Culture

“It’s just like the real thing, but less expensive,” said tribute band booking agent Michael Twombly.

More than 100 billion pennies are in circulation, said Steven Roach, an expert on coinage history — meaning they’ll be around for a while.

Young people’s relationship to cash is changing—and some Gen Zers don’t even carry wallets anymore.

Tourism boards and travel companies like Qatar Airways are creating AI influencers to promote their businesses.

Price hikes and password-sharing crackdowns have customers reconsidering how much they’re willing to spend on streaming services.

“I think the anime business is absolutely on a roll right now,” said Doug Montgomery, CEO of Global Connects Media. “Nothing's gonna stop it in the near future.”

“What walks down stairs alone or in pairs and makes a slinkety sound? Everyone knows it’s Slinky!”

This morning, we hear a Portland food industry power couple make the case for takeout on Christmas. Also: a supply chain check-in.

From the BBC World Service: The city of Yiwu produces more than half of the world’s Christmas decor.

Daniel Konstanski, author of “The Secret Life of LEGO Bricks,” tells the tale of how a small Danish company developed the world’s most adored building toy.