Business and Economic News

The state of the unions
What's behind the spike in union membership — the highest in 14 years — and what does it mean for the future of work? Professor William Jones of the University of Minnesota joined All Things Considered to discuss the surge in union activity.
Adair Mosley’s vision for racial equity in Minnesota
Adair Mosley opened a grocery store and launched a scholarship program while he led the Minneapolis nonprofit Pillsbury United Communities. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Adair about his bold ideas for building racial equity as he steps into a new role as the next CEO of the African American Leadership Forum. 
A woman who brought a wild raccoon into a North Dakota bar, which prompted state health officials to issue a warning about potential rabies exposure, is facing criminal charges.
Home prices see biggest drop in 9 years, thanks to higher mortgage rates
The super-heated housing market is cooling off. Home prices have fallen about 6 percent since their peak in June. The pace of sales also fell for the seventh straight month.
Ducks offer clues to avian influenza risk
The deadly avian influenza virus is once again showing up on Minnesota poultry farms. There's concern the fall waterfowl migration might bring a resurgence of the virus that killed millions of turkeys and chickens in the spring. There's a nationwide effort to monitor the virus in wild waterfowl, including here in Minnesota.
Minnesota health systems doing better financially, but bracing for Medicaid cliff
Millions of Americans could lose Medicaid coverage next month, when the federal government is expected to lift its COVID-19 public health emergency. That could hit hospitals’ bottom lines, and it’s likely a factor in their negotiations with the nurses union.
The secret to farming on Mars? A bit of alfalfa
Farming on Earth can be challenging enough with intensifying droughts and climate events. But a team of researchers is trying to figure out how to grow food on Mars — and they might have found a way. Pooja Kasiviswanathan joined Appetites to share her breakthrough research.
Minnesota poll: Most feel inflation ‘stress’ but not to same degree
Eight in 10 Minnesota voters say recent inflation has caused financial stress, but the bulk say it’s caused “minor” burdens on their households. One third in the MPR News/Star Tribune/KARE 11 poll describe inflation as causing “major stress.”