Minneapolis residents have the best credit scores in the U.S. as Midwestern cities take the top four spots in the ranking.

The company is still evaluating which Minnesota positions to transfer to Texas, but it has no planned layoffs at this point and will continue to depend on its local offices for operations and technology expertise.

A committee that dates the beginning and end of recessions said that the most recent recession began in December 2007 and lasted 18 months, making it the longest one since World War II.

Qualified small businesses may receive up to $10,000 to help them remain open amid construction of the Central Corridor light-rail line.

The redesigned stores feature an open-market grocery layout and other concepts, which were developed in response to guest feedback.

Construction of the 501-room hotel is slated to begin in December, and the hotel is expected to open in late 2012.

The company reported strong first-quarter sales in its U.S. retail segment, including Big G cereals and Yoplait Yogurt.

The $4.3 billion in goods exported during the quarter was close to the all-time second-quarter high of $4.4 billion, which was achieved in 2008.

Todd Duckson of Prior Lake, along with a handful of other defendants, is accused of defrauding investors through a real estate fund that raised about $74 million from roughly 450 investors in Minnesota and elsewhere.

The achievements come one day after the team clinched the American League Central Division title and a spot in the playoffs after beating the Cleveland Indians 6-4 on Tuesday night.

Company spokesman Tom Hoen said that the coal plant is offline and will be closed for a few weeks, but that there will be no impact on customers' service.