NASA budget cut would hit ATK: Alliant Techsystems is objecting to the Obama administration’s proposal to cut a major program out of NASA’s budget. In 2007, Eden Prairie-based ATK won a $1.8 billion contract to design, develop and test the first stage of a new space vehicle called Ares I, a model meant to replace the existing space shuttle. Work would stop, under the current budget proposal. Overall, Obama’s plan focuses on outsourcing space travel to private companies. Read full story

Legislators' battle rages on: When legislators arrive in St. Paul for the start of the 2010 legislative session, they’ll have a relatively short but daunting to-do list waiting for them. They need to erase a $1.2 billion budget deficit, pass a bill authorizing hundreds of millions of dollars in general obligation bonds and try to boost — or at least not hurt — the state’s economy in the process. Read full story

Supervalu names consultant chief marketing officer: Supervalu said Monday it has named Julie Dexter Berg, a former branding consultant, to the post of chief marketing officer and executive vice president. Dexter Berg founded Bellevue, Wash.-based consulting firm Brandmaking in 2004 and served as its managing partner. Read full story

JAL to soon decide alliance partner: Japan Airlines Corp. wants to make a quick decision on an alliance partner but gave no timeline for a close tie-up with either its current partner, American Airlines, or Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, according to published reports. Reuters reported Monday that new JAL President Masaru Onishi would start anew efforts for choosing a U.S. alliance partner. Read full story