Unemployment claims drop for the first time in a month
The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims fell by 30,000 to 260,000 last week, slightly less than the 265,000 analysts were expecting.
Boat show returns, but supply chain issues could put damper on Minnesotans' dreams
Greg and Shirley Smith came all the way from Austin, Texas to buy a couple of boats for their new property on Sturgeon Lake just south of Duluth. But they'll have to act quickly if they want to make sure they are able to hit the water this summer.
Unemployment claims climb to 286,000, the most since October
Jobless claims rose for the third straight week — by 55,000 to 286,000, highest since mid-October, the Labor Department reported Thursday.
Best Buy CEO sees high worker turnover in US economy lasting 12-24 months
The heads of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve and Best Buy say uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will cloud the economy in the near term, with supply chain disruptions and a worker shortage likely to continue.
‘Disappointing’ jobs report won’t slow interest rate hikes, experts say
The December jobs report came in lower than expected. However, experts explain why the Fed is still likely to raise interest rates in the first quarter of 2022.
Child tax credit 2021 payments: How to know if you owe, IRS letter to watch for
Families who received monthly payments as part of the expanded Child Tax Credit program in 2021 should look out for this letter from the IRS ahead of tax season.
$29,000 for an average used car? Would-be buyers are aghast
The days when just about anyone with a steady income could wander onto an auto lot and snag a reliable late-model car or buy their kid’s first vehicle for a few thousand dollars have essentially vanished. “I’ve never seen anything remotely close to this — it’s craziness.”
Student loan payment pause extended through May 1
President Joe Biden said financial recovery from the pandemic will take longer than job recovery, especially for those with student loans.
Nearly $100B in COVID-19 relief funds stolen, Secret Service says
Most of that figure comes from unemployment fraud. The Labor Department reported about $87 billion in unemployment benefits could have been paid improperly, with a significant portion attributable to fraud.
Minnesota jobless rate falls to 3.3%, lowest since pre-pandemic
Minnesota's unemployment rate, once battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, fell in November to 3.3 percent to match its pre-pandemic level.
Vaccine mandates aren't causing staff shortage, Mayo and Allina say
Two of Minnesota's biggest health care systems, Mayo Clinic and Allina Health, refute claims that their COVID-19 vaccine mandates are causing a staff shortage that has the state scrambling for answers.
COVID-19 hospitalizations surpass 1,500 in Minnesota
More than 1,500 people are now hospitalized from COVID-19 in Minnesota, according to data released by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Federal Reserve: Omicron variant could make supply chain backlog, inflation worse
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says that the appearance of a new COVID-19 variant could slow the economy and hiring.
Stocks sink on new COVID variant; Dow loses 1,000 points
A day after the Stock Market was closed for Thanksgiving, news of a new COVID-19 variant sent stocks falling, with the Dow losing 1,000 points.
12 cultural malls in Minnesota get $3M from state
Twelve cultural malls primarily based in the Twin Cities are set to receive more than $3 million in grants from the state of Minnesota as part of a COVID-19 relief program to help small businesses.
Food costs up 5.3%, local restaurants feel the impact
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics released a consumer price index summary this month showing over the last year food prices have increased by 5.3 percent.
Santa Claus may not be coming to town this year amid hired Santa shortage
There are an estimated 10-15% fewer Santa Clauses this year compared to last year due to COVID-19 and many Santas retiring, according to Mitch Allen, head elf at Hire Santa.
Bed shortage approaches desperate levels for organization helping the homeless
The community relations coordinator with Bridging, Diana Dalsin, says the current bed supply is prompting her desperate public call for donations.
Unemployment claims drop to 267,000, a new pandemic low
Jobless claims fell by 4,000 last week, the Labor Department reported Wednesday.