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
Plan ahead to make the end of a pet’s life comfortable and affordable
Emotional and financial considerations range from euthanasia timing, cremation decisions and how to best memorialize a furry friend.
July 13, 2025
The last bite: First it was cereal bacon, now it’s bacon cereal
General Mills and Hormel team up again; corn is indeed knee-high; and a high-fructose corn syrup mishap.
July 11, 2025
Strong spring planting, grain shipments buoy CHS profits in otherwise down quarter
The Inver Grove Heights-based cooperative expects continued difficulty in the global grain game.
July 9, 2025
3M ending ‘Work Your Way’ remote flexibility with four in-office days
The Maplewood-based industrial giant started calling senior leaders back to the office three days a week last fall. This new policy begins Sept. 1.
July 8, 2025
These Minnesota businesses support Trump’s big tax law
Trade associations and lobbying groups were the loudest voices as many individual businesses kept quiet on the controversial megabill. Maplewood-based 3M was one of the few to speak out individually.
July 8, 2025
Plant-based luminaries will headline Minneapolis food and ag event
The founders of Impossible Foods and Miyoko’s Creamery kick off Naturally Minnesota’s Food, Ag, Ideas Week this fall. Plus high beef prices and a UNFI cyberattack update in this week’s news roundup.
July 4, 2025
Knee-high by Fourth of July: What’s growing in Minnesota and why
There are almost 20 million acres of crops in the state, mostly producing corn, soybeans and sugar beets for a variety of uses, including food and fuel.
July 4, 2025
General Mills finalizes sale of U.S. yogurt business to Lactalis
The French dairy giant will now helm Yoplait, Go-Gurt, Mountain High as well as other brands and has opened a Minnetonka office for the Minnesota-based employees it acquired.
June 30, 2025
The last bite: More food companies say they’ll take out synthetic dyes
They cite “consumer trends,” but state laws provide an economic reason to make the switch.
June 27, 2025
Where Timberwolves owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez made their money
The duo, who bought the Timberwolves and Lynx, made their wealth via blockbuster deals and benefited from key partnerships.
June 26, 2025
General Mills’ profit falls 47% as weary shoppers continue to look for bargains
Sales for the Golden Valley-based company continued to slide as economic uncertainty continues to pressure consumer goods companies.
June 25, 2025
What to know about Marc Lore, Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod and Lore came from similar backgrounds, followed starkly different career paths, and met through a mutual friend five years ago.
June 24, 2025
