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Regional theater is the "engine" behind much of arts and entertainment. It's also in crisis.

Dec 5, 2023
A California theater head discusses the difficult economics of the industry. "This is our moment to rethink what we're doing," he says.
"Marketplace" host Kai Ryssdal at the Pasadena Playhouse with Danny Feldman, the venue's producing artistic director.
Sean McHenry/Marketplace

The "lumpy" road to affordable EVs just got a little longer

Oct 25, 2023
Even though prices have come down and the federal government is helping with rebates, the average price is still above $50,000.
It’s hard to build up new supply chains of EV parts like batteries and electric-motor systems.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The film industry needs customs brokers too

Sep 30, 2022
Olivia Van Dyke, CEO of Film Logic Customs Brokers, talks about the unique challenges of shipping the things that make movie magic happen.
"We ship camera equipment, we ship props, wardrobe, sound equipment," said Olivia Van Dyke of Film Logic Customs Brokers.
Sakis Mitrolidis/AFP via Getty Images

The Inflation Reduction Act wants to incentivize electric car purchases – but there's a catch

Aug 10, 2022
The bill includes language that would make most existing electric vehicle models ineligible for the tax credit that's intended to make them more affordable.
People look at the engine of a Chevrolet Bolt EV at the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on April 15, 2022 in New York City.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Boeing hits bumpy air as it tries to meet rising demand for aircraft

Jul 27, 2022
Supply chain issues, increased federal oversight and a looming strike by workers in its defense unit are affecting the company's ability to deliver orders.
Supply chain issues and a strike are bogging down Boeing's ability to deliver planes.
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Strong dollar is squeezing profits from this Washington farmer's exports

Jul 21, 2022
Patrick Smith, CEO of Loftus Ranches, is fighting inflation as well. Some fertilizer materials have nearly doubled in a year or two, he says.
"Beer is still good business," says Patrick Smith, CEO of Loftus Ranches in Yakima, Washington. Above, fresh hops from a California farm.
Katherine Garrova/Marketplace

The growing push for size inclusivity in fashion faces some obstacles

Jun 28, 2022
"Plus-size women make up more than half the market, and yet, plus-size clothes only make up 19% of all apparel on the market," says Elizabeth Segran, senior staff writer at Fast Company.
Sixty-eight percent of American women wear a size 14 or larger, according to a 2016 estimate.
MesquitaFMS/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

When you need 70,000 pounds of paper a month and the supply chain is in chaos

Jun 15, 2022
Claudia Smukler of Mother Jones explains the unique obstacles to producing a print magazine in this economy.
Magazines require a high grade of coated paper, one that ink will lay well on.
Bennett Purser/Marketplace

To satisfy demand, manufacturers are on a capital-goods spending spree

Oct 27, 2021
Sales of things like drill presses, electrical equipment and metalworking tools were up for the seventh-straight month in September.
Orders for durable goods hit a record high in September as manufacturers aim to boost production. Above, a manufacturer operates a lathe in Roscoe, Illinois, in 2019.
Scott Olson via Getty Images

What does the future hold for the country's last gumball maker?

Oct 9, 2018
Coin-operated gumball machines aren’t as common as they used to be. With sales slowly dwindling over the years and high domestic sugar prices, America’s sole remaining gumball maker has been branching out to stay afloat.   Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 
Mmm. Gumballs. 
J.B. Hill/flickr