Recent content from Evan Ramstad
Ramstad: We have too much commercial office space. It's time to consider tearing down some towers
We have too much office space and not enough places to live, especially in our downtowns.
Ramstad: This Twin Cities bridal designer started a side hustle to cope with business ups and downs
The spotlight is on the Federal Reserve today, but everyone in business is facing greater uncertainty now.
Ramstad: Pandemic forced tough choices between health and money
There were no optimal outcomes. But there was also a lot of good work, and change that made sense.
Ramstad: As Trump begins a terrible mistake, St. Paul starts to correct one
When politics and economics cross, some cures are worse than the disease.
Ramstad: As MacKenzie Scott doles out Amazon fortune, Minnesota charities juggle windfall
In five years, she has given $200 million in the state and $19 billion around the country.
Ramstad: Security, other costs hamper Minnesota affordable-housing owners
Some owners are selling affordable units to help their souring financial situations.
Ramstad: Trump's risky economic plans assume it'll be worth it, but Minnesotans will first feel pain
Minnesota's state budget outlook this week will be less certain than usual because of swift changes on the federal level.
Ramstad: Wixon Jewelers, a destination for luxury, celebrations and petting dogs, is closing
Dan and Hope Wixon are retiring, and the dynamics of the jewelry world made it impossible for someone else to buy the business.
Ramstad: Minnesotan who completed world's hardest triathlon says we all 'have capacity to do great things'
Norseman finisher Susanne Blazek, a behavioral scientist in Pine Island, Minn., has learned how to drive herself and others to do difficult things.
Ramstad: Readers sound off on Target, Trump and DEI
The culture war seems to dominate President Donald Trump's agenda at the moment.
Ramstad: China's AI star DeepSeek shook basic patterns of high tech
The previous exception to this pattern — supercomputing. Minnesota remains home to many who routinely push boundaries in software and hardware.
Ramstad: Crystal's new child care center a direct, and positive, result of '23 Minnesota Legislature
With more parents being ordered back to offices, there are signs the metro's child care centers are ready for their kids.
Ramstad: Inside Piper Sandler's bond desk, a small-town firefighter shapes the world
The bond market scares economic policymakers even more than the stock market.
Ramstad: Bremer Bank's value collapsed, but execs still score big payouts in sale
For five years, Bremer Bank executives criticized the paychecks collected by their trustees. Now those bank leaders will get far more money than the trustees they savaged.
Ramstad: After Trump's threats, can you blame Target for giving up on DEI?
While there were excesses and elements of unfairness with DEI, the campaign against it looks vindictive.
Ramstad: Donor-advised funds are growing. But if you have one, you should shrink it.
The point of a DAF is to put money in the hands of charities, not grow it like another investment account.
Ramstad: Walz tries to slow runaway spending, moving to political middle
Governor takes criticism from all sides for trying to slow spending growth on Medicaid and special education.
Ramstad: Sorry, Minnesota still doesn't need sports betting
Each year Minnesota waits, more evidence builds about the harms of gambling apps.
Ramstad: Bird flu, drought boost prices of eggs and beef, but farm economy remains strong
Farmers have done well since the pandemic, though their incomes are coming back down from record heights.
Ramstad: With Legislature in chaos, at least lawmakers won't raise taxes
That's because of uncertainty on tax policy in Washington and a projected budget surplus in 2025.
Ramstad: U.S. Steel should have gone to Nippon. Blocking the deal will harm Minnesota's Iron Range
The Japanese company offered the best hope for the U.S. Steel mills that consume Minnesota iron ore.
Ramstad: Eric Dayton's new venture takes up where Askov Finlayson left off
After a decade in environmentally minded retail, Dayton's new firm helps businesses comply with sustainability goals and rules.
Ramstad: It's not just Minnesota — the whole world is growing more slowly
As population growth slows, state will have to rely on productivity improvements and better development of natural and intellectual resources.
Ramstad: Investors are betting they will control Trump's worst tendencies
Participants in our Investors Roundtable believe Trump will bend on economy-slowing ideas like deportations and tariffs.
Ramstad: Minnesota designer looks to streets in America and China to stay on fashion's edge
Levels emerged as a fashion brand after the George Floyd protests, adopting a high-quality, low-price formula to stand out at Mall of America.
