A deeply divided Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision Monday deciding that certain for-profit companies cannot be required to pay for specific types of contraceptives for their employees. The decision has set-off frenzied debates over religious and reproductive rights, as well as ignited speculation as to the future reach of the law. While the majority,...

Residents and football fans in Minnesota may be surprised to hear that the federal Redskins ban may not be as groundbreaking as some people initially made it out to be. On June 18, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board effectively voided six federal trademark registrations, including that of the Washington Redskins since the team name...

The Wisconsin Legislature recently passed 2013 Wisconsin Act 208, which adds certain restrictions on the ability of employers, educational institutions, and landlords from requiring or obtaining access to social media and other personal accounts of their employees, prospective employees, students, and tenants. Under the terms of the new statute, employers may not request or require...

The Minnesota Cup is an annual competition that shines spotlights on business innovations in our state. As semifinalists were named yesterday, organizers also noted a surge in women participating in the competition. Approximately 34 percent of the entries this year were led by women and 45 percent of teams had at least one woman on...

For the first time ever, the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office has generated regional maps that show where business growth is happening in the state. The maps are just part of recently released reports on the state’s economic and business conditions. Brown County is part of the Southwest Minnesota region. The map dotted with new businesses shows...

They make the products that consumers and businesses use at home and in commerce. They’re Minnesota manufacturers and they helped build this country and helped make our state proud and prosperous. According to a recent survey, they are also increasingly optimistic that the future is bright for their firms. While the optimism is tempered by concerns about...

Farming is not just a business; it is a way of life. Historically, divorce rates for farmers and ranchers in the United States have been well below the average divorce rate for the total population. The reasons are many. Farm families are generally closer as a family unit than non-farm families. Farm couples generally have...