Marketplace Morning Report

Greg Abel has officially taken the reins at Berkshire Hathaway, stepping into the role long held by the titan of value investing, Warren Buffett. We look at what Abel’s leadership could mean for an empire that touches everything from energy to insurance. Plus, stocks had a strong year, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting double-digit gains, but the job market tells a very different story. And do professional movie critics still matter in an age of Reddit threads and Letterboxd reviews?

Healthcare costs are climbing for many Americans as enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits roll back, raising premiums for middle-income households unless Congress intervenes. In this vacuum, we look at a major new federal investment aimed at expanding healthcare access in rural communities. Plus, U.S. travel is sending mixed signals this year — domestic travel is booming, but fewer international visitors are visiting the States, and that shift is being felt by America’s museums.

From the BBC World Service: Iranian authorities say at least seven people were killed in protests on Thursday, the fifth day of demonstrations against the government's economic policies. Plus, the U.S. Department of Commerce will reduce controversial anti-dumping tariffs on some Italian pasta brands, which were accused of selling their products in the U.S. at artificially low prices. And we look at one profession that has become a casualty of the digital age — the film critic.

Gas prices hit their lowest level for a December since 2020, according to AAA, thanks largely to a global oil glut that pushed crude prices down about 20% last year. We look at whether cheaper fuel is likely to stick around in 2025. Plus, a new business in New York City doubles as a museum celebrating the history and cultural impact of the photo booth. And we examine how the expiration of federal tax credits is reshaping the electric vehicle market after a rocky year.

Minimum wages are rising in 19 states today, giving millions of workers a pay bump as the new year begins. We break down where wages are increasing and what’s driving those changes. Plus, only about 20% of recyclable household waste actually gets recycled. We explore how AI may be changing the economics of recycling.