Business and Economic News

Supreme Court hears clash between LGBTQ and business owners' rights
The case involves a Colorado web designer who says state law prevents her from designing wedding website because she believes that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
Green group pitches alternative vision for PolyMet site
An environmental group fighting the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota has proposed an alternative vision for the site that reimagines it as a clean energy and manufacturing hub.
Senate DFLers tap college professor to lead ag committee
Sen. Aric Putnam isn’t a farmer and hasn’t worked in agriculture, but starting next month, he’ll chair the Senate Agriculture Committee. Before lawmakers head back to St. Paul, Putnam said he hopes to immerse himself in Minnesota agriculture.
Legal losses keep coming for Biden's student loan relief plan
The 5th Circuit Court rejected a Education Department appeal on Wednesday, the latest setback in several parallel lawsuits. The administration is expected to ask the Supreme Court to weigh in.
 'Send help': Minnesotans worry as heating costs climb, winter nears
After a big infusion of federal pandemic funding last year, heating assistance grants have dropped back to pre-pandemic levels while fuel prices surge. It’s left many low-income Minnesotans wondering how they will pay their bills and stay warm this winter.
House votes to avert rail strike, impose deal on unions
Congress is moving urgently to head off the looming U.S. rail strike. The House passed a bill Wednesday that would bind companies and workers to a proposed settlement reached in September that failed to gain the support of all 12 unions involved.
Why has the U.S. House voted to block railroad workers from negotiating a new contract?
Host Cathy Wurzer talks with Louis Johnston, professor in the Economics department at Saint John’s University about a possible strike among railroad workers and the U.S. House of Representatives vote on stopping it.
U.S. lawmakers skeptical grocery merger will mean lower prices
U.S. senators from both parties have expressed skepticism that a proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons will lower prices for consumers. But the CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons insisted Tuesday that there will still be competition. They told a hearing that a merger will help them counter growing rivals like Walmart, Costco and Amazon.