Make Me Smart

• Floridians feel the impacts of climate change

  Florida is a state that often feels tangible impacts of climate change, with strong storms and hurricanes making landfall in the state every hurricane season. However, this year is the first time in a decade that the Sunshine State was spared from experiencing a single hurricane. Jessica Meszaros, a climate change reporter at WUSF, joins Kimberly to explain how Floridians are rebuilding a year after hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton hit the state. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here’s what we talked about on the show today:“Florida and the U.S. were spared of hurricanes in 2025, but storms are still rapidly intensifying” from WUSF“Hurricane Helene Response” from US Army Corps of Engineers“Assessment of Agricultural Losses Resulting from Hurricane Milton” from University of Florida IFAS“Disaster and insurance costs are rising. The middle class is struggling to hang on” from NPR“Sorting trash can be dirty and dangerous. Sounds like a job for AI” from Marketplace“Disney comes to Sora: What you can and can't do with the characters” from Axios“How fruitcake became a Christmas classic (even if it’s unpopular)” from MSN“City life is reshaping raccoons – and may be nudging them toward domestication” from The Guardian

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• Why the Fed cut interest rates

  The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point Wednesday. And this decision comes as President Donald Trump continues to put pressure on the supposedly independent agency to move the economy the way he wants. Plus, the president is reportedly beginning final interviews for Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s potential successor.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Fed lowers interest rates again amid debate over inflation, jobs” from The Washington Post“Trump to start final Fed chair interviews beginning with Kevin Warsh” from CNBC“What a Fed rate cut means for your home, car and credit card loans” from The Washington Post“Watch out for these refinancing red flags” from Marketplace Morning Report

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• Deep-sea mining: The next frontier for critical minerals

  Rare-earth elements help power our everyday electrical devices, and that’s because most batteries are made with minerals like lithium, nickel, cobalt and graphite. As of now, China has the largest reserve of these minerals. But some mining companies are eyeing the deep sea’s floor, says Marketplace contributor Dan Ackerman, because such rare earths form organically way down there. Plus, the ethical concerns that come with this deep-sea mining.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Companies are betting on deep sea mining for critical minerals” from Marketplace Tech“New policies may part the waters for ocean mining” from Marketplace Morning Report“In the depths of the ocean, a new contest between the US and China emerges” from The Guardian“Trump’s New Executive Order Promotes Deep Sea Mining in US and International Waters While Bypassing International Law” from Inside Climate News

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• Shopping through a K-shaped holiday season

  As another holiday season kicked off on Black Friday, finding the perfect gift is top of mind for many. But how much will weary American consumers be willing to spend this year? Based on early data … it’s a lot! Marketplace’s Kristin Schwab joins Kimberly to explain why the K-shaped economy may explain the contradiction and why AI is making its way into Americans’ shopping habits. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here’s what we talked about on the show today:”September retail sales fail to impress” from Marketplace”Black Friday, Cyber Monday spending expected to top records” from Marketplace”Black Friday Sales Spike Despite Economic Uncertainty, Study Shows—Here’s Why” from Forbes“‘Tis the season for credit card debt” from Marketplace”How are retailers benefiting from the "buy now, pay later" boom?” from Marketplace”What is your Spotify listening age?” from Marketplace”More than 8 in 10 Americans are more likely to purchase secondhand gifts this year” from Retail Brew”Target Launches New AI-Powered Features to Make Holiday Shopping Easier, Smarter and More Fun” from PR NewswireMissed Giving Tuesday? It's always a great time to become a Marketplace investor. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

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• Is the U.S. a gerontocracy?

  The average age of Congress' members has gotten older compared to the Americans it represents. This 119th Congress is the third oldest since 1789. On today’s show, Princeton economist Owen Zidar joins Kimberly to explain how decades of public policy have fueled a generational wealth gap and what our so-called gerontocracy has to do with it. Plus, what it would take for Congress to really address the economic issues younger Americans are facing.Here’s everything we talked about today:”It’s My Party and I’ll Leave When I Want To” from Intelligencer”Gerontocracy is everywhere” from Slow Boring”How baby boomers got so rich, and why their kids are unlikely to catch up” from The Washington Post”The Age Divide: How America’s Electoral System Reinforces the Gerontocracy” from New America”The Everywhere Millionaire” by Owen ZidarWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

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