Business and Economic News

Along the North Shore, sleepy Silver Bay embraces development to put itself 'on the map'
Construction is set to begin on a nearly $25 million development of townhomes and vacation rentals in Silver Bay, the first of several projects to reinvent the city originally built as a mining company town.
The Hamas attack left many Israeli farms abandoned — some worry forever
In some of the farm communities hardest hit during the Oct. 7 attack, volunteers from Israel and around the world are arriving to fill the gap left by workers who are no longer there.
Minnesota youth could win $1,000 for ideas that benefit their communities
The YouthSparks Ideas Competition is seeking ideas for products, services or activities for social change. The goal is to empower youth to see themselves as decision makers in their communities.
Last call for lefse! Homemade — like grandma's — sold at a deer stand in Evansville
For a few hours on Saturdays in November and December, the Englund family’s homemade lefse is available for $6 at a deer stand in Evansville. And the Norwegian delicacy that will grace countless Minnesota dinner tables on Christmas sells out quickly.
Grocery workers in Brainerd Lakes area on strike
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 union says employees are seeking better wages, workplace protections and benefits. It’s accused the stores of engaging in unfair labor practices, which the store owners deny.
Biden believes U.S. Steel sale to Japanese company warrants 'serious scrutiny'
Under the terms of the approximately $14.1 billion all-cash deal announced Monday, U.S. Steel will keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, where it was founded in 1901 by J.P. Morgan and Andrew Carnegie. It will become a subsidiary of Nippon.
The games we play: MPR News staff share their favorite video games of 2023
This year was a monumental occasion for video games, with highly-anticipated titles released like Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. MPR News staff across the newsroom shared some of their favorite games from 2023 (and one title from 2022) and what they loved about the experience.
APM podcasts for kids tap into curiosity about science and history
MPR News host Angela Davis and producer Matt Alvarez revisit a favorite show from 2023, a conversation with kids’ podcast hosts Molly Bloom and Joy Dolo about the creative process that goes into making award-winning podcasts for curious kids and curious adults.
Minnesota unemployment ticked down in November amid job gain
The Department of Employment and Economic Development on Thursday said the unemployment rate dropped slightly while new jobs in the state climbed in November.