Recent content from Dee DePass
Two men die in north Minneapolis shooting
Officers arriving at N. Bryant Avenue and W. Broadway found two men had been shot, apparently the victims of a suspect or suspects who fled in a car.
St. Paul closes Water Street amid flood warnings
St. Paul will temporarily close Water Street/Lilydale Road beginning Monday in anticipation of local street flooding caused by the rising Mississippi River. The Mississippi has…
Construction starts on $68M apartment, commercial complex in north Minneapolis
The project is one of the largest ever outside downtown and led by veteran businessman Tim Baylor, Catalyst Opportunity Funds, private investors and local government.
Judge orders $70.5M payout in buyout dispute around Golden Valley trucking firm
James Koch is awarded $12 million in damages and $58.5 million in buyout battle against his two brothers around the family companies Koch Cos. and Stan Koch & Sons Trucking.
Bobcat plans $13M plant in Rogers, will hire more than 100 workers
The site is the second announced for the town in as many weeks.
Subcontractors on Wilf's Viking Lakes project accused of wage theft
The carpenters union alleges wage theft on behalf of at least 25 workers.
Playoff mania for Wolves, Wild drives big boost for downtowns
Sports pubs, hotels have not seen this much traffic since the pandemic began.
Ecolab profits down despite price hikes to cover rising freight, material costs
The St. Paul-based company's net income fell 10% in the first quarter.
Brooklyn Center firm grows by helping companies reach out to at-home workers
Formerly, Imprint Engine mostly printed company-branded items for events. Now 50% of its business comes from kits for at-home workers.
Wells Fargo VP Kathy Olson, who helped the bank grow, dies at 61
Over 43 years, Olson grew from teller to top tech manager, integrating bank mergers and building both tech service centers and careers for her direct reports.
Offering a second chance: Programs help employers hire workers with criminal record
In a tight labor market, the state and federal governments, as well as the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, are helping employers see if those who have records are an option for their workforces.
Minnesota unemployment rate at lowest since 1999
However, the recovery is uneven, with Black and Latino unemployment rates higher. Wage growth in Minnesota also is lower than the nation as a whole.
New Minnesota program hopes to close skills gap in IT for people of color
The $1 million pilot program includes a new academy at Phyllis Wheatley Community Center in north Minneapolis.
Stress mounts for Minnesota workers returning to the office
Returning workers are stressing about everything from commuting costs and wardrobe to redoing routines they had forged during the pandemic.
Aon launches $30M apprenticeship program in seven cities, including Minneapolis
Aon's new apprenticeship program pledges to hire and send 10,000 people to community college.
Thor Construction founder dies at 66, leaving legacy of Black entrepreneurship in Twin Cities
Richard Copeland's work was captured in the 2007 PBS special "Everyday Heroes."
Trying to fight inflation? Experts offer age-based tips
Financial advisers have a bag of tricks to help consumers cut back on household budgets.
Jobs program veteran to lead Minnesota's workforce development
Marc Majors replaces Hamse Warfe, who went to work for the Biden administration.
Downtown St. Paul picking up as businesses call workers back
Travelers workers have started a new hybrid model. Ecolab and Securian have set dates. The 3M corporate campus is officially open to all workers again as well.
Minnesota now a leader in solving day-care dilemma — but far to go
While the state used pandemic aid to help stabilize child-care centers and low-income aid programs, the changes are not yet permanent and many say they don't go far enough.
More Minnesota companies solidify plans for office return
With hybrid plans the most popular, other businesses like child-care centers are feeling the shift.
Amid labor shortage, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce spearheads effort to find untapped talent
The statewide campaign focuses on hiring sometimes-overlooked people such as those with disabilities, ex-prisoners, military veterans and immigrants.
Many Minneapolis employers rebooting return-to-office plans
With omicron cases and hospitalizations on the decline in Minnesota, many employers feel safe in calling people back to office buildings again.
U.S. Steel probes second collapse of a major conveyor at Minntac
For the second time in a month, overhead equipment collapsed at Minntac in Mountain Iron.
JPMorgan awards St. Paul nonprofit $5M to help firms owned by Black, Latina women to grow
The Center for Economic Inclusion hopes to help 60 businesses by 2025, including by using part of the grant to start an investment fund.
