Mid-day Update

With inflation down from a five-year peak, Julia Coronado at Macropolicy Perspectives joins us to explain how the Fed could handle interest rates in the near future. Afterwards, we'll look at today's planned march for workers' rights, which is expected to focus on immigrant rights, and then discuss the public's rising support for infrastructure as part of our Marketplace-Edison Research Poll.

First-quarter economic growth numbers are out this morning, indicating that GDP underwent the slowest pace of growth in three years. We'll explore what the data points reveal about consumer and business activity. Next, we'll look at the local South LA economy 25 years after the infamous LA riots, which followed the acquittal of several white police officers who were caught on video beating the unarmed black motorist Rodney King. Today, some residents are enjoying a housing boom, but for many, economic conditions haven't improved since 1992.

United Airlines is issuing a series of changes, including the possibility of $10,000 for passengers who shift flights, in response to the dragging incident earlier this month. CEO Oscar Munoz joined us to talk about the company's new policies and the "awful choice of words" in his initial apology. Afterwards, we'll look at a movement in Mexico to stop imports of U.S. corn, and then talk about the practice of brand relabeling.

This morning, we'll discuss the positive numbers coming from businesses and the markets —the Nasdaq closed above 6,000 for the first time while company earnings reports have been decent across the board. Afterwards, we'll look at the potential effects of Trump's proposed corporate tax rate cut on government revenue, and then examine the disparities in per-child spend at schools in different states.

With major market indexes up, economist Lindsey Piegza joins us to talk about the psychology behind those increases. Investors are optimistic about the pro-growth policies Trump has proposed, like a 15 percent corporate tax rate, even if they haven't come to fruition. Next, we'll look at a possible source of tension between farmers and Trump over his push for strict immigration rules and his tamp down on free trade, which might not bode well for the agriculture industry. And finally, we'll discuss the potential for more high-level fallout at Wells Fargo following its false accounts scandal. Big pension funds are pushing for most of the 15-member board to go.

Stock prices are surging in Europe following the first round of election results in France. We'll take a look at why exactly investors are excited about the possible winner. Afterwards, we'll chat with Larry Rosin, the president of Edison Research, about the latest results from our Marketplace-Edison Research Poll. One major source of anxiety for Americans? Having proper health care coverage. And finally, we'll talk about AAA's attempt to lure younger members by wheeling out a new ride-sharing company called "Gig."

As federal funds for research are threatened and White House climate change plans are canceled, students are trying to stand up in the name of science. Thousands are set to march this weekend, many of whom will include Caltech students. We visited the campus to chat with the community about why they personally want to get involved. Next, we'll look at Uber's declining popularity with corporate customers, and then look at the arrest of a 28-year-old man in Germany who's connected to last week's explosions.

The Fed occasionally interviews people in each of the 12 regions it presides over to gauge how they're feeling about the economy. The results are in and people are feeling, well, uncertain. Diane Swonk, CEO of DS Economics, joined us to talk about why there may be a lack of widespread optimism. Afterwards, we'll look at the positive effects of attending college full time vs. part time, and then discuss how automation puts workers of color at risk.

The ability of U.S. companies to pay back all its debt is at its lowest level since the 2008 financial crisis, according to the International Monetary Fund. Susan Schmidt of Westwood Holdings Group joins us to chat about the factors that really matter to the health of the U.S. economy. Next, we'll look at why several cities and states in the U.S. are starting to ban employers from asking prospective hires about salary history. Finally, we'll wrap up by chatting to former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers about why he's against taxing robots who perform our jobs.

The Trump administration might make changes to the H-1B visa program, which could include a shift from more of a lottery-based system to one that's skills based. We'll look at what's in store for the future of the visa. Afterwards, we'll explore why there be another writer's strike brewing in Hollywood, and then discuss the winners and losers of Philadelphia's controversial soda tax.