Latest from Brian Allison

• Jan 7, 2019

  The gender pay discussion heads to the symphony

  

  The U.S. and China have agreed to “positive and constructive” trade dialogue as they resume talks Monday in Beijing. Andrew Walker with the BBC told us more. Also, the partial government shutdown might start messing with your tax refund, as the IRS is down to an eighth of its workforce during the ramp-up before tax season. Then we tackle the gender pay gap among professional musicians: The Boston Symphony Orchestra is being sued by its principal flute player, who said she makes $64,000 less per year than the male oboe player next to her. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

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• Jan 7, 2019

  Tesla breaks ground in Shanghai as China, U.S. trade talks resume

  

  From the BBC World Service … As the U.S. and China resurrect trade talks Monday, Elon Musk’s Tesla broke ground on a new facility in Shanghai that’ll allow the electric carmaker to build its autos locally and offset price hikes of imported models that came as a result of the trade spat. Then, commuters in big U.S. cities like New York know all too well the squeeze rising transportation costs have on their commuting budgets. But they’re not alone – we take a look at why trains in Britain, which saw a 3 percent fare increase this month, are more expensive and sometimes less reliable than many European services. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

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• Jan 4, 2019

  Domestic workers, as seen through the lens of ‘Roma’

  

  The Department of Labor announced that 312,000 jobs were added in December to U.S. businesses. Unemployment also went up, but that’s partially tied to the increased labor participation rate. Then we look at car sales, which still look strong despite the chaotic stock market activity and rising interest rates. Automakers say more than 17 million new cars and light trucks were sold last year. We also check out, in a way, the movie “Roma,” a critically acclaimed Netflix film that tells the story of a domestic worker in Mexico. So, how did real-life domestic workers feel about it? Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage and WizardPins.

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• Jan 4, 2019

  Hospitals now have to post prices online. Is that a good thing?

  

  For the fifth time in a year, the People’s Bank of China has cut down on the amount of cash banks have to keep in reserve. It’s another way China is combatting a decrease in growth. Also, the arrival of 2019 brings new rules for hospitals: They now have to post prices for their services online. It’s a move to transparency, but not everyone is convinced. In football news, the NFL has locked down its first-ever deal with a gambling company. The league has been slower than other sports leagues to forge partnerships with the gambling industry. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage and WizardPins.

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• Jan 4, 2019

  Politicians, journalists caught up in Germany’s biggest personal-data leak

  

  From the BBC World Service … Germany has seen its biggest personal-data leak with information on hundreds of politicians – reportedly including Chancellor Angela Merkel – and journalists surfacing online. Then, global markets are taking on a bit of optimism after a bruising start to the year on hopes for a deal between the U.S. and China. Trade talks are set to officially restart next week. But how high level will the participants be? Afterwards, the holidays are over, but that doesn’t mean the celebration season is gone.  If you’re still shopping for that show-stopping party costume, we’ll take you to a place where some of the most iconic, highly priced accessories go on the auction block. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage and WizardPins.

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• Jan 3, 2019

  How "affordable" Cleveland is witnessing a rise in renting

  

  People are now wondering what an economic slowdown in China might mean for the rest of the world after Apple’s downgraded revenue forecast pointed to slowing iPhone sales in the country. Also, the Department of Labor is trying to fix its visa application website after it crashed earlier this week. You can’t blame the shutdown for this; instead this is tied to a record number of requests for temporary worker permits. We then look at how renting has become the residential method of choice following the burst of the housing bubble. This is especially true in places like Cleveland, Ohio, which have typically seen as an “affordable” places not to rent, but to buy a house. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

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• Jan 3, 2019

  The shutdown is now putting economic data on hold

  

  Apple’s Wednesday announcement of weaker iPhone sales in China affecting its revenue forecast has made an impact on the global markets. Shaun Rein of the China Market Research Group walks us through the news. Then, we look at the effects of the partial government shutdown on the construction business, which is missing key economic data that would have been released by the Commerce Department. Also, we look at how some states are handling medical leave, as many people are wary of the unpaid leave afforded them by the Family Medical Leave Act. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage. 

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• Jan 3, 2019

  Is China’s economy or the iPhone itself hitting Apple hardest?

  

  From the BBC World Service … Apple’s warning that China’s economic slowdown is hitting iPhone sales has spooked markets around the world. We’ll get the latest reaction from an economist in Hong Kong who says slowing sales has more to do with Apple’s products than China’s economy. Then, despite a longtime love for gold in India, demand for the precious metal declined in 2018 as young Indians began losing interest. We’ll take you there to find out why. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage. 

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• Jan 2, 2019

  How a group is fighting Richmond, Virginia’s eviction rate

  

  We check in with Susan Schmidt of Aviva Investors to talk about the activity on the markets, which face the same issues they did at the start of the holidays, but now there’s data indicating a slowdown of global growth. We also check in on how charities are scrambling to lessen the blow of potential losses as the new tax law gave Americans less reason to donate. Finally, we end with a trip to Richmond, Virginia, which has one of the highest eviction rates in the country. A new coalition has emerged there to help change that. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.     

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• Jan 2, 2019

  Sprint and T-Mobile’s proposed merger could reshape Sprint’s home town

  

  Oil prices have been falling for the past 12 months, with the president taking credit for it on social media. However, there are a variety of other factors in play. Then, we head to the movies, where 2018 proved to be a banner year for ticket sales, but that didn’t stop plenty of movie buffs from staying on their couches during the holidays to catch releases like “Bird Box” on Netflix, which at least 45 million people watched. Also, we look at possible big changes in the cell phone industry that could lead to a new lineup of companies. At the heart of change could be Sprint’s home town of Kansas City, Mo., as a merger between Sprint and fellow phone giant T-Mobile is on the table. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.     

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