Shubert renovation begins, Café Brenda closing, property taxes rising, ADC sales down.

“Diversify or die!” was the mantra in 2001, when the Chanhassen company was created as a spinoff from semiconductor equipment manufacturer FSI International, so it did. When the recession hit, though, it had to learn some new tricks.

Here's the second installment of my interview with columnist Katherine Kersten. I asked her about where conservatism is headed, President Obama and the role religion plays in her world view. Second of two articles.

Part One: Katherine Kersten on liberals, same-sex marriage and life at the Star Tribune

Petters cross-examination, Hecker found in contempt, and Donaldson earnings down but beat expectations.

New figures released today show Minnesota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged slightly higher in October, but economists say this indicator doesn't give us the full jobs picture.

When you check out our enhanced Business Agenda section below, you’ll find two new features: a daily story from Brad Allen and twice-a-day news summaries from the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal.

Mayo Clinic products coming to market, ValuVision narrows losses, and Chanhassen Theatres sale falters.

More cuts ahead at HCMC, FDA letter warns Medtronic, and Target expanding new grocery store concept.

While the worst of the financial crisis may have passed, Twin Cities area consumers are not ready to jump back into a shopping frenzy, according to the latest “Holiday Spending Sentiment Survey."

Perhaps no columnist in town raises a liberal's blood pressure more than Katherine Kersten. I talked with Kersten about liberal rage and other topics. First of two articles.

David Brauer: The Star Tribune op-ed page's war on Kersten

Lowry Hill money manager Carol Clark, a confirmed "market behavioralist," has seen firsthand how psychological factors often count for more than rational thought in influencing economic behavior.

California has become the first state to enact a law guaranteeing the right to counsel to the poor in some civil cases. Will these rights be extended in Minnesota?

The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission's finance committee thought it had a promising proposal for the team to consider, but its action has officially, instantly and angrily backfired.

In exchange for a lease extension, the commission is offering some new cash, some longstanding cash — but with new strings attached — and some new-stadium planning assistance.

Its approach of combining robust functionality with a clean user interface makes for a compelling experience when working on group projects.

Drafting on the Hiawatha light rail line's success, Northstar trains begin shuttling passengers between the far northwest suburbs and downtown Minneapolis.

Guerrilla marketing has hit the NFL. Are there other overlooked sponsorship opportunities ripe for the picking in pro sports?

Steve Knutson, executive director of the Fremont Community Clinics system, says, "We can have providers do wonderful things and intervene early, but if we don't have a willing patient on the other side of the table we're not going to get to an endpoint."

For many months, retail reports, financial statistics and monthly jobless updates have relentlessly driven home to all of us the bleak state of the national and regional economy. In an effort to personalize some of those numbers, we asked MinnPost interns Wilt Hodges, Emily Ness and Joey Peters to profile how several Minnesotans are coping with tough times.

· Weddings still need planners, but couples' budgets have tightened
· In tough times, one-man construction shop find ways to survive
· Marinas are always on Minnesota resort-goers' priority list
· Many new lawyers are finding job search a real trial

Couples are trying to save money these days, but they're still hiring wedding planners to organize their budgets and help them find the most efficient ways to pay for the big day.

After nearly 30 years in the business, Robert Sutherland considers himself a survivor who has seen firsthand how quickly economic conditions and health issues can change daily life. Tammy. In recent months, finally, he has seen his construction work rebound.

Numbers go up and down, and weather always affects business, but boating and fishing lure vacationers even in a recession.

Finding work right out of law school can be a challenge even in good economic times. But in a time of retrenchment, recent law school grads also are facing a double-whammy from other employers who fear they're overqualified for non-lawyer jobs.