From Retailing Today, Gina Acosta, January 22, 2015   

"A big game bonanza is in store for retailers, with television viewership and entertainment related spending expected to hit record levels, according to a National Retail Federation survey.

According to NRF, average viewer spending will reach a survey high of $77.88, up from $68.27 last year, with fans planning to splurge on everything from game day food and new televisions to athletic wear and decorations. Total spending is expected to reach $14.3 billion.

"With renewed confidence in the economy and the outlook for 2015, consumers are looking forward to some good old-fashioned fun with their friends and family to celebrate the big game," said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. "Retailers will take full advantage of the expected traffic from avid fans by making sure they have adequately invested in d�cor, party food and accessories and other Super Bowl-related inventory."

Of the 75.8% planning to watch the game, nearly eight in 10 (79.3%) will purchase food and beverages, 10.8% will buy team apparel or accessories, and 8.8% will splurge on new televisions to watch the game at home. "More viewers than ever are planning to tune in on game day this year as these connected consumers reach to multiple channels to join in with other fans and follow their favorite national brands," said Prosper's Principal Analyst Pam Goodfellow. "Beyond the game, viewers will use this day to catch up with friends and family and treat themselves to their favorite game day treats."

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From CBS Minnesota, Pat Kessler, January 16, 2015  

"Minnesota is getting older and more ethnically diverse, especially in rural parts of the state, according to the findings of a new report that finds big changes ahead for rural Minnesota.

Since 1960, it's been an unstoppable population shift, and a new study from the Center for Rural Policy and Development shows a 50-year migration from rural Minnesota to the urban corridor stretching from St. Cloud through  the Twin Cities and Rochester.

"You're seeing fewer and fewer farmers," the Center's Brad Finstad said. "Farms are getting farther and farther apart."

The center found troubling numbers in 12 counties: 50 percent of the population is 65 and older. But there are hopeful signs as well. Seven rural counties show population gains from minority groups - Clearwater, Fillmore, Lyon, Mahnomen, Mower, Nobles, and St. Louis." 

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From Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Jim Hammerand, January 26, 2015

"Gov. Mark Dayton pitched $10.5 billion in transportation spending over the next decade financed in part by higher gas taxes and vehicle fees.

The plan would repair or replace 2,200 miles of roads and 330 bridges and invest in key economic freight routes, according to a news release. It would also fund 20 new transitways, boost metro-area bus service by 27 percent and expand service in outstate Minnesota.

A 6.5 percent gross receipts tax on gasoline would raise $4.4 billion over the next ten years. At today's prices, the tax would add about 16 cents per gallon." 

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From St. Cloud Times, Sam Louwagie, January 19, 2015  

"Several local retail stores have closed this winter, but area economists say there isn't much cause for concern. Kmart in Waite Park closed in December. Big Lots and Toys R Us announced they would be closing in the same month, with Toys R Us staying open until the end of January.

After the holiday season, several more stores followed: P.S. From Aeropostale, a children's clothing store, shut its doors in Crossroads Center on Jan. 13. Wet Seal, a teen clothing outlet, closed its store in Crossroads as part of the closure of more than 300 locations nationwide. New York & Company, Deb Shops and The Limited, all in Crossroads, announced this month that they would be going out of business as well.

"I think it's fair to say that this feels like a little more than usual," said King Banaian, economics professor at St. Cloud State University.

Banaian, however, said the closures were just part of an almost 15-year employment trend. In 2000, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 15,600 people in the St. Cloud area were working in retail trade. That number in 2013 was down to 13,000." 

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From KARE 11, Adrienne Broaddus, January 23, 2015    

"Thieves are zeroing in on electronics. Metro area police departments have identified an increase in burglaries of first floor apartments. A spokesperson with the St. Louis Park police says the department has received several reports of first floor apartment burglaries. The suspects are getting in through unlocked patio doors and windows.

A letter sent to residents at St. Louis Park Apartment says "In some instances the suspects is then barricading the apartment door by placing furniture in front of the door or by securing the security door chain or deadbolt to prevent the resident from entering."

Chuck Armstrong, who works for Pawn America, says criminals try to swap stolen electronics for cash. But they don't get far. Employees at Pawn America are required to check serial numbers and cross reference a police database containing stolen items. Armstrong fears the criminals targeting apartment buildings are selling those items online. "It is a big issue. I was in earlier this week meeting with organized retail crime. This organized theft is very big in the area," Armstrong said. "It allows an easy access for people to advertise and sell ill-gotten goods. Law enforcement doesn't have the resources to track all of it. They are trying." 

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