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.

Plan to reenergize downtown Forest Lake takes shape

"As good as it sounds." That's the motto for the city of Forest Lake, but in recent years, its downtown area has grown a little tired.

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.

State unemployment rate tracks down to 3.1 percent, lowest level since pre-pandemic

Despite an anecdotal shortage of workers across seemingly every industry, the state unemployment rate has decreased to 3.1 percent according to numbers released today.

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.

Retail sales drop 1.9% in December following early holiday rush

Americans sharply cut their spending in December after a burst of early spending in the fall that helped bolster the holiday season.

Inflation surges in December to highest rate since 1982

Prices paid by U.S. consumers jumped 7% in December from a year earlier, the highest inflation rate since 1982 and the latest evidence that rising costs for food, rent and other necessities are heightening the financial pressures on America's households.

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.

Debt ceiling: Biden signs fast-track plan to prevent default

The Senate approved a bill that will clear the way for Congress to raise the debt ceiling with a simple-majority vote before the projected Dec. 15 deadline.

US consumer inflation rate up 6.8% in past year, highest since 1982

Prices for U.S. consumers jumped 6.8% in November compared with a year earlier, the highest annual inflation rate in 39 years.

US jobless claims hit lowest level in 52 years amid seasonal volatility

U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 184,000 last week, the lowest since September 1969 — offering more evidence that the job market is recovering.

US employers posted near-record 11 million open jobs in October

U.S. employers posted 11 million open jobs in October, nearly matching a record high reached in July and a sign that companies were confident enough in the economy to expand.

Debt ceiling: House passes bill paving way for increase ahead of deadline

The House passed a bill that will allow the Senate to raise the U.S. debt limit with a Democrats’ only majority vote, as the deadline draws near.

Treasury targets all-cash real estate deals in anti-corruption effort

The Treasury Department may expand reporting requirements on all-cash real estate deals to help crackdown on bad actors' use of the U.S. market to launder money made through illicit activity.

November jobs report: US employers added a sluggish 210,000 jobs

U.S. employers slowed the pace of their hiring in November, adding 210,000 jobs, as the economy contends with inflation and shortages.

US unemployment claims rise by 28,000, but still low at 222,000

U.S. unemployment claims climbed by 28,000 last week to 222,000, even though the U.S. job market has been rebounding from the coronavirus recession.