Business and Economic News

Americans increased spending tepidly last month as anxiety over the economy takes hold
U.S. shoppers stepped up their spending just a bit in February after a sharp pullback the previous month, signaling that Americans are shopping more cautiously as concerns about the direction of the economy mount. 
A Tesla protester targeted by Elon Musk speaks out: ‘I have to protect myself’
“When one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful person in the world is saying you’ve committed a crime, it doesn’t matter what the truth is,” says Valerie Costa, an anti-Tesla protester.
Town halls aim to air farmers, rural residents concerns 
The Minnesota Farmers Union will hold town hall meetings around the state in coming weeks to gather reaction to tariffs, health care concerns and other issues.
Duluth looks to housing to revive stagnant, post-COVID downtown
Like Minneapolis, St. Paul and other cities around the country, Duluth hopes to revitalize its downtown through new housing, to bring new residents to an urban core that was abandoned by thousands of workers who didn’t come back to the office after COVID.
'Bloody Saturday' at Voice of America and other U.S.-funded networks
Federal officials placed 1,300 employees at Voice of America on indefinite paid leave, while severing contracts with Radio Free Asia and other U.S.-funded networks.
North Dakota went big for Trump. Now many farmers say they face an uncertain future
In North Dakota, many farmers are still recovering from the 2018 trade war and are now bracing for more losses as President Trump levies sweeping tariffs on everything from soybeans to pork.
Hibbing manufacturer responds to Trump‘s steel, aluminum tariffs
Canada is the biggest supplier of steel and aluminum for the U.S. The metals are used for products like nuts and bolts, sheet metal, machining and beer cans. Will those levies be a problem for Minnesota companies that get their steel from Iron Range-mined ore and taconite?