Recent content from Brooks Johnson
Record rally for 3M shares as profits soar under new CEO
A leaner 3M has sharpened its margins as restructuring pays off.
3M's role in the golf industry goes beyond the PGA Tour's 3M Open
The title sponsor of the event in Blaine this week is deeply embedded in the sport, from sandpaper to adhesives.
Costly, hard-to-find insurance keeping THC beverages off some Minnesota menus
Minnesota's pioneering approach to on-site THC consumption means insurers don't have a baseline to write policies around and thus are hesitant to offer coverage.
Food manufacturing plant in Fridley closing, laying off 170 workers
Family-owned Rich's, based in New York, acquired the plant from TreeHouse Foods in 2020.
Cargill lays off 200 tech workers globally amid digital refocusing
The cuts come as Cargill is opening a tech-focused office hub in Atlanta that plans to hire for 400 jobs.
CHS: Global trade winds continue shifting away from American farmers and cooperatives
Inver Grove Heights-based CHS warned Wednesday that exports face "strong competition."
3M president, finance chief resigns for job at ADM
President, finance chief at 3M resigns for job at ADM
New Africa-based leader for General Mills-backed nonprofit Partners in Food Solutions
As the new CEO, Mandla Nkomo sees major opportunities to help revolutionize Africa's food industry to address the continent's ongoing urbanization.
Minnesota-based Cargill, Target partner on cotton-tracing tech
FibreTrace is working with the ag giant and retailer to help answer consumer demand for traceability in fashion and make sure cotton items aren't the product of child or forced labor around the world.
Man shot dead outside Lakeville Amazon warehouse identified
Ahmed Ibrahim Cariif, 22, of Faribault died of a gunshot wound to the chest. Authorities have a suspect in custody and are investigating what led to the altercation.
Man killed in north Minneapolis shooting Friday night identified
The man was identified as Carl Maurice Woodard, 55, of Minneapolis. No arrests have been made.
GOP officials distance party from Hennepin County Board candidate Simonetti
The candidate from Edina, arrested earlier this month on assault charges, fired back at the party.
OptumRx pays $20M to settle federal opioid investigation
The company mailed "trinity" prescriptions that raised unresolved red flags, authorities say.
Firefighters sue 3M, other companies over PFAS in gear
The lawsuit in Connecticut seeks millions on behalf of firefighters across the state.
With Kelce brothers, Pete Davidson and the Pillsbury Doughboy, General Mills splurges on ads
The Golden Valley-based food company hopes a marketing blitz helps boost sagging sales.
Fired Mille Lacs executive who blew whistle on tribe's marijuana plans sues
Derek Dorr, who oversaw the tribe's federal contract business, alleges reprisal in a federal lawsuit and seeks potentially millions.
Arkansas sues Minnesota-based Optum over alleged role in opioid epidemic
The state accuses Optum and Express Scripts of "negotiating favorable deals with opioid manufacturers."
Minnesota's Smackin' sunflower seeds a hit in the dugout and beyond
Propelled by TikTok, the co-founders and former University of Minnesota roommates want to conquer the market.
UnitedHealth cyberattack compromised credit cards, health history
Individuals affected by the cyberattack, which could number more than 100 million, will start receiving notice in late July.
Cargill opening tech-focused office in Atlanta, hiring 400 people
The company aims to grow its digital operation.
Bushel Boy Farms in Owatonna to pay $200K in back wages, damages
The indoor greenhouse operation for growing tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries failed to pay overtime to 94 employees for two years.
Minneapolis plant-based food company Wicked Kitchen acquired as industry consolidates and slows
Plant-based sales declined last year for the first time since tracking started in 2017.
Schwan's planning massive Asian food plant and corporate office in Sioux Falls
The Minnesota company recently bought land for a $500 million plant first floated in 2021; it will hire up to 700 people.
More layoffs at Yelloh as former Schwan's delivery business contracts further
The company drastically reduced its service area last year and is ending delivery in parts of Minnesota and elsewhere.
