Week of May 14th, 2018

(Markets Edition) The Trump administration plans to propose a new rule that would bar abortions at facilities that receive federal family planning funds. On today’s show, we’ll look at what this could mean for organizations like Planned Parenthood. Afterwards, amid news that the U.S. benchmark interest rate eased back a bit this morning, we’ll discuss whether this is cause for alarm. And then to cap off today’s show, we’ll talk about the best personal finance books for recent college graduates. (05/18/2018)

Who’s gained from open borders and who’s lost? Who are tariffs designed to protect, and have they worked? We look at stories of work, reward and American attitudes toward the rest of the world. 

(Markets Edition) The Commerce Department is gearing up to honor dozens of U.S. exporters, with most of them small or mid-sized businesses. On the heels of this occasion, we’ll take a closer look at how many small companies export, and why they could be exporting a lot more. Afterwards, we’ll discuss Apple’s plans to launch a second corporate headquarters, which reports say could be located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Plus: Amid Kroger’s announcement that it’s closing 40 stores nationwide, we’ll explore how the loss of a grocery store can affect communities. (05/21/2018)

(U.S. Edition) The U.S. and China are hard at it to work out a trade agreement. One potential idea floating around: a $200 billion trade surplus package from Beijing. We’ll chat with a former Treasury Department official about how big this offer is in the grand scheme of things. Afterwards, we’ll look at the financial troubles many farms in the U.S. are facing. Many are using their land as collateral against loans to keep operating. (05/18/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … There are signs that the frosty trade relationship between the U.S. and China is thawing. Beijing has dropped a sanctions probe into American sorghum imports. But is this olive branch a sign that China will fulfill a promise to open its economy? We ask trade expert David Collins. Then, the bunting is out, the weather looks clear. Yes, it’s finally here. Prince Harry will marry Meghan Markle this weekend at Windsor Castle. We speak to some of those involved in the celebrations. And, if you’re already tired of hearing about the royal wedding, never fear, we have just the solution. (05/18/2018)

Marketplace contributor Chris Farrell shares some of his recommendations.

The Senate voted earlier this week to overturn the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to roll back net neutrality rules. But in order for the FCC’s decision to be reversed, a similar vote would have to pass the house and be signed by the president. But the vote did accomplish one big thing: It reminded politicians that consumers care about net neutrality and support some kind of regulation on big telecom companies. Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood spoke with Brian Fung of the Washington Post about what he learned from senators after the vote.  

The rules aren't likely to be resurrected soon. But the Senate vote did accomplish something.

What are your questions for Alison Green about the ins and outs of internships?

Retailers cash in as Meghan Markle's style is copied by millions.

Midland, which has only one homeless shelter with 20 beds but 264 homeless people, is resistant to government aid for its needy residents.

(Markets Edition) The birthrate in America just keeps going down. We talked to Diane Swonk, the chief economist at the accounting and consulting firm Grant Thornton, about the economic troubles this will cause for the U.S. down the road. Afterwards, we’ll look at how Britain is placing limits on some fixed-odds betting machines, and then discuss how the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to OK legal sports will impact New Jersey. (05/17/2018)

(U.S. Edition) The Food and Drug administration is planning to unveil a new website today, naming pharmaceutical companies that have blocked the development of generic drugs. We’ll look at whether public shaming could change how drug makers behave. Afterwards, we’ll discuss the reasons behind America’s declining birth rate amid news that it’s hit a 30-year-low. Plus: We talk to University of Chicago political science professor Cathy Cohen about the latest survey from GenForward, an ongoing study that looks at how millennials think at major societal issues. One major subject the new survey addresses: how millennials feel about capitalism and socialism. (05/17/2018) 

Across race and ethnicity, they favor a strong government to handle economic issues.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … They’re known as the “crack cocaine” of the betting world. Now, the U.K. government is slashing the maximum stake on electronic slot machines in a move it claims will protect vulnerable players. We’ll look at what difference this will make. Then, U.S. grocery giant Kroger is buying a stake in Britain’s Ocado. Bryan Roberts at TCC Global explains why the American retailer is hoping to take advantage of British technology. And, former Indian central bank boss Raghuram Rajan — among those who predicted the 2008 global crisis — has a new worry: debt. He explains why. Finally, what social media advice does the Pope have for nuns? (05/17/2018)

Large companies are spending millions to comply with Europe's new data laws; that could prove tough for smaller businesses.

Europe’s new data regulations apply to companies large and small, but do tech’s little fish have a big disadvantage? The General Data Protection Regulation has already taken effect and will start being enforced later this month. Some big companies have added staff and software to comply, but smaller businesses may not have the cash to keep up. Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood spoke with Jessica Lee, partner with the law firm Loeb & Loeb, about just how much businesses are spending on compliance. (05/17/2018)

We tagged along with one candidate to see how small campaigns use data.

For the first time in over a decade, new international student enrollment at US colleges and universities declined last year. Intensive English language programs felt the drop first.

The co-founder of Home Depot says he's worried about the effect of Bernie Sanders on today's young people in his new book, "I Love Capitalism!"

(Markets Edition) The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note is still hovering above 3 percent. We’ll talk with Susan Schmidt, senior portfolio manager at Westwood Holdings Group, about what this means for the U.S. economy, and whether China is holding too much of our debt. Afterwards, we’ll chat with Boston College finance professor Richard McGowan about the legalization of sports gambling and its consequences for fantasy sports. (05/16/2018)  

(U.S. Edition) Kellogg is the latest U.S. company to pull out of Venezuela amid soaring inflation and dwindling access to raw materials. We’ll take a  look at how the country’s president, Nicholas Maduro, is reacting to the news. Afterwards, we’ll discuss Seattle’s decision to approve a “headcount tax,” which would require businesses that bring in more than $20 million in revenue a year to pay $275 for each full-time employee. Plus: We dive into some of the downsides workplace friendships with Nancy Rothbard, co-author of a new paper called “Friends Without Benefits.” (05/16/2018)

A new study suggests those relationships might be getting in the way of productivity.

