Marketplace Morning Report

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The data center fight ahead of the midterms Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

This morning, as part of our Economic Pulse series, we continue our conversation with Robyn Vincent, host and producer of WDET’s “The Metro” in Detroit. We dig into how data centers have become a flashpoint for Michigan voters ahead of the midterm elections, as well as how rising utility bills are coming up on the campaign trail. But first, corporate earnings seem to be holding up despite all the economic uncertainty.

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From tariffs to data centers, Michigan's big economic stories

Sticker shock during open enrollment season Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

If you are in the majority of people under 65 who get health insurance through an employer, you’ve probably noticed it’s getting more expensive. It’s not just monthly premiums that are rising; many employers are also raising co-pays and deductibles. This morning, we do the numbers on employer-sponsored healthcare coverage. Then, we hear from WDET's Robyn Vincent about how tariffs and trade policy are impacting Michigan's economy.

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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.

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Interest rates come for everyone — even tech Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Meta reported earnings yesterday. Revenue was up 26% year over year, but costs rose 68%. This is the kind of thing that has some investors in the tech space a little nervous; while demand for AI and tech is doing just fine, the cost of investing in it has gone up. We discuss. Plus, as the weather turns colder, Northeast residents who use heating oil are facing much higher costs.

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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.

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Heating oil prices are up 70%, just as Northeast residents fill up for winter

The hot new crop is diesel Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Farmers in the U.S. are looking for ways to save money and stay afloat. They have not been able to catch a break in the past few years — between tariff retaliation, still-climbing fertilizer prices, and record-high diesel prices. One option to boost revenue for struggling farmers: biofuel crops, which can be turned into diesel. But first, is your car underwater? If so, you're not alone.

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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.

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Midterm spending is ballooning Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

Less than two weeks out from the midterm elections, many races are unexpectedly tighter than some analysts predicted earlier in the cycle. That has led to a flood of new spending. “2026 will almost undoubtedly be the most expensive political cycle in history," said Jesse Contario at MiQ's political team. In this podcast, we do the numbers on election spending. Also on the program: tech earnings are starting to roll in, and the nation's manufacturers are showing a mixed picture.

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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.

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Midterm election spending could be the most expensive in history

Housing affordability, then and now Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

The housing industry got a heap of bad news on Tuesday. New construction was down, and pending home sales dropped to their lowest level since 2001. Higher mortgage interest rates are to blame. The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate loan is just shy of 7.5%. Average mortgage rates in the '70s were higher, though, and didn't lead to a housing affordability crisis like today's. What gives? And later: lessons from a San Francisco Bay Area universal basic income program.

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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.

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A green light for Boeing Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to announce today that it has certified a new Boeing jet, Reuters reports. Boeing was supposed to start delivering its 737 MAX 10 back in 2020, but years of technical problems have kept it from moving forward. With federal approval, the jet could be a big help to airlines facing rising fuel costs. Plus, we discuss the impact of wars, high inflation, and high borrowing costs on company earnings. And later, Americans increasingly fear AI.

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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.

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AI is high on the list of what Americans fear most

Anthropic and SpaceX get charitable Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

On Sunday, Anthropic announced that 5% of its shares would go into a new “public benefit fund.” The company claimed it could use a new charitable LLC to give large donations to nonprofits or to “specific populations.” Later that day, Elon Musk said he’ll give shares of SpaceX to every kid in the U.S. next year. So how exactly would these philanthropic plans work? And who would benefit? Also: why corporate brands outside of the music industry are releasing their own albums.

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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.

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Hollywood takes on Big Tech Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

On Friday, the documentary "You Can See Everything" about Theranos’ Elizabeth Holmes opened in theaters across the U.S., grossing an estimated $15 million and selling out 2,000 shows. It joins a slate of fall films, including "Artificial," "Musk," and "The Social Reckoning," profiling major tech companies and their founders. We dig into why Hollywood is focusing on these stories right now. Also: what sanctions relief for Russia means for oil markets and why the French protests are also a bond market story.

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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.

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Hollywood is releasing a slew of tech films

Should voters let chatbots do their election homework? Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Are you doing your homework ahead of the midterms or just planning to wing it at the ballot box? While you may have a good idea already about who you want for House, Senate, or governor, there’s still other studying to do before Election Day. But in 2026, the word “homework” often means “ask an AI-powered chatbot.” For voters, that’s both a resource and a risk. First though: why economic uncertainty is translating into a flood of imports.

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.

Read the stories from this podcast: