Recent content from Brooks Johnson
Texas attorney general sues 3M, DuPont for 'falsely advertising' PFAS as safe
The state accuses the companies behind Scotchgard and Teflon of violating the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
General Mills trading profits for price cuts to win back customers
The cereal maker is going big on promotions in the year ahead.
Retailers like Best Buy, Target offer last-minute shoppers a Santa's little helper: AI
Target, Best Buy and others offer digital tools to make finding and receiving gifts easier.
Dietary guidelines committee punts on ultra-processed food, a win for General Mills
Federal nutrition guidelines unlikely to address what critics call "irresistible" food many studies have linked to obesity.
Minnesota Star Tribune editor Suki Dardarian announces retirement
Her 43-year career in journalism is defined by award-winning coverage and steadfast leadership during times of dramatic change.
MyPillow and Mike Lindell sue another lender, claiming $1.2M loan was a 'sham'
He alleges a New York cash advance company charged an "illegal, usurious" interest rate of 409%.
Bird flu claims 12% of egg supply at Hopkins-based Michael Foods, parent company Post
An outbreak in Iowa affected more than 4 million birds.
Minnesota-based CHS steering through uncertain times for global agriculture
Low prices are pushing ag into a down cycle just as tariffs threaten to further complicate trade.
Solventum, Minnesota's newest public company, laying off employees
The 3M health care spinoff has not disclosed how many of its 22,000 employees are affected.
![Hormel headquarters in Austin, MN. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Friday September 11, 2015 Despite woes throughout the food industry, partly](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/527MWWMEXAN6BDVVGMMGBOERGU.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Hormel heralds progress on turnaround plan
The Minnesota company is in the middle of a plan to "transform and modernize" the company, cutting costs and investing in the business.
Minnetonka-based Cargill to lay off about 8,000 people, 5% of global workforce
The cuts, including 475 headquarters jobs, come amid a corporate restructuring in response to falling sales and profits.
Target tops retail competitors on Black Friday as in-store shopping surges
Malls also see improved foot traffic, while Best Buy sees sharp decline.
Western Minnesota ag co-op OKs $225M deal to merge with CHS
CHS, a Fortune 500 company, upped its bid after a competing offer from North Dakota-based Arthur Cos.
The yellow trucks are now retired, but Schwan's Home Delivery is part of many a Minnesotan's childhood memories
After 72 years in business, the frozen food delivery company now known as Yelloh closed. We asked readers to tell us their stories.
After a year in the job, Cub CEO says relevance is everything in the fast-changing grocery world
"You have to earn that loyalty," Andre Persaud said.
Best Buy says Trump tariffs will increase prices at a difficult time for the retailer
Proposed tariffs could add to recent troubles as the Richfield-based retailer missed profit expectations for the first time in two years.
Minnesotans are watching budgets for holiday feasts, but the parties will go on
Retailers like Target and Walmart are cutting prices to the bone and offering package deals as more gatherings are expected this year.
How to shop Black Friday like a pro (and score Target's Taylor Swift merch)
Even as sales expand across November and December, there are bona fide deals awaiting early risers who brave the chill the day after Thanksgiving.
Minnesota turkeys head back to D.C. for pre-Thanksgiving presidential pardon
Peach and Blossom are scheduled to be pardoned Monday by President Joe Biden. It is the second year in a row that the nation's leading turkey-producing state will send birds to the White House.
Conagra will pay $142K in restitution to seasonal workers at Waseca frozen vegetable plant
The Birds Eye plant recruited workers without providing all the job details Minnesota law requires.
Target's stock plunges as customers rein in their spending
The Minneapolis-based retailer lowered its profit outlook for the rest of the year as consumers remain frugal.
CHS raises offer for Minnesota ag firm to $225M ahead of member vote
West Central's board considered a competing $250 million offer from Arthur Cos. but said 'CHS is the right fit for us.'
More food companies are getting snatched up, and they all have something in common
Steve Young, managing partner at Manna Tree, explains what is driving the fierce M&A activity in the food industry right now and how Minnesota is part of it.
Retailers face a 'Wicked' quick turnaround between Thanksgiving, Christmas
With a tighter window between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the ramp-up to Black Friday is steeper than ever this year.
With pet food, Lakeville's Post Consumer Brands now a $4B company
The cereal maker's 2023 acquisition of Kibbles 'n Bits, Nutrish and other brands is paying off.
General Mills to spend $1.4B to buy more pet food brands
Blue Buffalo owner is adding Tiki Pets, other brands to boost cat food and pet treat business.
Minnesota firm sues Logan Paul's Prime brand for trademark infringement
X Hydration says the Prime X Hydration drinks are causing "consumer confusion."
