Employment

Child care providers, local officials and families discussed the high costs of child care and the low wages of child care workers during the Bemidji Affordability Forum on Dec. 3, 2025.

Two lawsuits filed Nov. 14, 2025, against PotlatchDeltic and a Bemidji supervisor come after the Forest Stewardship Council terminated the certification for all the company's mills.

Plus: The Minnesota Department of Human Rights announced it secured two settlements against northern Minnesota employers for sex discrimination; and the US Small Business Administration is operating a disaster loan outreach center through Oct. 18 in Bemidji for those impacted by the June 21 severe storms.

The Department of Human Rights announced settlements over "blatant workplace sex discrimination" with Lakes Concrete Plus in Bemidji and Key Lime Air in Thief River Falls.

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, most MN workers can apply for up to 12 weeks of medical leave, or 12 weeks of family leave. A payroll tax evenly split between the employer and employee.

About 235 employees will be laid off as a result, starting Sept. 25, 2025, and Super One will offer employees an opportunity to interview for positions, according to DEED.

Some areas of Minnesota are seeing lower job vacancy rates, but the latest numbers indicate rural regions have their work cut out for them in attracting workers.

New degrees in arboriculture, addiction studies, mental health services, social work and water operations prepare students for careers in high-demand fields, the college said.

A bill would make workers involved in a walkout of at least one week eligible for jobless benefits. Backers of the plan point to major gaps between corporate profits and workers' pay.

Contributor Susie Loeffler recently shared her thoughts on the state of teacher contract negotiations in Independent School District No. 317.