Week of September 16th, 2019

Are they just another opportunity for performance review?

A proposed rule by the National Labor Relation Board says no, although those students often do perform core university functions.

Plus: Why grad students might lose their ability to unionize, and what items will be exempt from tariffs. 

The No. 1 issue on this assembly line worker’s strike agenda? End GM’s use of temporary workers.

Hollywood’s celebration of itself — the Primetime Emmy Awards — airs this Sunday, so let’s do the numbers.

U.K.-based company The Nappy Gurus is encouraging parents to use cloth diapers rather than disposable ones to reduce their environmental impact.

Colt “suspends” the AR-15. Patagonia shutters stores Friday for the climate strike. Apple launches its “Arcade.”

The company plans to begin at high-end chains like Gelson’s Market and then expand to more mass-market stores.

It remains to be seen whether gamers are willing to pay for the kind of games they’re used to getting for free.

The U.S. and China continue trade talks. Workers are walking out of the job Friday to protest for the environment. Impossible Foods is getting fake meat into your supermarket aisles.

India cuts its corporate tax to one of the lowest rates in Asia. Japan’s economy will be a big winner from hosting the Rugby World Cup. Amid global climate protests, we discover some dirty statistics about disposable diapers.

Storms lead to flooded streets and backed up sewers in one small Silicon Valley town. That’s expected to get worse with climate change.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court re-wrote the rules of sales tax collection. Now, a group of senators want to intervene.

Some Chinese consumers are buying less and others are buying local.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development echoes central bankers, saying monetary policy alone can’t spur global growth.

Savers can be the first to lose when the Fed lowers the interest rate.

How’s a company go from fracking to “Fortnite”? Today, we look at the art of the pivot. Plus: Why central banks are predicting an economic slowdown and what Silicon Valley is (and isn’t) doing to combat climate change.

For one investment firm, competitive video gaming suddenly looked better than the volatile energy industry.

What are you saying to other people with how you spend your money? And what’s it say about you?

The group’s diverse set of restaurants tells a story about a wide and equally diverse customer base.

Why did some board members dissent on the Fed’s rate cut? Facebook will appoint a content moderation “supreme court.” Huawei pushes into Europe without U.S. tech.

Just launched, Bet+ is expected to put pressure on incumbent services to make their content more diverse.

The Fed lowers interest rates but not unanimously. GM cuts striker benefits. BET enters the streaming wars.

Huawei’s lawyers are looking to overturn a U.S. ban on the Chinese technology giant’s equipment. Britain’s central bank is set to hold rates. Social media moderators are feeling the strain of weeding out illegal and disturbing content.

Is there precedent for tech and government working on big problems? How about … the internet.

Plus: What you need to know about the rate cut and an update on the GM strike.

It’s how banks borrow money overnight. And it got a little crazy this week.

Pay and benefits for temps is front of mind for many strikers.

Economic uncertainty leaves some people content to rent. Others? Not so much.

The Trump administration is battling California over its strict fuel standards. Regardless of who ends up winning, automakers are likely to keep increasing fuel standards.

The CEO of Coursera, the online learning platform, says he’s seen the future of higher education.

The modest cut — to a range of 1.75% to 2% — irritates Trump, who has insisted on more aggressive action.

Netflix hopes “Seinfeld” will keep the streaming giant master of its domain, while HBO Max hopes to enter the field with a “Big Bang.”

Lower mortgage rates should help more people buy new homes.

Do giant tech companies require more oversight?

Is Wednesday’s all but certain rate one of several to come? Amazon announces a Neil Young-approved, hi-def music streaming service.

Detroit officials have been trying to prepare residents to get jobs at the new plant.

Like last year, health care jobs and tech companies top Glassdoor’s annual list of the highest paying jobs and companies.

The Fed steps into the “repo” market. Detroiters ready themselves for a new Fiat Chrysler plant.

Oil markets remain jittery over tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Sweden unveils major tax breaks in its budget. We tour a laboratory that grow diamonds in a matter of days.

The CEO of Alphabet’s X says no problem in the world is “burning as bright” as the climate crisis.

“Prices are just tumbling every day,” says Lisa Goldenberg, president of Delaware Steel Co.

Molly’s back from weeks of reporting on Silicon Valley and climate change.

Still, 2019 has been a good year so far for newly minted public companies.

Streaming wars beget expensive battles for old sitcoms. Plus: We’ll walk you through the Fed’s toolkit and look at oil prices.

We break down the numbers behind a barrel of oil with Amelie Carlton of Rice University.

The Fed governors will likely raise interest rates amid global economic tumult. LeBron James wasn’t the first to try trademarking “Taco Tuesday.”

Hillary Barbour recently ended a nine-year marriage. “My radar is a lot more sensitive now to things that are happening in the market.”

A Wyoming fast food chain and LeBron James each want a piece of the widely-used promotional term.

The country was heading into the Great Recession during the 2007 walkout. A lot has changed for the company and the economy.

Oil prices dip. The GM strike looks a lot different than the last one. Trump’s proposed negative interest rates would likely have negative effects on the economy.

Apple heads to Europe’s second-highest court over Irish taxes. Hong Kong’s government seeks public-relations help. Preventing space collisions is costly and logistically complicated.

The venture capital community is flush with funds, but it’s more inclined to back software and apps than innovative technology to fight climate change.

Plus: Nearly 50,000 members of the United Auto Workers went on strike against General Motors today, and oil prices jumped following an attack on Saudi oil facilities. 

The 14% spike, following a weekend attack on a key Saudi oil production facility, reflects what traders consider a “Gulf premium” based on new oil supply risks.

Probably not, says Roberto Perli of the economic policy research firm Cornerstone Macro.

“We’re getting little pennies compared to [GM executives],” one worker told Marketplace’s Tracey Samuelson.

In troubled trade times, anything to bring business to the farm.

The central bankers will decide whether or not to cut interest rates.

With vaping under intense scrutiny and a deadline of May 2020 to apply for FDA approval, the company is under pressure.

Problems like shallow shipping channels are one reason the U.S., despite being the world’s biggest oil producer, is not its biggest exporter.

The UAW strike across the country could cost General Motors upwards of $100 million a day.

What could be the financial and geopolitical fallout of an attack on Saudi oil facilities? How a trade deal with Japan could help U.S. farmers. Nearly 50,000 go on strike against GM.

A look at what a drone strike on oil reserves in Saudi Arabia could mean for consumers.

The Transgender Health Program at Oregon Health & Sciences University is training medical providers to increase much needed care for transgender patients.

50,000 strike against GM. An attack on Saudi oil facilities sends the price of crude soaring. A program in Oregon focuses on highly specialized health care for the transgender community.

How prepared are Apple, Google, Facebook and other firms for risks like sea level rise?

Workers shut down 33 manufacturing plants in nine states across the U.S., as well as 22 parts distribution warehouses.

From the BBC World Service… Oil prices are up after a weekend attack on a Saudi oil facility. There’s a growing trend toward virtual internships.

Stevens Creek Trail is a popular commuter route and recreation area for tech workers. It’s already seeing the effects of climate change.