Remember the K-shaped economy? It’s the idea that the American economy recovered unevenly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week’s bombshell jobs report showed a similar pattern in the labor market, where certain sectors are booming, while others are falling behind. We’ll explain. And, we’ll unpack President Trump’s threats for a 100% tariff on semiconductors and the gap between what workers and employers want out of AI on the job. Plus, we’ll celebrate a listener’s career win!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Tracking Trump’s New Tariffs on Every Country" from The New York Times
• "Trump vows 100% tariff on chips, unless companies are building in the U.S." from CNBC
• "Employers Pull Back on Hiring as Uncertainty Weighs on Plans" from The New York Times
• "How much say do workers have over the tech employers make them use?" from Marketplace
• "Providing ChatGPT to the entire U.S. federal workforce" from OpenAI
• "What workers really want from AI" from Stanford Report 

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Apple today plans to announce a new $100 billion investment aimed at boosting the compan’s production in the United States. It’s the latest in a string of moves by tech companies that could help maintain favor with the president and avoid tariffs. And, the Federal Aviation Administration wants to ease restrictions for drone package deliveries. We’ll get into the pros and cons of more drone-friendly skies. Plus, the origins of Pac-Man and a funeral fit for an AI chatbot model.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Federal Aviation Administration looks to expand drone package delivery" from ABC News
• "Video Shows Drone Rescuing Man During Flood in China" from The New York Times 
• "Trump, Apple to Announce Fresh $100 Billion US Investment" from Bloomberg
• ”Trump to Double India’s Tariff to 50% Over Russian Oil Purchases” from The New York Times
• "'It's a reminder of childhood': How Pac-Man changed gaming - and the world" from BBC News

• "Claude Fans Threw a Funeral for Anthropic’s Retired AI Model" from Wired

  
  

  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Trump administration has vowed to roll back all sorts of federal regulations, from workplace safety standards to environmental protections. State and local governments have faced pressure from the White House to comply with this agenda. And it’s turned them into even more important battlegrounds in the regulatory wars. On the show today, Liane Jollon, executive director of Western Leaders Network, explains how local officials grapple with threats of funding cuts coming from the White House, and how you can get more involved in your state and local politics.

Later, listeners share some love for public libraries. And, Steve Pierson, co-host of “The Practivist Pod,” answers the Make Me Smart question. 

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "States Ramping Up Regulations Amid Federal Pullback" from Forbes 
• "Trump administration moves to repeal climate ‘holy grail’" from Politico
• "Texas House issues arrest warrants for Democrats who left state to block congressional redistricting" from The Texas Tribune
• "Donald Trump wants states and cities to do as they are told" from The Economist
• "The Documenters Network" from City Bureau 

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The United Nations this week warned that “widespread starvation, malnutrition and disease” are contributing to a rise in hunger-related deaths across the Gaza Strip. This comes as the flow of aid into Gaza has slowed in recent months and the price of food has increased drastically. On the show today, Reema shares what life looks like for her family there right now. And, we’ll get into the growing international pressure on Israel to lift barriers that organizations have faced in delivering aid.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "In Gaza, mounting evidence of famine and widespread starvation" from UN News
• "How Food Supplies in Gaza Have Dwindled Under the New Israeli Aid Plan" from The Wall Street Journal 
• "The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Can Feed Starving Gazans" from The Wall Street Journal 
• "What’s Happening in Gaza? FAQ: Hunger and Humanitarian Aid" from World Food Program USA
• "A famine hasn't been declared in Gaza, but that may not matter, experts say" from ABC News

• "A conversation with Baba" from “This Is Uncomfortable”

  
  

  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Over the weekend, President Trump announced a new trade deal with the EU: 15% tariffs on most goods in exchange for the EU’s promise to purchase U.S. energy. But a court case brought by a group of small businesses could derail Trump’s tariff agenda. We’ll explain what’s at stake. Plus, a reminder to get outside and enjoy what nature has to offer. (But stay cool!)

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "EU-US tariffs: five key takeaways from the trade deal" from The Guardian
• "US and EU reach tariff agreement" from “Marketplace Morning Report” 
• "EU's pledge for $250 billion of US energy imports is delusional" from Reuters 
• "Japan Expects Only 1-2% of $550 Billion US Fund to Be Investment" from Bloomberg
• "Trump's economy faces historic week on interest rates, trade, jobs and more" from Axios
• "Trump's trade deals and tariffs are on the chopping block in court. What happens next" from CNBC
• "Texas buys land for new state parks that will be developed using $1 billion voter-approved fund" from The Texas Tribune 

• "A 100-year-old on a bike? Yes. ‘The right to wind in your hair’" from The Washington Post 

  
  

  
  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Republicans’ newly passed tax and spending law makes good on a promise President Trump made over and over on the campaign trail: No Tax on Tips and Overtime. But the change likely won’t have the drastic impact many workers think it will. Marketplace’s Kristin Schwab joins us on the show today to break down the nuts and bolts of how the tax breaks will work and how American workers and businesses could be affected. Plus, Kimberly’s cat Artax makes an appearance.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "How the new "No Tax on Tips" and overtime laws work" from Marketplace 
• "No Tax On Tips And Overtime: What Workers Should Know" from Bankrate
• "Here’s A Tip: ‘No Taxes on Tips’ May Be Good Politics But Is Bad Policy" from the Tax Policy Center

• “An Illustrated Guide to Who Really Benefits From ‘No Tax on Tips’” from The New York Times

  
  

  Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap. The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 Pacific/6:30 Eastern. See you then!

