Business and Economic News

The economics of buying a car
Thinking of buying a car this year? The car market has changed — from rising monthly payments to the growth of electric vehicles. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what it means for buyers.  
General Mills says it's removed synthetic dyes from food produced for K-12 schools
General Mills announced Thursday that it has removed synthetic dyes from all the food it produces for K-12 schools. The Golden Valley-based company said it achieved that goal several months ahead of schedule.
Six Flags sells Valleyfair and 6 other amusement parks to new owner in $331 million deal
Six Flags announced Valleyfair in Shakopee has been sold to ERP Properties, an investment trust that specializes in what it calls "experiential" real estate. Leadership said the amusement park will continue to operate normally through the 2026 season.
More than 20 states sue over new global tariffs Trump imposed after his stinging Supreme Court loss
Some two dozen states are challenging President Donald Trump’s new global tariffs in court. On Thursday, the states filed a lawsuit over import taxes he imposed after a stinging loss at the Supreme Court. Democratic attorneys general leading the suit argue that Trump is overstepping his power with planned 15 percent tariffs on much of the world.
Mayo Clinic earned $1.5 billion profit in 2025, but is still below average in charity care
Rochester-based Mayo Clinic reports that 2025 was another strong year financially, as the giant medical care provider earned a profit of $1.5 billion. And while it substantially increased spending on charity care, Mayo still lags far behind its peers in providing financial assistance to patients in need.
Gas prices continue to rise in Minnesota, across the country
Gas prices in Minnesota continued to climb on Thursday amid the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East — though the pace of that increase has slowed from earlier in the week.
Fed report highlights economic effects of ICE surge as businesses struggle to replace workers at home
Immigration enforcement operations and a struggling farm economy had a dampening effect on businesses in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest, according to the latest Beige Book report from the Federal Reserve.