Kimberly Adams

Washington, D.C., United States

Correspondent and Host at Marketplace

Co-host of @Marketplace's #MakeMeSmart. She/ Her. Kimberly, not Kim. Proud member of @mplaceunion. Work account. @[email protected]

Articles

K2-18b and the search for alien life

1 day ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Courtney Bergsieker |Marissa Cabrera

Episode 1391May 13, 2025Anybody out there? Today we’re ditching the drama on Earth and talking about K2-18b, an exoplanet 120 light-years away. K2-18b recently made headlines after researchers claimed to observe possible “signs of life” in the planet's atmosphere. So, did we find aliens? Michaela Musilova, an astrobiologist and analog astronaut, said it’s too early to tell. “Is it actually a detection of life, or is it potentially just some noise in the data?
What's inside the new GOP tax bill?

2 days ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Courtney Bergsieker |Marissa Cabrera

House Republicans’ newly released tax plan includes trillions in tax breaks. But those tax cuts will come at a cost. We’ll get into it. And, Apple plans to raise iPhone prices but won’t point fingers at President Trump’s tariffs. We’ll unpack how all the tariff chaos could lead to elevated prices, no matter what they actually cost companies. Plus, sci-fi escapism and Pope Leo XIV’s love of baseball make us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today:
Is U.S. trade policy being run on vibes?

5 days ago | marketplace.org | Kimberly Adams |Sabri Ben-Achour |Courtney Bergsieker |Marissa Cabrera

Episode 1389May 9, 2025Is U.S. trade policy being run on vibes? Trump said an 80% tariff on China “seems right.”MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/AFP/Getty Images
So, about that U.S.-UK trade "deal"

6 days ago | marketplace.org | Kimberly Adams |Reema Khrais |Marissa Cabrera |Courtney Bergsieker

Episode 1388May 8, 2025Will U.S.-U.K. trade relations keep calm and carry on? Following Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs, the United States has now struck a trade deal (sorta) with the United Kingdom. We’ll get into it. Plus, childcare costs a lot – and in some places, more than rent. Then, we’ll smile at the unexpected joy of “swole culture.” And what if, instead of sports metaphors, we used makeup lingo at work?
The million-dollar starter home?

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Kimberly Adams |Reema Khrais |Marissa Cabrera |Courtney Bergsieker

On today’s episode: Marketplace’s Reema Khrais joins Kimberly to discuss two stories from opposite ends of the housing spectrum – cuts to rental assistance programs and the soaring cost of starter homes. Then, Kimberly explains yet another reason why the rest of the world is giving the U.S. major side-eye. And we’ll smile about a slimy substance that might help keep microplastics at bay and parrots connecting over Facetime.
Is the clean energy economy doomed?

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Kimberly Adams |Amy Scott |Marissa Cabrera |Courtney Bergsieker

Episode 1386May 6, 2025As the world races towards decarbonization, the U.S. risks falling behind. So far, President Trump’s “drill, baby, drill,” agenda has proven to be a sharp turn from Biden-era climate initiatives, including the landmark spending bill the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
How are companies handling tariffs? Exactly like we predicted

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Courtney Bergsieker |Marissa Cabrera

Episode 1385May 5, 2025How are companies handling tariffs? Exactly like we predictedPlus, the cost of mass deportations. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
Economics on Tap: Airport Edition

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Courtney Bergsieker |Marissa Cabrera

On today’s episode, Kimberly joins "Economics on Tap" from the Toronto airport. We’ll unpack President Trump’s elimination of a tariff loophole known as the de minimus exemption that went into effect today, meaning low-cost shipments will no longer enter the United States tariff-free. Without it, Americans could start to feel some serious tariff pain. And, President Trump is renewing threats to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty.
Buy less, pay more?

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Marissa Cabrera |Courtney Bergsieker

This week, President Trump acknowledged his tariffs were resulting in costlier items in the U.S., but maintained his position that China was taking the majority of the heat. If people can’t afford to buy as much, might that be a recipe for recession? We’ll discuss, and answer a listener’s question on what exactly a recession really is. Plus, how uncertain economic conditions might make someone reconsider a luxury cheese purchase.
The Canadian economy goes “elbows up”

2 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Courtney Bergsieker |Marissa Cabrera

Episode 1380Apr 29, 2025The future of U.S.-Canada trade relations. After declaring victory in yesterday’s Canadian election, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the “old relationship” with the United States is over. Over the past few months, President Donald Trump’s on-and-off tariffs and repeated annexation threats have caused Canadians to reconsider the United States as its leading trading partner and ally.