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Where interest rates go from here Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Later today, we’ll learn whether Federal Reserve officials have decided to raise interest rates or leave them alone. Either way, economists and investors will be looking for an explanation from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and some hints about what comes next. Then, a sprawling copyright lawsuit over reggaeton's defining rhythm, which has targeted Bad Bunny, Karol G, Daddy Yankee, and hundreds of other artists, was hit with a major setback in court earlier this month.

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Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

AI safety requires action, not promises Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

AI leaders suddenly seem to agree on slowing down the AI race. Anthropic's Dario Amodei published an essay last weekend calling to "pace the frontier" — slow the development of advanced AI to allow safety measures to catch up. He said Anthropic will give access to independent safety evaluators, to which OpenAI's Sam Altman and XAI's Elon Musk concurred.

It's all giving déjà vu to Amy Webb, founder of the Future Today Strategy Group, who’s been pushing government leaders around the globe to adopt a similar framework for AI for almost a decade. She laid out her vision in her 2019 book “The Big Nine: How the Tech Titans and Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity.”

More on this:

“AI CEOs want to ‘pace’ the industry. That may not mean slowing down.” from NBC News

“AI's leaders just asked to slow down. I made that case nine years ago.” from Amy Webb

“We Must Pace the Frontier” from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei

Imports are way, way up Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

August marked the third-highest level of container imports to the U.S. on record. Sure, it’s usually a busy month for holiday shopping inventory, but there’s also that pesky looming inflation and ongoing tariff uncertainty. In this episode, why U.S. retailers are stocking way up. Plus: The stock market braces for a likely Fed rate hike, wildlife highway crossings save money and lives, and Carter’s undergoes a rebrand aimed at a new generation of parents.

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Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

Why a 10-year bond at a 5% yield is a pretty big deal Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

The yield or interest rate on 10-year Treasury bonds has reached the critical threshold of 5%. This is a key rate because it’s tied to some major borrowing costs for consumers. This morning, we have more on why bond yields are rising and how they could affect you. Also on the show: how rate hikes actually work to bring inflation down, and we continue our earlier conversation about the rise of so-called "Main Street millionaires."

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories featured in this episode:

So much of America's wealth is really held by "Everywhere Millionaires"

Understanding the "stealthy wealthy" Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Picture someone wealthy; your image may be of some tech billionaire. Now picture the wealthiest person you know. Odds are it's not a Silicon Valley tech mogul or Wall Street banker; it's probably a small business owner. Turns out, wealth from successful small business owners dwarfs the Forbes 400. A new book, "The Everywhere Millionaire," explores its scale. This morning, we have a conversation with its authors. But first: soybean biofuels and diesel prices.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories covered in this episode:

Why AI models are obsessed with creatures Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

The problem of AI alignment has become a hot topic. It’s raised questions, like how do we get AI to do what we want, and not what we don't want? For example, hacking another company. Or, in a less criminal vein, how do we get AI to stop talking about goblins?

After mounting user reports of this behavior earlier this year, OpenAI had to give its models — ChatGPT and Codex — explicit instructions to cut it out. It's the topic of today's “Uncanny AI,” those moments when it's clear AI doesn't think like us.

Janelle Shane, author of the blog "AI Weirdness,” says goblin mode emerged from a nerdy personality customization. “Marketplace Tech” host Meghan McCarty Carino asked her why.

What's an auction and how does it work? Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

A new season of “Million Bazillion” is almost here. But first, we’re resharing one of our favorite episodes. Today, Ryan and Bridget are answering Hezekiah’s questions about auctions. He wants to know everything about them — what are they, how do they work, and what’s up with those paddles and the fast talkin’? Ryan and Bridget head to their very first auction to find out. But the pair get caught up in the excitement and end up accidentally buying the very first “Million Bazillion” mascot. They’ll use the help and experience of their new friend, a real-life 16-year-old auctioneer, to navigate the auction and steer out of trouble.

A cast of hawkish central bankers Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

At this week’s FOMC meeting, it’s likely Fed governors will hike interest rates. They won’t be alone. The EU raised rates last week and Japan is expected to do the same at its upcoming meeting. These central bankers are all dealing with similar inflationary pressures, and hawkish rate-setters stick together. Also in this episode: The U.S. dollar rises in anticipation of a rate hike, diesel prices break records, the subscription-BNPL-rental economy reduces how much we really own.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

More pain at the pump to come Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Crude oil prices are up again this morning. For months, we've been hearing about the Strait of Hormuz, how the slowdown of oil tanker traffic there has affected prices, but the fighting is now affecting oil flows in other parts of the Middle East. Brent crude, the global benchmark, is trading above $108 a barrel — up about 10% over the past week. We have the latest and what it means for your wallet. Plus, the push for AI guardrails and what's next for interest rates.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

The case for an AI slowdown Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

The push for guardrails for Artificial Intelligence took on new urgency over the weekend. The leaders of several AI companies called for a slowdown in AI research in the name of safety. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, issued an open letter on Saturday arguing that now is the time to "slow the pace of AI research." We'll unpack. Then, Cleveland pitches its job market to recent college grads.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Stories covered in this episode: