Business and Economic News

Use it or lose it: Parents set wages aside for child care. Now it's at risk
For many families, 2020 ended up being a year with fewer child care expenses. Now parents with unspent funds in their dependent-care flexible spending accounts are trying to figure out what to do.
‘I’m kind of screwed’: Restaurant workers brace themselves for more job loss
With COVID-19 spiking and Gov. Tim Walz ordering more restrictions on bars and restaurants, many staffers feel like they’re about to be out of a job again. But this time, they can’t rely on a $600 a week boost that helped keep them financially afloat in the spring.
 Lawmakers look for ways to help businesses, workers
With another round of COVID-19 restrictions taking effect late Friday, Minnesota lawmakers are looking for ways to help small businesses that might be forced to close and the employees who would be put out of work. Discussions are already underway about what the state can do and when it could happen.
Minnesota's unemployment rate drops to 4.6 percent in October
Minnesota’s unemployment rate saw a significant drop from September to October. While there were thousands of jobs added to payrolls, the state still saw a decline in the percentage of people counted as part of the labor force last month.
Restaurants, gyms on the verge of COVID-19 closure worry about employees
“It sounds really bad, but it’s like mom and dad getting divorced and you’re that kid just sitting there saying what’s going to happen to us. That’s what we feel like,” said one Minneapolis chef.
FAA gives Boeing OK to resume 737 Max passenger service
After 20 months on the tarmac that followed two fatal crashes, Boeing's troubled airliner has been given the green light by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Target gains steam heading into crucial holiday season
The Minneapolis company reported Wednesday that its online sales surged 155 percent in the three months that ended Oct. 31. Sales at its stores opened for a least a year rose 10 percent. Customer traffic rose 4.5 percent and average dollars spent rose nearly 16 percent.