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Michael Libbie
Des Moines, Iowa
Working to restore Iowa Values for Iowa Families
Interests: Public Policy, Government Affairs, Marketing, Advertising, Iowa
Recent Activity
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Today: The massive number of jobs added beat expectations. The markets reacted to two big items today. Delinquencies are up in the commercial sector and why. Netflix shareholders rebel. Shades of the 1960's and the VW Bus. News out of the Disney vs. DeSantis case. World food prices actually fell in May. The Wall Street Report and "MetaMates" are told to come back to the office...let's go! Continue reading
Posted 3 days ago at Insight on Business
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Today: Two major retailers are worried about the future of the U.S. economy and why. The very confusing issue in the job market. Home mortgage rates up again. Why is home insurance in Florida four times more expensive than the rest of the nation? And, no, it's not hurricanes. They balked at seat belts and air bags...will automakers be upset about this safety feature? The Wall Street Report and something partly personal. Remembering a logistics giant and a wonderful friend. Let's go... Continue reading
Posted 4 days ago at Insight on Business
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Today: Oh, oh...the open jobs report came out to day and...surprise! Some retail violence to report this time at Dollar General. Retirees are leaving Florida and we'll share why and where they are headed. CEO pay is up...but less than a year ago. However, it will take two lifetimes for the average worker to make this number. At one time Twitter was worth a bunch but now? The Wall Street Report and...you won't believe which company is now too "woke" for conservatives. Oh, my! Let's go... Continue reading
Posted 5 days ago at Insight on Business
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Today: Seems like a deal on the debt ceiling and three companies that are winners. We've been to this crisis before...think 2011 and what happened. Taylor Swift and the "Swifties" latest fashion trend. Great Britain and inflation...think price caps? Another restaurant chain closing locations and why. New "anti-theft" programs at Walmart has consumers upset. We must really love tax cheats and hate social security? The Wall Street Report and the Work from Home trend is benefiting suburbs...big time. Let's go! Continue reading
Posted 6 days ago at Insight on Business
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Today: A programming reminder. The Debt Crisis and the world. Americans will spend $1.5 billion less this holiday weekend. Twitter launches a new tier and already it's panned. Yet another EV battery plant coming to the U.S. and why. Inflation? Yep still here but it's complicated. The Wall Street Report and MoviePass has been resurrected! Let's go... Continue reading
Posted May 26, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: Surprise! The U.S. economy grew more in the first quarter than reported. Mortgage rates climb yet again. April pending home sales held steady. NIVIDA shocked investors...think AI. Now what's going to happen with interest rates and the Fed? We'll take a deep dive into the Aging of America and what that means for the workforce. The Wall Street Report and A&F is back...you in? Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 25, 2023 at Insight on Business
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For years the continuing issue we hear from employers is there are not enough people in the workforce. Well, here is a stunning fact: According to the Census Bureau the U.S. has not kept up "population replacement" since 1970. In other words there are not enough people to fill the open jobs. Does that mean that we should increase immigration rather than cut back? Here we sit down with Immigration Attorney Lori Chesser and talked about that and more... Continue reading
Posted May 25, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: When politics threatens business...now more travel advisories about visiting Florida. Target pulls merchandise due to...threats. A major player says the U.S. will not default. The CDC is investigating cookie dough and an outbreak of salmonella. A retail success story that was not supposed to happen. The Wall Street Report and Tesla's favorability slides...and why. Those stories plus for the interview you'll meet best selling author and speaker Tommy Breedlove. It's all about how you...yes you...can become, legendary. Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 24, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: We know you are slacking off on those DIY projects and why. Netflix is cracking down on password sharing here in the US. Millions of Americans are falling behind on their utility bills and how many. Some new news about consumers turning to new housing. Amazon employees in Seattle are planning a walk out. How about ordering your next adult beverage using Alexa? The Wall Street Report and the Uber DEI officer loses her job...think..."Karen". Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 23, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: The debt ceiling mess is impacting nearly everything...and investors are watching. More chaos over at Twitter causes panic and the world was watching. Too many parking lots? What you may not know about that and more. The rise of jobless numbers over the past couple of months may not be...accurate. The Wall Street Report and Meta is fined big time by the EU and we'll tell you why. Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 22, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: The Justice Department and American Airlines and Jet Blue. The debt ceiling talks have hit a...snag. That Montana TikToc ban...might be lots of "hot air". But Light and LGBTQ+ made the news. Amazon is learning that grocery business is...hard. Uber is fighting a bill in Illinois that proponents say will keep riders safer. The Wall Street Report and what we get if we mix the debt ceiling, a recession and job losses...the numbers will scare you. Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 19, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: Economics and the DeSantis/Disney feud just got real. The Supreme Court and online platforms. Mortgage rates climb again. Ice is a big deal over at Starbucks. Chick-fil-a is closing a store but, not just any store. Walmart echoes what Target reported. Russia has been getting airline parts from the U.S. It's illegal but it's also true. The Wall Street Report and some pot news regarding employment. For the interview you'll meet returning guest immigration attorney Lori Chesser as we discuss workforce issues and immigration. Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 18, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: Hope springs eternal and so we "hope" the debt ceiling posturing is...over? Some retailers are, once again, hitting the "recession button" and we'll share who and why. A fun story about wieners. Kraft-Heinz wants you to "mix it up". Tipping at McDonald's? Could be coming. The Wall Street Report and a new study finds that while CEO's believe their DEI efforts are coming along just fine...employees have a different reaction. Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 17, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Get ready for a really interesting conversation about making feature films in the rural community of Marshalltown, Iowa. Jude Rawlins moved from the U.K. to the corn fields of Iowa to create some stunning independent movies and he's not done. Here we'll talk about his music career back in London to filmmaking in Iowa, the business side of making movies and more. Enjoy.. Continue reading
Posted May 17, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: Home Depot was riding a wave until... Jewish in America? The attacks keep coming...this time from Musk. Use it or lose it says Google. Retail spending in April as consumers carry the month. Hard to get good help? Yep, or so it seems over at Hertz. The Wall Street Report and how the IRS may shake up tax filing. Those stories plus a conversation with filmmaker Jude Rawlins who left the U.K. for the rural community of Marshalltown, Iowa where he turns out some great films and why he will continue. Good stuff...let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 16, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: So, what was I doing in Washington, D.C. last week? I'll give you a short re-cap. Also a fun meeting with a person I've admired for years, Major Garrett from CBS News. Restaurant workers HATE this holiday and why. Americans are spending big in a post-COVID world. Gas prices today vs. a year ago. The Wall Street Report and is the "Big Stay" here to...stay? Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 15, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: Millions of dollars will be paid out to folks who used Turbo-Tax and why this is happening. Hear about the four billion dollar mattress deal? OK, we'll do this again...a deeper dive into the looming recession. We're talking about self-inflicted wounds we think. Dish is losing thousands of customers. Yet another retail chain to close stores and why. Burger King is also shuttering locations. The Wall Street Report and the very long road to pay equity featuring a mega-bank. Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 9, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: Talks break down over the writers strike and what that may mean for you. A deeper dive into the April jobs report: Where are the "hot jobs" and who is getting laid off. Love burgers? We have a list of the top five burger chains in the nation and the numbers are amazing. U.S. consumers are cooling off when it comes to buying an EV. What's the issue? There are several. Some great news for dog lovers. The Wall Street Report and these industries are selling less but posting huge profits...but, there is a but. Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 8, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: This was NOT supposed to happen but, it did. President Biden reacts to the news. Fox News vs. Media Matters...oh Tucker! She started this company 40 years ago today they closed shop. The legendary restaurant chain that is shrinking. The Wall Street Report and how Apple wins even with fewer sales. Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 5, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: The jury said, "Not guilty!" and Ed is grateful. Wall Street is STILL freaking out about banks. Also, it seems you too are worried. Two words that would solve the lack of workers issue and we will dare to say them and tell you why it matters. Beer is having a large first quarter and why the flap over Bud Light isn't having an impact. The Wall Street Report and retail troubles continue for many downtown locations but there can be an answer especially if you mix a bit of history with small shops. Ready? Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 4, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: The Fed raised rates and that had a chilling impact on Wall Street. Got a credit card? Let's talk interest rates...now vs. just four months ago. More secure than a password? Yes, says Google. Who listens to podcasts? We'll take a deeper diver into the surprising numbers. Some big restaurant news is out today. The Wall Street Report. The price of oil continues to slide and by a bunch. Uber wants more "butts in the seats" and why. Let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 3, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Today: And, yes, it's great to be back in the studio after being on vacation...thanks for hanging around. Yet another retail chain calls it quits. TV and Film writers out on strike. Wall Street had a tough day and why. Airline pilots vote to strike but...there is a but. The number of open jobs fell yet again and what that means. Times are great if you are an oil company counting...profit. The Wall Street Report and Ford cuts the price, again, on a hot new EV and why that is happening. Thanks again for listening and let's go! Continue reading
Posted May 2, 2023 at Insight on Business
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Meet Garry Clark the President/CEO of the Snohomish County Economic Alliance. He's got a great story and we're proud to share.... Continue reading
Posted Apr 24, 2023 at Insight on Business
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If we really wanted...we could end hunger in Iowa and America if only... Meet Aubrey Alvarez from Eat Greater Des Moines with the solution that would solve food insecurity today. Once you hear this...you can not unhear the conversation and she names...names. Continue reading
Posted Apr 24, 2023 at Insight on Business
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The workplace is becoming more and more diverse and to better understand various cultures, faiths and a host of others who may work with or for you takes some skill. Here Liz Cooney from Tero International offers some thoughts that can help you navigate these issues. Continue reading
Posted Apr 21, 2023 at Insight on Business