Week of October 29th, 2018

Campaigns entered the final stretch with record amounts of cash, but must strike a delicate balance of how much to spend in order to win.

Ryder Carroll, inventor of the bullet journal, on how pen and paper can transform your life.

The form of note-taking known as "bullet journaling" has inspired millions.

El mes pasado, el Senador Ted Cruz de Texas lanzó una serie de anuncios en inglés que destacan la industria del petróleo en Texas, insisten que los atletas deben mantenerse de pie durante el himno nacional y critican a su advesario, el Representante Beto O’Rourke, de querer aumentar los impuestos. Pero sus anuncios en español […]

A ballot initiative seeks to open the door for California cities to put more apartments and rental homes under rent control laws.

(Markets Edition) With the news emerging of the U.S. adding 250,000 jobs in the month of October, we check in with Christopher Low at FTN Financial, who’s been looking through the latest jobs report to help us make more sense of it. We take another look at the relationship between the U.S. and China against the backdrop of the trade war. The Trump administration is cracking down on Chinese companies accused of taking intellectual property — a lawsuit this week targets employees of a chip maker who allegedly sold trade secrets to the Chinese. We then focus on show business in Hawaii, as officials there predict a lucrative filming year. But, there could be a catch. Today’s show is sponsored by GAIN Capital Group (gaincapital.com), Gobble (gobble.com) and Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.com). (11/02/2018)

One retail chain's restructuring is another store's opportunity.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the indictment of three former employees yesterday of chipmaker Micron, it's part of a larger strategy to reframe U.S. tech’s relationship with China.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate stayed at a five-decade low of 3.7 percent.

The number of people without jobs in the United States is expected to remain largely unchanged when the Labor Department reports the official unemployment rate Friday. One thing that could affect those numbers: a pair of hurricanes, Florence and Michael, that hit the Eastern Seaboard back to back. 

(U.S. Edition) We have more on relations between the U.S. and China during the trade war. There have been reports that President Trump is taking steps to move along negotiations, while at the same time pledging to prosecute Chinese companies for stealing intellectual property. On Thursday, the Justice Department indicted former employees of a microchip maker and other companies for allegedly handing over trade secrets to the Chinese. Then we discuss jobs, as Friday marks the release of the October employment report. Marketplace’s Andy Uhler helps break it down. Also, Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood drops in to talk about how officials are trying to keep the American voting system free of hackers and other denizens and devices of e-criminality. Today’s show is sponsored by GAIN Capital Group (gaincapital.com), Gobble (gobble.com) and Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.com). (11/02/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Pakistan and China’s relationship is sweet, but there may be a shift in power when Prime Minister Imran Khan visits Beijing on his first state visit there, amidst social and economic woes in his home country. We ask what preparations Iran is making ahead of a squeeze on its biggest money-maker – oil – as a fresh round of U.S. sanctions comes into effect over the weekend. And gold prices are recovering, but why were they stifled for so long? Today’s show is sponsored by GAIN Capital Group (gaincapital.com), Gobble (gobble.com) and Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.com). (11/02/18)

Europe and the United Kingdom have been coming hard at the tech industry lately: tough privacy laws, fines for anti-competitive behavior, new types of copyright laws, and earlier this week, something called a “digital services” tax from the United Kingdom. Starting in 2020, the U.K. will take 2 percent of online revenue from tech companies, specifically Facebook, Amazon and Google, that make over $600 million a year. The rest of Europe is planning a similar tax, and the idea has even spread to South Korea, India, Mexico, Chile and other countries. Let’s dig into this digital tax idea in Quality Assurance, the Friday segment where we take a deeper look at a big tech story. Molly Wood talks with Mark Scott, chief technology correspondent at Politico. (11/02/18)

What a "digital services" tax means for Facebook and Google.

The company has managed to make its products seem indispensable to its loyal customers, who appear willing to pay more.

The technology is bringing people online in a way that's "unprecedented in the world," says author Ravi Agrawal.

Companies aren't just dealing with office politics anymore.

(Markets Edition) Google employees around the world are walking out in protest of the treatment of women at the tech giant. Singapore, Zurich and London locations have kicked off the movement, with protests planned in New York and elsewhere. We then check in with economist Diane Swonk ahead of Friday’s employment report. We then look at the tax overhaul’s effect on universities, especially in Massachusetts, where a gubernatorial candidate wants to tax private endowments to subsidize public universities. Today’s show is sponsored by Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org), GAIN Capital Group (gaincapital.com) and PayPal (paypal.com). (11/01/2018)

As the U.S. population over age 65 grows, so will demand for long-term care. Maine voters will consider a possible solution at the ballot box on Nov. 6: universal home care. But should it be paid for by taxing high income earners?