Molson Coors closing historic Leinenkugel's brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Brewing operations at the Wisconsin landmark are moving to an upgraded plant in Milwaukee.
CHS facing competition for its $200M offer to buy West Central cooperative
Minnesota-based CHS also reported a $1.1 billion annual profit Wednesday.
General Mills' $1.2B bet on pet treats falls victim to poor timing
Several brands given lower valuation amid slow sales.
Farming is more high-tech than ever. Just ask Land O'Lakes' chief technology officer.
Chief Technology Officer Teddy Bekele is leading a digital transformation at the Minnesota-based cooperative.
Cub grocery now accepting SNAP for online orders
The supermarket joins a host of other retailers approved to accept the food assistance payments for online orders.
State subsidy keeps 3M spinoff Solventum in Minnesota
The state approved a request for up to $13 million in assistance for the $209 million headquarters project at a former Blue Cross building in Eagan.
Have a question about starting a food business in Minnesota? Ask AVA.
State agency has paired its food and ag resources with an AI tool to help entrepreneurs and producers.
More than 1.4 million chickens stranded by closure of Pure Prairie Poultry plant euthanized
Several hundred thousand birds in Minnesota and Wisconsin were able to find new homes after the bankrupt poultry company stopped delivering feed.
MyPillow and CEO Mike Lindell say they resorted to $600K in loan shark-like financing as judgments mounted
Now, the company and Lindell himself are suing several merchant cash advance companies.
![Frozen Jennie-O turkeys photographed at a Cub Foods store in St. Paul, Minn., on Monday, November 15, 2021. ] Elizabeth Flores • liz.flores@startri](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/U74OMTK3OMVA7SBJ2BTZ5SF4D4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Target, Walmart lower prices this year with competing Thanksgiving meal deals
The announcement continues the price war between the two mega-retailers.
Hormel sells pioneering business that makes specialized food for people with medical conditions
Hormel Health Labs is being sold to California company as parent company looks to refocus around core categories.
Delta Air Lines says it needs more time to ditch toxic PFAS firefighting foam at MSP
Minnesota lawmakers gave maintenance hangars, including Delta's, a reprieve as Sun Country, MSP make progress toward PFAS-free firefighting foam.
'Momentum in the water' as 3M profits top expectations
The company raised its outlook for the rest of year on Tuesday.
In the Target vs. Walmart price war, consumers keep winning
Minneapolis-based Target announced another 2,000 price cuts on Tuesday, as the holiday retail season heats up.
3M dials back remote work policy
Senior directors need to be back three days a week in November. Other employees encouraged to also work from Maplewood HQ those days, CEO said in letter.
The Twins cost how much? Why sports team valuations have exploded
The value of the Twins has grown exponentially in 40 years. The price of the Wolves nearly doubled in three years. The increases have put club ownership out of reach for even 'minor billionaires.'
Best Buy hoping supersize TVs will get more holiday shoppers to splurge on electronics
XXL TVs are surging in popularity, and the Richfield-based retailer has doubled its selection of TVs 97 inches and bigger.
If it stays in Minnesota, Solventum plans $209M overhaul of Eagan Blue Cross campus
The 3M health care spinoff is asking for $13 million in state assistance as it decides where to put its permanent campus.
General Mills' marketing boss on reaching consumers in an era of advertising overload
The company's fortunes may rest on its increasing ad spending, but Doug Martin isn't breaking a sweat.
Spam is a Minnesota-born meat that's become an essential Asian ingredient
The brand of canned meat has long had a place in Asian and Pacific Island cuisine, from Spam musubi to army stew, and now Hormel is bringing those flavors to the U.S. with products like Korean barbecue- and gochujang-flavored Spam.
Beats by 3M? Latest noise-cancelling headset boasts solar charging, improved audio
The Maplewood company's new WorkTunes release marks the first solar-charging headset on the consumer market.
![GLEN STUBBE ¥ gstubbe@startribune.com --ÊThursday, November 4, 2010 -- Minneapolis, MN -- L to R are ] The Pohlad brothers, Jim, Bob and Bil](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/H6MR4CEAJZNPKMBMZWUBHJOMWY.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Who are the Pohlads, the family selling the Minnesota Twins?
Carl Pohlad paid $44 million for the team in 1984 after earning a fortune in banking, soda bottling and car sales.
Minnesota moves to cull or process hundreds of thousands of chickens at struggling farms
Pure Prairie Poultry, a Nicollet County-based chicken company, had tried to file for bankruptcy last month.
Land O'Lakes brings 'farmcore' fashion to the runway in Paris (Wisconsin)
The Minnesota-based cooperative's ad campaign aims to connect consumers to its farmer-owners through joining the farmcore social media trend.
