The initial phase of a new mixed-use development in Bloomington calls for three buildings-including 14,000 square feet of retail space and restaurants, as well as 234 housing units.

David McCaffrey was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for a scheme in which he fraudulently obtained $8 million in financing for his company, ConServe Corporation.

A report that the agencies released Thursday estimates that Minnesota's state and local governments spent at least $4 billion in 2009 on compensation features with "weak or no" relationships to public-sector outcomes.

Sherry Smith, who has acted as interim chief financial officer since Pamela Knous stepped down in July, will take over the role permanently.

Court documents state that Xcel denies liability and has agreed to settle "only to avoid the expense, burden, and time of litigation."

The recent compromise calls for the new development to be mixed-use-which would put to rest concerns from a local resident group that in October spoke against retail-only building.

The two companies announced Thursday that they are in "advanced discussions" regarding a merger, and Dell may buy Compellent for $27.50 per share.

The bulk of that sum was distributed through a profit-sharing program that's been in place since 1938.

Medtronic acknowledged in a recent filing that it received a subpoena that relates to its neurostimulation devices in October.

A representative of new owner LNR Partners confirmed that Behringer Harvard turned over the keys on December 3 after what industry experts believe to be the first instance of a downtown office-tower default since the onset of the economic downturn.

If adopted, the $6.1 million cut would lower Minneapolis' property-tax increase for 2011 to 4.7 percent-down from previous year-over-year increases of up to 7.5 percent-which is needed to cover the city's pension obligations.

The buyer, Ryder System, will retain the current management and employees of Total Logistic Control.

A recent survey indicates that improved marketing efforts and cost-saving deals are helping the Minneapolis retailer attract more shoppers.

Residents in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro set aside more funds for retirement, which they approach with "higher levels of emotional preparation" than residents of other cities.

The Nexus S hits Best Buy stores and the company's Web site on December 16.

The St. Paul non-profit will focus on bringing new business and jobs to the city.