Business and Economic News

Amid surge of visitors, resort country struggles to find workers
A severe labor shortage has forced some businesses to boost wages, scale back services or reduce hours during the peak of a busy summer tourist season.
Much of Minnesota sees rain, but not enough to break drought
Much of Minnesota saw rain this weekend — heavy in some places — but weather experts say it’s not enough to break through the drought that much of the state is experiencing.
Bipartisan infrastructure bill advances in the Senate
The Senate moved closer to passing a $1 trillion infrastructure package after lawmakers from both parties voted to clear a key procedural hurdle, but the action soon stalled as opponents tried to slow the rush to approve one of President Biden’s top priorities.
Mpls. restaurant workers awarded $230K in settlement
An agreement between the Bartmann Co. restaurant group and Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office deals with wages, unpaid overtime and damages for workers who were out money for hours they put in.
Farmers say drought aid urgently needed
Minnesota farmers are urging Gov. Tim Walz to move quickly on drought aid, as conditions worsen for farmers across the state.
Restaurants are dangling vacation and matching 401(k) but many workers aren't biting
As the U.S. economy continues to rebound from the pandemic recession, lots of people are going back to work — but not as quickly as many employers would like. Employers added 943,00 jobs in June.
Cows go to market as pastures dry up
The worsening drought is affecting farmers and ranchers across much of the state. Many ranchers are watching pastures wither and turn brown. They’re trying to find enough feed to last through the winter. Some are already selling cattle they know they won’t be able to feed.
NYC will require vaccination proof for indoor dining, gyms
New York City will soon require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for indoor activities, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday, making it the first big city in the U.S. to impose such restrictions. The new requirement, which will go into effect Aug. 16, applies to indoor dining, gyms and indoor entertainment venues.
Your Facebook account was hacked. Getting help may take weeks — or $299
When Facebook accounts get hacked, victims call and email the company for help to little avail. Some have found a costly workaround: buying a virtual reality headset to get customer service.