Minnesota’s Economic News — W/E 7/10/26

Labor market

KDHL: Job Growth in Minnesota: 5,400 New Positions Added in May 

Rochester Post Bulletin: Rochester’s unemployment rate still better than state average

KAAL TV: Southeast Minnesota jobless rates remain steady as U.S. hiring slows

Winona Post: Jobs growth, unemployment down in May

State and local taxes and spending

Mankato Free Press: Mankato levy hike likely to be 5% or more in ’27

KSTP: Isanti County eyes wheelage tax for highway department building

KSTP: Anoka-Hennepin school levy fight: Potential legal battle looms over voter petition

Economic development

Star Tribune: This Iron Range mine is one of Minnesota’s biggest economic development projects ever

Red River Farm Network: A Plan to Expand Minnesota’s Ag and Rural Economy

Regulation

MPR News: As Minnesota paid leave program hits half-year mark, 75,000 have already tapped into it

Fox 9: Minnesota paid leave program: 75,000 approved to receive payments so far

KTTC: In first 6 months, MN Paid Leave program draws 100,000 applications

Star Tribune: Minnesota’s paid family medical leave surpasses projections in first six months

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Minnesota paid leave program tracks with expectations after paying $600M in benefits

Minnesota Reformer: Many Minnesotans claim paid leave benefits, but agency expects demand to taper off

KSTP: Minnesota Paid Leave has paid out nearly double what workers, employers have paid in

InForum: Almost 75K applicants approved in first 6 months of Minnesota’s paid leave program

Kare 11: Nearly 75,000 Minnesotans have been approved for paid leave in first six months

Pioneer Press: Minnesota paid leave: How many are applying and how much the state is spending

Axios: Minnesota paid leave program came in $70M under budget in first 6 months

WCCO: 75,000 Minnesotans participating in paid leave program 6 months into launch, DEED says

Mesabi Tribune: Minnesota Paid Leave program approves benefits for 75,000 workers

Economic growth

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Fastest-growing public companies in Minnesota

KNSI: Minnesota Ranks Fifth in CNBC’s 2026 Top States for Business

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Minnesota climbs to No. 5 in CNBC’s ranking of America’s top states for business

Kanabec County Times: Central Minnesota’s economy pushes through