Premiums for Obamacare policies have decreased but not as much as they might have.

Homebuying fell the most in 11 years, according to new data.

Women voters are thinking beyond their own wallets when heading to polls this November.

(U.S. Edition) With Obamacare – also known as the Affordable Care Act – still up and running, we look into how there will be no financial penalty for people who don’t get themselves coverage when next year starts. There are some options out there for people shopping for plans. Meanwhile, September home sales dropped significantly in the two priciest U.S. markets, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that prices are going to go down soon. Then we head to Maine and the cost of long-term care. Voters in Maine will choose whether they want to tax people with higher incomes to create a universal home-care program for seniors and people with disabilities. Today’s show is sponsored by Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org), GAIN Capital Group (gaincapital.com) and PayPal (paypal.com). (11/01/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … The inventor of the internet has said too much power is in the hands of too few tech firms. Suggesting a different approach to how the internet should be made up, Tim Berners-Lee blames the way markets work for the imbalance on the World Wide Web. Meanwhile, another tech worry: Bitcoin has become too volatile, says Hong Kong, which has launched a regulatory body to keep an eye on the cryptocurrency. Finally, a global report shows that businesses remain optimistic, even though there’s a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies, and Brexit looms in Europe. Today’s show is sponsored by Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org), GAIN Capital Group (gaincapital.com) and PayPal (paypal.com). (11/01/2018)

In San Francisco next week, voters will decide whether the city’s largest companies, most of them tech, should pay a tax that will raise money to help homeless families. Other cities have tried similar efforts. Voters in Seattle recently overturned a tax on large employers that would have funded affordable housing efforts, and the city’s biggest tech employer, Amazon, strongly objected. But in San Francisco, the city’s biggest tech employer is for the measure. Marc Benioff is the co-CEO of Salesforce, and yes, the guy who just bought Time Magazine. He’s stumping for the ballot measure, called Proposition C. (11/01/18)

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff thinks so.

The country's most popular home loan "did not come down on a tablet."

The country's most popular home loan "did not come down on a tablet."

Price hikes by big brands haven't yet shown up in inflation numbers, but some of you are noticing them.

Price hikes by big brands haven't yet shown up in inflation numbers, but some of you are noticing them.

“We generate less revenue per dollar on every client asset than anyone else,” Walt Bettinger says.

Campaigns are trying to engage the growing Hispanic voting bloc through ads in Spanish.

Campaigns are trying to engage the growing Hispanic voting bloc through ads in Spanish.

About 80 years ago, a radio dramatization of an alien attack spread panic through the airwaves. That sense of fear can also manifest itself in the world of economics.

About 80 years ago, a radio dramatization of an alien attack spread panic through the airwaves. That sense of fear can also manifest itself in the world of economics.

He took over from Schwab himself, and he told us how he's learned to put clients before dollars.

The largest U.S. automaker has one all-electric vehicle, but plans to develop 20.

The largest U.S. automaker has one all-electric vehicle, but plans to develop 20.

(Markets Edition) Americans are being paid a little more after a stagnant period, with wages and salaries showing a slight rise in the summer quarter. Here for more analysis is Susan Schmidt, head of U.S. equities at Aviva Investors. We then delve into the psychology of financial panic, using Orson Welles’ radio production of “War of the Worlds” as a jumping off point. What can a mock alien invasion about 80 years ago tell us about the workings of widespread panic during a financial crisis? Today’s show is sponsored by American Express (americanexpress.com/seebusinessdifferently), Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.com) and PayPal (paypal.com). (10/31/2018)

(Markets Edition) Americans are being paid a little more after a stagnant period, with wages and salaries showing a slight rise in the summer quarter. Here for more analysis is Susan Schmidt, head of U.S. equities at Aviva Investors. We then delve into the psychology of financial panic, using Orson Welles’ radio production of “War of the Worlds” as a jumping off point. What can a mock alien invasion about 80 years ago tell us about the workings of widespread panic during a financial crisis? Today’s show is sponsored by American Express (americanexpress.com/seebusinessdifferently), Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.com) and PayPal (paypal.com). (10/31/2018)

The study comes from the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonpartisan group that examines mass incarceration.

The study comes from the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonpartisan group that examines mass incarceration.

