Business and Economic News

Juneteenth celebrations have been scaled back this year due to funding shortfalls as companies and municipalities across the country reconsider their support for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Nippon Steel finalizes $15B takeover of U.S. Steel after sealing national security agreement
Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel say they've finalized their “historic partnership,” a year-and-a-half after the Japanese company first proposed its deal to buy the iconic American steelmaker for nearly $15 billion.
Data centers face new regulations, some worry they fall short of protecting water, residents
The largest “hyperscale” data centers can consume millions of gallons of water a year, and use as much electricity as an entire large city. Some environmental and citizen groups who pushed for tougher rules don’t think the bill goes far enough to protect the state’s water supply and consumers.
U.S. stocks edge lower as oil prices return to rising
U.S. stocks are nudging lower, and oil prices are rising again. It’s a modest return to form for financial markets after worries had seemed to calm on Wall Street Monday, and the S&P 500 fell 0.3 percent Tuesday.
This mother relies on SNAP to help feed her kids. Now, she’s bracing for cuts
Millions of people who use the food assistance program SNAP are facing changes: on what food they can buy, how much money they’ll receive or even if they’ll still qualify for the program.
Minnesota exports dropped in first quarter of 2025; state officials point to trade uncertainty
State officials say exports of goods from Minnesota to other countries dropped 6 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2024. They attribute that — at least in part — to the Trump administration’s tariff policies.
Minneapolis, St. Paul schools work to close deficits. St. Paul to ask voters for more money
School district leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul this week pushed ahead on plans to close budget gaps for the next school year. St. Paul officials also said they’d ask city voters this fall to approve additional funding in a referendum.
Minnesota's clean energy industry fretting about possible rollback of tax credits
The clean energy tax credits have been used to defray the cost to build new solar and wind projects, help consumers install rooftop solar or weatherize their homes and encourage companies to invest in clean energy manufacturing. President Trump has called those policies a “green new scam.”