Segments From This Episode

• 2023 has been a year for bankruptcy

  by Kristin Schwab

  

  More than 230 companies declared bankruptcy before the end of April. What is happening?

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• How would a U.S. debt default play out in Texas?

  by Elizabeth Trovall

  

  Half a million jobs could be lost in the second-biggest state economy. Pensioners, the food insecure and many others could suffer.

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• Americans are spending less on hobbies. How’s that affecting stores that rely on them?

  by Stephanie Hughes

  

  Commerce Department data shows retail sales for sporting goods, hobby, instrument and book stores were down 5.4% in April compared to a year ago. Sales for garden equipment and supplies were down too.

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• Ads on social media are exceptionally good at getting us to click “buy”

  by Kai Ryssdal, Sarah Leeson and Maria Hollenhorst

  

  “In the past, we’ve studied social media ads as if they’re just like a billboard or a print magazine ad when they’re not,” said advertising professor Matthew Pittman. “You’re seeing an ad from any number of sources.”

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• Growing pistachios is a tough business. Here’s one couple’s story.

  by Lily Jamali

  

  The Burchams own an orchard in Firebaugh, California. Like other pistachio farmers, they’re grappling with a changing climate.

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• Vendor fees are among the biggest expense for Reno food truck

  

  As a small business, TukTuk YumYum Sweet Treats often struggles to reach the threshold of a bulk order when purchasing supplies. This means they often still pay retail prices.

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