Stephanie Hughes

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Stephanie Hughes

April 15 is Tax Day. If you haven’t filed yet, one option could be the IRS’ Direct File program, which lets some taxpayers electronically file their returns directly with the agency for free, as opposed to through third-party providers. The program is in its second year and is now available in 25 states, but some are calling for it to be discontinued, saying the price tag may not be worth it. Direct File is for taxpayers with relatively simple federal returns.

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Stephanie Hughes

​Can you mix Prada with Versace, or is that a fashion faux pas? One iconic Italian fashion brand is buying another — the Prada Group announced this week that it’s buying the luxury design house Versace from fashion group Capri Holdings for about $1.4 billion. On its call announcing the sale, Prada said the acquisition would allow it to reach a different kind of customer. One way to think about the difference is Prada’s clothing being more minimalist and Versace’s more maximalist.

2 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Stephanie Hughes

When Alexander Trayah left the Army last spring after 10 years of service, he felt kind of scared. “It's a pretty daunting thing to kind of restart over again at 30. But I knew that I, you know, wanted to work with my hands,” he said. So, he enrolled in the HVAC program at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Nashville. He expects to graduate in January, with multiple certificates ready to enter the workforce as an HVAC technician. He’s not alone.

2 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Stephanie Hughes

Thought partner. Researcher. Critic. Tutor. These are some of the roles that workers at the e-commerce platform Shopify should be using AI to fulfill, according to CEO Tobi Lütke. He wrote a memo, posted on X this week, saying that before asking for increased human head count, teams must show that the new hire's work couldn't be done by AI. You could say AI is pretty good at the three Rs: reading, writing and research. And that means it’s also good at “marketing, some light legal stuff.

2 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Stephanie Hughes

Delta releases quarterly results on Wednesday. About a month ago, the carrier cut its outlook for revenue growth for the first quarter, saying it would only grow 3% to 4%. That’s after . Now, with new tariffs taking hold and the stock market down, Delta — and all airlines — are facing new headwinds, so to speak. Say you’ve been planning to fly to Europe later this year and were going to spring for extra legroom.