Marketplace Morning Report

One of the statewide offices Texas voters will decide on next week is railroad commissioner. It's a role that has nothing to do with trains and everything to do with the state’s oil and gas industry. The position has real power over an industry that produces more crude oil than most countries. This morning, we dig in. Plus, we'll talk about a consumer sentiment improvement and why financial markets are betting that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady.

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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.

Stories from this episode:

Texans will be electing a new regulator of the state's huge oil and gas industry

In late September, the Trump administration removed 760,000 people from Affordable Care Act insurance plans, claiming the enrollees were likely in the program fraudulently. The administration blamed "health brokers." Some brokers have illegally signed people up for ACA plans without them knowing, so the brokers could collect commissions. Now, the administration has stopped issuing any licenses for new brokers, leaving the industry scrambling. But first, a look at how much stuff companies have been stocking up on lately.

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 from this episode:

Lawsuit challenges freeze on new health insurance brokers ahead of open enrollment

DoorDash is in advanced talks to buy the grocery delivery company Instacart, according to multiple media reports. The deal would value Instacart at about $17 billion. The two companies are facing growing competition from retailers. This morning, we parse details of the potential deal. Also on the program: upcoming changes to flight disruption reimbursement and the aspects of the economy most likely to affect the Fed’s rate decision this week.

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 in this podcast:

If your next flight gets delayed or canceled, compensation could look different

The Trump administration has escalated its crackdown on legal immigration pathways that involve foreign workers and students. The most recent example is the suspension of eight major tech companies — including Microsoft and Adobe — from using the H-1B visa program to help workers obtain U.S. permanent residency. Trump officials have argued the program takes jobs from American-born workers. This morning, we’ll fact-check that claim. But first, we’ll hear why clean energy investments are on the rise.

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:

Wind energy projects boom as developers race to meet shorter deadlines for federal tax credits
Is the H-1B visa program taking jobs from American-born workers?

The Federal Reserve begins a two-day meeting on interest rates tomorrow. Just last month, the Fed hiked rates by a quarter percentage point. Since then, oil prices have surged, and consumer inflation has intensified. This morning, we dig into analyst expectations for where interest rates go next. Also in this podcast: investor doubt creeps in when it comes to AI spending, and carmakers grapple with competition from China.

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 from this episode:

Volvo is limping out of a bruising quarter. The carmaker's CEO blames Chinese competition.