Business and Economic News

 Amid pandemic surge, one health system's workers fill different roles
To help relieve the staffing crunch, CentraCare offers employees the opportunity to fill in where they’re most needed, even if it’s well outside of their career experience.
Passing the buck: Dollar Tree raises prices to $1.25
The bargain store has been testing the increase for months and says it's not a reaction to the current surge in inflation, though it will help.
The move is an effort to bring down rising gas prices. Gasoline prices nationwide are averaging about $3.40 a gallon, more than double their price a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.
How supply chain drama affects holiday shopping, grocery prices and more
The pandemic has disrupted the global supply chain. Manufacturing, transportation and logistics have been affected by delays, labor shortages and rising prices. And that could impact everything from the price you’re paying for groceries to whether you can get a turkey for Thanksgiving. 
How are Minnesota's Latino farmers dealing with stress?
With the drought and the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been a tough year for Minnesota farmers. Rodrigo Cala of the Latino Economic Development Center, a partner in a new Minnesota Department of Agriculture mental health initiative, spoke to Cathy Wurzer about stress among Latino farmers.
Target to keep stores closed on Thanksgiving for good
Target will no longer open its stores on Thanksgiving Day, making permanent a shift to the unofficial start of the holiday season that was suspended during the pandemic.
U.S. emergency oil reserve is in the spotlight as gas prices climb
The emergency oil reserve isn't intended to be tapped as a way to manage prices — it's supposed to manage major supply disruptions, which the market is not currently experiencing. But it is one of the few tools a president has to push oil prices down.
Hey, I want to buy your house: Homeowners besieged by unsolicited offers
Jennifer Folden-Nissen's three-bedroom house in Georgia isn't for sale. But that hasn't stopped a guy calling himself Henry from phoning her at least once a week. She says the pitch is always the same: "I want to buy your house. I'm willing to pay cash. Today."
Giving up gas-powered cars was a fringe idea. It's now on its way to reality
In just a few years, phasing out gas-powered cars has gone from fringe idea to mainstream policy proposal. It's still a long way from being reality, but the sense of urgency is accelerating.