Business and Economic News

Big investments in stores and in tech pay off at Target
Same-store sales rose 6.5 percent, the greatest increase in 13 years. Traffic in stores rose 6.4 percent, the highest since 2008 when it first started releasing that measure.
Task force recommends ways to address critical shortage of affordable housing
An affordable housing task force appointed last year by Gov. Dayton is recommending broad changes in funding, technology and regulation to meet a statewide demand for affordable housing.
Trump emissions plan could dirty Minnesota's air, but energy transition continues
The Trump administration's plan to allow states to regulate their own carbon emissions isn't expected to have much of an effect on Minnesota's energy generation, because a transition away from coal was already in progress.
Minnesota man celebrates 50 years as dairy cattle judge
John Schroeder, the lifelong dairy farmer from rural Courtland got his start on the University of Minnesota judging team. He got his first invitation to be a professional judge soon after graduating in 1969.
Lake Superior commercial fishing operations report record numbers
Commercial fishing operations near the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior are reporting record numbers of whitefish and a strong recovery of lake trout since a decline in the early 2000s.
Trump administration says conserving oil is no longer an economic imperative for U.S.
Conserving oil is no longer an economic imperative for the U.S., the Trump administration declares in a major new policy statement that threatens to undermine decades of government campaigns for gas-thrifty cars and other conservation programs.
Miss America: Leadership bullied, manipulated, silenced me
The reigning Miss America says she has been bullied, manipulated and silenced by the pageant's current leadership, including Gretchen Carlson.
Austin-based Hormel Foods is selling its Nebraska pork processing plant in a deal that will leave it with a guaranteed supply of meat for Spam and other products.