Episodes

  • California wine grapes rot on the vine
    Dec 4 2025

    These days, Americans are drinking less alcohol. While that may be a positive from a health perspective, it’s not great news for California grape growers. Industry groups predict that 2025 will be the smallest harvest since the mid-’90s. These changing consumption habits are changing the landscape of California vineyards. Also, the Trump administration is reducing fuel efficiency standards, and layoffs are running high ahead of the next Federal Reserve meeting.

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    7 mins
  • Not REAL ID-compliant? Get ready to pay up.
    Dec 4 2025

    The Transportation Security Administration announced earlier this week that passengers without a REAL ID or other acceptable documents (like a passport or tribal ID) will have to pay a $45 fee for the extra screening required to get through security. We'll hear more. Plus, as part of our continued lunar economy series, we'll learn about what developing infrastructure or communications systems on the moon might look like.

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    7 mins
  • Meta faces an investigation over AI in WhatsApp
    Dec 4 2025

    From the BBC World Service: European antitrust regulators have just launched an investigation into Meta over its rollout of artificial intelligence features on WhatsApp for European users. This move marks the latest action by European regulators against large technology firms, as the trade bloc seeks to balance support for the sector with efforts to curb its expanding influence. Then, air travelers in India face continued disruptions, and Japan tries to regain a stronghold in semiconductor chip manufacturing.

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    7 mins
  • Making university research make money
    Dec 3 2025

    The Trump administration has been clear about its desire for deep federal funding cuts to university research. So, some institutions of higher learning are looking to other sources of revenue, including backing startups spun off from research. Today, we'll examine the potential money-making idea. Plus, we’ll learn about a hiring pullback by smaller businesses, hear about smartphone surveillance attempts by India, and check on younger consumer optimism.

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    8 mins
  • A fuel efficiency rollback
    Dec 3 2025

    President Donald Trump plans to announce weaker fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks at a White House event today. The move will likely reverse a Biden-era rule requiring automakers to reach an average of 50 miles per gallon for new vehicles by 2031. Plus, as part of our lunar economy series, we hear how one company is recycling space debris into more useful products for the space industry.

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    6 mins
  • Europeans pledge to cut out Russian gas
    Dec 3 2025

    From the BBC World Service: European politicians have reached a provisional agreement to phase out imports of Russian gas by 2027. Exports of oil and gas have been crucial for Russia to fund its military campaign in Ukraine. Russia says Europe will be less competitive and that consumers will have to pay higher prices. Then, we'll check in on Japan's work-life balance and hear about a diamond-studded Faberge egg, which just sold at auction for $30 million.

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    6 mins
  • A sign investors think the economy will remain strong
    Dec 2 2025

    Corporate bond spreads, extra compensation that corporate bonds pay out compared to government bonds, have been narrowing this year, which means investors aren’t demanding much additional money to account for additional credit risk. That could indicate that investors think economic growth could pick up in the near term. Also on the program: a trade deal regarding U.K. pharmaceuticals and OPEC's plans to keep oil production flat to start the new year.

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    7 mins
  • Costco wants its tariff money back
    Dec 2 2025

    If Trump's tariffs are illegal, Costco wants a refund. The lawsuits that brought President Trump’s tariffs before the Supreme Court last month were led by small businesses and Democratic state attorneys general, but now it’s bigger companies — including Costco — that are suing to make sure they’re in line for a refund if tariffs are struck down. Plus, "Marketplace Morning Report" is heading to the moon this week for views on an emerging lunar economy.

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    7 mins