Wholesale prices in the United States accelerated in January, the latest sign that some inflation pressures in the economy remain elevated. The producer price index — which tracks inflation before it reaches consumers — rose 0.3% from December to January. (AP)
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Americans pulled back their spending in January after splurging during the holiday season. Re-tail sales fell 0.8% from the strong pace in December when retail sales were up a revised 0.4%, according to the Commerce Department. Economists had expected consumers to pull back on spending late last year under the weight of credit card debt. (AP)
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With a high labor force participation rate and low unemployment the issue of labor shortages has been well documented in North Dakota. A new analysis by the financial website WalletHub looked at what states are struggling the most in hiring. The report ranked Minnesota 5th…South Dakota 27th…and North Dakota 30th. West Virginia had the highest job openings rate. (https://wallethub.com/edu/states-employers-hiring/101730)
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The North Dakota Labor Market Information Center has released the results of the 2023 Bene-fits Guide. The report surveyed business establishments on offerings and options. Holiday/vacation leave was tops on the list at offered by 72% of employers. The average number of hours required to qualify for benefits was 33. The survey suggests 88% of companies plan to hand out raises in 2024.
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North Dakota’s December oil production fell slightly – about 6,000 barrels a day from November. State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms says production was still 16% over the state revenue forecast. Helms says he expects the state will soon be back producing more than 1.3 million barrels per day.
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Commercial airline boarding numbers in North Dakota for January reached 94,504 passengers – a 4% increase from January of 2023. A total of 8,660 passengers passed through the gates at the Grand Forks Airport. That was down nearly 3%.
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East Central Judicial District Judge John Irby has announced that he will not be running for reelection in 2024. In announcing his retirement Judge Irby says while it has been a great honor it is time to step away. The district covers three counties: Steele…Traill…and Cass.
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Another batch of tax rebate checks will hit Minnesota mailboxes starting this week. The state is reissuing over 128,000 one-time checks that have gone uncashed and expired after their November/December issuance dates. The state sent out over $1.1 billion dollars in rebate checks last year averaging $260 dollars per person.
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Drivers under 21 wouldn’t be prohibited from transporting propane because of how it is pack-aged. Under current Minnesota law young drivers with a hazardous materials endorsement may transport up to 3,500 gallons of propane if it is one large tanker but not if it is divided into dozens of smaller 40-pound cylinders used by many households when barbequing. The House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee moved bill to the Labor and Industry Policy Committee.
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The EPA has issued an order allowing existing stocks of over-the-top Dicamba to be used in 2024. Existing stocks refers to previously registered pesticide products that were packaged, labeled, and released for shipment prior to Feb. 6th (2024). A U.S. District Court of vacated the 2020 registrations for the weedkiller.
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With this year’s Super Bowl being played in Las Vegas, the nation’s gambling capitol, there was little doubt that betting on the big game would be huge. Nevada’s sportsbooks set a record by taking $185.6 million in wagers on the game. (AP)
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