Alvenda is the latest local company to change its name-but the decision to do so isn't an uncommon one, and experts say there's lots to consider before making the move.

Lois Quam-a former UnitedHealth Group executive-has been named executive director of the Global Health Initiative.

Metro-area homes prices fell 2.1 percent in November; similar declines were experienced in almost all the 20 major metropolitan areas in the nation.

Two of the company's offices in Minneapolis together plan to add 90 financial representatives and 175 interns.

The growth of overall market vacancy has slowed, and there are many indicators that the local real estate market bottomed out in 2010-but "fundamentals are still very weak across the office, industrial, and retail leasing markets."

Minneapolis-based Creative Kidstuff will provide input on toy concepts that students come up with; additional corporate partners are wanted.

The United States supports a month-long ban that the Ivory Coast's president-elect has instated-and the U.S. Department of State on Monday applauded Cargill's decision to halt its purchase of Ivory Coast cocoa.

The executive order sets goals for two state agencies, including the timeframe in which it must be determined whether an environmental permit should be issued.

The three men will be sentenced next month by U.S. District Judge Joan Erickson for their roles in defrauding Chrysler Financial Services, LLC.

Mark Eckerline replaces Doug King, who stepped down in October from leading the company's Minneapolis operations.

The Edina office will house about 230 employees, including seven at a new technology center that will showcase Microsoft technology and develop solutions to address customers' technology needs.

According to the Star Tribune, the banking industry and some members of Congress are working to weaken, repeal, or delay a new set of restrictions proposed by the Federal Reserve-restrictions that prompted TCF to file a lawsuit late last year.

New student-owned ventures that incorporate sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship, community service, or biking advocacy are eligible for funding under the new program-which was launched by the U and Bloomington-based Quality Bicycle Products.

Occupations that will grow the most in 2011 are in the IT and health care sectors, according to the company.

Media and marketing firm Haberman launched an initiative that implores businesses to put some of their ad dollars to better use-and provides a forum for people to identify ads that benefit society and ads that they would have rather deleted.

The hotel's new owner, Los Angeles-based private equity firm Platinum Equity, plans to spend $12.5 million on renovations and will rebrand it as a DoubleTree hotel later this year.