Recent content from Dee DePass
More Minnesotans face 'pharmacy deserts' with chain drugstore closures
As Walgreens, CVS get ready to close more stores, many independent pharmacies say they are operating at a loss.
Minnesota company will soon see its baby products on Walmart, Target shelves across the country
The learning curve of dealing with megastores is high for Busy Baby, but the work also comes with potential of becoming national brand.
U.S. Bancorp, like industry peers, posted better-than-expected results thanks to lower expenses
Better loan mix also contributed to the quarter for the Minneapolis-based bank.
Breast milk-pumping bra maker launches clinical study at U, braces for word of federal grant
Momease, which makes a breast milk-pumping bra, is a serial award winner.
Alchemy 365 fitness studio will shut Minnesota gyms next month, citing finances
CEO said in a letter that the business has never recovered from the pandemic.
This Minnesota forest is a cemetery alternative, part of growing green burial trend
California-based Better Place Forests bought 112 acres in Scandia to offer more eco-friendly memorial options, an industry Emergen Research expects to generate $1.2 billion a year by 2030.
Well-known north Minneapolis barber determined to repurpose troubled 4th Street Saloon property
Teto Wilson wants to turn the old bar, known for the violence and illegal activities going on in and around it, into a food hall.
$21M commercial kitchen joins developments bringing jobs to north Minneapolis
Nonprofit NEON will break ground on the project, which could produce more than 250 jobs.
Moving up? An executive coach might be worth the cost
Coaches, many of whom have climbed the corporate ladder, can help with new leadership skills to help get over a hump or give you confidence.
Minnesota posts largest monthly job gain in two years
Labor force is among the best in the nation, and wages grew as well, according to the state Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Three-week outage of some electronic systems at Highland Bank continues to disrupt
Phones and email are back online at the bank, headquartered in St. Michael, but its website is still down.
Affordable housing nonprofit paying it forward by helping fledgling investors build wealth
Project for Pride in Living will sell 83 buildings, give training to developers on how to be landlords.
Maker of Ojibwe language games among finalists for prestigious Minnesota Cup
Winner of this year's cup, the state's largest entrepreneurial contest, will be announced on Monday.
United Arab Emirates firm buys majority stake in Rosemount's Spectro Alloys aluminum recycler
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the current owners will retain 20% of ownership.
Minnesota's Highland Bank reopens branches after tech woes shut its doors
Bank customers can still access their accounts, although the bank's main website is down.
Minneapolis children's book publisher Lerner buys Sundance Newbridge, expanding school catalog
The deal is Lerner's third acquisition in six years.
Twin Cities small businesses growing faster than peers, but harder hit by labor shortage
U.S. Bank survey shows limited worker skills, training big issues impeding growth and profitability.
The fate of odd recyclables, from decking to motorcyle parts, on display at Minnesota State Fair
From the 'bagnado' to decking, Harley Davidson and Polaris parts, exhibits at the Eco Experience building show how the state's $10.2B recyclables business is growing
Office complexes adding golf simulators, pickleball and puppies to help tenants get workers back
A competition among Minnesota landlords on amenities has begun as more employers are asking workers back to the office.
Minnesota's job market continues to cool, thanks to restaurant and wholesale sector slowdowns
The losses for July are statistically insignificant but follow declines in May and June.
Minnesota companies start new-generation pre-apprenticeship programs to build new talent pipelines
The programs can cost thousands, but persistent worker shortages are hampering recruiting efforts.
Feds investigate St. Paul janitorial firm for possible wage law violations
PK Property Services' co-owner said the issues have been rectified.
How Minnesota companies are dealing with political polarization at work
As the election heats up, employees are complaining about sometimes vitriolic conversations with co-workers.
In surprise move, Ramsey County adds nonunion janitorial firms, displacing union workers
Unionized Triangle Services used to be the only cleaner; now it's down to one county building.
More time = more money: Whether on your own or through employer, save for retirement now
Employees are increasingly left to themselves to fund their retirements, and Social Security will only provide a fraction of the income you will need to live on once you retire. So use your resources to start planning for your old age as soon as possible.
Thousands of Minnesota white-collar workers now eligible for overtime pay
In Minnesota, an estimated 10,000 workers are expected to benefit from rule changes that mainly apply to lower-wage executive, administrative and other professional employees.
