Bill Lukitsch

Reporter
Bill Lukitsch is a business reporter for the Star Tribune.

Latest from Bill Lukitsch

Business

Sun Country bolsters booming cargo business as passenger traffic eases

The Minneapolis-based airliner is adding eight planes to its cargo fleet as its partnership with Amazon grows.
February 4, 2025
Image of Sun Country jets on the tarmac at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport at the airline's maintenance facility.
Business

Sun Country, flight attendants reach tentative deal after five years of negotiations

Union employees for the Minneapolis-based airline had overwhelmingly moved to authorize a strike in August and previously voted down an earlier contract in 2023.
January 31, 2025
Sun Country flight attendants, who are in negotiations for a new contract, braved the cold weather and impending snowstorm for an informational picket Feb. 22 at MSP Terminal 2.
Business

AG says founder of Brooklyn Center food bank misused charity funds

Edmund Ocansey of West African Family and Community Services allegedly spent almost $42,000 on fast food, retail and car expenses.
January 30, 2025
Edmund Ocansey, fouder of the West African Family Community Services, holds a donated box of fufu, a West African staple food available on WAFCS food shelf. (Sarah Jarvis/Star Tribune)
Business

Property insurance rates in Minnesota climbing fast with no end in sight

“It’s a disaster, quite frankly,” a longtime agency owner said of the industry, which has suffered heavy losses in recent years.
January 29, 2025
Real Estate

AG shuts down Minneapolis landlord’s ‘sham’ nonprofit used to dodge sales taxes

In 2021, a Hennepin County judge fined Steven Meldahl $133,500 for ‘horrific’ conditions at his rental properties.
January 29, 2025
Steve Meldahl has dozens of properties across Minneapolis and is often facing fines and other entanglements with the city over resident complaints. But Meldahl says people often don't realize the state tenants leave his homes in after being evicted or moving out. This particular house was moved out of last week and despite the dirty mattress in the middle of the living room, it also has multiple piles of dog poop, visibly dirty diapers, and dirty clothes and other damage, and he can't fix anythi
Business

Gunjan Kedia selected to succeed Andy Cecere as CEO of U.S. Bancorp

Kedia, serving most recently as the Minneapolis-based company’s president, said she is “deeply honored” to lead the bank.
January 28, 2025
Business

As Minnesotans keep buying more EVs, new Trump order could slow demand

Electric vehicles accounted for about 6% of new cars sold in the state last year, according to the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association.
January 22, 2025
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Retail

St. Paul banker charged with goosing profits on Duck Donuts franchises, swindling buyer

Bremer Bank’s chief risk officer sold two stores and is alleged to have left the buyer $300,000 in the hole.
January 21, 2025
Real Estate

AG shuts down Minneapolis landlord’s ‘sham’ nonprofit used to dodge sales taxes

In 2021, a Hennepin County judge fined Steven Meldahl $133,500 for ‘horrific’ conditions at his rental properties.
January 29, 2025
Steve Meldahl has dozens of properties across Minneapolis and is often facing fines and other entanglements with the city over resident complaints. But Meldahl says people often don't realize the state tenants leave his homes in after being evicted or moving out. This particular house was moved out of last week and despite the dirty mattress in the middle of the living room, it also has multiple piles of dog poop, visibly dirty diapers, and dirty clothes and other damage, and he can't fix anythi
Business

Gunjan Kedia selected to succeed Andy Cecere as CEO of U.S. Bancorp

Kedia, serving most recently as the Minneapolis-based company’s president, said she is “deeply honored” to lead the bank.
January 28, 2025
Business

As Minnesotans keep buying more EVs, new Trump order could slow demand

Electric vehicles accounted for about 6% of new cars sold in the state last year, according to the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association.
January 22, 2025
573502281
Retail

St. Paul banker charged with goosing profits on Duck Donuts franchises, swindling buyer

Bremer Bank’s chief risk officer sold two stores and is alleged to have left the buyer $300,000 in the hole.
January 21, 2025