Business and Economic News

Staff-strapped Grand Marais businesses brace for a tourist boom
In Grand Marais, business owners are struggling to gear up for what they expect to be a busy pandemic-sparked summer tourist season. The past two years, there haven't been nearly enough workers to staff hotels and restaurants.
Avian flu continues to spread to more Minnesota poultry flocks
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health on Tuesday reported the latest outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the state is now affecting a total of 15 poultry flocks — up from seven last Friday.
Financial education in Minnesota schools could help reduce economic disparities
Where did you learn about managing money, if you learned at all? Some Minnesota lawmakers say it’s time to mandate financial literacy education as a requirement to graduate from high school. They say ensuring all young Minnesota are taught personal finance is critical to helping address persistent economic disparities.
Learning from Minnesota businesses that thrived during the pandemic
Many small businesses closed or barely survived during the COVID-19 pandemic. But plenty of businesses got started, and some grew. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with economics contributor Chris Farrell and business owners about the small businesses that pulled ahead during the last two years. 
Warehouse workers at an Amazon fulfillment center on Staten Island have voted to join the upstart Amazon Labor Union, making it the first Amazon facility in the U.S. to unionize.
Will the Legislature pass paid family leave?
Are more Minnesota workers closer to getting paid time off work to bond with a child, cope with illness, or care for sick family members?  Host Mike Mulcahy talks with two state legislators about different proposals for paid family leave. Plus, should Minnesota pay for school breakfasts and lunches for all students? 
NPR Exclusive: How the most affordable student loan program failed low-income borrowers
Income-driven repayment plans were intended to help low-income student loan borrowers, and eventually cancel their debt. New documents paint a breathtaking picture of the program's failure.