Brooks Johnson
Business Reporter
Food and manufacturingRaised in Fargo and educated at the University of Montana, Johnson worked at newspapers in Idaho, Washington and Duluth before joining the Minnesota Star Tribune at its relaunched Duluth bureau in 2019. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and their young sons.
Latest from Brooks Johnson
Small Business
MyPillow, Mike Lindell sue another lender over ‘unconscionable’ loan terms
The latest lawsuit seeks relief from a $2 million loan that the lender said MyPillow stopped paying in October.
January 24, 2025
MN Fortune 500
‘Soup drops’ are General Mills’ latest strategy to revive waning Progresso
The limited-edition savory hard candies (“soup you can suck on”) are dropping Thursday morning this week and next online only.
January 23, 2025
Agriculture
Cargill pays $32.5M to settle customer lawsuit alleging turkey price-fixing
The Minnetonka-based agribusiness is the third-largest turkey company in the U.S. after Butterball and Jennie-O.
January 21, 2025
MN Fortune 500
3M edging back to sales growth following years of restructuring, layoffs
The Maplewood-based company’s revenue fell 0.1% last year, and there are higher expectations for 2025.
January 21, 2025
Retail
From sprinkles to licorice, FDA Red Dye No. 3 ban will change these Minnesota foods
While Red 40 is the artificial dye of choice for many products from companies like General Mills, some still use the controversial Red 3.
January 17, 2025
Business
Leinenkugel bros. want to buy Chippewa Falls brewery to avoid Molson Coors closing
Molson Coors declined and will proceed with shutting down the historic brewery Friday and moving brewing operations to Milwaukee.
January 16, 2025
Agriculture
Amid layoffs, Cargill’s owners given $2B in stock buybacks and special dividends
As 8,000 employees lost their jobs last month in a cost-cutting reorganization, the Cargill-MacMillan family for the first time since 2019 received profit-sharing payments.
January 16, 2025
MN Fortune 500
Hormel CEO Jim Snee to retire after 8-year tenure that included tumultuous pandemic era
He oversaw the largest acquisition in the company’s history, plus changes after COVID-19’s disruption.
January 14, 2025
Retail
From sprinkles to licorice, FDA Red Dye No. 3 ban will change these Minnesota foods
While Red 40 is the artificial dye of choice for many products from companies like General Mills, some still use the controversial Red 3.
January 17, 2025
Business
Leinenkugel bros. want to buy Chippewa Falls brewery to avoid Molson Coors closing
Molson Coors declined and will proceed with shutting down the historic brewery Friday and moving brewing operations to Milwaukee.
January 16, 2025
Agriculture
Amid layoffs, Cargill’s owners given $2B in stock buybacks and special dividends
As 8,000 employees lost their jobs last month in a cost-cutting reorganization, the Cargill-MacMillan family for the first time since 2019 received profit-sharing payments.
January 16, 2025
MN Fortune 500
Hormel CEO Jim Snee to retire after 8-year tenure that included tumultuous pandemic era
He oversaw the largest acquisition in the company’s history, plus changes after COVID-19’s disruption.
January 14, 2025