Following a formal protest launched by UnitedHealth, the U.S. military's health-care program has agreed re-open the bidding process for a $17 million contract that was previously awarded to Phoenix-based TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corporation.

The company said that it will lay off 1,900 employees-including 274 in Minnesota-from its home mortgage division as the demand for mortgage loan applications declines.

Golden Valley-based General Mills and Minneapolis-based Target Corporation also ranked within the top 25 on a Forbes list that measured the perceptions of consumers regarding the 150 largest companies in the country.

The Minneapolis-based developer said that it envisions a mixed-use development for the site that could include retail, restaurant, office, or other tenants.

By restructuring, the company hopes to address the needs of hospital administrators, who have been increasingly involved in device-purchasing decisions.

Although the Mid-America region's economy experienced a slight setback between February and March, Minnesota's economy showed signs of a slight improvement during that period.

The company, which is now debt-free, will conduct a national external search for a new CEO to help expand its products and services and grow its top line.

Pushing Green poses challenges for homeowners who compete to have the highest "green rating" and to win a month free of energy bills.

Xcel said that it needs to raise electricity rates by $198 million over the next two years to cover the cost of nuclear power plant and other upgrades, but the state contends that the company has overestimated its costs.

U of M researchers found that the company's "Results-Only Work Environment" reduced employee turnover by 45 percent and resulted in improved work-life balances for employees over the course of an eight-month study.

The bill, which would allow larger breweries like Surly to sell beer on-site, will now advance to a vote in the full Minnesota Senate, and a similar bill will be heard in the House next week.

The company reported a 5.5 percent decrease in same-store sales, which was expected due to the Easter holiday being later this year, but the decrease was smaller than what analysts projected.

A recently released Minnesota Management and Budget report indicates that more than 1,000 state employees accepted an early retirement offer in 2010, which will save the state an estimated $46.7 million over three years.

Just two weeks after it announced plans to acquire T-Mobile USA, AT&T said it will expand its 4G network in Minnesota as part of a $19 billion companywide investment.

The company cut 40 jobs at an ammunition plant in Missouri; it also received a $35 million military contract for the development of new technologies at its facility in Plymouth.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Medica, and UCare have agreed to place a 1 percent cap on 2011 profits from state health care contracts.