Business and Economic News

Minnesota nurses set Nov. 30 vote to authorize a new strike
Two months after calling a three-day walkout, leaders of the Minnesota Nurses Association said Thursday they’ll hold a new strike authorization vote amid slow-moving contract talks.
How banks and hospitals are cashing in when patients can't pay for health care
Some credit cards advertised by hospitals lure in patients with rosy promises of convenient, low-interest payments on big bills. But interest rates soar if you can't quickly pay off the loan.
THC edibles surge in Minnesota but safety rules are loose, regulators aren’t ready
With little state oversight, the public has no way to know what’s in synthetic-THC edibles and drinks. National observers say Minnesota’s new law is poorly constructed and potentially dangerous. Internal state emails obtained by MPR News show regulators struggling with basic questions around the law just before it took effect in July.
Rising food costs take a bite out of Thanksgiving dinner
Americans are bracing for a costly Thanksgiving this year, with double-digit percent increases in the price of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, canned pumpkin and other staples. 
Target's 3Q profit drops 52 percent as shoppers force discounts
Target is reporting an uptick in third-quarter sales but posted a 52 percent drop in profits. The retailer was forced to further discount its merchandise to entice inflation-squeezed customers.
Fairview, Sanford health care systems plan to merge
The regional care giants say they are in discussions now and intend to combine next year. Public criticism in Minnesota scuttled a similar proposal in 2013.
Walmart offers to pay $3.1 billion to settle opioid lawsuits
The retail giant become the latest major player in the drug industry to announce a plan to settle lawsuits filed by state and local governments over the toll of opioids sold at its pharmacies.
It's the end of the boom times in tech, as layoffs keep mounting
Amazon will reportedly lay off 10,000 employees as soon as this week. That follows job cuts at Meta, Twitter, and Stripe, with CEOs citing economic uncertainty and a slowdown in online ad buying.