Marketplace All-in-One

More bad news from last week’s jobs report: Wage growth slowed to 3.2%, the lowest yearly rate in five years. Combine that with high inflation, and consumers are losing purchasing power. In this episode, where did the wage growth go? Plus: Temp firms report increased demand, Bed, Bath & Beyond’s parent company wants to expand into services, and Pringles implements AI on the production line.

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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:

U.S. consumers' real earnings have been falling
Why Bed Bath & Beyond's parent company is pivoting to mortgages and flooring
Should we ditch paper checks? You probably write more than you think
She chose rural South Carolina over Italy and England
One bright spot in an otherwise-meh labor market? Temp jobs
A new kind of AI chip: Pringle-making gets optimized by artificial intelligence

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the K-shaped economy is turning C-shaped, meaning low-income wage growth is beginning to outpace growth for higher earners. But experts said the evidence for that claim may be lacking. This morning, we’ll discuss if it’s a fair characterization before diving into the latest attempt to oust Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Then, we’ll look at how hospitals are turning to career academies and other programs to tackle a crisis in recruitment and retention.

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:

Is the K-shaped economy over?
Hospitals are turning to career academies to combat a retention crisis

Over the weekend, the U.S. Senate adjourned for its August recess without passing the “Clarity Act,” which would change the way cryptocurrencies would be regulated. The bill, largely backed by the crypto industry, would treat many cryptocurrencies like commodities rather than securities. This morning, we’ll look at how that would change which agency has oversight, then look at how fairs and carnivals can be a barometer for consumer spending.

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:

What fairs and carnivals can teach us about the economy

Substack, the platform popular for online newsletters, recently launched an artificial intelligence detection feature powered by Pangram.

The detector allows users to scan text and get an estimate for how much of it was likely written by AI. But some creators are concerned about the tool’s accuracy and its potential to prompt a “witch hunt” for writers who use AI.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Substack CEO Chris Best about the new feature.

More on this:

AI Content Is Everywhere on Social Media, Especially LinkedIn from Pangram

I Test-Drove Substack’s New AI Detection Tool, and It Mostly Worked from CNET

The July jobs report is out, and it’s a doozy: The U.S. labor market shed a net 23,000 jobs last month. Previous months, which saw moderate gains, were revised down. In this episode, which sectors cut the most roles, and what it all signals about the broader economy. Plus: Climbing car prices lock buyers in longer-term loans, communities combat a teacher shortage by building affordable housing, and we want to hear your stories about voluntarily leaving the workforce.

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:

The economy lost 23,000 jobs in July. Should the Fed be worried?
Here's where the economy lost jobs in July
Car prices continue to rise. Auto lenders compensate with long-term loans
The school districts building affordable housing for teachers
How leaving the labor force helped this caregiver find her calling