McDonald's sues Cargill, other beef suppliers for alleged price-fixing
The fast food giant says the Big Four beef companies broke antitrust law and artificially raised prices.
Extra Minneapolis police patrols planned for synagogues after Temple Israel gets threats
The caution comes amid the Jewish High Holy Days and the impending anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
3M sets ambitious greenhouse gas goals
The Minnesota company set its first validated target for Scope 3 emissions and reported progress in its internal goals.
![Steve Carlson, with Carlson Farms, harvest soy beans in his combine on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017 in Welch, Minn. ] AARON LAVINSKY ï aaron.lavinsky@s](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/3D7HLP7MPW45WZJOMND4AQN3V4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
If a trade war comes, U.S. agriculture might be 'on the losing side'
A new analysis from NDSU researchers warned retaliatory tariffs could wipe out billions in farm exports if the U.S. puts new tariffs on imports.
Minnesota company replicated Keurig's K-cups, alleges former customer stole its coffee pod tech
Microtrace is suing TreeHouse Foods for breach of contract for allegedly using its trade secrets to make Keurig-compatible coffee pods.
Comedian Charlie Berens on Wisconsin-based Kwik Trip: 'Yes, I will see you next time.'
The viral sketch producer and stand-up comedian shares what he thinks makes his home state's famed gas station and convenience store chain so popular in the Midwest.
How Kwik Trip created a cult-like following in the Midwest
The Wisconsin-based regional gas station chain has become a cultural icon in the area thanks to its focus on affordable prices, crave-worthy food and kind workers.
3M health care spinoff Solventum seeking state help to keep HQ in Minnesota
A move to Eagan would keep the new Fortune 500 company in Minnesota but separate from its current home in 3M's Maplewood campus.
Cargill's consumer TrendTracker reveals 'battle between reward and guilt'
Cargill research shows consumers make calculations on how many healthy choices give "permission to indulge."
Former Schwan's delivery service, Yelloh, shutting down after 72 years as a Minnesota business
The food delivery business with the iconic yellow trucks "has regrettably run its life cycle," says one board member. The Schwan's name lives on in frozen foods after a South Korean company bought that part of the business in 2019.
Northeast Minneapolis' Fair State Brewing exits bankruptcy, eyes 'fresh start'
Upgrades are in the works after the Minnesota brewery found a path through its debt.
Organic Valley turning pasture into green 'buzz-worthy' billboard on Minnesota farm
Cows feeding around fences are being used to spell out ad visible from miles up on farm outside Elko New Market.
Minneapolis-based commercial bakery acquired in deal that could be worth $2.5 billion
Rise Baking Co. grew rapidly through acquisitions after it was founded in 2013.
After ditching Yoplait, General Mills on the hunt for an acquisition
The Minnesota food giant wants to spend up to $2 billion for a "bolt-on" addition as it announces quarterly profits dropped 14%.
Two Minnesota companies team up to create Cinnamon Toast Crunch bacon
General Mills and Hormel embarked on an uncommon partnership with a sweet-and-savory goal in mind: to meld a top-selling breakfast cereal with a signature bacon brand.
CHS returning $600 million to cooperative owners
The cash payments and equity redemption will be the third-highest patronage payouts on record for the Minnesota-based co-op.
Feds sue FedEx, alleging injured workers were illegally denied accommodations
A Minnesota woman initially brought the claim after being denied "reasonable accommodations" following an injury.
Cargill settles wage-fixing suit for $30M
The Minnesota-based meat giant joins several other companies settling claims of collusion.
In 'response to all the censorship,' Mike Lindell takes public his FrankSpeech streaming platform
The founder of Chanhassen-based MyPillow dreams of landing the broadcast network and its social media counterpart, FrankSocial, on a major stock exchange.
How did Old Dutch potato chips get started in St. Paul?
The company with the twin pack box created 'one of Minnesota's most beloved snack products.'
Cargill expands national footprint, buying animal feed mills in Denver and Kansas City
The acquisition gives the Minnesota-based agribusiness a better foothold in central and western states.
Planters nuts recall dims Hormel's outlook
Planters disruption, low turkey prices and pockets of weak demand are dragging the Minnesota company's sales.
Fraught plastic film recycling plant in Rogers reopening with new ownership
GDB International is taking the helm after MyPlas built the $30 million plant that quickly went under despite backing from companies like General Mills and Schwan's.
BioMADE still on hunt for $200M biomanufacturing campus in Minnesota
A year after the state Legislature awarded money to the nonprofit for a pilot plant, the search, and research, continues.
