Business and Economic News

MPCA estimates greenhouse gas emissions for Winona Co. dairy farm expansion
After Minnesota’s appeals court revoked a controversial permit for a proposed dairy farm expansion in Winona County, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency released a draft permit and an additional environmental review that shows the project’s potential impacts to the climate.
Amtrak reverses course on $25,000 bill
The rail carrier Amtrak says passengers who use wheelchairs will no longer have to pay for the added cost of accommodating them.
Supreme Court upholds Minneapolis minimum wage
The Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld the city of Minneapolis' authority to impose a minimum wage that's higher than the state's. The ruling follows three years of legal fighting over the $15 minimum wage.
U.S. seeks to tighten rules covering service animals on planes
The days of passengers bringing rabbits, turtles and birds on planes as emotional-support animals could be ending. The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced plans to change the rules regarding service animals.
In court, environmental regulators accused of suppressing comments in PolyMet case
In the first day of what’s expected to be a five- to 10-day evidentiary hearing, a former EPA official said Minnesota officials asked the agency to withhold written comments that were critical of the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine. The MPCA says it followed the law.
Top ag banker: Optimism remains, despite tough times in farm country
One regional ag lender says he’s optimistic despite a weakening farm economy in the Upper Midwest. Some key economic factors are helping farmers survive a stretch of several years of low profits.
Chisago Co., Leech Lake, Rosemount among those getting latest broadband help
Thirty projects will share in about $23 million in state broadband aid. State law calls for all homes and businesses to have access to internet with speeds of 25 megabits per second for downloads and three megabits per second for uploads by 2022.
Airport officials consider joining move to $15 minimum wage
The ordinance would cover thousands of workers and bring the airport into line with similar measures in Minneapolis and St. Paul. But business owners tied to the airport are concerned about the costs.
State regulators’ handling of a PolyMet permit is under scrutiny — here’s why it matters
Minnesota awarded the PolyMet mining company the permits it needs to begin construction on what would become the state’s first copper-nickel mine. Since then, the project has been mired in court battles, over the permits themselves, and how the state issued them. Tuesday begins another chapter.
Amtrak to drop $25,000 ticket price for 2 wheelchair users after complaints
NPR reported on Friday that the ticket for a two-hour ride between Chicago and Bloomington-Normal, Ill., stations usually costs $16. Amtrak had based the higher price on adjustments to train cars.