Mike Hughlett
Reporter
EnergyHughlett has primarily covered economics, business and workplace issues for 32 years at five newspapers. He grew up in Brooklyn Center.
Latest from Mike Hughlett
Business
Owners of ill-fated taconite plant in northern Minnesota score legal victory against Cleveland-Cliffs
A federal judge denied Cliffs’ motion for summary judgment, paving the way for Mesabi Metallics antitrust claims to go trial.
September 6, 2024
Business
Ukraine government stops payments to Minnetonka-based Cargill on $700M debt
The country has taken several actions recently to deal with the financial damage of Russia’s invasion.
August 30, 2024
Small Business
Sale of Minnesota electrical business crumbles into tangled tale of alleged deceit
A bankruptcy judge concluded the buyer of Birchwood Electric stopped paying the company’s former owners as he was diverting money from the company to himself and a real estate venture.
August 30, 2024
Business
Worker fatality leads to largest safety fine in Minnesota for Rosemount trucking firm
The employee died in a tank at the firm’s Virginia, Minn., facility.
August 28, 2024
Business
Wedding photographers buying bankrupt historic Furber Farm venue in Cottage Grove for over $2.2M
Furber Farm filed bankruptcy in June two months after a sister wedding venue in Isanti shut down, leaving some customers in the lurch.
August 27, 2024
Business
Minneapolis chamber faces $500K shortfall; CEO left after internal financial investigation
Jonathan Weinhagen’s abrupt departure from the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce in June was precipitated by the special investigation.
August 16, 2024
Business
CenterPoint’s landmark $106 million clean energy plan approved by regulators
Minnesota’s largest gas utility gets consent for a bevy of projects prompted by a new law aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions from gas companies.
July 26, 2024
Business
Ukrainian fruit juice kingpin owes Cargill $124M judgment, but can’t be found
A British court ruled that the juice maker must repay money borrowed from Cargill, but the agribusiness giant has yet to collect, despite court efforts in four countries.
July 24, 2024
Business
Wedding photographers buying bankrupt historic Furber Farm venue in Cottage Grove for over $2.2M
Furber Farm filed bankruptcy in June two months after a sister wedding venue in Isanti shut down, leaving some customers in the lurch.
August 27, 2024
Business
Minneapolis chamber faces $500K shortfall; CEO left after internal financial investigation
Jonathan Weinhagen’s abrupt departure from the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce in June was precipitated by the special investigation.
August 16, 2024
Business
CenterPoint’s landmark $106 million clean energy plan approved by regulators
Minnesota’s largest gas utility gets consent for a bevy of projects prompted by a new law aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions from gas companies.
July 26, 2024
Business
Ukrainian fruit juice kingpin owes Cargill $124M judgment, but can’t be found
A British court ruled that the juice maker must repay money borrowed from Cargill, but the agribusiness giant has yet to collect, despite court efforts in four countries.
July 24, 2024