U.S. new reasons to push for a fresh round of sanctions against the Middle Eastern nation. Then, we’ll tell you why there’s unrest in Sudan as hundreds protest the rising price of bread.  

The hottest electric car market in the world right now is China. Chinese consumers bought more than double the number of electric cars as the U.S. did in 2016. The Chinese government has said it wants 11 percent of all cars sold there to be electric by 2020. How could this change the global electric vehicle market? Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood talks about this with Marketplace’s China correspondent, Jennifer Pak.