Business & Economy

As 2024 comes to an end, we want to thank you, our listeners! We asked you to send us your burning questions about the industry, and you delivered – from around the world.

from The Business

Much needed attention has been brought upon the for-profit health insurance industry in the wake of the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

from Scheer Intelligence

LA saw big changes to its food scene in 2024, including historic restaurant closures and new legislation that passed for fast food workers.

LA’s 2024 food scene: Makeovers, closures, new laws

LA saw big changes to its food scene in 2024, including historic restaurant closures and new legislation that passed for fast food workers.

from KCRW Features

On X, Elon Musk tried to kill a short-term budget agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Congress has until midnight Friday to strike a deal to avert a shutdown.

Government shutdown looms after Musk, Trump scuttle budget deal

On X, Elon Musk tried to kill a short-term budget agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Congress has until midnight Friday to strike a deal to avert a shutdown.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Consumption, big tech in focus in ‘Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy’

Documentarian Nic Stacey on his film, ‘Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy’

Consumption, big tech in focus in ‘Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy’

from The Business

A Nevada commissioner has blocked Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to shake up his family trust in favor of his son, Lachlan. Why did the commissioner block the move?

Rupert Murdoch’s family trust change denied, accused of acting in ‘bad faith’

A Nevada commissioner has blocked Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to shake up his family trust in favor of his son, Lachlan. Why did the commissioner block the move?

from The Business

The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has unleashed a nationwide fury against health insurance companies, with horror stories shared online of how companies have denied…

UnitedHealthcare CEO murder sparks frustration over US health care

The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has unleashed a nationwide fury against health insurance companies, with horror stories shared online of how companies have denied…

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

To the chagrin of parents with young children, the holiday season is another opportunity to accumulate more toys.

American families are ‘drowning in toys’

To the chagrin of parents with young children, the holiday season is another opportunity to accumulate more toys.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LA Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong plans to install a "bias meter" next to every news article and op-ed. This comes after quashing the endorsement of Kamala Harris.

AI ‘bias meter’ at LA Times: What do former staff think?

LA Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong plans to install a "bias meter" next to every news article and op-ed. This comes after quashing the endorsement of Kamala Harris.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

President-elect Donald Trump makes a sweeping promise to crack down on big tech monopolies: How might this affect some of Hollywood’s most powerful CEOs?

Will Trump’s DOJ antitrust pick shake up Hollywood?

President-elect Donald Trump makes a sweeping promise to crack down on big tech monopolies: How might this affect some of Hollywood’s most powerful CEOs?

from The Business

Cryptocurrency has been pumping since Donald Trump’s reelection and promise to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet.”

Crypto bros rejoice as Bitcoin tops $100k

Cryptocurrency has been pumping since Donald Trump’s reelection and promise to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

With the new stadiums in Inglewood, businesses with parking are thriving, while those without feel the city’s economic boom is passing them by.

Got parking in Inglewood? Congrats, you’re winning

With the new stadiums in Inglewood, businesses with parking are thriving, while those without feel the city’s economic boom is passing them by.

from KCRW Features

The National Retail Federation expects consumers to spend more this holiday season compared to last year, upwards of $900 per person on gifts, food, and decorations

Despite inflation, Americans are spending more this holiday season

The National Retail Federation expects consumers to spend more this holiday season compared to last year, upwards of $900 per person on gifts, food, and decorations

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Why do drug companies push drugs to the public that just don’t work?

Drug Promotion to the Public

Why do drug companies push drugs to the public that just don’t work?

from Second Opinion

“Wicked” and “Gladiator II’s” winning streaks look to stretch into the holiday box office weekend, even as “Moana 2” shows up to the party.

Who will win the Thanksgiving weekend box office?

“Wicked” and “Gladiator II’s” winning streaks look to stretch into the holiday box office weekend, even as “Moana 2” shows up to the party.

from The Business

LA's status as the entertainment capital of the world is under threat, as more production companies leave for cheaper locations.

TV and film productions are leaving LA for tax-friendly places

LA's status as the entertainment capital of the world is under threat, as more production companies leave for cheaper locations.

from KCRW Features

Got questions about the Entertainment business? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni have answers, so tell us what’s on your mind.

Kim Masters & Matt Belloni want your questions for ‘The Business’

Got questions about the Entertainment business? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni have answers, so tell us what’s on your mind.

from The Business

Comcast’s cable channel shake up could have industry wide ripple effects. Plus, Donna Langley is promoted to Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment.

Comcast looks to part ways with most cable channels (but not Bravo)

Comcast’s cable channel shake up could have industry wide ripple effects. Plus, Donna Langley is promoted to Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment.

from The Business

A new LA City controller audit has found that less than $600 million was spent to fight homelessness in the last fiscal year.

City of LA only spent half of its $1.3 billion homelessness budget. Why?

A new LA City controller audit has found that less than $600 million was spent to fight homelessness in the last fiscal year.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

With an upswing in Disney+ subscribers, big reported profits, and a potential new CEO — everything seems to be coming up Disney.

Disney snags new subscribers + an outsider enters the CEO succession chat

With an upswing in Disney+ subscribers, big reported profits, and a potential new CEO — everything seems to be coming up Disney.

from The Business