Last night, President Donald Trump posted a letter firing Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook. The reason? She was accused of listing two properties as her primary residences, which potentially gave her more favorable lending terms. This marks another escalation in the presidentâs battle for control of Americaâs central bank. Weâre publishing our conversation early about whether this is legal, what the Fed might do, and how the Fedâs independence is more fragile than we may think.  Related episodes: Should presidents have more of a say in interest rates? Can the Federal Reserve stay independent? It's hard out there for a Fed chairPatent RacismFor sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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9:19
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9:19
Three ways companies are getting around tariffs
Businesses are scrambling for ways to minimize the impact of the Trump administrationâs global tariff policy. Today on the show, we go over some of the tricks and legal loopholes that companies are employing to get around these sudden import taxes.Related episodes: The legal case for â and against â Trump's tariffs The secret tariff-free zone You told us how tariffs are affecting you For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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9:23
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9:23
Can you copyright artwork made using AI?
Copyright is the legal system used to reward and protect creations made by humans. But with growing adoption of artificial intelligence, does copyright extend to artwork thatâs made using AI? Today on the show, how a test case over a Vincent Van Gogh mashup is testing the boundaries of copyright law.   Related episodes: âLetâs Get it Onâ ⊠in court Copyright small claims court The alleged theft at th heart of ChatGPT For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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8:56
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8:56
Job retraining and the brain, DC dining, and Robinhood's sports bet
Itâs ⊠Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news. On todayâs episode: Job retraining boosts mental health (with more mixed results for romance); the complex picture behind why dinner reservations are down in DC; and the trading platform Robinhood gets into the sports definitely-not-betting game. Related episodes: The cautionary tale of a recovering day trading addict The nepo baby premium, frothing markets, and Apple vs. Apples For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.  Fact-checking by Cooper Katz McKim and Corey Bridges. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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9:23
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9:23
What happens when railroads get hitched
Two freight-rail giants could make history if their $85 billion merger gets approved. Union Pacificâs proposed marriage with Norfolk Southern would create the first coast-to-coast rail network. So why hasnât it happened before now? Today on the show, the business of train mergers.  Related episodes: How Yellow wound up in the red For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.  Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening in today's economy. It's a quick hit of insight into money, work, and business. Monday through Friday, in 10 minutes or less.