Business and Economic News

MPR News reporters reflect on covering a pandemic
The pandemic presented a range of challenges for journalists in 2020. Guest host and reporter Brandt Williams talks with several fellow MPR News reporters who reported on various aspects of the pandemic and take your suggestions for what stories we should cover in the new year.
U.S. home prices rise at fastest pace in more than 6 years
U.S. home prices jumped in October by the most in more than six years as a pandemic-fueled buying rush drives the number of available properties for sale to record lows.
Hormel Foods has been buying meals by the hundreds from local restaurants during the pandemic. It’s part of a program the company has established to thank its employees with the occasional lunch and support the economy in Austin.
Line 3 opponents file federal suit to try to block the pipeline
Two nonprofit groups and two Ojibwe bands have filed a lawsuit in federal court trying to halt construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project.
What are you doing with your money in 2021?
MPR News guest host Chris Farrell is joined by two personal finance experts to talk about what 2020 has taught us about money, and what we can do differently in 2021.
UK warns of 'bumpy' post-Brexit transition despite deal
European Union nations have unanimously approved the post-Brexit trade deal with the United Kingdom, a prerequisite for the agreement to take effect on New Year’s Day.
Key points of the COVID-19 relief, government funding package
The massive, year-end catchall bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump combines $900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes, energy, education and health care.
Trump reluctantly signs COVID aid, sparks fresh fight in GOP
Dropping his objections, President Donald Trump has signed a $2 trillion-plus COVID-19 and annual federal spending package into law. But Congress returns Monday to confront the White House on remaining priorities in a rare end-of-session showdown.
Minnesota program will help some residents losing federal unemployment benefits
Some Minnesotans who are out of work will continue to receive extended unemployment benefits, even after President Donald Trump's refusal to sign a COVID relief bill that extends federal benefits for people who lost their jobs during the pandemic.
Unemployment benefits expire for millions as Trump refuses to sign relief bill
Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet lapsed overnight as President Donald Trump refused to sign an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill that had been considered a done deal before his sudden objections.