Recent content from Jim Spencer
What Minnesota would get out of the stimulus bill
The House Oversight Committee released a spreadsheet Friday showing that the COVID relief package will provide Minnesota with $4.722 billion. Of that amount, $2.597 billion…
Rep. Phillips' subcommittee debates minimum wage hike
Panel seeking input from small businesses on what effects a wage hike would have.
Intelligence lapses and military tactics drove Capitol attack
Senate hearing co-chaired by Amy Klobuchar exposed missed intelligence.
Coronavirus pandemic continues to drag Medtronic earnings
Third quarter earnings are down 10% over last year.
Klobuchar to lead hearing asking 'what went wrong' in Capitol attack
It's time to "figure out what went wrong" with security on Jan. 6.
Sens. Klobuchar, Smith say impeachment votes will go down in history, determine legacies
Acquittal won't be the last word on Trump and his supporters, they say.
Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith sit in judgment at Senate trial
As both jurors and witnesses to Jan. 6 riot, the state's senators say Trump deserves conviction.
At critical moment, Minnesotans play key roles under Biden
WASHINGTON – Minnesotans are poised to influence the policies and messages of President Joe Biden's administration as it confronts domestic political turbulence and uncertainty abroad,…
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, in new role, pushes overhaul of nation's antitrust laws
The new antitrust subcommittee chair says current standards favor big business.
Vaccinations must be Job 1 for Biden administration, Minnesota business leaders say
D.C. officials urged to work together to mitigate virus.
Rep. Stauber, some GOP colleagues call on Biden to dump Interior nomination
Minnesota congressman says New Mexico's Haaland should withdraw over mining stance.
An emotional Inauguration Day for Minnesotans in Congress
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar got the Biden inauguration going with a call to protect democracy.
Freshman Rep. Fischbach faces challenges as a loyal Trump ally
WASHINGTON – Michelle Fischbach's first major vote in Congress sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election.The newly elected Republican representing western Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District…
Nation's capital locks down ahead of Biden inauguration
The deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump has cast an ominous shadow over the ceremony, already scaled back because of COVID-19.
Best Buy suspends donations to congressional members who voted against certifying election
Other Minnesota companies examining policies in light of insurrection.
Lawmakers' sense of security shattered
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and her staff are old hands at dealing with threats of violence and death provoked by President Donald Trump's…
At battered Capitol, a shaky sense of calm the day after attack
Trump supporters still lingered around U.S. Capitol Thursday, but threat of violence was at bay.
'It didn't seem real, until it did,' says Star Tribune reporter at U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON – The first hint of trouble came less than an hour into the debate in the U.S. House chamber about certifying electoral votes from…
Star Tribune reporter in Washington witnessed U.S. Capitol scene
WASHINGTON – The first hint of trouble came less than an hour into the debate in the U.S. House chamber about certifying electoral votes from…
Courts may decide if Cargill, Nestle can be sued over child labor
U.S. Supreme Court justices may step into a clash over human rights and the reach of U.S. companies in foreign countries.
Minneapolis-based Verata Health bought for $120M
Olive, based in Columbus, Ohio, plans to use Verata's technology to streamline the prior-authorization process, officials said.
Minnesotans in Congress hope for $908 billion COVID relief deal
Klobuchar and Phillips working toward a bipartisan package.
Minnesota companies reach out to Biden transition team
As President-elect Joe Biden was making his first transition moves, Minnesota's Medical Alley trade group wrote him a letter."Today, I offer to you the talent,…
Medtronic CEO says hospitals able to handle elective surgeries even with COVID-19 surge
Its net income was down 64%, but sales have been rebounding this quarter.
C.H. Robinson warns U.S. companies could be missing chance at tariff refunds
C.H. Robinson warns of a year-end deadline to claim millions of dollars.
Mayo Clinic sued after former employee improperly accessed patient health records
Suit seeks class-action status for 1,600 patients, including 1,000 from Minnesota.
Minnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith staves off Jason Lewis, wins second term
Appointed nearly three years ago as Al Franken's successor in the U.S. Senate, Smith won her first full term from voters.
Medtronic to pay $9.2M fine on kickback charges regarding S.D. neurosurgeon
Company admits no liability in resolving allegations including Medicaid, Medicare violations.
Minnesota's biggest companies open their wallets to political candidates, and risk
Political giving is a two-edged sword as companies often lose control of where their cash goes.
Minnesota Sens. Klobuchar, Smith, join Democratic opposition on Supreme Court pick
Minnesota U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith joined their Democratic colleagues Monday in casting votes against Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump's nominee to…
Stanley Hubbard, one of Minnesota's biggest CEO donors, says moderation wins in end
When politicians get too close to the edges, they get voted out of office, Stanley Hubbard says.
Emmer: GOP's chances in U.S. House depend on Trump
Polls show that Republicans face setbacks in the U.S. House.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar keeps focus on election in Supreme Court battle
The Minnesota senator's confrontations with Judge Amy Coney Barrett won her moments in the national spotlight.
Klobuchar slams 'sham' hearing for Supreme Court pick in personal terms
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., recalled her husband's and her father's battles with COVID-19 on Monday as she implored Americans to be vocal…
Tariffs create mixed bag for U.S. farmers, builders
Some benefit, but others with no apparent ties are feeling the crunch.
Medtronic product removed from market in Australia, which is now investigating its use
Medtronic denies any wrongdoing in its marketing or sales of Infuse.
Ethanol waivers become central issue in presidential battle for Minnesota farm votes
The issues heated up this week with three days of President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
EPA rejects quota reductions in victory for corn farmers, ethanol producers
Agency denied Big Oil requests for 2011-18 that allowed lower biofuels production.
Medical device trade association says U.S. companies can meet COVID needs
The statement by the AdvaMed CEO came as the FDA published a list of items in short supply.
Medtronic's income down 44% in first quarter, but still better than expected
Suspended elective surgeries damaged performance, which was still better than expected.
3M gains another victory in efforts to thwart N95 price gouging, fraud
California joint case with Amazon results in judgment, injunction against several companies.
Minnesota joins suit to protect election mail
Suits allege new Postal Service policies could slow down delivery of ballots in November.
In battle over mail-in voting, the mail in Minnesota is running late
With plenty of examples of slow mail delivery in the Twin Cities, some customers feel as if they have become collateral damage.
Minnesota exports drop 17% because of the coronavirus
Industries such as communications equipment, agricultural and construction machinery hit hard in June due to virus, report says.
58 Minnesota firms with political connections received large PPP loans
State officials defended their participation in the program, noting they followed all of the rules and used the money as it was intended.
Checks aside, D.C. finds little to agree on for new stimulus plan
Minnesota delegation disagrees on size and scope of new aid, showing the scope of partisan fight taking place nationally.
Report finds short-term insurance policies touted by White House lacking
U.S. House report recounts dozens of cases of consumers denied coverage for medical conditions with policies pushed as alternative to ACA.
Minn. breweries, golf courses, law firms get $1M-plus in loan help
The forgivable loans from the federal Paycheck Protection Program can mean "the difference between a not-very-good year and a disastrous year," a brewery leader says.
It's hard to avoid backspin as Minnesota dance schools reopen during COVID-19
South Metro Dance Academy, like other person-to-person businesses, has been shattered by COVID-19
Panel of scientists recommends stronger guidelines on PFAS
Right now, only a few specific ones have been banned or limited in use.
Minnesota business groups oppose visa suspensions for foreign workers
President Trump's order called shortsighted, draws opposition.
St. Paul mayor asks Congress for sweeping police reforms
He is seeking broad national police accountability reforms, including standards that would outlaw chokeholds or neck restraints like the one that cost George Floyd his life at the hands of Minneapolis police.
