Marketplace

That bombshell jobs report? Some economists saw it coming. Experts say low job growth is the predictable result of immigration and tariff policies.

The new jobs report released Friday retracted some news on positive job growth over the past several months. But economists say this downturn should be expected given immigration and tariff policies.

Take it with a grain of salt What we can learn from China about analyzing untrustworthy government data. Plus: the next Fed governor, municipal bonds, and immigration policy.

What can we learn from China about analyzing untrustworthy government data? Plus: the next Fed governor, municipal bonds, and immigration policy.

Today on Marketplace.

Lessons from the rest of the world on politicizing economic data We’ve seen this film before.

Trump’s firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner is not without international precedent. Other countries have gone down the path of meddling with economic data for political gain.

We get into lessons we can take from the rest of the world.👇

Seattle explores how to keep robotaxis from disrupting emergencies As autonomous vehicles become more common, cities are grappling with how to keep robotaxis from interfering with emergency response efforts.

As autonomous vehicles become more common, cities are grappling with how to keep robotaxis from interfering with emergency response efforts.

We break it down on "Marketplace Tech." 👇

Why midsize businesses are disproportionately exposed to tariffs Midsize businesses are more likely to either absorb the cost of tariffs or pass them along to their customers.

The President announced a slew of tariffs on trading partners last week. New research found midsize American businesses are more likely to eat the cost of new import taxes — or pass them along to you.

YouTube video by Marketplace APM The business of Major League Baseball in a minor league park ⚾

Major League Baseball's Athletics are temporarily in Sacramento. How's it going so far? ⚾

Producer Emily Macune walks us through Matt Levin's reporting.

The expensive art market continues to struggle On the one hand, there are economic forces at work. On the other, there’s a deeper philosophical question about using art as a store of value or investment.

After a decade of climbing sales, purchases of art worth over $10 million dropped 44% in 2024. As buyers begin to think of the pieces less as art and more as financial ventures, they may be turning to more lucrative investment opportunities.

Digital price labels, coming soon to a grocery store near you As electronic labels roll out in grocery stores across the U.S., consumers and lawmakers fear they could lead to surge pricing.

Digital price labels are pretty common in European grocery stores, and now American grocers are starting to catch up. But while some U.S. consumers and lawmakers fear this trend could encourage surge pricing, the labels might lead to some discounts on expiring goods.

Tell us what you think about "This Is Uncomfortable!" Take a short, anonymous survey: mktplc.org/tiusurvey

Subscription-based children's magazines are revitalizing the genre While all sorts of child- and tween-focused magazines of the previous decades are no more, a new generation of print magazines for kids is emerging.

Print magazines are far from dead, but they are changing. A niche in the print world that is seeing an interesting revival: children’s magazines.

Listen now.👇

Chinese consumers cut back their spending, but find small joys at Legoland We spoke to families at Shanghai’s new Legoland theme park about what they’re willing and not willing to spend on.

China’s first Legoland opened this month in Shanghai. The government hopes the theme park will encourage spending.

We spoke to families at the new theme park about what they’re willing and not willing to spend on. 👇

Federal reserve disputes, government spending transparency, new tariffs on smaller packages, and more.

It’s always a busy news week in D.C. Washington correspondent Nancy Marshall-Genzer breaks down some stories you might have missed.

Minneapolis adopts ordinance against weight and height discrimination The city follows New York, San Francisco and others with legal protections against that kind of bias in housing, public accommodations and hiring.

Minneapolis has joined a handful of other cities and states in banning weight and height discrimination. But in places without the policies, anti-DEI rhetoric is a challenge for those looking to add protections.

YouTube video by Marketplace APM Kai Ryssdal marks 20 years as the host of Marketplace 🎉

Today! Kai Ryssdal marks 20 years as the host of Marketplace. 🎉

As listeners, we know you rely on his steady and trustworthy reporting to make sense of the economy. Show your appreciation for this essential voice in economic news by signing his anniversary e-card: mktplc.org/3IRbsND

Private equity tees up to invest in youth sports The youth sports industry has amassed an estimated market value of $40 billion according to the Aspen Institute. Private equity has taken notice and is ready to play ball.

Parents spend a lot of money on youth sports, around $30-40 billion per year. Now, private equity firms want a piece of the pie.

Prices are edging up for many things. The Fed is watching Wages are also rising but people aren't spending as much.

