Business and Economic News

As Castle Danger halts growlers, petition support grows online
The Two Harbors, Minn., brewery surpassed the production threshold of 20,000 barrels in a year. But as the business ends selling glass growlers for customers, a petition created by a state Senate Republican is gaining support.
Invasive Palmer amaranth discovered in Houston County
First discovered in Lyon and Yellow Medicine counties in 2016, the invasive weed has now been found in eight counties statewide.
Independent rural hospital struggles on — like many
Some of the most profound health care challenges are playing out in rural parts of the country with dwindling populations that are older and sicker than urban residents. One remote rural Minnesota hospital hobbles along, despite years of operating losses.
Weather woes continue as harvest nears for Minnesota farmers
After weeks of heavy rain and flooding, crops were planted late this spring — increasing the risk that corn will be killed by an early frost before it matures. And now muddy fields are delaying the soybean harvest.
Manure spill on Stearns County dairy farm contained
The above-ground storage tank contained about 350,000 gallons of liquid manure. Stearns County officials estimate about 20,000 gallons leaked into a lowland area.
Tariffs leave Minn.’s nation-leading kidney bean crop in limbo
Minnesota farmers lead the nation in the production of red kidney beans. Dry beans are a profitable crop, but international trade disputes are cutting into the profits.
Census: Inequality grew, including in heartland states
The gap between the haves and have-nots in the United States grew last year to its highest level in more than 50 years of tracking income inequality, according to Census Bureau figures.
Tax time already? Experts urge withholding check to head off headaches
Some Minnesota taxpayers were caught off guard earlier this year because their withholding didn’t keep up with what they owed. Experts say there’s still time to avoid similar problems next year.
Juul stops advertising e-cigarettes, replaces CEO
The shake-up comes amid growing public furor over vaping that has triggered calls for tighter restrictions at the federal and state levels.
Al Franken to make return on weekly SiriusXM radio show
Al Franken, who resigned his U.S. Senate seat in 2017 amid sexual misconduct charges, will re-emerge into the public sphere on Saturday when he starts a new weekly radio show on the SiriusXM satellite service.