Business and Economic News

Price of pork rises as pig virus spreads
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, or PEDv, has killed more than 7 million piglets in the past year, and the number of cases is on the rise. Many hog producers are worried about how to keep their farms immune from a disease that has no proven cure.
Bremer trustees paying themselves too much, watchdog says
The Washington, D.C.,-based National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy is asking the Minnesota attorney general to investigate the Otto Bremer Foundation after it fired its executive director.
Metro Transit: Green Line hits ridership goal
Metro Transit predicted that the new route connecting St. Paul to Minneapolis would draw 27,500 rides per weekday by 2015. Last week, the Green Line attracted slightly more than that
Twin Cities light rail foes hire lawyers ahead of key vote
Mayor Betsy Hodges has received at least two letters this week from lawyers representing groups based in the city's Kenwood neighborhood. One came from a condominium association concerned its buildings could be damaged by light rail construction. Another argues the Metropolitan Council is legally required to do an additional environmental review.
Medtronic, which started in a Minneapolis garage, struck a $43 billion deal earlier this month to buy Ireland-based health care company Covidien. The purchase gives Medtronic firm the option to become an Irish company.
Pilots alarmed by big jump in close calls with drones, FAA official says
Many of those close calls involve drone pilots flying while wearing goggles that let them see streaming video from the aircraft, but the goggles don't let pilots see where they are, said Williams.
The Associated Press obtained details on the shipments Tuesday under public records requests filed with state emergency officials. They offer the most detailed insights to date on the increasing volumes of crude being moved across North America by rail in the wake of a domestic shale oil boom.
A New Jersey law that's kept smart guns off shelves nationwide
A gun that fires only in the hands of its owner isn't science fiction anymore. A so-called smart gun is already on sale in Europe. But you won't find it on store shelves in this country -- in part because of an obscure New Jersey law that's had unintended consequences for the rest of the nation.