Prices are up 2.6% from last year for almost everything, from international travel to healthcare. Wages, though, have also risen, and consumers aren’t rushing to spend that money.

Anomaly or omen? Layoff announcements were up 29% from June to July, and up 140% compared to last July. Should we be worried? Plus: data erosion, car key fobs, and the private equity-ification of youth sports.

Layoff announcements were up 29% from June to July, and up 140% compared to last July. Should we be worried? Plus: data erosion, car key fobs, and the private equity-ification of youth sports.

Today on Marketplace.

AI's role in human productivity and prosperity Simon Johnson, a Nobel-winning economist at MIT, says AI innovations can produce productivity gains, but not everyone will benefit from those gains.

AI could play a major role in boosting productivity. But, if the past has taught us anything, it’s uncertain if everyone will be able to benefit from the boosts.

Growing pains for Michigan's cannabis industry The rapidly expanding recreational marijuana sector sees plummeting prices and multistate operations pulling out of Michigan.

The marijuana industry has been booming in Michigan since it was fully legalized in 2018. But the sector is showing some signs that it’s maxed out.

The hunger crisis unfolding in Gaza The U.N. has warned Gaza is on the brink of famine.

The U.N. this week warned that “widespread starvation, malnutrition and disease” are contributing to a rise in hunger-related deaths across Gaza.

On “Make Me Smart,” co-host Reema Khrais shares what life looks like for her family there right now.

Crypto firms want stablecoins to be the new credit cards The GENIUS Act has smoothed the path for stablecoin growth.

The GENIUS Act paved the way for stablecoins to join mainstream payment methods. But while speed and lower fees could be “much needed competition” against major credit card companies, there are concerns about how its volatility could change our economy.

Strong second quarter GDP growth numbers are "misleading," say experts The economy is hot, but maybe not as hot as it looks.

The GDP grew by 3 percent in the second quarter, mostly as the result of a decline in imports after companies stocked up to prepare for tariffs. Meanwhile, lowering consumer and business spending could signal an overall economic downturn.

The case for a U.S. Department of Economic Security As the U.S. employs more tariffs and sanctions, former international economic security advisor Daleep Singh makes the case for economic Geneva Conventions, and a federal Department of Economic Securit...

Though the U.S.-initiated trade war has disrupted the global economy, economic warfare is nothing new. That’s why former international economic security advisor Daleep Singh is pushing for a new approach that would allow for more oversight on our economic dealings.

Private employers added more than 100K new jobs in July, but are they good jobs? Many of the gains came in leisure and hospitality jobs.

Around 100,000 jobs were created in July, mainly in the service sector. It’s unclear, though, if these jobs are here to stay and if they’re enough to counter losses and hiring slowdowns in other fields.

Let's take a hard look at that GDP growth Three percent GDP growth for the second quarter is great. It’s also misleading. Plus: jobs, stablecoin, and the case for a U.S. Department of Economic Security.

Three percent GDP growth for the second quarter is great. But it’s also misleading. Plus: jobs, stablecoin, and the case for a U.S. Department of Economic Security.

Today on Marketplace.

We Have a Trade Deal with Japan, Right? | Economics on Tap | Make Me Smart Livestream YouTube video by Marketplace APM

Join our Make Me Smart “Economics on Tap” livestream at 3:30 p.m. PT / 6:30 p.m. ET every Friday, and watch more of last week’s episode at the link below.

Want to give the federal government MORE money? It just got easier. Will Reema and @kimberlyadams.bsky.social be sending a Venmo donation?

With Aug. 1 tariff deadline looming, U.S. has yet to make deals with key trading partners The U.S. has announced just six deals — with the U.K., the EU, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

The Aug. 1 deadline for trade deals is quickly approaching, and, as of this morning, only six deals have been made. Without any last-minute negotiations, average tariffs could land at their highest level since the 1930s.

Trump wants more foreign investment and lower trade deficits — but can't have both Trade math doesn't lie.

The numbers don't lie.

Here's how Trump's trade deficit goals may be mathematically impossible.👇

Should Spotify clearly label AI music like "Velvet Sundown"? The rising volume of AI “bands” on streaming platforms presents an ethical dilemma.

AI recording artists make up a growing number of submissions to online music libraries, and mainstream platforms like Spotify have yet to label the music as computer-generated. Now, some independent recording artists are calling for more transparency.