Recent content from Mike Hughlett
Regulators crack down on Minnesota community banks over fintech partnerships
B2 Bank in Mountain Iron and Choice Financial, which has Twin Cities branches, have both been hit with enforcement actions. Regulatory scrutiny of community banks' relationships with financial tech firms has increased.
Xcel to spend $11B more than planned to keep up with accelerating changes in energy system
The company says its five-year spending plan of $34 billion last year has jumped to $45 billion, and says customers won't see the full rate increase in bills because of federal tax credits.
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.'
After failing to rescue Iron Range mining projects, business owner sued for not paying legal bills
Tom Clarke, who unsucessfully tried to revive the Magnetation and Essar iron ore properties, didn't pay a nearly $300,000 legal tab, Minneapolis law firm claims.
Minnesota small-business owner falls victim to check theft, a surging problem
Thieves are increasingly stealing checks from the mail and then altering or counterfeiting them.
Wuollet Bakery and owner default on $1.3 million in loans, bank says
Byline Bank has sued Eric Shogren and Wuollet Bakery, which has closed three locations this year.
4 Minnesotans traveling with church group die in Utah chain-reaction crash
The four were killed in an accident that started when another vehicle pulled in front of a truck.
Threatening package to Minnesota Secretary of State's Office found to be non-hazardous
The package, which contained a white powder, led to an evacuation Friday of the office.
Four duck hunters rescued after boat capsizes near Alexandria
None of the boat's occupants, two adults and two juveniles, were wearing life jackets, officials said.
Hackers have stolen your personal information in a data breach. Now what?
A plague of data breaches, exposing Social Security numbers, drivers license information and much more, has left millions of consumers more vulnerable to identity theft.
General Mills to sell its North American yogurt business, including Yoplait, for $2.1 billion
The Minnesota-based food maker has been shopping the brand for a while amid slowing demand and high competition in the yogurt aisle.
Owners of ill-fated taconite plant in northern Minnesota score legal victory against Cleveland-Cliffs
A federal judge denied Cliffs' motion for summary judgment, paving the way for Mesabi Metallics antitrust claims to go trial.
![Cargill headquarters in Wayzata, Minn., on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. ] SHARI L. GROSS • shari.gross@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/2HTF3X7OVFH5NLVPP6IBI4C7KA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Ukraine government stops payments to Minnetonka-based Cargill on $700M debt
The country has taken several actions recently to deal with the financial damage of Russia's invasion.
Sale of Minnesota electrical business crumbles into tangled tale of alleged deceit
A bankruptcy judge concluded the buyer of Birchwood Electric stopped paying the company's former owners as he was diverting money from the company to himself and a real estate venture.
Worker fatality leads to largest safety fine in Minnesota for Rosemount trucking firm
The employee died in a tank at the firm's Virginia, Minn., facility.
Wedding photographers buying bankrupt historic Furber Farm venue in Cottage Grove for over $2.2M
Furber Farm filed bankruptcy in June two months after a sister wedding venue in Isanti shut down and left some customers in the lurch.
Minneapolis chamber faces $500K shortfall; CEO left after internal financial investigation
Jonathan Weinhagen's abrupt departure from the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce in June was precipitated by the special investigation.
CenterPoint's landmark $106 million clean energy plan approved by regulators
Minnesota's largest gas utility gets consent for a bevy of projects prompted by a new law aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions from gas companies.
Ukrainian fruit juice kingpin owes Cargill $124M judgment, but can't be found
A British court ruled that the juice maker must repay money borrowed from Cargill, but the agribusiness giant has yet to collect, despite court efforts in four countries.
Hacks at Twin Cities medical firms affect more than 1 million customers
Information exposed included Social Security and driver's license numbers.
Ship emergency on Lake Superior is latest safety mishap for Great Lakes freighter operator
The Michipicoten, now in Fraser Shipyards after cracking and taking on water, is just the most recent incident for Rand Logistics ships.
Rep. Angie Craig says Biden should halt re-election bid
Rep. Angie Craig, like President Joe Biden a Democrat, said he should make way for "a new generation of leaders."
Moondance Jam will issue refunds following cancellation of headline acts
The annual rock festival announced the cancellations earlier this week, but refunds were unclear.
After Isanti wedding venue closes, sister business in Cottage Grove in financial trouble
A company affiliated with Furber Farm filed bankruptcy two months after Circle B wedding hall abruptly closed, leaving couples without refunds for deposits.
Woman found seriously wounded at south Minneapolis homeless encampment
The woman was found in a nearby homeless encampment. There have been no arrests.
