Business and Economic News

Minnesota's businesses reopen, again
On Monday, food, drink and entertainment venues were allowed to reopen with restrictions — again. How are business owners and employees feeling about the shifting of the rules? Plus, we look at the latest economic news with MPR News senior economic contributor Chris Farrell.
Squelched by Twitter, Trump seeks new online megaphone
President Donald Trump may launch his own online platform. But that won't happen overnight, and free speech experts anticipate growing pressure on all social media platforms to curb incendiary speech as Americans take stock of Wednesday’s violent takeover of the U.S. Capitol by a Trump-incited mob.
Pandemic pricetag: U.S. employers cut 140,000 jobs in December
The runaway pandemic put more pressure on the U.S. job market last month. Employers shed 140,000 jobs as the unemployment rate held steady at 6.7 percent.
Neil Sheehan, Pentagon Papers reporter, Vietnam author, dies
Neil Sheehan, a reporter and Pulitzer Prize-winning author who broke the story of the Pentagon Papers for The New York Times and who chronicled the deception at the heart of the Vietnam War in his epic book about the war, has died. He was 84.
Minnesota's restaurants prepare for reopening, again
Starting Monday, Minnesota restaurants may reopen, but only at 50 percent capacity. Gov. Tim Walz also is easing up on restrictions at bars, movie theaters, gyms and sporting events.
Amid violence, Trump says, 'Remember this day forever'
President Donald Trump appears to be excusing the violent occupation of the U.S. Capitol by supporters who disrupted the formalization of his electoral defeat. Facebook and Twitter have removed a short video of Trump where he is urging his supporters at the Capitol to “go home” while at the same time keeping up false attacks about the presidential election.
Indoor dining to resume next week; theaters and museums can also reopen
Starting Monday, restaurants and bars will be allowed to open at 50 percent capacity. Bowling alleys, movie theaters and museums can reopen at 25 percent capacity.
Minnesota’s real estate market, both in the Twin Cities and in other regions of the state, saw stronger-than-average activity last year, despite the pandemic.