“After years of economic struggles and budget deficits, Duluth may be poised for a new era of prosperity. The city has announced several major industry investments in the area, the unemployment rate has dropped to 5.9 percent and the local economy is diversifying,” via MPR News.

Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images

Minnesota’s jobless rate held steady last month at 5.8 percent but employers cut 8,100 payroll positions in October, state officials said Thursday.  Job gains in September were bigger than first reported, via MPR News.