Uber, Lyft competitors confident about future in Twin Cities
Several companies are either signing up drivers or already operating as options grow for customers.
At Wells Fargo site destroyed in riots, construction finally underway on affordable housing complex
Housing nonprofit Project for Pride in Living is leading the Lake Street project that combines affordable rentals with space for businesses owned by people of color and a new Wells Fargo branch.
Devean George's north Minneapolis modular housing factory will open in fall, employ 320
The $29 million project will be in a former printing press near the Minneapolis Public Market.
Minnesota summer jobs still ripe for the taking
Employers are looking for hundreds of young workers around the state.
Union calls off strike after reaching a tentative agreement with New Hope nursing home
SEIU-represented workers at St. Therese had planned to begin a five-day walkout Saturday.
After surprise sale, New Hope's St. Therese nursing home facing another strike
About 200 workers initially went on strike for one day in March alongside about 800 other nursing home workers from a dozen Twin Cities facilities. St. Therese was the only one to not agree to a new contract, and Compass Healthcare announced its intent to purchase the home last week.
Bye-bye cubicles and corner offices: Reserving a desk for the day is new work trend
Here's tips on how to successfully deploy and work within the "hoteling" concept, which eliminates permanent desks in favor of flexible, shared spaces.
'At the end of the day, DEI is about innovation,' says U.S. Bank executive
Chief Diversity Officer Greg Cunningham says it's been proven that practices lead to growth.
New overtime pay rules start July 1. Employers say that's too soon.
While several business groups bemoaned the change, employment advocates and job placement experts applauded the update, saying it was long overdue.
At one point, Black income grew the fastest of any race in Minnesota, but disparities persist
The 2008 Great Recession hit Black Minnesotans the hardest, and it took them the longest to recover. Such income disproportion concerns Black leaders, state officials and economists who noted half of Black wage earners in the state still don't make enough to live comfortably.
A tale of two Lake Streets: One recovering, one frozen in 2020
Four years after George Floyd's murder, Lake Street sees progress, but there are many stalled projects such as the former Gandhi Mahal Restaurant building.
Ryan will equip worksites with Narcan as more construction companies address mental health
The Minneapolis-based developer worked with a White House effort to address overdoses. The industry has one of the highest rates of opioid abuse, federal statistics show.
Minnesota bankruptcy law firm files for bankruptcy after losing fight with another bankruptcy firm
The St. Cloud firm, one of the oldest bankruptcy law firms in the state, lost a fight involving Google Ads.
Richfield construction subcontractor sentenced for insurance fraud
Fabian Espinosa, owner of Richfield-based Fabian Espinosa Construction LLC, faces three years' probation.
Minneapolis City Council votes to delay start of rideshare wage ordinance
The council voted unanimously Thursday to push the start date of a new policy to July 1, saying it will give new rideshare companies time to start up and fill gaps if Uber and Lyft leave the city.
Uber, Lyft drivers support Minneapolis City Council's postponement of pay ordinance
They also introduced two new rideshare companies that could be entering the Twin Cities market.
If Uber, Lyft leave Minneapolis, nearly a dozen rideshare firms ready to fill the void
Companies ranging from startups like Elam Baer's MyWeels to Empower and Wridz have invested in Minnesota.
Uber, Lyft drivers using Hertz program told to return cars, leaving gap before May 1 pullout
The move leaves drivers wondering what their future options will be.
Minnesota carnival operator ordered to pay $210K in back wages for breaking H-2B visa laws
The company, along with an associated food vendor, plan to appeal the ruling, their lawyer said.
Winona auto parts maker to close, will lay off about 125 workers
BCS Access will cut the jobs in the second half of the year; its engineering operations so far will not be impacted.
Finding a ride after May 1 will take patience if Uber and Lyft pull out of Minneapolis
Taxi cab firms might hire some drivers, but it will take a while to build back an industry that has pivoted to medical and student contracts since the mega rideshare companies entered the Twin Cities market.
A group of Activision video game workers voted to unionize. More than half are in Eden Prairie
The group joins other Microsoft workers to form the largest union in the video gaming industry.
Twin Cities nursing home employees walk off the job
About 1,000 nursing home workers and supporters picketed in front of the Estates at St. Louis Park on Tuesday morning, part of a one-day walkout of employees from a dozen senior facilities.
