Business and Economic News

Treasury investigating tax fraud allegations in Minnesota, Bessent says
The U.S. Treasury Department is investigating allegations that tax dollars from Minnesota may have been diverted to the al-Shabaab militant group in Somalia, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday. The Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office, however, has aggressively prosecuted fraud in the state and not made such links.
Bezos foundation gives $2.5 million grant to help fight homelessness in Duluth
Chum, which operates the largest emergency homeless shelter north of the Twin Cities, has been awarded a $2.5 million grant — the largest in its history — to address family homelessness in Duluth.
COVID-19 pandemic narrowed health care industry pay gap, new study finds
A new study finds that the COVID-19 pandemic narrowed the wage gap between high and low paid workers in the health care industry, as the lowest earners saw the biggest boost in pay in the years since the pandemic began.
Tariffs, input costs put pressure on Christmas tree prices
As artificial Christmas tree prices increase due to tariffs, demand for real trees has grown. But greater input costs and a set supply is pressuring prices up for real trees too.
Minnesota’s paid leave law: What you need to know about the 2026 launch
MPR News host and politics editor Brian Bakst talks about what employers and workers should do to get ready for Minnesota’s paid family and medical leave program that starts next month.
What do you do with a hill of beans? Fight fires, say Minnesota soybean groups
In a year when soybean markets have been upended by trade wars, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council is running a campaign to add demand and diversify product options for soybeans through a new soy-based firefighting foam called SoyFoam.