Business and Economic News

Tax bill could offer new way to funnel political cash -- and make it tax-deductible
Big-money donors can already donate anonymously through social welfare groups. If Congress keeps a provision in the House tax bill, it would allow charitable organizations to play politics.
PUC says Line 3 environmental review is inadequate, asks for changes
State regulators on Thursday rejected a major environmental study prepared for the proposed Line 3 oil pipeline across northern Minnesota as they seek revisions on three relatively narrow items.
U.S. jobs growth has averaged 174,000 per month so far in 2017, compared to an average monthly gain of 187,000 in 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says.
Economists size up the economy at year's end
Louis Johnston and Chris Farrell recently sized up the condition of the economy at year's end, and looked into the crystal ball. What's happening to jobs, trade, wages, taxes, and the local, national and global economy?
Congress averts shutdown, sends Trump stopgap spending bill
The House on Thursday passed a stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown this weekend and buy time for challenging talks on a wide range of unfinished business on Capitol Hill.
An Islamic group is suing a Wisconsin manufacturer alleging it failed to accommodate 19 Muslim employees who wanted to take prayer breaks during work time.
Keillor says MPR investigation inadequate
"I expect to deal with MPR soon to try to fix the enormous mistake they have made by not conducting a full and fair investigation," Keillor said. A company spokesperson says the allegations were "carefully investigated" before MPR made its decision.
MPR News Kerri Miller examined the mortgage interest deduction (MID), and how the latest Republican tax bill could put the dream of buying a home on hold.