Business & Economy

U.S. employers added 199,000 jobs in November, higher than the 150,000 jobs created in the previous month, reflecting in part the return of striking UAW and Hollywood workers.

The U.S. is trying to reduce its dependence on China for the critical minerals and rare-earth elements needed to build everything from batteries for electric vehicles to military weapons systems. Part of the solution might come from a new extraction process developed in North Dakota.

Minnesota is projected to have a $2.4 billion budget surplus in 2024, but that’s far less hefty than the one lawmakers had to work with last year. House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, spoke with Cathy Wurzer about it.

Moorhead-based American Crystal Sugar Company is reporting a record crop in 2023 as the sugar beet cooperative marks its 50th anniversary.

Workers are on a 24-hour strike to pressure owner Jeff Bezos and company leaders to negotiate a new labor contract. The Post says it needs to cut jobs and may resort to layoffs.

Members of Hollywood’s actors union have voted to ratify the deal with studios that ended their strike after nearly four months.

Minnesota’s Department of Revenue couldn’t convince the IRS to spare state rebate tax recipients from federal taxation. Forms advising taxpayers going out this week.

The Minnesota Twins on Tuesday unveiled the design for their “This is Twins Territory” specialty license plate, which will be available starting Jan. 1.

As of Monday, riders on the buses and light rail trains in the Twin Cities will start seeing community service officers enforce fares — and issue administrative citations to riders who didn’t purchase a ticket.

Twin Cities writer Brian Duren published two novels in the past six months, his latest, “Gravity of Love.” It’s been kind of a wild ride for Duren, who said he’s learned a lot of unexpected things about the books trade.