Marketplace Morning Report

The company behind the new electric Slate vehicle — which has a somewhat rudimentary, Tonka-truck-like frame — is highlighting its simplicity and affordability. Next week, we’re going to learn just how affordable it really is. And while some of Slate’s marketing is geared toward rural and working people, the reality is that driving EVs in those areas can still be a challenge. Then, Hollywood is backsliding on diversity, but that's not true for audiences.

What does the American Dream look like to you? Getting ahead? What about homeownership, raising a family, or financial security? This morning, we'll feature a discussion about generational differences in what success looks like and how the affordability crisis is forcing Americans to reevaluate what they're willing to sacrifice to get there. Also on the show: how retail sales data may factor into interest rate decisions and why Yum Brands is offloading Pizza Hut.

A recent report from the Social Security Board of Trustees finds that the fund that helps pay for retirement benefits will run out of money earlier than previously projected. This morning, we'll unpack when people's benefits will actually be hit, the Congressional inaction behind this bleak picture, and how immigration policy plays into all. But first, if the Straight of Hormuz reopens, there could be a glut of oil next year.

World leaders are meeting at the G7 in France, and one of the major topics is the diverse economic needs of Africa. The U.S. and Iran are also slated to sign a new peace deal on Friday. This morning, we'll discuss some headlines from the economic forum and how the war has affected African economies. Then, Corpus Christi’s water supply is reaching crisis levels, and one potential solution — a desalination plant — is sparking debate among area residents.

More than a million people dropped their Affordable Care Act coverage this year after Congress let enhanced pandemic-era subsidies expire. That number is likely to rise significantly as the year goes on. And for the first time in years, the number of insurers offering ACA plans has dropped, too. We'll dig in. Also on the show: the global wait for fertilizer and the challenges of the teen summer job market.