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Business and Economic News

The pandemic economy

The pandemic economy

Unemployment numbers for April will be out this week.They are expected to show a jobless rate of over 16 percent, the highest level since 1948. Also in April, the stock market had its best month since 1987. Businesses, which closed to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, are beginning to open up, but how quickly will consumers return? Businesses, households and governments are all racking up lots of debt. What does it all mean? MPR senior economics contributor Chris Farrell offers his thoughts on the current state of the economy. 
by Angela Davis, Chris Farrell and Jim Bickal

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Meatpackers cautiously reopen plants amid coronavirus fears

Meatpackers cautiously reopen plants amid coronavirus fears

A South Dakota pork processing plant took its first steps toward reopening after a virus outbreak among workers that was one of the worst in the nation. Smithfield Foods shuttered its Sioux Falls plant for over two weeks because of a coronavirus outbreak that infected over 800 employees.
by The Associated Press

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How did the small business loan program have so many problems in just 4 weeks?

How did the small business loan program have so many problems in just 4 weeks?

Not-so-small companies, like Shake Shack, and organizations like the LA Lakers were able to get loans that were meant for suffering small businesses. What happened?
by Cheryl W. Thompson, Bill Chappell, Graham Smith, Pallavi Gogoi, Danielle Kurtzleben , Jim Zarroli and Laura Sullivan

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Coronavirus conundrum: How to cover millions who lost their jobs and health insurance

Coronavirus conundrum: How to cover millions who lost their jobs and health insurance

Over 9 million Americans have lost both their job and health coverage. To help them, COBRA is an option, but it could cost buyers more than if subsidies were increased for Affordable Care Act plans.
by Dan Gorenstein and Leslie Walker

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As pandemic closes doors, Minnesota creamery charts path to open new ones

As pandemic closes doors, Minnesota creamery charts path to open new ones

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt various supply chains in Minnesota, some farmers and small business owners are getting creative and adapting to the changing conditions. In some cases, a major pivot has opened new doors in getting products to the masses.
by Mike Moen and Emily Bright

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Today’s grads carry dreams of a bright future into a dim jobs market 

Today’s grads carry dreams of a bright future into a dim jobs market 

Most everyone in the class of 2020 is getting a continuing education course, courtesy of the College of Hard Knocks. Finding your first job out of college during an economic meltdown is challenging. Advisers suggest focusing on the sectors of the economy that are hiring. And trying not to panic.
by Martin Moylan

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Native nonprofit expands Minnesota farm, aims to scale up crop production amid pandemic

Native nonprofit expands Minnesota farm, aims to scale up crop production amid pandemic

Dream of Wild Health has expanded its farm in Hugo, Minn., from 10 to 30 acres, and they plan to scale up production as they work to prepare the newly acquired land, which was previously conventionally farmed, for organic farming.
by Emily Bright

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