Fear has gripped the financial markets, with stocks falling to the lowest levels in more than 10 years. This week the Standard & Poor's index of 500 stocks fell by more than 6 percent on two consecutive days. That hasn't happened since the Great Depression. Here's what analysts say is going on. (Warning: It's disturbing.)

By Catharine Richert
Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The question in Congress this week is whether the auto industry should get a bailout from the government, but lawmakers — including Minnesota's congressional delegation — are sharply divided over how to do it.

By Catherine Conlan

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008

TWO HARBORS, MINN. — Fall colors helped tourism in northeast Minnesota do well, even in the poor economy; now resorts and attractions cross their fingers for a strong winter-sports season.

By Dan Haugen
Monday, Nov. 10, 2008

The Federal Aviation Administration faces an unprecedented retirement bubble that is causing problems in staffing airport towers with enough experienced air controllers. Minnesota's situation seems better than many. But as a result of unhappy workers taking early retirement, the nation's traveling public can expect more delays and inconvenience but not necessarily safety risks, observers say.

By Kristin Jones, ProPublica | Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008

Congressional Democrats and the White House are begging banks to lend out the bailout money they've received instead of using it to acquire other banks. But analysts said it isn't necessarily so terrible for banks to be merging right now. Expect higher ATM fees, however.

By Ben Protess, ProPublica | Thursday, Oct. 22, 2008

The U.S. Treasury Department has decided against publicly releasing key details of the contract it awarded Bank of New York Mellon to keep the books for the government's purchase of toxic securities.

By Paul Kiel, ProPublica | Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008

Over the coming months, the Treasury Department will be doling out $125 billion to financial institutions. It will decide which banks get taxpayer money in private, using a secret set of criteria.

By Jay Weiner
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008

Tim Leiweke, a powerful figure in the arena business, has a proven track record and a tendency to get his way. So, when he starts talking about the future of Target Center, residents in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Hennepin County — and state lawmakers — ought to pay attention. He's out to jump-start an effort to renovate the 18-year-old, tired Target Center.

By Joe Kimball | Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008

There's some concern but no panic, as area religious communities assess the impact of the economic meltdown on their operations. Leaders say they believe their flocks at churches, synagogues and mosques will continue to dig deep when the collection plates and donation envelopes come around. But some worry that religious agencies working with the poor may be hampered.

A four-part MinnPost series, "Ethanol in Minnesota," has won second prize in the Society of Environmental Journalists annual awards for online journalism.