Business and Economic News

Lime packing up its street scooters, hopes for spring return
The arrival of Lime and Bird scooters in the Twin Cities this year drove lots of conversation and consternation. Lime on Friday will take its scooters off the streets for the winter.
Bethany McLean on 'Saudi America'
Reporter Bethany McLean, author of, "Saudi America: The Truth About Fracking and How It's Changing the World."
Cargill tests robotic cattle driver as a way to improve worker safety
Hundreds of injuries — and some fatalities — are caused by cattle each year. But a new robot might be able to emulate some sounds and actions of workers, keeping them safe from kicks and attacks.
Increased dairy production, coupled with stagnating demand, have kept prices low. At the same time, trade scuffles have made it harder for farmers to reach new consumers overseas.
Minnesota's tech colleges see surge in skilled-trades training
Companies in need of mechanics, technicians and other tradespeople are leaning on the state's two-year schools to help deliver well-trained workers in a tight labor market. At Dakota County Tech, they can't train students fast enough.
Venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton on building an inclusive economy
Venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton of Backstreet Capital on building an inclusive economy.
Thanks to science, you can eat an apple every day
After harvest, apples can be stored for months in controlled atmosphere storage rooms where the temperature, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity levels are adjusted to put them into hibernation.
Spinal-cord stimulators help some patients, injure others
Spinal-cord stimulators — devices that use electrical currents to block pain signals before they reach the brain — are more dangerous than many patients know, an Associated Press investigation found.
GM to slash 14,700 jobs in North America
General Motors will lay off 14,700 factory and white-collar workers in North America and put five plants up for possible closure as it restructures to cut costs and focus more on autonomous and electric vehicles.
Spinal-cord stimulators mean big business for device makers
Few medical devices hold as much potential for explosive growth as spinal-cord stimulators, especially in the United States, where they are being pushed as the answer to the country's opioid epidemic.