A healthy number. The AP reports (via MPR): “Minnesota’s state-run health insurance exchange has achieved a record number of sign-ups in its sixth open enrollment period. … MNsure says 123,732 Minnesotans signed up for private health coverage before open enrollment ended Sunday. That’s nearly 400 more than the record set in the previous open enrollment period.”
Going steady. KSTP’s Rebecca Omastiak reports: “Minnesota’s unemployment rate has held steady for the past four months at 2.8 percent, a new report indicated Thursday. … According to the report the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) released, the state gained about 500 jobs in December, on a seasonally-adjusted basis. … The state’s 2.8 percent unemployment rate remains the lowest since May 1999.”
Doesn’t sound good. The Star Tribune’s Neal St. Anthony, Andy Mannix and David Chanen report: “Thor Cos., the Minneapolis-based construction firm that is the state’s largest minority-owned company, has run into financial trouble just months after it celebrated its move into a new North Side headquarters partly funded by Hennepin County. … Target Corp., which long has used Thor on store projects and holds a lease on Thor’s office space, has provided millions in assistance to pay subcontractors of Thor and forgiven nearly $300,000 in unpaid rent. On Tuesday, Hennepin County commissioners learned that liens had been placed on the Thor building.”
Details. The Duluth News Tribune’s Peter Passi writes: “Duluth is looking to hire a compliance officer to oversee a new highly debated employment policy that’s slated to take effect on Jan. 1, 2020, despite continued misgivings in parts of the local business community. … On Monday, the Duluth City Council authorized the creation of the new position, and City Clerk Chelsea Helmer said she hopes to bring someone aboard by April — providing nine months of lead time before Duluth’s new earned-sick-and-safe-time rules kick in.”
In other news …
Sounds expensive: “U of M is testing ‘smart’ pills to give cancer patients a nudge” [Star Tribune]
Not good: “Lawsuit claims supervisors did nothing when Minneapolis K-9 officer complained of harassment” [Star Tribune]
This all started in Minnesota: “Before Harts Plunged Off a Cliff, Strain Dogged Family” [New York Times]
Follow-up on this story: “Gov. mansion gate-smasher ruled incompetent to stand trial” [MPR]
Should come in handy during contentious debates: “In roller derby circles, the new West St. Paul council member is aka Diamond Rough” [Pioneer Press]
Good news about more Minnesotans having health care despite Trump efforts to block access.