Business & Economy

New energy-efficient structures are enabling homeowners and small farmers to grow veggies year-round. “There isn't a whole lot you can't grow,” says the founder of GroShed — even when it's 30 below zero, the days are short or the sun is weak.

Cattle rancher Tim Nolte's plan to expand his farm has gotten caught up in a yearslong debate over the effects of changing land use on the water of the Pineland Sands region, which covers four counties in north-central Minnesota.

The conflict over copper-nickel mining in northern Minnesota typically divides people into two camps: Those who think it can be done while also protecting the nearby wilderness — and those who think it can't. But for many who live near the proposed mines, the issue isn't always so black and white.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday asked the state Supreme Court to overturn a lower court decision that rejected some of the most important permits for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine.

Noncompete agreements are allowed in just about every industry in Minnesota — the only exception is for lawyers. Now some lawmakers want to change that, saying the contracts harm patients and worsen the provider shortage.

Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford makes a plea to address needs of rural America, to benefit us all.

The proposed merger "is not reasonably likely to substantially lessen competition" in the mobile wireless market, the judge said. The deal would unite the nation's third- and fourth-largest carriers.

Overall tax collections were 9 percent below expectations for the month. But Minnesota’s top budget officials said it’s no cause for concern because it has much to do with timing.

Four Chinese have been formally charged, though they are unlikely to ever face trial. The four are accused of breaking into the computer networks of the Equifax credit reporting agency and stealing the personal information of more than 145 million Americans.

As Minnesota farmers get older — their average age is now 58 — many are thinking about what's next for the family farm. A challenging ag economy in recent years makes passing the farm on to the next generation more difficult.