Fed: Upper Midwest economy growing 'slightly': The Upper Midwest economy is showing signs of continued growth, despite decreasing activity in the real estate market, according to a new U.S. Federal Reserve Beige Book report. The Fed's report on the Ninth District noted that several sectors saw increased activity during June and early July. Industries experiencing growth included: energy, consumer spending, tourism, manufacturing, mining and agriculture. Activity in the services and residential construction industries were "mixed." Read full story

FICO beats estimates in Q2: Fair Isaac Corp.’s third-quarter earnings edged Wall Street estimates as revenue held flat from a year ago. Minneapolis-based Fair Isaac — commonly referred to as FICO, the name of its popular credit-scoring product — posted net income of $17.9 million, or 40 cents per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30. That compares with a profit of $18.1 million, or 37 cents per share, in the comparable period last year. Read full story

Ameriprise reports Q2 earnings boost: Ameriprise Financial enjoyed a big jump in second-quarter profits as it enjoyed a better return from two key businesses — advice and wealth management, and asset management — as well as two months of earnings from its Columbia Management acquisition, which closed April 30. Minneapolis-based Ameriprise reported net income of $398 million for the quarter ended June 30, more than three-and-a-half times the $87 million it earned for the same quarter a year ago. Read full story

Best Buy partners with Clearwire to offer 4G broadband: Best Buy will partner with Clearwire Corp. to offer 4G wireless broadband service beginning next year. Earlier this month, Richfield-based Best Buy launched its own mobile broadband service under the brand name Best Buy Connect. That service is now offered over a 3G network. The new partnership will allow Best Buy to offer service over a faster 4G network. Read full story