Business and Economic News

St. Paul families gain rent relief in pandemic-battered economy
A St. Paul housing assistance program started before the pandemic is keeping some families in their homes, and officials want to know if it could help in ways that other housing assistance does not.
TikTok ban averted: Trump gives Oracle-Walmart deal his 'blessing'
U.S. tech company Oracle is joining with Walmart to form a new entity called TikTok Global, which will be headquartered in the U.S. That arrangement appears to satisfy the White House's concerns over the security of American user data.
Programming changes begin this weekend on MPR News
Starting this weekend, MPR News is introducing a new weekend programming schedule that gives listeners more hours of live news and a refreshed lineup of public radio’s best weekly shows.
U.S. banning use of WeChat, TikTok for national security
The U.S. will ban the downloads of the Chinese apps TikTok and WeChat on Sunday, with a total ban on the use of the latter, citing national security and data privacy concerns. A total ban on the use of TikTok will follow on Nov. 12, but Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that access to that app may be possible if certain safeguards are put into place.
How the pandemic is widening the racial wealth gap
The coronavirus has affected most Americans, but NPR's latest poll shows Black, Latino and Native American households are hardest hit by the financial impact of the crisis.
$300 weekly unemployment boost dries up
Out-of-work Minnesotans who had been getting an extra $300 in their unemployment checks will see that bump go away.
Why can't America make enough N95 masks? 6 months into pandemic, shortages persist
There's just not enough PPE to satisfy demand. Medics are reusing masks and small practices can't even find supplies they can afford. Some domestic manufacturers could help, but it's a risky move.
As economic recovery slows, Fed sees many risks and pledges full support
The Federal Reserve left interest rates near zero Wednesday and pledged it was ready to use all of its available tools to support an economic recovery that appears to be weakening.