Kwik Trip Inc. is recalling some parfaits because they may contain undeclared traces of cashews or almonds. Kwik Trip said the convenience store chain is recalling Kitchen Cravings Strawberry and Mixed Berry Parfaits in an 8.25-ounce cup. The La Crosse-based company says consumers who are allergic to cashews or almonds may risk allergic reactions if they eat the product. Kwik Trip says it recalled the product after a chocolate-covered cashew or almond was discovered in granola mix from an outside supplier. Kwik Trip says it has removed the parfaits from its stores due to the undeclared allergen. No illnesses have been [...]

The number of farms filing for bankruptcy is increasing across the Upper Midwest. A new analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis shows 84 farms filed for bankruptcy in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana in the 12 months that ended in June. That's more than double the number over the same period in 2013 and 2014. The increase in Chapter 12 filings reflect low prices for corn, soybeans, milk, and beef. The situation has gotten worse for farmers since June because of the retaliatory tariffs that have closed the Chinese market for soybeans and held back exports [...]

A federal count of bribery has been added to charges against a former Minnesota superintendent accused of embezzling public funds. Prosecutors say Shakopee's former schools chief Rod Thompson used his position of authority to solicit a construction company to make renovations at his home, pay for personal travel and attend sporting events. The 53-year-old Thompson is facing a federal charge of corrupt solicitation of a bribe. He is already facing trial in Scott County on 20 felony charges, including 13 counts of embezzlement. Authorities say Thompson embezzled more than $70,000 from the school district over a six-year period. His attorney, Peter [...]

The fall harvest is winding down in Minnesota as wintry weather sets in. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says 87 percent of Minnesota's corn has been harvested. That's six days ahead of last year's pace and just 2 percentage points behind the five-year average. The USDA also said in its weekly crop progress and condition report for Minnesota Tuesday that 97 percent of the state's soybean crop has been harvested. That's nine days behind last year and 10 days behind the five-year average. The state's sunflower harvest is 83 percent complete, six days behind average. Winter cold and scattered precipitation resulted [...]

A corporate strategist from Michigan has given Mayo Clinic its largest gift ever - $200 million. The Rochester-based medical center announced Tuesday that its School of Medicine will be named for the philanthropist, Jay Alix, of Birmingham, Michigan. He has also been named to the Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees. Alix says his interest in Mayo began in the 1980s when he studied its business model as he was creating what would become AlixPartners, his consulting firm. The Alix Foundation has given Mayo millions of dollars in recent years toward improving its clinical care. The latest record gift is aimed at [...]

A man who was kidnapped and sexually assaulted as a boy around the time Jacob Wetterling was killed has a chance to tell his story in court in St. Cloud in a lawsuit against the man responsible for both crimes. Danny Heinrich confessed to killing Jacob Wetterling in October 1989 and kidnapping and assaulting Scheierl nine months before that in Cold Spring. Jared Scheierl is suing Danny Heinrich who has confessed to killing Wetterling in October 1989 and kidnapping and assaulting Scheierl nine months before that in Cold Spring. Scheierl was 12 at the time. Although Heinrich confessed, he [...]

A new survey says farmland prices are expected to continue their decline in parts of 10 Plains and Western states. The latest Rural Mainstreet survey shows that on average, bank CEOs in the region estimated farmland prices declined by 4 percent over the past 12 months. They expect farmland prices to fall by another 3.2 percent over the next 12 months. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the survey also shows the farm sector is being weakened by negative impacts of tariffs and low agriculture commodity prices. The overall economic index for the region increased slightly to 54.3. That score still [...]