New figures released today show Minnesota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged slightly higher in October, but economists say this indicator doesn't give us the full jobs picture.

Lowry Hill money manager Carol Clark, a confirmed "market behavioralist," has seen firsthand how psychological factors often count for more than rational thought in influencing economic behavior.

In exchange for a lease extension, the commission is offering some new cash, some longstanding cash — but with new strings attached — and some new-stadium planning assistance.

Drafting on the Hiawatha light rail line's success, Northstar trains begin shuttling passengers between the far northwest suburbs and downtown Minneapolis.

Steve Knutson, executive director of the Fremont Community Clinics system, says, "We can have providers do wonderful things and intervene early, but if we don't have a willing patient on the other side of the table we're not going to get to an endpoint."

For many months, retail reports, financial statistics and monthly jobless updates have relentlessly driven home to all of us the bleak state of the national and regional economy. In an effort to personalize some of those numbers, we asked MinnPost interns Wilt Hodges, Emily Ness and Joey Peters to profile how several Minnesotans are coping with tough times.

· Weddings still need planners, but couples' budgets have tightened
· In tough times, one-man construction shop find ways to survive
· Marinas are always on Minnesota resort-goers' priority list
· Many new lawyers are finding job search a real trial

Couples are trying to save money these days, but they're still hiring wedding planners to organize their budgets and help them find the most efficient ways to pay for the big day.

After nearly 30 years in the business, Robert Sutherland considers himself a survivor who has seen firsthand how quickly economic conditions and health issues can change daily life. Tammy. In recent months, finally, he has seen his construction work rebound.

Numbers go up and down, and weather always affects business, but boating and fishing lure vacationers even in a recession.

Finding work right out of law school can be a challenge even in good economic times. But in a time of retrenchment, recent law school grads also are facing a double-whammy from other employers who fear they're overqualified for non-lawyer jobs.