4,000 janitors went on strike Monday, and about 1,000 nursing home workers plan the same on Tuesday
The SEIU and their employers did not reach contract settlements; pay is the big issue.
Minnesota drivers say economics of Uber, Lyft don't add up
While the ride-share companies say they pay fairly, elected officials could mandate minimum wages.
Security guards, Target janitors reach labor agreement
Strike looms Monday for another 5,400 workers.
Janitors and security guards at Target, airport, sports venues set to strike next week
Four bargaining sessions remain before thousands of employees walk out over better pay and improved training.
Home Depot on New Brighton Blvd. penalized for firing worker with 'BLM' written on work apron
The National Labor Relations Board ordered that the worker be rehired and issued back pay.
Two Burnsville cops, paramedic shot and killed; gunman dead
The first responder was trying to help one of the wounded officers when shot, police said. The shootings happened after an hourslong standoff following a domestic abuse call.
Twin Cities Uber, Lyft drivers take part in global Valentine's Day strike for better pay
The drivers turned off their phone apps as a protest against work conditions.
Two Twin Cities translation service centers for the deaf closing, 50 losing jobs
Layoff announcement came the day some workers had scheduled a meeting with a union.
Twin Cities Lyft drivers hopeful but wary of company's new pay structure
The company said it will guarantee that drivers receive 70% of fares, after fees.
Slower wage growth might be good for the economy, but not everyone is celebrating
Workers and advocates say there's a disconnect between policy and reality.
Hennepin County launches new unit to crack down on wage theft, other employer wrongdoing
The county attorney's office hired Minneapolis labor enforcement head to lead the effort.
Minneapolis' Peter Michaud now leading Ballard Spahr nationwide
He plans to expand the 600-attorney firm and use technology to improve the company's future.
Planned Parenthood, new union reach agreement for first labor contract
After a contentious unionization effort and 37 negotiating sessions, the contract will now go to union members for a vote.
Minnesota fines Menards for penalizing employee for pumping breast milk
Minnesota labor regulators say the store in Fridley docked the worker's pay 103 times and suspended her after she complained.
Minnesota files $3M wage theft case against Evergreen Acres Dairy in Stearns County
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said it is one of the largest wage theft cases undertaken in the state.
Soderberg's Floral, a Minneapolis landmark, closes after nearly 100 years
Customers and community groups said the shop buoyed the neighborhood and helped nearby businesses survive the 2020 riots.
U.S. Attorney's Office claims Denny Hecker's ex-wife failed to pay all of ordered restitution
Andrew Luger has asked the court to order Rowan to turn over financial documents.
Thrivent CEO is not afraid to bring her authentic self to work — or make hard decisions
At her five-year mark at the helm, Terry Rasmussen has overseen big changes at the Fortune 500 firm, but acknowledges many more are needed.
Minnesota minimum wages rise Jan. 1. Are employers ready?
Hourly wages will increase 38 cents to $15.57 for large Twin Cities businesses.
Federal suit alleges Richfield grocery stores owe more than $500K in back wages
Department of Labor demands the two stores pay $508,000 in back wages and damages for falsifying payroll records and denying 51 employees overtime pay.
Minnesota seeking $2.4M from Viking Lakes subcontractors accused of wage theft
The state is asking an administrative law judge to endorse its findings, which include wrongdoing at the Eagan site and 18 others.
Target asks HQ employees to work periodically in downtown Minneapolis
Target is calling its headquarters workers back one week per quarter.
This holiday season, Minnesota companies are partying like it's 2019
Companies are investing again in holiday parties and staff events, with ripple effects for the Twin Cities area economy.
Pottery Barn on St. Paul's historic Grand Avenue will close
The area business association president said the closure is "incredibly frustrating and does not represent the overall strength of Grand Avenue."
Probation for Princeton contractor who denied aid to man injured by nail in eye
The apartment building contractor received two years of probation and is banned from future state and federal contracts for insurance fraud.
![Voters take to the polls as the doors open at the Bloomington Civic Plaza in Bloomington, MN on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. ] Elizabeth Flores • liz.fl](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/MLW4ENYSLVFUHOVAZ6AJLAPDOI.jpg?w=600&h=600&auto=format%2Ccompress&cs=tinysrgb)