Business and Economic News

Minnesota set to start spending $316M to boost child care wages
Payments from the Great Start Compensation Support Program will help increase wages for child care providers, state officials said. Providers have until Oct. 25 to apply for the first round of funds.
Rural Voice: What it takes to build a business in rural Minnesota
What does it take to start and grow a small business in rural Minnesota? Last month, MPR News host Kerri Miller hosted a town hall in New Ulm, Minn., to hear from entrepreneurs and community leaders about how to encourage small businesses in greater Minnesota. This is the first in a four-part series featuring conversations from the Rural Voice project.
LinkedIn is laying off nearly 700 employees
The popular professional networking site is laying off people in positions across its engineering, product, talent and finance departments.
Minnesota budget surplus jumps another $820M in new estimate
The state brought in more revenue from taxes and fees than forecast this spring and also spent slightly less than expected. The result: a surplus almost 50 percent larger than projected earlier this year, officials said Monday.
Netflix plans to open brick and mortar locations
The streamer plans to open physical stores — dubbed Netflix House — offering retail, dining and content-themed entertainment. It's unclear if they'll sell DVDs.
Inflation has a new victim: Girl Scout cookies
Many Girl Scout councils are raising the price of their popular cookies from $5 to $6 a box. The increase offers Girl Scouts and their customers a bittersweet lesson in inflation.
76-year old pleads guilty to stealing 'Wizard of Oz' ruby red slippers
Terry Jon Martin, who was charged with stealing a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the film “The Wizard of Oz,” changed his plea to guilty at the federal courthouse in Duluth on Friday morning.
America can't resist fast fashion. Shein, with all its issues, is tailored for it
With clothes cheaper than a latte, built for today's microtrends, Shein courts the same young women who launched the renaissance of thrifting and resale. Legal complaints about the company are many.