Minnesota exports up 19% in Q2: Minnesota manufacturers exported $4.3 billion worth of goods in the second quarter of 2010, a 19 percent increase from the same quarter a year ago, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development said today. The results nearly matched the state’s all-time high for second-quarter exports: $4.4 billion in the second quarter of 2008. Read full story

Minnesota takes $1.96M in health reform funds: The Minnesota State Department of Health is receiving $1.96 million in federal health reform funds meant to boost public health services. The money comes less than a month after Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he would refuse much of the discretionary funding coming from the health reform. The funds are part of $42.5 million granted to health departments across the country from the recently created Prevention and Public Health Fund. Read full story

Small explosion shuts down Xcel plant: A small explosion shut down an Xcel Energy generating plant in Burnsville this morning. An injured firefighter was transported to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, while other firefighters were treated at the scene, said Allina spokesman Tim Burke. No Xcel workers were injured in the explosion, and electricity service wasn’t disrupted, said Xcel spokeswoman Patti Nystuen. A coal bunker at the plant smoldered and then exploded about 7:30 a.m. The plant was likely to be offline for a number of days. Read full story