Business and Economic News

How Big Oil misled the public into believing plastic would be recycled
An NPR and PBS “Frontline” investigation reveals how the oil and gas industry used the promise of recycling to sell more plastic, even when they knew it would never work on a large scale.
Hangover from alcohol boom could last long after pandemic ends
Americans are drinking far more during the COVID-19 pandemic. A beer in the evening can feel like a taste of normal life, but health experts worry about alcohol's deadly side effects.
Carmakers revving up electric truck and SUV production
Nearly half of all vehicles sold in the United States are sport utility vehicles, and the International Energy Agency reports they’re second-largest contributor to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the last decade. But a new wave of electric SUVs and pickup trucks is on the horizon.
St. Paul brewery, U of M team up on Organic Brewers Alliance
The project will help breweries connect with organic farms for hops, barley and other ingredients such as honey. The goal is to support sustainable agriculture practices.
Twitter's new rules aim to prevent confusion around the 2020 vote
Twitter will label or remove posts that spread misinformation. Social media companies are under pressure to curb the spread of false claims and prevent interference from foreign and domestic actors.
Is more economic relief from Congress on the way?
Millions of Americans have taken a financial hit during the pandemic. As Congress returns from recess, is more economic relief on the way?
Woodward defends decision to withhold Trump's virus comments
Bob Woodward says he needed time to be sure that President Donald Trump's private comments from February were accurate. On Twitter and elsewhere online, commentators accused Woodward of valuing book sales over public health.
Pandemic financially imperils nearly half of American households, poll finds
There are dividing lines when it comes to how families are weathering the pandemic: Those living in big cities, those making less than $100,000 a year, and Latino and Black families are faring worst.
Small farmers challenge conventional agriculture in Pineland Sands
One farmer's plans to irrigate his land to grow crops has triggered a legal challenge by organic farmers and clean water advocates. They say traditional agriculture is not a good fit for the sandy soil, and they envision a different way of farming in this region.
Intelligence Squared debate: Washington should break up Big Tech
As the internet giants face more probes from the FCC, DOJ, and a host of state attorneys general, some are calling this Big Tech’s “big tobacco moment.” But are these companies really too large?