Virus downturn leaves winners, losers among Minn. companies
Factors such as existing cash reserves and credit lines played a role, but so did luck. Companies generally responded quickly to pandemic-forced disruptions in the economy, but the costs of COVID-19 have not spread equally.
If Minnesota emergency order lifts Friday, flood of evictions, foreclosures will likely follow
State's protections could end Friday, fed order might follow.
With two new lawsuits, 3M has filed 14 claiming N95 fraud
Ohio company called "ringleader" in fraudulent sales in California.
Trump signs Dean Phillips-sponsored update of forgivable loans for small businesses
The Paycheck Protection Program was extended and payback terms altered.
U.S. House passes small-biz aid bill introduced by Minnesota's Dean Phillips
The legislation, which also must be passed by the Senate, would extend repayment deadlines and loosen some of the spending rules for the small business loans.
'Truly scurrilous behavior' by scammers increases as pandemic continues
An upending of social norms helps set the stage for a growing roster of unsavory pitches.
Medtronic's profit and sales fall sharply, as hospital procedures ramp down
The medical device maker saw its sales drop 25% in the February-April period.
UnitedHealth, HealthPartners offer employer guides to get employees back to workplaces
One an app, the other a bundled group of services, they are based on CDC guidelines.
Senate panel debates employer immunity from COVID-19 lawsuits
Congress is considering whether immunity should be granted for a limited time as businesses reopen.
Owner of Famous Dave's, Granite City chains gets $13 million federal loan
Famous Dave's, Granite City owner says firm needed access to capital.
3M files 5 more lawsuits claiming fraud in sales of N95 masks
The manufacturer says businesses tried to sell Florida officials nonexistent N95 masks. 3M said it will donate any damages recovered to COVID-19-related nonprofit organizations.
JBS reopens Worthington plant to kill pigs without processing them
Minnesota's biggest pork processing plant reopened for grim duty: killing pigs without turning them into food. The job will help farmers who are contending with barns that are full and crowded by new pigs being born every day.
Trump order compels meat processing plants to reopen
The rare move to use the Defense Production Act to compel plants to stay open comes as union leaders press for more testing of workers.
Small business loan recipients include not-so-small Minn. companies
At least four publicly traded companies, one with more than $100 million in sales, received forgivable loans.
Meat plant workers need greater protection from COVID-19, union says
Minnesota's congressional delegation has grown increasingly active in its call to protect workers in the pork, beef and poultry industries.
Dogged Minnesota wine importer finally landed vital federal help, but 'it is just a bridge'
PPP check is allowing Bourget Imports to keep paying its employees, but funds expire in June.
3M files suit against Florida company for price gouging
Company tried to sell N95 masks to a federal stockpile at inflated prices.
'Technical depression' upends big Minnesota companies
The COVID-19 pandemic has left many of the state's major corporate players reeling. Six of Minnesota's largest publicly traded companies have announced temporary reductions in operations. Four have furloughed large portions of their workforce. More have issued dire warnings to investors.
3M suit: Distributor tried to sell N95 masks to NYC for 600% above list price
New Jersey supplier allegedly claimed it was affiliated with company.
Minnesota companies borrow billions to pad cash flow
Companies are tapping revolving lines of credit to help secure cash flow during an increasingly volatile economy caused by the coronavirus pandemic. They also are tightening expenses, some by laying off or furloughing workers, others by putting off capital expenditures, all with the goal of conserving cash.
Medtronic, other med-tech firms fear parts shortage if Trump invokes wartime production law
Trump is under pressure to force companies to make ventilators for the U.S., but it's not so simple.
Minnesota faces chaotic global battle for more ventilators
Minnesota is scrambling against worldwide competition to line up the ventilators it needs to limit the death toll from a coming surge of patients critically ill with COVID-19.
Ecolab seeing sharp rise in sales of disinfectants that can neutralize coronavirus
Sales have risen 10-fold for some Ecolab disinfectants that neutralize the novel coronavirus causing a worldwide pandemic.St. Paul-based Ecolab already has 13 separate products
