Economic Downturn
Economic Downturn
  • Consumer spending, new jobless claims dip
    Consumer spending fell more than expected in March after two straight monthly gains, a stark reminder of a fragile economy that has pushed a record number of Americans to draw jobless benefits.April 30, 2009
  • Jobless benefits help unemployed weather the storm
    People who lose their jobs are generally pretty concerned about how they're going to make ends meet. More than 200,000 Minnesotans collected unemployment insurance payments last year, and even more will likely do so this year.April 29, 2009
  • Hutchinson Technology cuts more jobs
    Hutchinson Technology says it is cutting another 300 jobs. The company has announced job cuts totaling more than 40 percent of its workforce since last fall.April 28, 2009
  • More layoffs expected at Minntac
    Union officials say another 250 workers at U.S. Steel's Minntac plant in Mountain Iron are expected to lose their jobs, possibly as early as this week.April 28, 2009
  • Minnesota GM dealers anxiously await their fate
    After General Motors announced Monday that it will close 42 percent of its 6,200 dealerships by the end of next year, dealers in Minnesota and elsewhere are anxiously awaiting news about whether their businesses will survive.April 27, 2009
  • GM to cut 21,000 US factory jobs, shed Pontiac
    General Motors laid out a massive restructuring plan today that will cut 21,000 U.S. factory jobs by next year and phase out the storied Pontiac brand.April 27, 2009
  • Luxury vs. necessity
    Television sets, air conditioning, microwaves -- suddenly a majority of people in a recent survey say they don't need these things. It's just another sign of how the economy has caused a re-evaluation of luxury and necessity.Midmorning, April 24, 2009
  • Star Tribune, union reach tentative agreement
    The Star Tribune of Minneapolis has reached a tentative contract agreement with the union representing nearly 275 employees in the newsroom.April 24, 2009
  • Career counselor offers tips for job seekers
    The unemployed, downsized or newly graduated are all looking for jobs in a slow economy this spring. Job counselor Amy Lindgren discusses which job search strategies are most successful.Midday, April 23, 2009
  • Wells Fargo reports record 1Q profits
    Wells Fargo is reporting a record first-quarter profit of $2.38 billion.April 22, 2009
  • Minnesota companies' outlook varied as the industries
    Several prominent companies with headquarters or major operations in Minnesota are reporting lower quarterly earnings today. The view of the economy from the companies' corner offices was as varied as their industries.April 21, 2009
  • Short on cash? Try bartering
    If you run a business and lack cash in these times of tight credit, what do you do? More and more people are turning to an age-old transaction -- bartering.April 21, 2009
  • Park Nicollet to lay off 233 workers
    Park Nicollet Health Services announced Monday it will lay off 233 employees due to the worsening economy.April 20, 2009
  • Nearly all sectors saw job cuts last month in Minn.
    The Minnesota unemployment rate edged up to 8.2 percent in March, as employers in the state eliminated another 23,200 jobs.April 16, 2009
  • Rochester district lays off 78 teachers
    The Rochester school district has sent layoff notices to 78 teachers in one of the largest job cuts of teachers in district history.April 16, 2009

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