Lately, tech companies like Meta have been putting hundreds of billions toward building new data centers to power their AI ambitions. Some communities have been pushing back, however, arguing these facilities strain local resources. But demand for data centers isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon. On the show today, Landon Marston, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech, explains what data centers actually are, why they require so much energy and water to operate, and how they can affect nearby communities. Plus, how can data centers become more sustainable?

Later, reflections on Medicaid cuts and the power of journaling. And, a listener makes us smarter about “100-year floods.”

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Their Water Taps Ran Dry When Meta Built Next Door" from The New York Times
• "Coreweave stock pops after company announces $6 billion AI data center in Pennsylvania" from CNBC
• "Meta's Zuckerberg pledges hundreds of billions for AI data centers in superintelligence push" from Reuters 
• "How A.I. Is Changing the Way the World Builds Computers" from The New York Times
• "China Is Putting Data Centers in the Ocean to Keep Them Cool" from Scientific American 

• ”The 100-Year Flood” from the U.S. Geological Survey

  
  

  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].
  

The Trump administration has agreed to share the data of millions of Medicaid enrollees with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in an effort to locate immigrants who may be undocumented in the U.S. We discuss the implications of this agreement. And, we explain a White House executive order in the works than plans to target AI models seen as too “woke.” We get into how that aligns with the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Trump administration hands over Medicaid recipients’ personal data, including addresses, to ICE” from The Associated Press
• “White House Prepares Executive Order Targeting ‘Woke AI’” from The Wall Street Journal
• “A UK-based company hopes to use “robot dogs” to address labor shortages in health care” from Marketplace
• “Social media algorithms create “algospeak,” a kind of internet slang” from Marketplace
• “Roblox will scan users’ video selfies to assess their ages” from WIRED
• “TSA to add a lane for families with children and members of the military” from Fast Company

Federal funding for public media has been eliminated. This is a critical time for public media, including Marketplace. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

The Senate approved the Trump administration’s rescission package today, which proposes taking back $9 billion in federal funding already allocated for programs such as public media and foreign aid. We’ll get into the implications for the bipartisan nature of the budgeting process. Plus, we explain the latest development of a lawsuit against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and company leaders, which stems back to the 2018 privacy scandal involving Cambridge Analytica. Then, we’ll smile at a piece of new technology that claims to shoot mosquitoes using lasers. And, do you believe in supernatural forces?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “Russ Vought: Appropriations process ‘has to be less bipartisan’” from POLITICO
• “The Appropriations Process Was Already Broken. The Rescission Bill May Have Just Shattered It.” from NOTUS
• “Meta investors, Zuckerberg reach settlement to end $8 billion trial over Facebook privacy litigation” from Reuters
• “This ‘Iron Dome’ for mosquitoes shoots down bugs with lasers” from Fast Company
• “Angels, witches, crystals and black cats: How supernatural beliefs vary across different groups in the US” from The Conversation

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

According to the latest consumer price index, the reported prices of several items, including apparel and household furnishings, increased in June, suggesting some preliminary effects of the Trump administration’s tariff policies. We discuss President Donald Trump’s response calling for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, and why it’s so crucial to preserve an independent central bank. Then, we take a look at Missouri, where the state’s legislature and the governor overturned the outcome of a ballot initiative. What does that say about the state of public participation in the democratic process? And, we celebrate some wins from listeners about a rekindled drive to write poetry and what it means to be a good friend.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Missouri governor repeals paid sick leave law approved last year by voters" from The Associated Press
• "Missouri Rolls Back Paid Sick Leave Entitlement; $15 Minimum Wage Remains" from National Law Review
• “Missouri’s voters restored abortion rights. Their leaders are trying to overrule them” from the newsletter The 19th News
• "D.C. budget update: Tipped minimum wage compromise fails, ranked choice voting funded as budget advances" from WAMU
• "Inflation picks up again in June, rising at 2.7% annual rate" from CNBC

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Senate is expected to vote on President Donald Trump’s rescissions package this week, which proposes rescinding $9.4 billion in previously approved spending to several programs, including public media and foreign aid spending. We discuss how this could undermine the bipartisan process. Then, we take a look at Bitcoin trading at new record highs, as U.S. lawmakers prepare to pass new regulations on cryptocurrency. We explain the bills being proposed in what’s been dubbed “Crypto Week.” Plus, we hear listeners’ wins about a resurgence of monarch butterflies and a lifelong dream of clubbing in Berlin.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “GOP leader faces showdown with Republicans on Trump-backed funding cuts” from The Hill
• “Schumer warns package to claw back funding would ‘poison’ annual spending talks” from The Hill
• “A Senate vote this week will test the popularity of DOGE spending cuts” from The Associated Press
• “Bitcoin Soars Past $120,000 as House Takes Up Crypto Bills” from The New York Times
• “‘Crypto Week’ on Capitol Hill” from Marketplace
• “Trump Rescission Proposal Builds on Illegal Impoundments, Would Undermine Future Funding Deals” from Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Now that the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is law, Congress is turning its attention to another matter: avoiding a government shutdown. We’ll explain what it will take to keep the government running beyond Congress’ Sept. 30 deadline. And, we’ll fill you in on another deadline: President Trump’s new due date for trade deals before a slew of higher tariff rates kick in. Plus, a listener’s story of frozen pizza and facing fears.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Why the federal government will shut down. And why it won’t" from Punchbowl News
• "Trump combats TACO reputation as White House extends tariff deadline" from The Washington Post
• "Too Many Goods Are About To Face Historically High Tariffs" from Tax Policy Center

• "Flint finally replaced its lead pipes" from The Washington Post

  
  

  Got a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].