Undersea cables transmit over 95% of internet traffic, but they’re pretty unprotected on the seafloor. That opens them up for damage, both intentional and unintentional.

Dramatic interest rate cuts could lead to falling bond yields and an increase in spending, in the short term. Plus: In-store ads, a traveling nurse, and AI tools for tariff calculations. Today on Marketplace.

The Trump administration’s new $100,000 fee for U.S. employers hiring skilled workers from abroad will have major implications across the board. But smaller companies will have an even harder time absorbing the costs, and finding qualified U.S. workers isn’t as easy as it sounds.

After last week’s rate cut announcement, new Fed governor Stephen Miran says interest rates could be lower. He argues that the administration’s policies on immigration and deregulation make further cuts possible, but he’ll need to persuade his coworkers before he leaves in January.

Why do some economic markets go … pop? On a brand new episode of "Million Bazillion, we’re talking about bubbles. Not the kind you play with, but the kind that happen in the economy! Listen with your family now, wherever you get your podcasts.

After widespread outsourcing eliminated manufacturing jobs across the country, educational programs shifted away from vocational training. But now, as manufacturers struggle to find qualified workers, they’re hoping to renew interest among the next generation.

As inflation continues to rise, some consumers have grown accustomed to price increases. That leaves companies with greater “pricing power,” especially if they appeal to wealthier spenders.

The White House sparked criticism on Friday after announcing a new $100,000 fee for employers of H-1B visa holders. But while the move might open up some jobs in the short term, the long-term consequences could slow innovation and economic growth.

Stubborn inflation and strong consumer spending means retailers can raise their prices. Plus: H-1B visas, the TikTok algorithm, teen factory training, and the farm bill. Today on Marketplace.

The secret sauce behind TikTok's “for you” feed is considered a restricted technology under Chinese law, meaning it can’t be exported to the U.S. without special permissions. This kind of export control on an algorithm is unique, but it’s not without precedent.

After the pandemic shuttered theaters across Broadway, New York state instituted a tax credit that would allow shows to write off up to a quarter of their production expenses. But now the credit is disappearing, just as investors were getting used to it.

Stock markets are feeling hopeful after last week’s rate cut announcement, especially when it comes to the small businesses charted by the Russell 2000. But while all good things must come to an end, investors seem confident the other shoe won’t drop for a while.

Wouldn’t it be great if car insurance covered preventative care? For most insurers, though, documenting those smaller tabs is more trouble than it’s worth, and could add on to already high rates for consumers.

For sewing and craft connoisseurs, the touch and feel of a product cannot be overlooked — so how can online retailers appeal to customers? Building a trustworthy brand is part of the puzzle.

If you’ve made a regrettable purchase online, you’re not alone. Social media scams accounted for $1 billion of losses for consumers in the first half of the year, and the usual reporting agencies have had a tough time cracking down on the fraud.

Mortgage rates are down, but whether or not they’ll keep dropping is hard to say. That’s why experts say that, while the benefits of refinancing depend on your personal finances, you might not want to hold out for even lower rates.

As lottery jackpots creep higher and higher, the number of consumers willing to take a risk for the prize grows too. But the trend could be a sign that Americans are looking for a little financial relief.

What do we call the Trump administration's economic interventions? Is it state capitalism? Crony capitalism? And what does it mean for free markets?

After leaving her high-powered tech career to pivot towards health care, Linda Frembes was a little worried about returning to school at the age of 50. But she says those fears washed away once she walked into the classroom.

Transforming Chrome into an agentic browser will give Google’s AI unprecedented access to users’ data. Plus: Feeding Alaska and a Jo-Ann Fabrics replacement. Today on Marketplace.

Are games becoming unaffordable... or do gamers not know how good they’ve got it?

Immigration to the U.S. has helped to offset labor shortages caused by our aging population and shrinking birth rate. But as Trump’s immigration policy and mass deportations take hold, even lowering interest rates might not save our slowing job growth.

New home listings fell to a record low in August, with sellers putting about 7% fewer homes up for sale than in July. Meanwhile, homes are staying on the market longer than a year ago, and home prices are barely growing in most markets.

Some corporate workers will soon see a bump in their paychecks. Bank of America announced Wednesday it will start paying employees $25 an hour. Amazon is also raising pay for people who work in its fulfillment centers and in transportation to more than $23 an hour, on average.

Why is everyone buying lottery tickets? I will tell you on @marketplace.org! www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...

