The Daily Dive

With the economy slowing and many companies beginning to layoff workers, small businesses are in a tight spot as they continue to face staff shortages but are having a hard time competing with larger companies when it comes to offering higher wages.  Small businesses are also reporting that about 90% of open positions are seeing few to no qualified applicants.  Cheryl Winokur Munk, contributor to...

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are looking for deals this holiday season, this is where it all starts.  Black Friday leading into Cyber Monday.  With inflation still battering Americans, many price-conscious consumers are buying less gifts and donating to charity less.  Retailers on the other hand are looking to move products with sales and promotions.  Marc Saltzman, tech columnist at USA Today and host of the Tech It O...

Beyond Meat, the plant-based meat company, is struggling and it’s causing some worries throughout the meat alternative industry.  The company has struggled to manage growth amid slumping sales.  Among some of the setbacks, the company tried to rush out new products only to miss deadlines and disappoint customers.  Beyond’s jerky product, chicken tenders, and dinner sausages all hit roadblocks as t...

According to recent surveys, Americans are stressed out by inflation and are planning to buy fewer Christmas gifts and donate less to charity.  Last year on average, people bought about 16 gifts for family and friends, this year that number has dropped to nine.  Another survey found that many are planning to donate less with 44% blaming a lack of funds.  Jon Hilsenrath, senior writer at the WSJ, j...

Just a few years ago, betting on sports was regulated to Nevada and a handful of other locations in the U.S., but after a flurry of action from lobbyists and the gambling industry, 31 states now allow sports gambling either online or in-person.  Sold by possible tax revenue, many states have come on board, sometimes with very favorable tax breaks for gambling companies.  An investigation by the Ti...

President Biden turned 80 over the weekend, the oldest serving president in U.S. history.  He has said he intends to run again, planning a decision for early next year.  However, recent gaffes have added to concerns from those in his own party and polls also show that the public has doubts about leaders his age.  Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for this, GOP hop...

Heading into the holiday shopping season big retailers are hoping to offload all the excess inventory from recent months and also balance how much to discount items to move product.  The good thing is that it means more promotions and sales for consumers, but will it be the products that people want?  The main items that will see the deepest discounts are computers, electronics, and toys, many of...

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA’s Artemis 1 Moon mission is currently underway after the SLS rocket and Orion capsule launched early Wednesday morning.  The mission is expected to last until mid-December when the capsule will splash back down in the Pacific Ocean.  This mission paves the way for the return of astronauts to the Moon and a new space station to be assembled in orbit there.  Ramin Skibba, space writer at Wired,...

The human race has reached a milestone.  There are now an estimated eight billion people on the planet.  Overall, less people are living in extreme poverty, and we have generally better access to health care, food, and clean water.  Half of the population still just lives in 7 countries, and it could take us about 15 years to hit the next milestone of nine billion.  Stef Kight, politics reporter a...

The makeup of Congress continues to take shape as the House continues to skew toward Republicans and Democrats retain control of the Senate.  Democrats overperformed in the midterms and they can attribute that to independent voters that broke their way.  Despite the GOP holding the edge on top issues, independent voters were turned off by candidates that were too closely aligned with Trump.  Aaron...

The Democrats have retained control of the Senate, and the House is still up in the air, although the numbers look to favor Republicans.  Throughout the midterm elections there have been many tight races and margins are just razor thin.  So why is America always divided 50-50?  As the two parties constantly jockey for the majority, neither party really builds any momentum.  Annie Lowrey, staff wri...

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Positive sign as inflation cooled slightly to 7.7% in October.  Experts warn not to get too excited as they would like to see more of trend but hope this could be the peak.  Used car prices have dropped, along with airfare and apparel, but rents continue to stay elevated.  The Fed has signaled it will continue to raise rates until inflation drops more, but in smaller increments.  Rachel Siegel, ec...

Control of Congress still hangs in the balance as Republicans are poised to take over the House, but we will have to wait until December for a runoff election to see who will take Georgia’s Senate seat.  In the meantime, the red wave never really happened, and Democrats fared far better than most thought.  Former President Trump is in a weaker position coming into his big announcement and Presiden...

The top issue for this election season has been the economy and it has put Democrats in a bad position as Republicans have seized on the issue.  Despite high inflation and fears of a recession, there are still other positive economic markers such as low unemployment.  Still, the uncertainty of what’s to come has voters concerned for their futures and polls show they are backing Republicans.  Howar...

Election Day is here, and the economy and inflation continue to be the top issues for voters.  To that end, according to recent surveys, more full-time workers are feeling the pain and having to get second jobs to supplement their income.  Nearly three-quarters of workers said they need more work to keep up with inflation and it’s not just blue-collar workers, even people in professional jobs are...

Title: Navigating Interracial Friendships with Some Of My Best Friends Are   Description: Here's a preview of another podcast we're enjoying, Some of My Best Friends Are, from Pushkin Industries. Harvard professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad and journalist Ben Austen are friends, one Black and one white, who grew up together on the South Side of Chicago. On Some of My Best Friends Are, Khalil and Ben,...

The midterms are finally here, and which party will take control of Congress hangs in the balance.  Republicans, poised to take over the House, have the lead on the economy, crime, and inflation.  Democrats, lead on the issues of climate change and abortion.  Control of the Senate will be up to a few key races including Pennsylvania and Georgia.  President Biden and former President Obama are maki...

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by another 0.75 percentage point to continue fighting inflation.  They have signaled that they may keep raising them, but in smaller increments.  In the meantime, experts say it is time to reassess your financial plans and pay down any high-interest debt immediately, maybe delay you house or car hunt, and put more money into saving accounts.  Julia Car...