State car repair grants available to help low-income workers get to jobs
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced $475,000 in Getting to Work grants.
Union memberships rise in 2021 in Minnesota, bucking national trend
The state's level of membership is the highest it's been in 14 years.
St. Paul nonprofit creates racial equity index to help firms shrink equity gaps
The Center for Economic Inclusion on Tuesday unveiled its racial equity dividends index.
Parents near breaking point as COVID adds to child-care crisis
The number of child-care slots is declining, and centers are dealing with staff shortages and pandemic rules, while parents are left with expensive bills for incomplete care.
With no federal mandate, large Minn. employers consider vaccine requirements
Employers with diverging camps in their workforces — the vaccine hesitant and the exposure averse — will now have to choose their battle.
Employers adjust plans after court halts vaccine mandate
Private employers have more control over their corporate vaccination policies, but health care providers will still need to meet the federal mandate requirements.
Omicron causes more downtown companies to rethink return to office plans
Downtown boosters are worried that an upswing of workers who were coming into work before Christmas will dissipate because of omicron.
More Minnesota employers are delaying return-to-office plans
Securian Financial, Xcel Energy and Wells Fargo have all pushed back their dates to the end of January or February as the omicron variant continues to spread.
Louise 'Eleanor' Hill, who taught math in Brooklyn Park, dies at 84
She was a teacher at North View Junior High School for over 40 years.
Court: Attorney general may continue probe of wage theft claims at St. Paul's Madison Equities
The largest property owner in downtown St. Paul has been trying for two years to limit the state's investigation of the way it pays hourly workers.
Minnesota joins lawsuit against McDonald's franchisee alleging sexual harassment, misconduct
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights says Hyder Investments failed to prevent a sexual assault of a 14-year-old and created a hostile work environment at its Maple Grove restaurant.
Minnesota employees likely to see more pay raises in next year
Surveys show raises are in the works, although the average increase would not keep up with inflation.
Report: February 2022 might be turning point for back to office in Minnesota
Cushman & Wakefield finds a gradual decrease in office vacancy rates, uptick in leasing.
Downtown Crowne Plaza sold, will become boutique hotel after $25M renovation
Wisconsin-based Great Lakes Management will lead a team in a $25 million renovation of the property.
Some employers rush to bring workers back before new year
The numbers aren't large yet. And many of those who have called teams back say they are getting ready for their companywide "hybrid work" policies to launch in January.
Selby Avenue anchor Golden Thyme fights to keep lights on
St. Paul coffee shop and cafe cut hours and staff, but still gives back to neighborhood.
Dayton's Project opens to public this week with makers market
After a $350 million conversion into offices, the building's first tenant, Ernst & Young, also moved in.
Twin Cities employers turn on fun to counter 'resignation tsunami'
Companies are hosting cooking competitions, virtual happy hours and Lego championships during Zoom meetings.
Minnesota employers ratchet up benefits to woo workers
As corporate employee benefit enrollments begin this month, help-hungry employers are jazzing up their offerings as a way to retain workers and attract new ones.
Minnesota added 17K jobs in September, one of biggest jumps of the year
The biggest gain happened in the hard-hit leisure and hospitality sector.
3M paying $99M to settle PFAS lawsuits in Alabama
The settlement agreement ends years of contentious litigation over groundwater contamination near 3M's PFAS factory in Decatur, Ala.
Apartments at Northrup King will house artists in Minneapolis
Artspace will convert two vacant industrial buildings into 84 affordable artist apartments and a cultural center in the heart of the "art district" in northeast Minneapolis.
Amazon to build a fourth Twin Cities warehouse in Woodbury
Dubbed "Project Belle" to avoid publicly naming the tenant, the online retailer expects to hire 500 to 1,000 workers.
Bank, restaurant moving into Pier One building on St. Paul's Grand Avenue
A year after neighborhood meetings, construction is underway for a new use of the vacant store on a major retail artery.
Minneapolis-based Fallon launches NHL ad campaign on ESPN, Disney channels
Fallon aimed to capture NHL fans and scenes that convey a sense of intimacy, emotion and sentimentality, the ad agency said.
Oppidan to build 9 warehouses worth $157M in Minnesota, N. Carolina
Excelsior-based company aims to take advantage of intense demand for space in the age of online shopping.