A Minnesota lottery winner invested on trust. Trouble followed.
Paul Rosenau claimed Principal Securities is liable for mismanagement of the $26 million he used to fund the foundation; an arbitrator ruled in his favor.
Coast Guard: Lake Superior freighter has 13-foot crack, but likely not from collision
Ship carrying taconite was originally thought to have hit something underwater. Now, the Coast Guard suspects a stress fracture.
Taconite freighter safely in port in Thunder Bay after underwater collision on Lake Superior
The Michipicoten, carrying iron ore, struck something southwest of Isle Royale, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. No one in the crew of 22 was injured.
Student expulsion suits against Providence Academy in Plymouth go to arbitration
Four families sued Providence last year alleging the school wrongly suspended their kids for alcohol use and perpetuated a false sexual assault rumor. The school says a sex video led to the expulsions.
Otter Tail case lays bare how Minnesota and N.D. look at renewable energy differently
In the end, Minnesota regulators approved Otter Tail's plan surrounding its energy source mix, including a coal plant in North Dakota.
Judge rules Xcel's negligence in costly coal plant accident merits refunds to customers
Minnesota regulators will make final refund decision; Xcel disputes the ruling.
Ex-Honeywell engineer's invention could power EVs. Could it be weaponized, too?
A whistleblower lawsuit lays out Minnesota worker Christopher Fuller's wireless power innovation and his dispute with Honeywell over his claims that it could be used for a superweapon.
Seneca Foods fined, faulted for major safety violation in Minnesota cannery worker's death
Hazardous conditions at Seneca's Montgomery plant led stacks of corn to collapse on a worker, state workplace safety regulators say.
Minn. printing patriarch hauls family back into court over broken truce
William Beddor and four of his children sued five of his other kids decades ago over control of printer Japs-Olson. The elder Beddor's camp now claims a 2004 settlement has been broken.
After ATF ruling, bottom falls out for St. Cloud firearms maker
Maxim Defense Industries' business is anchored in pistol braces, which federal regulators say often turn handguns into tightly controlled short-barreled rifles.
Immigrant workers sue Minnesota vegetable farm for shorted pay, 'deplorable' conditions
Workers claim Svihel Vegetable Farm violated federal human trafficking law; the farm calls the suit "baseless."
Minnesota AG sues Fridley dealership, alleging deceptive sales practices
Keith Ellison's office claims Midwest Car Search often targeted Spanish-speakers.
Former Lakewood Cemetery crematorium manager pleads guilty to theft for medical debris sales
The employee sold metals left over after cremations for his own profit.
A $735,000 payment to R.J. Ryan Construction vanishes in an apparent cybercrime
Ryan and a Stillwater escrow company are sued over a misdirected payment due on the construction of a commercial building in South St. Paul.
3M appoints outsider as new CEO at critical moment
Outgoing CEO Michael Roman will remain as board chair during the transition.
Fatal Minnesota work accidents prompt willful safety violations in recent years
Minnesota OSHA issued willful violations for seven fatal accidents since 2017.
A Wisconsin 3M factory worker died. Was the company indifferent to safety?
Federal workplace regulators hit 3M with rare 'willful' safety violations after a fatal 2023 accident at a plant in southwestern Wisconsin. The company is fighting the citations.
Former oil executive Michael Reger accuses Dorsey & Whitney of legal malpractice
Dorsey denies claim, says Reger failed to pay $600,000 in bills.
Report: Notorious ransomware group launched cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group
A group called "Blackcat" targeted a network for filling prescriptions that's operated by the company's Change Healthcare subsidiary, sources told Reuters.
Minnesota attorney general settles predatory lending case involving Montana tribe
Fort Belknap Indian Community companies will cease to make certain online loans in Minnesota under the settlement agreement.
Minnetonka-based US Internet's gaffe left personal email addresses exposed on webs
Thousand of emails were inadvertently publicly available, before an internet security firm spotted the flaw.
Snoop Dogg's company claims Lakeville-based Post Consumer Brands tanked its cereal line
Rappers Snoop and Master P claim Post and Walmart colluded to keep the cereal off shelves; the companies deny the claim.
Tribes accused of predatory lending; some may have been fleeced as well
Attorney General Keith Ellison's lawsuits against Montana tribe and others reveal how complicated tribal online lending operations are.
UnitedHealth lawsuit alleges former executives stole trade secrets to create rival firm
The suit pivots on a diabetes management tool initially developed by the two executives, who sold their company to United and then ended up at odds with the health care giant.