First case of bird flu detected in Minnesota dairy cows
State officials are warning those who work closely with infected animals they are at risk of contracting the virus.
Black workers sue General Mills, alleging discrimination at Georgia plant
The employees allege a hostile culture run by white "Good Ole Boys" at the cereal factory.
Ultra-processed food is tasty and easy. Is it bad for you?
"People like food that tastes really good," General Mills CEO says, amid renewed criticism of processed foods.
New SunOpta leader keeping 'foot on the gas' at Eden Prairie food company
Brian Kocher became CEO of the plant-based milk maker in January.
Minnesota-based Schwan's Co. names new CEO
The food company promoted Brian Schiegg as successor to Dimitrios Smyrnios, who retired.
To make affordable green hydrogen a reality, 3M says 'bring us your problems'
The Maplewood-based company's research and materials are contributing to a fast-moving green energy sector spurred on by recent federal investments.
Have a say in how your 401(k) account is invested
Most accounts go into funds, which contain hundreds or thousands of individual securities. But with a little effort, you can have more control of where your savings go.
General Mills promises deforestation-free cereal by end of 2025
The Minnesota food maker joins Cargill and others in pledging to preserve forests in its supply chain.
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Hormel stock sinks as shoppers look for protein elsewhere
Declining retail sales of Jennie-O turkey and other meats overshadowed higher earnings guidance.
Millions more egg-laying hens lost to bird flu in Minnesota and Iowa
Hopkins-based Michael Foods reported it lost 14% of its egg capacity in the recent weeks of the outbreak.
Land O'Lakes unit plays matchmaker for climate-conscious food companies and farmers
As companies seek to reduce their carbon footprint, farmers hold the keys. That's where Minnesota-based Truterra comes in.
Wolves' playoff run brings welcome — and free — economic boost for downtown
Unlike the Super Bowl and Final Four of recent years, the tourism bump required no upfront investment from the city having to bid and prepare for a big sporting event.
Fast-food prices have skyrocketed. Here's a look at how much they've climbed.
If you're old enough to remember $5 footlongs from Subway, keep reading.
Post's billion-dollar pet food business sees shoppers flock to value brands
Lakeville-based Post Consumer Brands is putting more money behind brands like Rachael Ray Nutrish and 9 Lives a year after buying into the pet food business.
Why Minnesota millennials feel worse off than their parents
The specter of the 2008 recession continues to haunt many millennials, whose income started slow and might not catch up to their parents.
CHS poised to absorb large western Minnesota cooperative
West Central Ag Services has signed a non-binding letter of intent to join CHS.
Dunn Brothers Coffee wants to add 250 more locations from Minnesota to Texas
The Minnesota-based coffee shop chain currently has about 50 franchises, though one recently closed in Uptown.
3M cuts dividend, ending long reign as a Dividend King
Shareholders also voted down the company's executive compensation plan Tuesday, an early snag for new CEO Bill Brown.
Sundaes in Shanghai: Dairy Queen expands global empire
The Minnesota-based franchisor is seeing sales and profits steadily climb as its international ambition grows.
3M paying back nearly $1M in overpayments improperly deducted from employee paychecks
The company reached a settlement with the state Attorney General's Office to issue about 1,700 checks.
Cargill recalls 16,000 pounds of ground beef over E. coli risk
None of the affected products were sold in Minnesota, and no illnesses were reported.
Marijuana rescheduling will make pot businesses 'significantly more profitable'
Tax write-offs could save businesses millions and lead to lower prices for consumers.
Food companies keep pushing protein. How much do we actually need?
Protein is in high demand, and it is showing up in more packaged foods as a result.
A 'leaner' 3M emerges as CEO hands off company to new leader
After spinning off its health care division, 3M forecasts boosted profits this year but smaller dividend.
General Mills buys Belgian pet food brand Edgard & Cooper
The acquisition gives the company broad access to a $25 billion pet food market in Europe.
CHS and ag co-op Growmark decide not to merge
The two cooperatives began an "exploratory process" early this year.
