Business and Economic News

New Jersey says chemical maker 3M agrees to ‘forever chemical’ settlement worth up to $450M
New Jersey’s attorney general says chemical manufacturer 3M has agreed to pay up $450 million to resolve lawsuits over natural resource contamination stemming from PFAS — commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.”
As data center concerns heat up, Rochester company develops solutions to keep them cool
The power demands of data centers for cooling have raised concerns about whether utilities and the electric grid will be able to keep up. LiquidCool offers a different solution: covering computer components with fluid, then circulating it to remove heat.
Minnesota lawmakers look to change 2023 law that restricts keys containing lead
A bipartisan group of lawmakers say the law needs to change so retailers and manufacturers aren’t shut out of the key making business in Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency supports a timely transition.
Inflation cools in April — but tariffs could upend the picture in coming months
Consumer prices in April were up 2.3 percent from a year ago, the smallest annual increase in more than four years. Grocery prices fell 0.4 percent, thanks to a large drop in the price of eggs.
UnitedHealth Group CEO steps down; suspends 2025 outlook on higher-than-expected medical costs
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty is stepping down from his post for personal reasons and the healthcare giant says it’s suspending its full-year forecast due to higher-than-expected medical costs.
U.S. halts cattle imports from Mexico, citing fears of flesh-eating maggot
The New World screwworm is endemic in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean — and its northward spread into Mexico has alarmed U.S. officials. It can kill a full-grown cow in one to two weeks. 
The U.S. and China announce a deal to cut tariffs, temporarily easing trade war
American levies on Chinese goods will drop from at least 145 percent to 30 percent for an initial period of 90 days, while Chinese levies are set to fall from at least 125 percent to 10 percent on American goods.