GF Business News - knoxradio

Doug Barrett | Jan 5, 2019 AT 11:55 am

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U.S. employers dramatically stepped up their hiring in December, adding 312,000 jobs in an encouraging display of strength for an economy in the midst of a trade war, slowing global growth and a partial shutdown of the federal government. The Labor Department says the unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.9 percent.

A price-tracking service says the national average for gasoline will surge to about $3 a gallon by May before easing the rest of 2019. GasBuddy predicts prices will rise this spring as OPEC cuts oil production and the U.S. economy remains strong, generating demand for gasoline.

Apple sees further weakness in iPhone sales. CEO Tim Cook cited China as Apple's biggest weak spot, but also said that consumers weren't upgrading to the latest iPhones models as eagerly as anticipated.

Sales of new vehicles in the U.S. rose slightly in 2018, defying predictions and highlighting a strong economy. Automakers reported an increase of 0.3 percent over a year ago to 17.27 million vehicles.

The Marvin Companies has acquired the assets of SIW Windows & Doors and formed a new business venture, SIW Solutions. Headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, SIW is a leading manufacturer of impact-resistant windows and doors. SIW was founded in 2002 and has more than 170 employees. Marvin CEO Paul Marvin says “The addition of SIW to our family of brands will expand our coastal window and door capabilities and enable us to provide a broader array of design solutions to our customers.”

Developers of a controversial wind farm near Bismarck have asked planning commissioners to reconsider their recommendation to deny a permit for the project. Representatives from Pure New Energy USA say they weren't allowed to respond to comments from the public at a Dec. 5 hearing before the commission voted 5-3 against the Burleigh Emmons Wind Farm project.

Minnesota dentists are offering free dental care to children in need on February 1 and 2, 2019. The Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) has over 1,200 dental professionals volunteering at nearly 100 clinics across the state for Give Kids a Smile. Minnesota dentists have provided free care to more than 70,000 children and donated services valued at more than $19.7 million over the past 16 years.

North Dakota's Agriculture Department is maintaining a cutoff date for applications of the herbicide dicamba on soybeans that it put in place last year (June 30th). Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring also is advising applicators to be aware of updated federal rules. The weed killer has been blamed by farmers nationwide in recent years for drifting and damaging neighboring crops.

Shakopee artist Mark Thone won the 2020 turkey stamp contest. Judges selected the painting from among 12 submissions for the annual contest that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sponsors. The DNR will feature Thone’s painting on the 2020 turkey stamp. He also has won the Minnesota contest for the 2018 migratory waterfowl stamp.

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