Ramstad: Let's create more modest expectations about reining in federal spending
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy propose cutting $2 trillion in spending from the federal budget. Here's how to understand some really big numbers.
Ramstad: It's not easy building affordable apartments in the Twin Cities. These developers got it done.
Broadway Street Development overcame hurdles that illustrate the broader challenge of building housing in Minnesota these days.
Ramstad: Anger and debate over health care will continue after Thompson's alleged killer is jailed
Insurer's leader spoke internally about the criticism directed at the company. A civil debate is needed in public — someday.
Ramstad: Longtime Twin Cities civil rights figure implores us to be curious, not divisive
For decades, lawyer and scholar john a. powell has been quietly influencing the civil rights scene in the Twin Cities.
Ramstad: Murder of UnitedHealth exec incites anger — not at the killer, but at him and the company
The lack of empathy over the shooting of a Minnesota executive is emblematic of a new norm in the national conversation. It also shows a sense of powerlessness over health care, one of the most important services in their life.
Ramstad: Budget, political constraints signal big fight ahead in Minnesota
Who's got the power? It's one thing to have it when there's lots of money around and a much different thing when money is constrained.
Ramstad: Readers praise idea for insurance-free doctor's offices in Minnesota
Though it may sound old fashioned, paying doctors directly for care could offer a path to lower out-of-pocket spending — if there are enough doctors to provide the care.
Ramstad: How Sun Country quietly became one of the most profitable airlines in the country
Don't let the low fares fool you. The Minneapolis-based airline has a business model that works.
Ramstad: Bremer Bank execs said for years they couldn't sell it. Then they did.
A storied St. Paul bank comes to an inglorious end because of misguided executives and misplaced pride.
Ramstad: Investors focused on AI and flashy tech may overlook important innovation
Two of Minnesota's oldest industrial companies — Graco and Tennant — show innovation is everywhere.
Ramstad: Bonding in retirement, Mill City Commons members help revitalize downtown Minneapolis
Downtown Minneapolis' residential revival was driven in part by retirees. Hundreds joined Mill City Commons to support each other.
Ramstad: Minnesota will be a swing state in the 2028 election
A key influence will be whether Minnesotans like paid family medical leave when it starts in 2026.
Ramstad: How a British education expert showed governments can be run better
The spotlight shines on how policies are made, but implementation is the harder job.
Ramstad: Trump's plans may slow an already sluggish Minnesota economy
His vow to deport illegal immigrants will hurt a workforce that is smaller than it was when he was last president. And his tariffs could hurt farmers, retailers and consumers.
Ramstad: The Minnesota doctor's offices where you don't need insurance
A dozen or so physicians in the Twin Cities now offer direct primary care, paid in cash without insurance involved.
Ramstad: On election's eve, inflation pinches Minnesota's fastest-shrinking county hard
On the state's western border, Traverse County has lost more than 6% of its people since 2020. Those who remain share the burden of inflation on schools and other civic needs.
Ramstad: On election's eve, housing is the big issue in fast-growing Rochester
With Mayo Clinic expanding greatly, leaders in Rochester and Olmsted County try to balance speed and costs.
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Ramstad: Iron Range watches closely as U.S. Steel deal runs into economic nationalism
Antitrust measures will have to come into play if the Minnesota mines wind up in the hands of one company.
Ramstad: Inflation jitters jump again as bond investors focus on rising U.S. deficit
Bond market signals that government needs to tap the brakes on spending and tax-cutting.
Ramstad: Everyone wants fairness in Minnesota, but arguments about it can block progress
Readers react to the series on the Minnesota Paradox.
Ramstad: Not just for birthdays, 'dynamic' ninja gyms grow in popularity
Since the pandemic, a young Twin Cities couple quadrupled the size of a specialty gym in Maple Grove.
Ramstad: Decline of local news in Minnesota is turning around a bit
For every two local news outlets that shut down in the state, a new one emerges.
Ramstad: Accountability is a merry-go-round for politicians
The U.S. election may turn on whether voters decide to hold Donald Trump accountabe for Jan. 6 or Kamala Harris for inflation.
Ramstad: Slow-growing Minnesota avoids recession, readers defend environment
Readers react to recent columns; a former governor points a finger at college presidents.
