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Zoox taxis have just received the green light from the Trump administration to hit the road. They don’t have steering wheels or brakes — or really any controls for humans.
Amazon's self-driving Zoox taxis are about to hit the roadsThe Trump administration recently agreed to allow Amazon’s driverless taxi company, Zoox, to start charging for rides.www.marketplace.orgThis Nashville resident had never line danced when he was asked to be an instructor. Now, he has clients flying in from across the country to be taught by him.
How one entrepreneur is riding a wave in popularity for line dancingA chance encounter led Justin Lee Williams to a career as a line dancing instructor at a time when the hobby is seeing a surge in popularity.www.marketplace.orgTaylor Farms has recalled its iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico. But should you still be hesitant before eating a salad?
Should you still be worried about getting cyclopsora?There are now cases across 45 states.www.marketplace.orgAmazon’s autonomous vehicle company, Zoox, got the green light. Plus: retirees returning to work and rental communities prepare for the Sundance Film Festival. Today on Marketplace.
The future of self-driving carsThe Department of Transportation gave the green light to Amazon’s autonomous vehicle company, Zoox. Plus: the Fed’s decision on interest rates, rising health insurance costs, retirees returning to wor...www.marketplace.orgThe Office of Personnel Management has argued that nondisclosure agreements are necessary to prevent leaks. But, what does this mean for whistleblowers?
Trump wants to require NDAs for federal workers, worrying advocatesSome argue the proposed rule, which would allow agencies to require that federal employees sign nondisclosure agreements, could have a chilling effect on whistleblowers.www.marketplace.orgWith credit card chargebacks rising, are people just getting free stuff?
Credit card chargebacks are on the rise — part of the reason is fraud“Since 2021, we have seen in the U.S. about a 29% increase in chargebacks,” said Amanda Mull, senior reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek. “Globally, it's even higher. It's 46%.”www.marketplace.orgWith high prices across the board and less spending on general food items, why are people buying more organic food?
In spite of price hike fatigue, consumers are still snapping up organic foodsEven though organic products generally cost more than conventional, sales of organic items have been rising at aggressive rates, leaving non-organic groceries behind.www.marketplace.orgBe honest, do you know how many subscriptions you have? This week, we chat with tech reporter Lance Ulanoff and finance writer Hanna Horvath about about the origins of the subscription economy and how we can cope.
Subscribe and save... or not?How to navigate a world of recurring monthly fees.www.marketplace.orgThe diamond industry is facing a harsh new reality. Prices have tumbled from their pandemic highs, and the rise of lab-grown diamonds is forcing the natural diamond business to adapt.
What's behind the diamond downturn?By some measures, diamond prices have been cut in half since a peak during the pandemic.www.marketplace.orgLast year, the organic marketplace grew three times faster than the total food marketplace. Plus: Sticky inflation and the rise of (often fraudulent) chargebacks. Today on Marketplace.
Why price-squeezed consumers still shell out for organicLast year, the organic marketplace grew three times faster than the total food marketplace. Plus: Sticky inflation, young Maine residents learn the art of lobstering, and the rise of (often fraudulent...www.marketplace.orgThe Bureau of Economic Analysis is making a significant update to how it measures inflation in several categories, with the changes set to be applied retroactively to 2021. While the agency regularly refines its methodology, the revision comes as the BEA faces budgetary pressures.
Why the Bureau of Economic Analysis is updating how it calculates inflationThe Bureau of Economic Analysis makes adjustments to inflation estimates regularly, but it comes at a time when the BEA is under budgetary stress.www.marketplace.orgDespite the rising cost of living, adults are pouring money into, well, toys. There’s even a new term for it: kidulting.
Adults are spending big on toysFrom collectibles to puzzles, "kidulting" is is fueling growth in the toy market.www.marketplace.orgIs the AI boom a bubble or not? If it is, it likely wouldn’t resemble bubbles of the past, like the dot-com and housing bubbles of the early aughts.
What happens if the AI bubble pops?A look back at what we can and can’t learn from the dot-com and housing bubbles of the past.www.marketplace.orgFor many of us, higher oil prices right now are a huge pain in the wallet, but some states are actually benefitting.
Oil-producing states benefit from war-driven windfallTax revenues are coming in higher than expected in states like Alaska and New Mexico as oil prices remain elevated.www.marketplace.orgIn a job market flooded with both candidates and AI, it’s a tough time to be a recent graduate seeking work.
How Gen Z is navigating a competitive job market in the age of AIRecent college graduates are navigating a job market shaped by AI on both sides of the hiring process.www.marketplace.orgNew AI systems mean new liabilities — and insurance offerings to cover them.
New insurance products cover damages caused by AIAs AI systems get integrated across the economy, they’re creating new liabilities for businesses, and pushing new insurance offerings to cover them.www.marketplace.orgWhile drivers feel pain at the pump, some state budgets are experiencing a needed windfall. Plus: line dancing, Labubus, and the AI bubble. Today on Marketplace.
The states making extra off of high gas pricesWhile drivers feel pain at the pump, some state budgets are experiencing a needed windfall. Plus: line dancing, Labubus, and the AI bubble.www.marketplace.orgIt’s no secret that a trip to the grocery store is more expensive than it was a few years ago. To make up for lost profits, some stores have turned to selling your data.
As consumers spend less on groceries, stores find new ways to make moneyGrocery spending is down on average about 2%. Stores have very low profit margins, so they're selling data and advertising to fill the gap.www.marketplace.orgDespite promises of reshoring, the U.S. economy has shed 75,000 manufacturing jobs since Trump took office in 2025.
Trump says his aggressive trade policy is bringing back factory jobs. Is it?President Trump touted his administration’s success in a visit to Michigan this week. The reality is a bit more nuanced.www.marketplace.org