(U.S. Edition) We start off in Australia, where Wednesday was a red-letter day for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal that doesn’t include the United States. Meanwhile, General Motors is slated to report its summer numbers, and it’s placing a big bet on electric cars to help drive its future. To that end, GM called for a zero-emission vehicle program for the U.S. Then, following our conversation with Trumponomics guru Stephen Moore, we head back to tax reform and get perspective from Felicia Wong, CEO of the liberal-leaning Roosevelt Institute, which has found in a bipartisan survey that many people aren’t fans of what’s happened to the tax system. Today’s show is sponsored by American Express (americanexpress.com/seebusinessdifferently), Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.com) and PayPal (paypal.com). (10/31/2018)

(U.S. Edition) We start off in Australia, where Wednesday was a red-letter day for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal that doesn’t include the United States. Meanwhile, General Motors is slated to report its summer numbers, and it’s placing a big bet on electric cars to help drive its future. To that end, GM called for a zero-emission vehicle program for the U.S. Then, following our conversation with Trumponomics guru Stephen Moore, we head back to tax reform and get perspective from Felicia Wong, CEO of the liberal-leaning Roosevelt Institute, which has found in a bipartisan survey that many people aren’t fans of what’s happened to the tax system. Today’s show is sponsored by American Express (americanexpress.com/seebusinessdifferently), Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.com) and PayPal (paypal.com). (10/31/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … China continues to struggle from its trade war with the U.S. as its manufacturing industry continues to slide. India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India, is afraid it may lose independence if the government imposes itself on the bank’s policy-making. The bank cites economic disaster the last time the government intervened. And Halloween is being restricted in Mongolia in case it encroaches on the country’s Buddhist values. We ask what this attitude tells us about Mongolia’s approach to globalization at a crucial time in its economic development. Today’s show is sponsored by American Express (americanexpress.com/seebusinessdifferently), Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.com) and PayPal (paypal.com). (10/31/18)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … China continues to struggle from its trade war with the U.S. as its manufacturing industry continues to slide. India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India, is afraid it may lose independence if the government imposes itself on the bank’s policy-making. The bank cites economic disaster the last time the government intervened. And Halloween is being restricted in Mongolia in case it encroaches on the country’s Buddhist values. We ask what this attitude tells us about Mongolia’s approach to globalization at a crucial time in its economic development. Today’s show is sponsored by American Express (americanexpress.com/seebusinessdifferently), Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.com) and PayPal (paypal.com). (10/31/18)

Earlier this week, Google announced $25 million in grants for organizations working on “artificial intelligence for social good.” The included things like wildlife conservation, stopping sex trafficking and eliminating biases in algorithms that perpetuate racism and gender discrimination. It’s an admission that algorithms and AI are not neutral, and more care must be taken with their design. Molly Wood talks with Jamie Susskind, author of the new book “Future Politics: Living Together in a World Transformed by Tech.” He argues that we can design algorithms that reflect our highest ideals. (10/31/18)

Earlier this week, Google announced $25 million in grants for organizations working on “artificial intelligence for social good.” The included things like wildlife conservation, stopping sex trafficking and eliminating biases in algorithms that perpetuate racism and gender discrimination. It’s an admission that algorithms and AI are not neutral, and more care must be taken with their design. Molly Wood talks with Jamie Susskind, author of the new book “Future Politics: Living Together in a World Transformed by Tech.” He argues that we can design algorithms that reflect our highest ideals. (10/31/18)

"The purpose shouldn't just be the enrichment of the tech firm, but rather the common good as a whole," one author says.

"The purpose shouldn't just be the enrichment of the tech firm, but rather the common good as a whole," one author says.

When she left her office job, she didn't know what her business would look like. But it had to involve bees.

When she left her office job, she didn't know what her business would look like. But it had to involve bees.

A week before midterms, 21 percent of people we polled said not really.

The company says it will save nearly $4 billion.

The company says it will save nearly $4 billion.

Moore, a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation and economist Arthur Laffer have just come out with a new book, "Trumponomics: Inside the America First Plan to Revive Our Economy."

Moore, a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation and economist Arthur Laffer have just come out with a new book, "Trumponomics: Inside the America First Plan to Revive Our Economy."

When the EU cracked down, Chinese companies turned to U.S. market. Now, they may do the reverse.

Cost of goods increased 2 percent over the last year, showing growth is just where the Federal Reserve wants it.

A look at the indicator's controversial, complicated past.

Merve Emre, author of the book "The Personality Breakers," shares a few insights.

Merve Emre, author of the book "The Personality Breakers," shares a few insights.

