Business and Economic News

In session's waning days, steelworkers wait on word about unemployment benefit extension
Legislative leaders are pushing toward the May 19 adjournment deadline and one area of bipartisan agreement looks to be extending unemployment insurance benefits for laid-off steelworkers on the Iron Range.
Date set for lottery to determine Minnesota cannabis business licenses
The license lottery will be June 5 for cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, and “mezzobusinesses.” There’ll also be a June 5 lottery for cannabis retailer licenses for social equity applicants.
‘Smashing our dreams’: NEA terminates grants for many Minnesota arts organizations
Several Minnesota arts organizations, including Penumbra Theatre and the Lakes Area Music Festival, have had their 2025 NEA grants abruptly terminated as the agency shifts its funding priorities to align with new federal directives restricting support for projects promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.
Credit card debt is adding up
More people are charging more things on credit cards and not paying the balance off every month. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about credit card debt — why it’s growing, who it affects and how to tackle it. 
Fraud is a focus for Minnesota lawmakers this year. Here are measures they’re pitching to fix it
Following the Feeding Our Future nutrition aid scandal and others, fraud prevention has been top of mind at the state Capitol. With two weeks left in the legislative session, here’s what’s moving forward.
'Thunderbolts' kicks off the summer movie season with $76 million at the box office
Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts” opened with $76 million in domestic ticket sales. Studio estimates released Sunday showed the film kicking off the summer box office with a solid No. 1 debut, though it fell shy of Marvel’s more spectacular launches.
Bemidji school board slashes $1.5 million from next year’s budget
The Bemidji School Board last week cut more than $1.5 million from next school year’s budget, and officials say those steep cuts will be felt in the classroom. Bemidji’s superintendent says state aid hasn’t kept up with inflation, forcing the district to make the cuts.
Warren Buffett announces his retirement and warns the trade war will hurt America
The billionaire investor, now 94, also said he would be resigning as CEO at the end of the year. He spoke at Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting known as "Woodstock for Capitalists."
Trump budget would slash rental aid by 40 percent — and let states fill the gap if they want
The proposal would cut off rental subsidies after two years for able-bodied adults. Advocates warn if enacted, the White House plan would tip many low-income renters over the edge into homelessness.