Business and Economic News

Minneapolis East African shops boost security after vandalism
Some stores are closing earlier at night. Others have installed new lights and cameras. Owners say these costly steps are needed to restore a sense of safety after a vandal smashed windows on Franklin Avenue.
Time to fall back? One Minnesota company gets rid of clocks instead
For decades, a crew of nearly two dozen people fanned out across 3M’s 409-acre campus, and worked in 12-hour shifts twice a year to set clocks back in the fall and ahead in the spring.
New tax credit for ag land might help rural schools increase funding
Schools in rural districts have struggled to pass property tax increases to pay for new schools at least in part because farmers have often opposed big property tax increases on farm land. A new tax credit will significantly reduce the share farmers pay, and rural schools hope the change will make it easier to replace aging buildings.
The 7-year car loan: Watch your wallet
Americans are buying more expensive cars — nearly $38,000 for new cars, on average. And longer-term loans are enabling many people to make the payments, but at a cost.
Judge keeps Water Gremlin closed as company responds to lead threat
A Ramsey County judge on Thursday agreed to keep the White Bear Township fishing tackle and battery component maker shuttered for another day as executives try to work out a plan with the state to address lead poisoning.
Water Gremlin, state meet in Ramsey County court over closure of the plant
The White Bear Township company makes car battery terminals and fishing weights out of lead. Lead can be difficult to control without a strict program that workers and management follow, industry experts say.
Interest in factory-made homes is building
Lower costs and speed of construction could help address affordable housing crunch.
Fed cuts rates again to boost a slowing economy
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point Wednesday, in an effort to support an economy that continues to tap the brakes. Economic growth in the third quarter was just 1.9 percent.
As growth slows, the economy is falling short of Trump's target
GDP numbers out Wednesday are expected to show the U.S. economy lost steam in the third quarter. But President Trump is banking on a strong economy as his ticket to a second term.