Minnesota exports down 17 percent in Q3: Minnesota manufacturers in the third quarter of 2009 exported 17 percent less to other countries than they did during the same period a year ago, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The decline in exports to $3.7 billion was still better than the 21 percent decline seen across the United States during the same period. It was the fifth-smallest export decline among the top 20 exporting states; only Utah and Wyoming increased exports. Minnesota actually exported more to three of its top 10 markets: Japan, South Korea and Australia. Read full story

Website created for investors in alleged Ponzi scheme: A federal judge in Minneapolis has set up a website to keep investors informed about a possible $190 million Ponzi scheme involving their money. Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Davis is using this site to make it easier for more than 1,000 investors to keep apprised of government efforts to locate the money they gave to money managers Patrick J. Kiley and Trevor G. Cook. Read full story

Ford makes buyout offer to workers, including 200 in St. Paul: Ford Motor Co. is offering a buyout to all of its 41,000 hourly workers in the United States, according to media reports. Ford officials wouldn’t say how many of those workers might accept the offer, which includes $50,000 plus the choice of either a $25,000 voucher to buy a car or an extra $20,000 in cash. Out of 760 employees at Ford’s Ranger pickup truck plant in St. Paul, 200 would be eligible. Read full story

McLane renews supply deal with Holiday: McLane Co. supply chain services said that it’s renewed its contract with Holiday Cos. to supply a host of products to 458 Holiday convenience stores in 12 states, including Minnesota. Read full story