Ribnick Furs closing 'legendary' store in Minneapolis after 76 years
It's the last fur store in the Twin Cities, outfitting business owners and such luminaries as Prince, Dolly Parton and Kirby Puckett.
Ryan Cos. breaks ground on $60M senior living center in Woodbury
The project is the 55th senior living complex Minneapolis-based Ryan has built.
Life Time opens co-working site in former YMCA space in downtown Mpls.
Despite market uncertainty, co-working arm of Life Time fitness firm opens third Minnesota site and announces other expansions.
Midway Shopping Center teardown begins in St. Paul
Demolition began Tuesday after the city issued the demolition permit last week after months of delays.
Minneapolis skyline gets new addition with RBC Gateway Tower
The RBC building is expected to open this spring with offices, a Four Seasons Hotel, condos and a bar & grill with year-round outdoor seating.
Former Campbell Mithun Tower in downtown Mpls. gets $20M in upgrades
Owners of the newly named Two22 Tower made high-end upgrades, betting that office workers will eventually come back and downtown life will return to normal.
St. Paul ranks 17th of the most livable state capitals, survey finds
Our capital city placed behind Austin, Texas, and ahead of Lansing, Mich., in comparisons of housing, education and amenities in a comparison study by SmartAsset.
Mortenson and five other industry giants make national push for diversity in construction
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 90% of construction employees are male, and two thirds are white.
Hope for big Labor Day rebound has fizzled in downtown St. Paul
Only about 35% of downtown workers have returned to their offices, far short of the 62% the city expected by Labor Day.
H.B. Fuller tacks 11% surcharge on global products as it battles cost hikes
Vadnais Heights-based adhesives maker launches price hikes in the face of unrelenting inflation for supplies, labor, freight.
Fredrikson & Byron offers $75K in grants for Twin Cities small businesses hurt by riots, pandemic
Microgrants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 will help with rent, payroll and equipment.
Demolition of Big Top Liquors — at long last — paves way for redeveloping riot-scarred Midway
Teardown is the first step in a multi-million dollar "United Villages at Midway" project for the 32-acre site over the next decade.
Minnesota State Fair and its vendors scramble to find workers
Less than two weeks before the fair opens, the businesses inside it and the fair itself need hundreds more workers.
Target-owned Shipt, Eagan's CaringBridge forge partnership
CaringBridge users will be able to more easily navigate Shipt delivery — and their readers will be able to help as well.
Dayton's Project owners get temporary reprieve, chance to resolve lender spat
A Hennepin County District judge granted a temporary restraining order, postponing an auction until September.
Next month's big return to the office in Mpls. and St. Paul is disappearing fast
The growing case levels of the coronavirus, and ongoing hesitancy about vaccines among millions, is forcing many business to rethink plans for office reopenings.
More Twin Cities employers push back plans to bring workers back to offices
Wells Fargo, Travelers and others had previously planned to bring workers back in September.
Online shopping, home delivery spur record demand for Twin Cities warehouse space
Builders don't expect "building frenzy" to slow down any time soon.
Dayton's Project owners ask court for time to get financing together
Judge hears arguments as Dayton's Project owners request a temporary restraining order to prevent a takeover by a hedge fund, reveal possible new lender in $350 million project.
Feds' receiver done clawing back money for victims of Petters' $1.9B Ponzi scheme, recovering a mere sliver
After 13 years of work, about $722 million was recovered after one of the largest and most complex fraud schemes in U.S. history.
Spiffed-up atrium at IDS Center reopens with 'more serenity,' cozier places to lounge
In its first overhaul in more than two decades, the Crystal Court underwent an eight-month, $5-million makeover.
Edina developer teams with California firm on Arbor Lakes office park in Maple Grove
New commercial project will sit at intersection of major highways and retail in Maple Grove.
Minneapolis ad agency Preston Kelly gets refresh with new name, new digs
To reflect Jennifer Spire's leadership, the agency has changed the name to Preston Spire, and employees will come back to new offices at the Crown Roller Mill building.
Dayton's Project lender throws new wrinkle: Selling the debt
A key lender of the project wants to auction off the loan. The project's developer will fight that plan in court, along with the city of Minneapolis and downtown boosters.