Land O'Lakes delivers a profit for its dairy unit that, like the industry, has been strained
The Minnesota-based cooperative's animal nutrition business is "in transition," however.
Flexible schedules for manufacturing employees are paying off for Land O'Lakes
More manufacturers are chopping up and rotating shifts to attract and retain workers.
East Grand Forks sugar beet factory fined $350K for air quality violations
The American Crystal Sugar plant emitted high levels of particulate matter and hydrogen sulfide over several years.
Longtime downtown Fargo staple Zandbroz Variety closing in June
The iconic bookstore and gift shop helped rejuvenate the main shopping and entertainment district when it opened in 1991.
Minnesota marijuana sales could be delayed or in short supply if planting doesn't start soon
Growers need time to get cannabis planted, harvested, tested and processed — preferably before retailers open.
Hormel settles pork price-fixing suits for $11 million
The company will pay less than other major pork producers have to date to settle the antitrust cases.
Minnesota's struggling plastic film recycler facing eviction for $1.3 million in unpaid rent, bills
Myplas USA owes nearly $400,000 in back rent and faces an $895,000 lien for unpaid electrical work on the facility that was the first of its kind in the state.
Millennials: Is your financial reality not living up to expectations? Get in touch.
We're exploring income disparity and how it affects people's lives.
Where do MLB baseballs come from? Cargill cattle, of course
The Minnesota-based company supplies most of the Holstein hides that become the millions of prized pearls produced every year.
CHS earnings dinged by warm winter
The Minnesota-based ag co-op saw much-improved results in grain and oilseeds.
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There may be something worse than pee in your Cheerios, say lawsuits alleging pesticide contamination
Lawsuits in New York and California allege the Minnesota company's flagship cereal contains high levels of chlormequat.
Post calls conspiracy allegations about Snoop Dogg's cereal 'completely false'
The rapper's company, Broadus Foods, is suing the Minnesota cereal maker and Walmart after poor sales of Snoop Cereal.
3M gets final court approval for $12.5 billion 'forever chemicals' settlement
The deal with public water systems addresses PFAS contamination.
3M just got a lot smaller. How did it ever get so big?
The company grew to $35 billion in revenue by taking risks for more than a century, but it has to pay off some of its bad bets and shrink before it can grow again.
It's a tough time to be a food startup. How Minnesota brands hope to reach the next level.
Food is a fickle business. Who gets to win?
Kwik Trip discontinuing beloved bagged milk this spring
The La Crosse, Wis.-based convenience store chain said demand has dropped for the product it has produced for more than 40 years.
Kraft Heinz earns federal money to decarbonize its Velveeta plant in Minnesota
The New Ulm plant makes Velveeta, Kraft Deli Deluxe Singles and Cheez Whiz.
Judge evicting MyPillow from a Shakopee warehouse over unpaid rent
Landlord says Mike Lindell's Chaska-based pillow company has failed to pay more than $200,000 in rent the past two months.
Enough veterans sign onto 3M earplug settlement, assuring $6B deal
It will likely be months if not years before many claimants are paid.
Work-from-home working for you? Feel free to keep doing that, 3M says.
3M's "Work Your Way" policy still allows fully remote work for many even as other companies announce in-office mandates.
Prairie Island Indian Community opening cannabis dispensary this summer
The tribal-owned dispensary near Treasure Island Resort and Casino will be the closest pot retailer to the Twin Cities yet.
Sugar prices keep climbing. Minnesota bakeries are suing sugar companies over it.
Edina-based United Sugar and Minnetonka-based Cargill are among the defendants in federal antitrust lawsuits.
Baby goats in Minnesota infected with bird flu, concerning officials
It's the first time the virus has been found in a ruminant in the U.S., though officials say the risk to humans remains "extremely low."
General Mills' two-ingredient ad campaign for Pillsbury boosts relevance of veteran brand
The baking products have grown significantly in recent years as shoppers look for easy, cheap meals.
