Business and Economic News

As rural towns lose population, they can learn to 'shrink smart'
Most remote towns are shrinking, whether they like it or not. But if they take inspiration from industrial Eastern Europe after the Cold War, they can improve even as they get smaller.
Regulators focus on need for new pipeline as decision looms
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission worked through questions of Enbridge Energy and opponents of the Line 3 oil pipeline project on Tuesday, hinting that it might take them longer than expected to discuss the matter.
Rivers of Oil podcast, Episode 1: Pipes
Pipelines are everywhere, 2.5 million miles of them, forming a web under our feet, our rivers, our roads. And today, nearly every time a new pipeline is proposed, it's met with protest. Now, the battle over those pipelines -- with all its costs and its chaos -- looks to be headed for Minnesota.
Upping ante, Trump threatens new tariffs on Chinese imports
President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Trade Representative to prepare new tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports on Monday as the two nations moved closer to a potential trade war.
Changing rural narratives: A Ground Level conversation in Grand Rapids
The great outdoors, as we heard at a community conversation at the Blandin Foundation, is a key reason why people choose to live in Grand Rapids. The discussion revolved around why people choose Grand Rapids, what they worry about and celebrate in daily life, and what issues they believe leaders should focus on.
Minnesota's Line 3 oil pipeline proposal: The basics
If you follow the news at all, you've probably heard about an oil pipeline proposal called Line 3. Another boring infrastructure project? Think again.