Brooks Johnson
Business Reporter
Food and manufacturingRaised in Fargo and educated at the University of Montana, Johnson worked at newspapers in Idaho, Washington and Duluth before joining the Minnesota Star Tribune at its relaunched Duluth bureau in 2019. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and their young sons.
Latest from Brooks Johnson
Man dead, boy hospitalized after stabbing in St. Anthony
Police later arrested a suspect in Duluth.
January 11, 2026
Two die in Rochester house fire
Both adult victims were found dead at the scene.
January 11, 2026
Minneapolis Public Schools cancels classes, activities for Thursday and Friday
The district told parents and staff it is closing “due to safety concerns” following Wednesday’s ICE shooting.
January 8, 2026
As Minnesota bioeconomy matures, former Cargill exec now leads a pioneer
Amyris, which genetically modifies yeast to create specific molecules, is a window into the fast-growing world of precision fermentation.
January 5, 2026
Minnesota hospital guard suffered fatal blows while allegedly pinned down by patient on Christmas
Andrea Merrell, 43, died two days later from injuries suffered at the hospital in Wyoming, Minn.
December 30, 2025
Snoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ singers headline Vikings Christmas halftime show
The Vikings host the Lions at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, which will stream on Netflix.
December 20, 2025
St. Paul man arrested in Canada after allegedly killing woman, dropping their 5 kids at grandma’s
Wesley Koboi crossed into Canada on foot and booked a flight for Mexico, according to charges.
December 17, 2025
Two killed in separate shootings in Minneapolis
The homicides happened within a half hour of each other in different parts of the city Wednesday night. Hours later, an officer fired his service weapon while responding to a person with a gun; no one was injured.
December 11, 2025
Word of 2026 for Minnesota agribusiness CHS: ‘Efficiency’
Low commodity prices are likely to loom amid a global grain glut and trade reshuffling, which will continue to dent the Inver Grove Heights-based co-operative’s bottom line.
December 8, 2025
Hormel leaning on cost cuts, price hikes to boost profits next year
The Spam-maker has experienced a string of tough years, including 2025, but analysts predict a stronger year to come.
December 4, 2025
![Hormel headquarters in Austin, MN. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Friday September 11, 2015 Despite woes throughout the food industry, partly due to consumers turning away some from processed foods, Hormel has managed to continue prospering -- even though a good part of its business -- Spam, chili -- is about as processed as you can get. But the company's turkey and pork offerings are riding a hot protein trend. And over the past two years, it's made some of the biggest acquisitions in](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/527MWWMEXAN6BDVVGMMGBOERGU.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
‘Forage of the future’: Minnesota’s StableFeed makes horse- and eco-friendly hay
Sainfoin has health and environmental benefits that have caught on quickly in the equestrian world.
November 25, 2025
General Mills CEO keeps a steady hand in turbulent time for Big Food
Eight years in, Jeff Harmening has learned to hold firm to the basics while embracing change at the Golden Valley-based company known for cereal.
November 10, 2025