Ramstad: Trump, Harris envision big role in the economy, but avoid details and contradictions
For Trump on tariffs, Harris on housing, contradictions abound and aren't likely to be cleared up before you vote.
Ramstad: Solving the Minnesota Paradox will take a whole different discussion on race
Minnesota's schools will need to desegregate, more housing will need to be built and even basic assumptions about one another have to change.
Ramstad: Delta's business travel at MSP is back after climbing out of pandemic, CEO Bastian says
Overall traffic at MSP is about 6% below its pre-pandemic level.
Ramstad: Some 50-year-old economic theories born in Minnesota just proved out
Economists here came up with the concept of "rational expectations" that appear to have helped the U.S. cut inflation without a surge in unemployment.
Ramstad: Get ready seniors, Medicare enrollment may be wild this fall
Choosing a Medicare plan is a big moment every year for seniors. This year holds special challenges.
Ramstad: 'X-factor' in unraveling Minnesota Paradox is building friendships across racial lines
Economists call it 'social capital' and it plays a big role in overall well-being.
Ramstad: Financial aid crisis ends, but shrinking market looms for Minnesota colleges
Carleton economist says colleges can insulate themselves from demographic cliff by retaining more students.
Ramstad: 9 questions about Minnesota's economy for Harris, Trump
They may be running to lead the nation, but imagine if they only talked about Minnesota.
Ramstad: Trump, Harris miss the main point on the economy
Trump's promise to deport workers would spark a recession and likely reignite inflation.
Ramstad: At Hazelden Betty Ford, the expectation is to be the best
The language of recovery is everywhere, but the funding for mental health care is not.
Ramstad: Speed is key as MSP Airport seeks new restaurant and shop owners
Some will need a connection to a national brand. All will need to know how to keep lines moving.
Ramstad: At Minnesota's largest refinery, workers prevented a shutdown at vulnerable moment
A breakdown during a big maintenance event tested the skills of thousands of engineers and trades professionals last fall.
Ramstad: In Tower, a vision to quickly build sustainable homes turns real
Last week, carpenters from Norway showed Minnesota carpenters how to quickly assemble cottages on a channel to Lake Vermilion.
Ramstad: Minnesota needs affordable housing to be available in more places
A fight over where to place affordable housing continues to rage in the Twin Cities. It boils down to segregation vs. integration.
Ramstad: Walz, Suni can reach millions, so why is it so hard for businesses?
Digital platforms have soaked up so much data on consumers they have made it too hard for marketers to precisely reach their targets.
Ramstad: We are choosing to separate by race in Twin Cities schools
Many schools in the metro area are dominated by students of a single race, just as parents chose.
Ramstad: Walz, Vance align on some economic ideas, tapping into mood of failed American dreams
Harris is certain to agree with Walz, while Trump is unpredictable as Vance pushes GOP in new direction.
Ramstad: Fixing the 'Minnesota Paradox' is not just moral, it's an economic imperative
Minnesota became one of the most prosperous states in the country, but in an uneven way. That's a challenge because the state's future growth depends on people who were left behind historically.
Ramstad: Getting Minnesota's numbers straight as spotlight hits Walz, Fed nears rate cut
The economy is always a mixed bag, but Minnesota's is in a slightly unusual place at the moment.
Ramstad: Who's got the real power? Trump or the unions?
Working people are already part of Donald Trump's base. The unions are flexing their muscle.
Ramstad: Biden, Trump show how hard it is to let go of power, identity
The decision to retire is the closest most people will get to how Biden feels.
Ramstad: In a chaotic moment, Americans still have power over what's next
Sharon McMahon, nicknamed "America's Government Teacher," describes the power of choosing hope.
Ramstad: In a big change to nation's corn, you might soon see shorter stalks
Shorter corn planted closer together changes the math for farmers and provides a hedge against storms.
Ramstad: Human progress is not the enemy of the planet
The notion of a tradeoff between the environment and prosperity is becoming outdated.
Ramstad: What Trump's re-election would mean for Minnesota's economy
He doesn't see that Minnesota and the Midwest are slumping.
Ramstad: Readers say Minnesota needs 'reasonable' growth, more babies and the Twin Cities connected
Our columnist is always surprised there's even a debate about growth.
