Business and Economic News

The promise and possibility of a four-day workweek
A recent pilot program in the U.K. tested out reduced hours for employees and they found positive results across the board for both workers and employers. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three experts about the possibility and promise of a four-day workweek.
Janet Yellen says the federal government won't bail out Silicon Valley Bank
The California lender was taken over by regulators after a "run" on the bank. The Treasury secretary says the U.S. won't come to the bank's rescue like it did for others in the 2008 financial crisis.
Very few architects are Black. This woman is pushing to change that
Sablan Pascale was told she'd never become an architect because she's Black and a woman. Now she works for one of the world's top firms and she wants more people who look like her to join the field.
Silicon Valley Bank failure could wipe out 'a whole generation of startups'
The implosion of Silicon Valley Bank could force hundreds of tech startups to lay off workers or shut down completely. It remains unclear how much, if any, of depositors' money will be returned.
What's driving the battery fires with e-bikes and scooters?
E-bikes, scooters and other "micromobility devices" have soared in popularity — and the number of fires sparked by their rechargeable batteries is up, too. Here's how to keep yourself safe.
The job market slowed last month, but it's still too hot to ease inflation fears
U.S. employers added 311,000 jobs in February, only a modest slowdown from the previous month, indicating the labor market remains hot. The unemployment rate rose to 3.6% from 3.4% in January.
Meet the Minnesota lawyer prepping people for death through humor and a little Taylor Swift
Probate and estate planning lawyer Jen Gumbel provides words to live by — and die by. “You're either going to create a mess or clean up a mess.” Gumbel has been helping people plan for their deaths for more than a decade. But more recently, she's moved her tips about planning for the inevitable to social media.