Business and Economic News

The value of vacation in 2024
Are you burned out? MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the value of vacation. Davis’ guests helped us understand the need to unplug from work, how managers can support time off and how you can learn how to rest.
New state law seeks to increase wages, competition for workers
On Monday, a new Minnesota law took effect that bans agreements between companies prohibiting one from hiring the other’s workers. They are known as “shadow noncompete clauses,” and advocates say the new law will help workers find jobs with competitive wages.
Rain and flooding dim Fourth of July spark for businesses, events
Flooding and rainy weather have led to canceled and rescheduled fireworks displays, park closures and financial stress for businesses that rely on a busy Fourth of July.
Coping with more rain and storms in a warming climate
With climate warming, when it rains it really pours. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with the Minnesota commerce commissioner and the state climate director about why we’re seeing an increase in intense rain and violent storms and how we can prepare for and prevent damage from floods, wind and hail.
Struggling with falling demand for farm equipment, Deere & Co. announces nearly 600 layoffs
Deere is laying off nearly 600 workers as the farm equipment manufacturer deals with declining demand. Deere said the production positions being cut are concentrated at two factories in Iowa and one at its home base in Moline, Illinois, where 280 employees will be laid off effective Aug. 30.
The Supreme Court keeps on hold efforts in Texas and Florida to regulate social media platforms
While the details vary, both laws aimed to address conservative complaints that the social media companies were liberal-leaning and censored users based on their viewpoints, especially on the political right.
Farmers assess crop damage from heavy rain and flood water
Some farm crops will be lost to floodwater this summer and other areas could see reduced yield because of saturated soil that stresses plants.