Business and Economic News

Pentagon awards $10 billion contract to Microsoft over front-runner Amazon
The Pentagon awarded a $10 billion, 10-year contract to Microsoft over Amazon on Friday, ending a heavily scrutinized battle over which tech giant would largely manage the military's cloud computing services.
SW Minnesota historical society saving, sharing the stories of neighborhood grocery stores
The neighborhoods and towns may be different, but for many people across Minnesota there's a shared memory of mom-and-pop stores that were at the heart of their communities. (And in some cases, still are.)
Closing the farm gate: Struggling farmers take emotional step to forge new career paths
Even when times are tough, farmers have traditionally resisted the idea of giving up a profession that is rooted in family history. But a new program in southeastern Minnesota aims to make it easier for struggling farmers to make that decision and sharpen their skills for a new career.
White House moves to halt Times, Post subscriptions
President Trump has had it with The New York Times and The Washington Post. The White House is preparing to instruct federal agencies not to renew their subscriptions to the newspapers.
Mentors help hopefuls overcome biggest hurdle to getting into farming: Finding land
Finding land is a big barrier for those who want to get into any kind of farming, but a mentorship program pairing beginning farmers with farmland navigators is working to make things easier.
Crafted after recent California legislation, the bill would allow college athletes to earn compensation for their names, images and likenesses.
PolyMet opponents ask appeals court to overturn mine permits
The Minnesota Court of Appeals heard arguments on whether to overturn the state’s approval of the controversial PolyMet project, which would be the first copper-nickel mine in the state. It’s one of several legal challenges environmental groups and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa have filed to try to block the mine.