Business and Economic News

Minnesota firms think they're doing OK on diversity; the data say no
A recent state survey found most Minnesota employers believe they have workforces that reflect the diversity of their customers and communities. But employment statistics show they're often fooling themselves.
U.S. company turned blind eye to wild behavior on Iraq base
More than 150 documents obtained by AP, as well as interviews with more than a half-dozen former or current Sallyport employees, show how a contractor ran amok after being hired for lucrative and essential combat support operations.
Edina raises age to buy tobacco to 21
It's the first such law in Minnesota. Cities elsewhere in the U.S. have similar policies.
A guide to Ivanka Trump's manual for 'Women Who Work'
Trump's new book is billed as a resource for women trying to reach their dream professional lives, but it is fairly short and nonspecific about how to get there.
Feds OK Cirrus Aircraft plan to build 'Vision' jet in Duluth
Cirrus is banking its future on the Vision jet, the first single-engine, personal jet to hit the market. The FAA OK'd production without requiring the agency to inspect and certify each plane.
Xcel, Benson agree on plan to mitigate power plant closure
The power plant in Benson has been burning turkey litter since 2007 and selling the electricity to Xcel, but the utility says the plant isn't cost effective.
In his hew book, "The Great Questions of Tomorrow", Foreign Policy editor David Rothkopf says we need to learn from the opportunities -- and mistakes -- of civilizations throughout history.
Members of Congress are annoyed by air travel, too
At a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on airline customer service, representatives expressed their personal frustrations with the vagaries of flying on U.S. airlines.
Eighty-five workers will lose their jobs when New Jersey-based Newell Brands closes its Diamond match factory in northeastern Minnesota in the next six months.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that only 1.7 days were suitable for fieldwork last week. That marked five straight weeks with fewer than three days suitable for fieldwork.