Business and Economic News

'Tsunami' of evictions feared as $600 in extra unemployment payments end
Housing advocates and landlords alike say if Congress doesn't extend or replace the extra payments expiring this weekend, millions of out-of-work Americans won't be able to afford to pay their rent.
Study: Your dollar goes further in rural Minnesota, if you can find a place to live
Rural Minnesotans can often afford a similar or higher quality of life than their metro area counterparts, despite overall lower wages, according to new research from the Center for Rural Policy and Development. 
1.4 million seek jobless aid, first increase since March
The number of laid-off Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week for the first time since the pandemic struck in March, evidence of the deepening economic pain the outbreak is causing to the economy.
White House drops payroll tax cut as GOP unveils virus aid
The White House has dropped a bid to cut Social Security payroll taxes as Republicans unveil a $1 trillion COVID-19 rescue package on Thursday, ceding to opposition to the idea among top Senate allies.
Can masks save us from more lockdowns? Here's what the science says
How can communities stop coronavirus case surges without crushing the economy? Some scientists say widespread mask wearing may be more than a helpful precaution — it may be the solution.
DEED commissioner: Other aid, jobs available to Minnesotans if $600 unemployment boost expires
Commissioner Steve Grove also says unemployment insurance remains available to parents who have to reduce their hours or stop working if schools don’t reopen in the fall.
It 'looks very scary for renters' as federal eviction relief expiration nears
NPR's Noel King speaks with Matt Desmond, founder of Princeton's Eviction Lab, about the threat of a rising number of evictions nationwide as federal evictions relief draws to an end.
MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Twin Cities restaurateur Jared Brewington about the crowdfunding platform he’s developing, and his own experience as a Black business owner in Minnesota.