Business and Economic News

New online tool allows for close-up look into Minnesota’s changing climate future
University of Minnesota researchers are launching a new online tool today that allows people to visualize how a future climate will look and feel, down to a 2.5 mile scale. The goal is to help engineers, farmers and others better plan for a climate-changed future.
Red Lobster closes dozens of locations across the U.S.
A restaurant liquidator announced that it’s auctioning off the equipment of over 50 Red Lobster locations that were recently closed. None of Red Lobster’s Minnesota locations are on the list — but a couple just across state lines are.
Closure of another rural in-patient psychiatric ward leads to public hearing
On Tuesday evening there will be a public hearing on the closure of an inpatient psychiatric ward in central Minnesota. Lakewood Health System plans to close its 10-bed unit in its hospital in the small town of Staples.
UnitedHealthcare faces state penalty for uneven mental health care coverage
UnitedHealthcare is facing penalties for allegedly violating mental health parity laws. After an investigation, the Minnesota Department of Commerce says the company covers mental health claims more stringently than it covers claims for other types of care.
AI-generated spam is starting to fill social media. Here's why
A Jesus made of vegetables, bizarre log cabins, products that don't exist. AI-generated images are creating new forms of clickbait and causing some users to doubt what's real.
Minnesota semiconductor manufacturer awarded nearly $200 million in state, federal funding for expansion
Bloomington's Polar Semiconductor is beginning a $525 million expansion that it says will double its output and create 160 new jobs. It’s slated to receive nearly $200 million in state and federal funding for the project.