(Markets Edition) First, we check in with the markets, where the S&P stock index is down a little over 9 percent for the month. David Kelly, chief global strategist at JP Morgan Funds has more. We also delve into the world of “Trumponomics” and the trade war with Stephen Moore, someone who advised the president on economic policy and now has a book out the he co-wrote with economist Arthur Laffer. After that, we head to college, sort of, to discuss how a small fraction of people use the 529 plan, which helps students and parents save for education. Today’s show is sponsored by Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org), GAIN Capital Group (gaincapital.com) and U.S. Bank (usbank.com/altitude). (10/30/2018)

(Markets Edition) First, we check in with the markets, where the S&P stock index is down a little over 9 percent for the month. David Kelly, chief global strategist at JP Morgan Funds has more. We also delve into the world of “Trumponomics” and the trade war with Stephen Moore, someone who advised the president on economic policy and now has a book out the he co-wrote with economist Arthur Laffer. After that, we head to college, sort of, to discuss how a small fraction of people use the 529 plan, which helps students and parents save for education. Today’s show is sponsored by Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org), GAIN Capital Group (gaincapital.com) and U.S. Bank (usbank.com/altitude). (10/30/2018)

(U.S. Edition) The Department of Commerce reports that the cost of goods went up 2 percent over the last year, which is just how policymakers like it. Marketplace’s Ben Bradford helps explains why 2 percent is an important number for the Federal Reserve. Also on Tuesday, the British government says it’s going to tax big internet companies to raise more money. We talk to the BBC’s Andrew Walker for more. Then, we take a closer look at the tax overhaul and “Trumponomics” with economist Stephen Moore, who has advised President Trump and co-wrote a book with Arthur Laffer, who is seen as the father of Reagan-style economics. Today’s show is sponsored by Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org), GAIN Capital Group (gaincapital.com) and U.S. Bank (usbank.com/altitude). (10/30/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Energy giant BP has posted bumper profits, as it benefits from the global recovery in oil prices. The humble soybean has recently been caught up in the tariff war between the U.S. and China, now the crop is suffering from global deforestation. We head to the Cerrado in Brazil to see the impact on soy farmers and local people in an area known for its lush biologically diverse lands. And Spain is the main point of entry for African migrants heading to Europe, but Barcelona is having a hard time finding work for its new arrivals. Today’s show is sponsored by Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org), GAIN Capital Group (gaincapital.com) and U.S. Bank (usbank.com/altitude). (10/30/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Energy giant BP has posted bumper profits, as it benefits from the global recovery in oil prices. The humble soybean has recently been caught up in the tariff war between the U.S. and China, now the crop is suffering from global deforestation. We head to the Cerrado in Brazil to see the impact on soy farmers and local people in an area known for its lush biologically diverse lands. And Spain is the main point of entry for African migrants heading to Europe, but Barcelona is having a hard time finding work for its new arrivals. Today’s show is sponsored by Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org), GAIN Capital Group (gaincapital.com) and U.S. Bank (usbank.com/altitude). (10/30/2018)

Yesterday on the show, we talked with the fact-checkers trying to clean up Facebook. Today we’re looking at how misinformation on Facebook affects democracy here in America and the social fabric of many other countries, from India to the Philippines to Myanmar. That’s the topic of a two-part Frontline documentary called “The Facebook Dilemma,” airing this week on PBS stations and online. It explores Facebook’s growth and how it has responded to warnings that it can be used for propaganda, violence and to prop up authoritarian regimes. Molly Wood talks with James Jacoby, a producer of the documentary. (10/30/18)

Yesterday on the show, we talked with the fact-checkers trying to clean up Facebook. Today we’re looking at how misinformation on Facebook affects democracy here in America and the social fabric of many other countries, from India to the Philippines to Myanmar. That’s the topic of a two-part Frontline documentary called “The Facebook Dilemma,” airing this week on PBS stations and online. It explores Facebook’s growth and how it has responded to warnings that it can be used for propaganda, violence and to prop up authoritarian regimes. Molly Wood talks with James Jacoby, a producer of the documentary. (10/30/18)

A new two-part investigation from Frontline charts the social platform's rise and its effect on democracy.

A new two-part investigation from Frontline charts the social platform's rise and its effect on democracy.

Gas taxes pay for fewer road repairs thanks to inflation and better fuel efficiency.

Gas taxes pay for fewer road repairs thanks to inflation and better fuel efficiency.

Merkel is stepping down as head of her party in December and will remain Chancellor until 2021.

Merkel is stepping down as head of her party in December and will remain Chancellor until 2021.

Big Blue wants the company's open-source and cloud expertise to take on Amazon, Microsoft

Big Blue wants the company's open-source and cloud expertise to take on Amazon, Microsoft

The average challenger in a House race in the 2014 midterms had about $60,000 of “cash on hand,” as it’s called. The average Senate challenger had about $750,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics in Washington. Wait until you see what candidates have in their coffers for this election.  Sarah Menendez/Marketplace  

The average challenger in a House race in the 2014 midterms had about $60,000 of “cash on hand,” as it’s called. The average Senate challenger had about $750,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics in Washington. Wait until you see what candidates have in their coffers for this election.  Sarah Menendez/Marketplace