Business and Economic News

White House looks to protect U.S. financial systems from climate change risk
The cost of climate-change-enhanced weather disasters is hitting taxpayers and companies directly. Now the White House is taking steps to protect the country’s financial systems from such risks.
ExxonMobil’s chief executive says his company “does not spread disinformation regarding climate change″ as he counters congressional allegations the industry concealed evidence about the dangers of it.
What’s on the ballot: Rent control
Rent stabilization is on the ballot in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Guest host Chris Farrell talks with supporters and opponents of St. Paul’s proposed new ordinance — should residential rent increases be capped at 3 percent annually? If St. Paul becomes the first city in the country to stabilize rents this way, will other places follow suit?
State panel deadlocks over how to give away $250 million in hero pay
A task force that tried to reach a deal on hero pay for pandemic front-line workers adjourned without reaching a compromise. Instead, two plans for dividing up $250 million will be forwarded to the Legislature.
Minneapolis eyes guaranteed basic income to aid needy families
City officials are looking for 200 Minneapolis families to receive $500 per month for two years as part of the city's new guaranteed basic income pilot program.
Twin Metals to appeal federal decision on proposed mine, says project still viable
Twin Metals says it will appeal a decision by the federal Bureau of Land Management to reject its applications for additional mineral leases and exploration permits. Last week, the Biden administration ordered a mineral withdrawal study on 225,000 acres of federal land that could lead to a 20-year ban on mining upstream from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Journalist, St. Paul native Chenue Her makes news, breaks ground in rise to anchorman
Chenue Her, 30, recently became the first Hmong male news anchor in the U.S. when he joined “Good Morning Iowa'' in Des Moines. He’s hoping now to inspire a new generation into journalism, a business that struggles to keep people of color.
Exacerbated by pandemic, child care crisis hampers economy
The pandemic has made clear what many experts had long warned: The absence of reliable and affordable child care limits the jobs people can accept, makes it harder to climb the corporate ladder and ultimately restricts the ability of the broader economy to grow.
Xcel seeks 20% electric rate increase over three years
Xcel Energy says it needs the increase to cover the costs of replacing an aging electrical system. The proposal comes at a time when many Minnesotans are experiencing rising utility costs.