Minnesota student rejects court's $10M malpractice award, opts for new trial
Federal judge in Minneapolis sought to cut a milestone jury award from $110 million to $10 million, calling it "shockingly excessive."
Rochester charter schools serving Somali children declare bankruptcy, leaving future in doubt
Rochester STEM Academy and its counterpart Rochester Math and Science Academy began Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in early December.
Lakewood Cemetery alleged theft spotlights market for metal implants left after cremation
Prosecutors charged the former crematorium manager for selling artificial joints and other metal refuse. He says he sold what he considered trash.
Derek Chauvin survives attack in prison that raises security questions
The U.S. Department of Justice and its Federal Bureau of Prisons were mum on details about the attack against the former Minneapolis police officer, who's serving time for killing George Floyd.
Man dies after shooting on roadside in South St. Paul
Police responded to reports of gunshots Friday afternoon.
Andre 'Debonaire' McNeal, a music promoter and mentor to Black youth, dies
McNeal promoted comedy, R&B and gospel events, started the Doorstep Foundation mentoring nonprofit and hosted networking events for Black professionals.
Judge reduces largest-ever award in a Minnesota malpractice case from $110M to $10M
The defendant, the judge says, said the award for pain and suffering was excessive.
Twin Metals Minnesota appeals ruling on lease cancellation lawsuit
A District Court judge in September dismissed the lawsuit, saying it did not have jurisdiction to hear some of the arguments.
Ellison sues affiliates of Montana tribe, alleging predatory lending against Minnesota laws
The Minnesota Attorney General claims the lenders violated several state and federal laws with high-interest loans
Hydrogen hub in Minnesota and North Dakota wins nearly $1 billion in federal money
Xcel Energy will anchor a project that would produce hydrogen from renewable energy.
$700M Meta data center in Rosemount can move ahead after key approval
Utility regulators greenlighted agreements between Facebook's parent company and Xcel Energy.
Utilities plan power line project across Minnesota that could cost nearly $700M
The line, which would run from Big Stone City, S.D., to Becker, Minn., is the second major transmission proposal submitted to state utility regulators since August.
Minnesota utilities spending $130M to improve wind energy transmission
Congestion on transmission lines has led to a growing amount of time that wind farms are inactive.
Hackers exploited flaw in Eden Prairie firm's software in record year for ransomware attacks
Fortra software hack and that of a Massachusetts firm that struck the Minnesota Department of Education and UnitedHealthcare resulted in millions of compromised records.
Xcel Energy receives $70M federal grant for long-lasting grid battery in Becker
The grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will split between the project in Becker and one in Colorado, which are Xcel's largest markets.
Minnesota regulators vote to move forward the third large Xcel solar project in Becker
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the land acquisition and other details for the project.
Minnesota regulators stick with decision for smaller rate increase than Xcel wanted
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to reject Xcel's request to reconsider the rate case decision.
Another $20M in federal funds for northern Minnesota Talon nickel mine
The Talon project, backed by Rio Tinto, will need to match the Department of Defense grant.
Duluth's Cirrus Aircraft flies high with Chinese owner
With business booming, Cirrus has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong. Still, it would remain controlled by the Chinese state as tensions rise between the U.S. and China.
Delta, Xcel push for sustainable aviation fuel hub in Minnesota
A manufacturer is needed to make those dreams a reality.
State OKs storing more nuclear waste at Xcel's Monticello plant
The PUC's vote is a key step to extend the life of the nuclear plant.
From promising to endangered, Minneapolis-based Foxo Technologies teeters on the brink
The Minneapolis life insurance firm is hit by weak sales, the termination of its CEO and an SEC investigation.
Minnesota electric co-ops band together to secure $970M in federal clean power money
Great River Energy is leading a group of Minnesota co-ops in applying to the USDA for grants and loans to reduce carbon emissions.
North Dakota's oil industry had its best month in more than 2 years
The state's petroleum and natural gas output each climbed 3% in June.
With U.S. Steel on sales block, is a Minnesota iron ore shake-up ahead?
U.S. Steel rejected a buyout offer from Cliffs, but the Iron Range's only two taconite miners may yet combine. U.S. Steel then received a competing bid from Esmark.
![Voters take to the polls as the doors open at the Bloomington Civic Plaza in Bloomington, MN on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. ] Elizabeth Flores • liz.fl](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/MLW4ENYSLVFUHOVAZ6AJLAPDOI.jpg?w=600&h=600&auto=format%2Ccompress&cs=tinysrgb)