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WASHINGTON (AP) – A divided Supreme Court ruled Monday that businesses can prohibit their workers from banding together in disputes over pay and conditions in the workplace, a decision that affects an estimated 25 million non-unionized employees. With the court’s five conservative members in the majority, the justices held that individual employees can be forced to use arbitration, not the courts, to air complaints about wages and overtime. Four dissenting liberal justices said the decision will hit low-wage, vulnerable workers especially hard. While the complaints in Monday’s decision involved pay issues, the outcome also might extend to workplace discrimination and […]

Following the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, federal tax conformity is the top priority of an amended HF4385, the omnibus tax bill, sponsored by Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston), the committee chair.

HF1722, sponsored by Rep. Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud), would direct the Department of Transportation to enter into negotiations with BNSF Railway on extending the Northstar line from Big Lake to St. Cloud.

The message from those who testified was clear: The sooner federal tax conformity is achieved, the better.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – An iconic Minneapolis bar, torn down last year to make way for apartments, will soon be reborn, albeit in a much smaller form. Nye’s Polonaise Room in 2015 (credit: CBS) Nye’s Polonaise Room opened on East Hennepin Avenue in 1951. Tony and Rob Jacob purchased the bar in 1999. They announced in late 2014 that they were closing the beloved bar in order to build the M on Hennepin apartment building. Nye’s served it’s last drink in early April of 2016. Nye’s Piano Bar (credit: DLR Group) The Jacobs announced Friday that “Nye’s Piano Bar,” located in […]

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It’s gift giving season, and many of us are spending more than usual during this time of the year. But you can also save money if you play your cards right. Even with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday behind us, there are plenty of shopping deals to be had. In fact, some promotions don’t come into full swing until December. Nancy Ngo from the Pioneer Press Gets Us Movin’ on what to buy and when. TOYS Some of the hottest toys of the season will be at their lowest prices for the holiday season […]

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The state of Minnesota is suing Maplewood-based 3M for $5 billion, alleging its chemicals hurt both people and natural resources in Minnesota. In documents filed on Friday, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson alleges the company dumped potentially toxic perflourochemicals, commonly called PFCs, into sites in Woodbury, Oakdale and Cottage Grove for years. Those chemicals then seeped into water wells, increasing the rate of cancer and infertility across several Minnesota cities. Court documents also allege 3M concealed the potential harm of these chemicals from government regulators and the scientific community to protect its annual revenue. The state’s Commissioner […]

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Earlier this month, Target and Best Buy announced they’d be starting their Black Friday deals early this year. Other retailers like Wal-Mart and Amazon announced they’d also be holding some holiday sales throughout November. So, with sales seemingly happening all the time, when is the best time to shop? Good Question. ___ 2016 Shopping Days Saturday before Christmas: 156 million Cyber Monday: 122 million Black Friday: 102 million Source: National Retail Federation Last year, the busiest shopping day of the year was the Saturday before Thanksgiving, followed by Cyber Monday, then Black Friday. ___ Black Friday Appliances […]

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The owners of an all-natural frozen pop company based in south Minneapolis have been named to Forbes Magazine’s 30 under 20 list for 2018. The list highlights the top young entrepreneurs across the country, JonnyPops co-founders Erik Brust and Connor Wray made the list. Forbes Magazine says there are more than 15,000 nominations for 600 spots. The JonnyPops co-founders are also the lone entrepreneurs from Minnesota to make the list. The company offers popsicles featuring seven different flavors, using natural ingredients that are also certified Kosher, gluten-free and made in a nut-free facility.

SEATTLE (AP) – Memo to the many places vying for Amazon’s second headquarters: It ain’t all food trucks and free bananas. For years, much of downtown Seattle has been a maze of broken streets and caution-taped sidewalks. Dozens of enormous cranes tower overhead as double-length dump trucks hauling excavated dirt rumble past pedestrians and bicyclists. The crashing and clanging of construction is the city’s soundtrack on a perpetual loop. (credit: David Ryder/Getty Images) Housing prices have soared faster than anywhere else in America, driving some low- and even middle-income residents beyond city limits. Traffic is frequently unmentionable. And while Amazon […]