The former University of Minnesota graduate student who goes by Tay Zonday tries to explain the stresses on the economy with his new musical endeavor, 'Mama Economy'

The economy remains strong in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states because of the health of agricultural businesses there. The overall economic index on the new monthly Rural Mainstreet survey rose to 58.5 in May from April's already healthy 57.1. Any score above 50 on the index suggests growth in the months ahead.

A new report by BMO Capital Markets paints a picture of Minnesota's economy as slowly but surely recovering. The unemployment rate of less than six percent is helped by fresh hiring in the construction industry and an easing of job cuts among government employees. Housing is still considered a weak spot, but at least prices are recovering and there are signs that more building is on the horizon.

Minnesota’s ethanol industry generated more than $5 billion in total economic activity in 2011 and supported more than 12,600 jobs, according to a new report from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Alexandria Echo Press reports.

Trading services firm MF Global collapsed at the end of October after a disastrous bet on European debt. While few people in Minnesota did business directly with the broker, many of the state's farmers, co-ops and grain elevators are finding their accounts frozen and their money at risk.

A report released by the Minnesota Council on Foundations this week released its Giving in Minnesota finds that giving by individuals, foundations and corporate giving programs totaled $5.2 billion for the 2010 research year, up 2.6 percent over a study in 2009.