Kristen Leigh Painter
Business Editor
BusinessPainter has been with the Minnesota Star Tribune for more than a decade. As a reporter, she covered an array of beats – from commercial real estate to the food industry to airlines – before moving into an assistant business editor role for several years. Before joining the Minnesota Star Tribune, she was a business reporter at The Denver Post. Painter has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder and bachelor's degree in history from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two kids.
Latest from Kristen Leigh Painter
Two editors — one a Taylor Swift fan, the other a Travis Kelce fan — want to stop talking about it, but can't
Minneapolis Star Tribune editors take up the cultural conversation about the NFL, women fans and media hype ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Minnesota Vikings game.
October 6, 2023
Delta changes SkyMiles program: Want status? Spend more.
Delta Air Lines is changing how travelers earn status, starting in January for travel in 2025 and beyond.
September 14, 2023
Cargill posts record annual revenue of $177B, the most of any U.S. private company
The Minnetonka-based agribusiness giant records another banner year of revenue gains. It's the largest private company in America.
August 2, 2023
Owner of Bloomington-based Precision Lens dies in Montana plane crash
Paul Ehlen, who founded the Minnesota cataracts lens company, died on Tuesday upon takeoff of his World War II vintage aircraft.
June 28, 2023
Cargill's ex-CEO 'DMac' reflects: 'The next 10 years will be far more volatile'
Dave MacLennan led the agribusiness behemoth through some of its most dynamic years of change, with the last three among the wildest in the company's recent memory.
January 28, 2023
Meet Evan Ramstad, the Star Tribune's newest business columnist
Ramstad, a native Iowan, has worked as a reporter and editor for 35 years.
December 27, 2022
![Evan Ramstad poses for a portrait Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 at Capella Tower Stadium in Minneapolis. ]](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ZCBTYARMTSJNEXLG4OJZGNRKCE.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Cargill names a new CEO: Sikes to succeed MacLennan on Jan. 1
Brian Sikes will take over the top post of America's largest private company from Dave MacLennan, who has held the role for the past decade.
November 21, 2022
In major retreat, Bright Health halts individual health insurance coverage
The Bloomington-based health insurer will halt individual coverage in 15 states and reduce Medicare Advantage plans to just California and Florida.
October 11, 2022
Minnesota farmers, businesses relieved after rail strike averted
The state has one of the most robust freight rail systems and use in the nation, moving tons of iron ore and agricultural and food products within and across its borders.
September 15, 2022
CHS boosts member payout to $1 billion, four times higher than last year
Soaring prices on oil and ag commodities lifted the finances of the co-op and its member farmers.
September 14, 2022
Cargill posts annual revenue of $165B, its most ever
The Minnetonka-based agribusiness giant's revenue soared 23% in a year marked by "extreme events."
August 16, 2022
Cargill settles DOJ suit to clear path for $4.5B chicken deal
The U.S. Department of Justice filed antitrust lawsuit against Cargill, other chicken companies alleging wage suppression. Both sides agree to settle, clearing the way for new joint venture.
July 25, 2022