Drilling oil wells today still involves dirt and sweat, installing rigs in muddy fields. But there are also more jobs at desks, checking systems remotely by computer.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service…Netflix has lost an EU court fight to overturn German film tax rules. With European content quotas for steaming services in the pipeline and Netflix frozen out of Cannes, is the tide now turning against America’s tech giants? Then, the government in Venezuela has seized a plant owned by the US-based cereal producer, Kellogg’s, after it said it was pulling out of the country because of the economic crisis. And, Zimbabwe is preparing for national elections. But will they provide a fresh start for many of the country’s white farmers, who were violently forced off their land under former president Robert Mugabe? (05/16/2018) 

The current wave of automation is sometimes described as the fourth industrial revolution. And almost every industry is affected, including oil and gas. Almost 40 percent of oil and gas workers are in Texas. With the price of crude oil at $70 a barrel, there’s a boom — but not in hiring. Job numbers haven’t gone up as much as some observers expected. Automation is partly to blame, but the industry is bringing in other technologies to stay ahead of the game as well. Marketplace’s Andy Uhler took a trip out to the Permian Basin in West Texas, where oil production has tripled in the last three years. (05/16/2018)  

Are data science tools outpacing the social and ethical issues around them?

How can students tell if a school is in financial trouble and may close before graduation? Turns out the government has a rating system but it's not always that predictive.

Cue the "Rocky" music.

(Markets Edition) Interest rates moved sharply higher this morning (Tuesday, May 15, 2018) after a solid retail sales report. What does this mean for consumers? Then, we’ll hear a Michigan manufacturing CEO’s thoughts on tariffs ahead of the office of the United States Trade Representative’s hearing on the topic. And, emergency rooms are often the first places people end up during a mental health crisis, but hospital officials say many ERs aren’t equipped to help.  

(U.S. Edition) For three days starting today (Tuesday, May 15, 2018), the office of the United States Trade Representative will hear sharply diverging views from American businesses about $50 billion worth of China tariffs. We hear from the CEO of a Michigan manufacturer, Lucerne International, who says tariffs could cripple the company’s supply chain. Then, we check in on Germany’s economic growth over the last three months (it’s not what analysts expected). Finally, with all the talk of immigration reform, one of the president’s immigration proposals has gotten less attention lately: Trump and many republicans want to eliminate a law that lets naturalized U.S. citizens sponsor their parents and siblings for permanent residency in the United States. How exactly does family-based immigration affect the economy? 

The platform is getting a redesign, but how far will that go toward attracting a broader audience?

Reddit is rolling out its biggest redesign in a decade. The site has a reputation for being very text heavy and sometimes hosting conversations that can get kind of rough. The redesign comes at the heels of a long effort to clean up those conversations and attract a broader audience. The site’s traffic has more than doubled in the past couple of years, but some loyal users aren’t fans of the redesign. For our podcast for Tuesday, May 15, 2018, Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood spoke with Chris Slowe, Reddit’s chief technical officer and founding engineer, about the redesign. 

Drug shortages are nothing new in U.S. hospitals.

Chinese telecommunications company ZTE Corp. halted major operations last week following an order by the U.S. Department of Commerce banning business between ZTE and American companies.

There's a lively debate over how to say the name of a federal bank regulator.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The 1992 law barred state-authorized sports gambling with some exceptions.

(Markets Edition) Trump has plans to ease up on his seven-year ban of ZTE, a Chinese telecommunications company. We’ll look at how international trade experts are reacting to the news. Afterwards, we’ll discuss a study that shows a majority of people don’t know the interest rates on their credit cards, and then explore why there are lower airfares to destinations across the Atlantic.

(U.S. Edition) President Trump has tweeted that he wants to reverse a U.S. ban on products made by ZTE, a Chinese-based telecommunications equipment maker. We’ll discuss whether this tweet signals a softening of trade relations with China. Afterwards, we’ll discuss how Southern California is trying to improve Census counts, which can overlook people of color and people in urban areas. 

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … After two months of protracted negotiations, two anti-establishment parties in Italy are close to forming a government. With both promising to rip-up reforms and splash the cash, will their policies hurt or hinder the eurozone’s third largest economy? Professor Enrico Colombatto at Turin University analyzes what’s next. Then, oil giants Royal Dutch Shell and Eni are in court today over corruption charges relating to a $1.1 billion Nigerian oil deal. Barnaby Pace at Global Witness has been following the case. And, the time-honored method of using windmills to grind grain in the Netherlands has earned UNESCO protection, joining Naples’ pizza spinners and Spain’s flamenco dancers. But fears remain that these windmills may all turn into tourist attractions if more young people don’t learn how to run them. The BBC’s Anna Holligan reports.

Amazon's board is against a policy that would require it to interview at least one minority candidate for new board seats. So what should the company do instead?

Later this month, Amazon shareholders will vote on whether the company should implement the Rooney Rule when appointing new members to its board of directors. The Rooney Rule stems from an NFL policy that requires at least one minority candidate be interviewed for certain management positions. However, Amazon’s current board of directors is recommending that shareholders vote against the proposal, saying it wouldn’t be an effective use of resources. Marketplace’s Molly Wood talks about how to build a diverse company with Nicole Kyner, head of search for theBoardlist, a curated marketplace that aims to put more women on boards.