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.

Fed dialing back COVID-19 economic aid amid high inflation

In a statement Wednesday after its latest policy meeting, the Fed said it will start reducing its $120 billion in monthly bond purchases in the coming weeks, by $15 billion a month, though it reserved the right to change that pace.

Allina's WestHealth ER, urgent care in Plymouth to close during nurses strike

The urgent care and emergency department at Allina Health's WestHealth campus in Plymouth, Minnesota will be closed starting 5 a.m. Sunday until 7 a.m. Wednesday as union nurses go on a three-day strike for fair pay and benefits.

US unemployment claims fall to lowest level of COVID-19 pandemic

U.S. unemployment claims dropped 36,000 to 293,000 last week, the lowest level since the start of the pandemic, the Labor Department said.

Americans quit jobs at highest rate on record in August, Labor Department says

One reason America’s employers are having trouble filling jobs was starkly illustrated in a report Tuesday: Americans are quitting in droves.

September jobs report: US adds weak 194K jobs as delta maintains hold

U.S. employers added just 194,000 jobs in September, a second straight tepid gain and evidence that the pandemic still has a grip on the economy.

Minnesota companies challenged by truck driver shortage

A nationwide truck driver shortage is having an impact on some local grocers, including fewer deliveries and more empty shelves.