Business and Economic News

Tariffs' complex ripple effects hit appliance shoppers and makers
Prices on appliances are slowly ticking down after posting their biggest increase in about five years. One tariff was a boon to U.S. manufacturers. But other tariffs hiked costs for the industry.
A conversation with NPR's Noel King
NPR correspondent and Morning Edition host Noel King joined MPR's Angela Davis to talk about what it's like to host public radio's flagship morning program and how journalists should cover difficult topics. Their conversation is part of MPR's Broadcast Journalist Series.
Tension, anxiety in border cities after Trump threatens closure
President Trump has since backed off his threat, but as border officials scramble to deal with an unprecedented flow of migrants, there are disruptions at the border and increasingly long wait times.
The end is near for 3.2 beer
For decades, the only beer you could buy in Kansas grocery and convenience stores was limited to 3.2 percent alcohol. That rule ended Monday. Utah brewers will ditch the 3.2 standard on Nov. 1. That will leave just one state, Minnesota, selling 3.2 beer.
Pipeline opponents ask judge to strike down Trump's permit
Opponents of the long-stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline asked a federal court Friday in a lawsuit to declare President Trump acted illegally when he issued a new permit for the project in a bid to get around an earlier court ruling.
Walz signals willingness to deal on transportation
In an interview on MPR News, Gov. Tim Walz said he's open to negotiate on his plan to raise the gas tax by 20 cents per gallon. He also said the legislative session should end on time.
U.S. jobs rebound to solid growth: Unemployment holds at 3.8 percent
Employers added 196,000 jobs in March, bouncing back from February's weak growth, the Labor Department said Friday. The jobless rate was unchanged at nearly 50-year lows.
Final Four presents opportunity for pop-up entrepreneurs
Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis is the epicenter of fan festivities for the 2019 NCAA Final Four this weekend -- something 50 small business owners are taking advantage of to show off their work during one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Twin Cities shops, workplaces go dog-friendly, but not everyone digs it
Retailers and companies that have gone dog-friendly say the move has helped recruit workers and lure new customers. They also acknowledge it's opened the door to some messy situations.