Like so much else in the economy, the cost of hobbies — recreational activities, the ways we fill our free time — is on the rise. But according to recent analysis from the Bank of America Institute, consumers aren’t shying away from those higher prices. We hear more. Also in this episode, we have a preview of meeting minutes from the Federal Reserve, then examine mortgage rates and Treasury notes.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 podcast:Hobby spending is on the rise

An initiative on the California ballot would levy the nation’s first wealth tax on billionaires. Supporters say the proceeds would help offset President Donald Trump’s sweeping healthcare cuts and that it could be a blueprint for other states, but critics argue that the temporary infusion of cash is a giveaway to politicians. We dig into the arguments. But first, it’s been a bit of a rough year for toy maker giants Hasbro and Mattel. What gives?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 featured in this podcast:Why it's been a rough time for toy makers Mattel and HasbroCalifornia’s billionaire tax promises healthcare relief. The fine print is murkier.

Diesel is still hovering at around $6 a gallon. President Donald Trump says Ukrainian air strikes on Russian oil refineries are exacerbating a global shortage of diesel and pushing up prices, but Ukraine isn’t letting up. We have the latest this morning. Then, a recent proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency could make it harder for communities to find out about AI data centers — and their potential effects on air quality — before they're constructed.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:Proposed EPA rollbacks could nix public comment requirements for data centers

More Americans than ever are questioning the value of higher education. A new survey from Gallup finds that just 31% of adults in the U.S. think a college education is “very important.” That’s the lowest since Gallup first asked that question nearly 50 years ago. Some of the big reasons? The cost of a college education and employment concerns in the AI age. And later, more than 2 million young people between 19 and 24 could lose Medicaid in the next few years. We hear why.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:Americans' opinions about the value of a college education are souringMore than 2 million young adults could lose Medicaid soon

More Americans are familiar with autonomous vehicles than they were a decade ago. But if a self-driving car is in their future, most still want the option of taking the wheel, a new survey finds. This morning, we explore consumers' thoughts on driverless cars. Also on this morning's program: we keep an eye on the bond market and the oil market. Plus, how one Brooklyn-based makerspace is helping people unplug and work with their hands.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:Americans are warming up to the idea of autonomous vehicles, survey findsBuilding something with your hands — and a career — at makerspaces

This year has been dominated by headlines about artificial intelligence. But as the AI buildout accelerates, some are looking for ways to slow down. This morning, "Marketplace Morning Report" host Kimberly Adams takes a trip to MakerSpace NYC, a community workshop where people were busy sewing, welding, drilling, and more. For some, it's just for fun; for others, it’s helping launch small businesses. Plus, promises from OPEC might not mean much.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 highlighted in this episode:Building something with your hands — and a career — at makerspaces

This week, the Treasury Department released rules for a new nationwide school choice program that could end up providing billions of dollars to students attending private schools. Taxpayers will be able to opt in to the program by giving up to $1,700 to third-party groups that provide scholarships to students, and can later deduct that donation from their taxes. Many public school advocates, however, oppose the program. Also in this episode: weaker-than-expected jobs data and reimagined research parks.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:Private schools are likely to be the beneficiaries of new federal school voucher programResearch parks were designed for working. That's starting to change.

After being laid off this summer, Montrose Fell felt the pressure to scramble and find a new position. But after a year of funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health, the biomedical industry was flooded with overqualified candidates. So, Fell decided to pursue permanent residency in Canada. “The current scientific climate in the United States was not one where I thought I would thrive in,” they said. We hear more as part of our "Clocked Out" series. But first, we have a preview of the September jobs report.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 episode:When one door closes, maybe it's time to move countries

On Mortgage News Daily, the average rate for a 30-year fixed is now up to 7.6%. And as the cost of a mortgage has gone up, the demand for home loans has dipped to a two-year low, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Then, some lenders surveyed by the Federal Reserve reported that they’ve been noticing a pickup in delinquencies, as higher costs burden both families and businesses.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:Higher interest rates have cratered demand for mortgagesAs inflation stretches paychecks, some lenders report "late payment creep"

Starting today, states are now responsible for a bigger share of the administrative costs that come with running the SNAP food assistance program. It used to be a 50-50 split with the federal government, but now states will take on 75% of the costs. We explore the impacts. We also discuss fresh inflation data and consumer spending figures. Plus, should Big Oil pay for some of the damage caused by burning fossil fuels?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 discussed in this episode:A major big oil accountability case is on the Supreme Court's docket