In retaliation to tariffs, China has stopped buying many U.S. agricultural products, causing prices to plummet. With the 2025 harvest grain harvest underway, Marketplace’s Amy Scott spoke with farmers Vance and Louise Ehmke about how the trade war is impacting their market.

A new report shows that almost half of homeowners saw their home insurance premiums go up in the last year. Insurers are trying to explain why: The cost of construction materials is rising. The same goes for labor. But the big culprit? Climate change.

August saw roughly equal numbers of Americans getting hired and losing their jobs. Plus, risks to mobile homes, a plus-size mall, and two farmers’ trade war concerns. Today on Marketplace.

With ad-blockers, ad-free subscriptions, and a big skip button in the corner of your screen, traditional advertising is becoming less and less powerful. But marketers aren’t giving up; instead, they’re evolving.

Packages valued under $800 did not used to be subject to import taxes, but the Trump administration took away that exemption earlier this year. That’s cut off a valuable line of business for FedEx and other companies that had been shipping lots of small packages by plane.

I sat down with my friends at Marketplace to discuss America's shift away from the invisible hand, toward the guiding hand, the heavy hand, and the grabbing hand. Honestly, it's a pretty great conversation (and it starts at 4:44). www.marketplace.org/episode/2025...

Small businesses are especially vulnerable to tariffs, and on Etsy — where nearly 90% of businesses are operated by one person and 80% identify as women — sellers are struggling to find alternative materials. Now, many business owners are in a “holding pattern” until things become more clear.

The highest earners in this economy account for nearly half of consumer spending. Plus, mortgage refinancing, Etsy tariffs, a nontraditional student, and a Fed rate cut. Today on Marketplace.

Retail numbers are growing more dependent on a smaller group of consumers. The top 10% of earners in the U.S. accounted for nearly 50% of spending in the second quarter, the highest level it’s been since this data first started being collected in 1989.

Movie theatre attendance continues to drop, as the theatre-going experience struggles to compete with the convenience of streaming. Changing the streaming model could be part of the solution.

Thanks to a shift away from coal and towards natural gas and renewable energy, the per capita carbon output of the U.S. has dropped 30% since 2005. But that trend might not keep up, given higher energy demand.

With tariffs, rising debt, inflation, and a stagnant labor market, why is the stock market doing so well? Investors are excited about the potential short-term payoff of lower rates and incoming 2026 tax cuts, but some economists have concerns about what comes next.

Soybean farmers are expecting record harvests this year. But with Chinese buyers pulling out over the trade war, about a quarter of their sales are up in the air.

Less coal revenue would be a sizable financial hit to state budgets. Plus: rate cut pros and cons, domestic soybean farmers, and the death of consumer loyalty. Today on Marketplace.

Google has released a report claiming its Gemini AI model is relatively efficient when it comes to water and energy use for a single query. But there’s a little more to the numbers than first meets the eye.

South Korea is investigating human rights violations after over 300 South Korean workers, many on B-1 visas, were arrested while setting up a Hyundai factory. The move, and Trump’s broader immigration policies, could have a major impact on the U.S. economy and workforce.

Can you identify a chain restaurant? 🤔 What makes it different from starting a restaurant from scratch? On a brand new episode of "Million Bazillion," we learn all about how the chain restaurant business works. Listen with your family now, wherever you get your podcasts.

While American companies are absorbing most tariff costs, some foreign exporters are cutting their prices too. For industries losing market share — like Chinese electronics and European alcohol — eating the tariffs might be the best option, for as long as it can last.

As corporate America renews its calls for a return to the office, some workers are scrambling to leave in favor of remote jobs that can accommodate their lifestyles. And at some companies, that’s just what they want.

If you wish ChatGPT “good night” as you log off, you’re in the minority. Most users skip the pleasantries in favor of practical advice and tasks, but the amount of users discussing their personal lives is rising.

Public companies are required to report earnings four times per year, but now President Trump is pushing to reduce that number to two. While some companies argue the move might encourage longer-term planning, critics say the lack of transparency could create a lot of damage.

We look at why companies are calling people back to the office full-time. Plus: AI use, tariff evasion, and quarterly earnings. Today on Marketplace.

Passing customs has become a little more complicated, thanks in part to the trade war and increased global trade from online shopping. Now, tech startups are hoping to bridge the gap.

While inflation rises and the job market slows, consumers just keep on spending. And economist are trying to figure out how long the trend is going to last.

Tariffs and immigration policy are complicating homebuilding in Texas. One family shared their struggle with us.👇