Powerful storms slam 4 Midwestern states, leaving heavy damage; several tornadoes reported

MINNEAPOLIS — Powerful winds slammed parts of four Midwestern states on Wednesday, leaving behind shattered windows, toppled power lines and a handful of injuries. At least a half dozen suspected tornadoes were reported.

Lutherans, assembled in Minneapolis, move toward more open stance on homosexuality

MINNEAPOLIS — Leaders of the country’s largest Lutheran denomination have agreed to disagree on homosexuality, endorsing an official statement on human sexuality that says there’s room in the church for differing views on an issue that’s divided other religious groups.

Tornadoes reported along Minn.-Wis. border as powerful winds rip through Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — Several possible tornadoes were spotted along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border on Wednessday, including one near downtown Minneapolis where winds shattered windows and tore off part of a 90-year-old metal church steeple.

Tornados reported along Minn.-Wis.. border as powerful winds rip through Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — The National Weather Service is getting reports of several possible tornados along the central Minnesota-Wisconsin border, including one near downtown Minneapolis.

Powerful winds tear off part of metal church steeple amid reports of tornado in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — Weather experts are looking into tornado reports after powerful winds ripped through Minneapolis, tearing off part of a 90-year-old metal church steeple.

Minneapolis police beating victim: ‘No one deserved what happened to me that night’

MINNEAPOLIS — A man who’s seen in a police video being kicked and punched by Minneapolis officers says he made the recording public in order to prevent the same thing happening to others.

NFL to ask federal court to allow suspensions of Minnesota Vikings Kevin and Pat Williams

MINNEAPOLIS — The NFL will ask a federal appeals court Tuesday to uphold the suspensions of Minnesota Vikings defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

Proposal to allow gay clergy in largest US Lutheran denomination passes 1st hurdle in Minn.

MINNEAPOLIS — Leaders of the country’s largest Lutheran denomination prayed for unity Monday as they waded into a weeklong debate over homosexuality and the clergy, while a rule change that would allow people in same-sex relationships to serve cleared its first hurdle.

Wis. gunman who killed 3 at party, fatally shot self, was gang member with violent history

MENOMONIE, Wis. — A man police say shot and killed three brothers at a weekend party before fatally shooting himself was a member of a Minnesota gang who had been convicted of two previous violent attacks, including one on a 15-year-old boy in a park.

FBI to investigate beating of man by Minneapolis police during traffic stop

MINNEAPOLIS — The FBI on Monday agreed to investigate the beating of a man by Minneapolis police officers after the city’s police chief reviewed video showing some of the officers kicking and punching the man while he was being held face-down in the snow.

Lutheran leaders begin discussion of gay clergy policy at national convention in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — Leaders of the country’s largest Lutheran denomination began discussing Monday whether or not to allow people in same-sex relationships to serve as clergy.

CH Robinson declares regular quarterly dividend of 24 cents, payable Oct. 1

MINNEAPOLIS — Transportation services provider C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. said Thursday its board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of 24 cents.

Minnesota man, 73, sets up motion-activated camera and catches woman burglarizing his home

AUSTIN, Minn. — A 73-year-old man got tired of having his home burglarized, so he set up a motion-activated camera and caught a thief. On July 12, the camera photographed a woman carrying several items out of the man’s house about noon. Then she returned and took more things about midnight.

Shares of Star Bulk Carriers down after 2Q loss, falling revenue spook investors

MINNEAPOLIS — Shares of Greek drybulk shipper Star Bulk Carriers Corp. fell on Thursday after it reported a second-quarter loss.

Northwest Airlines union for ground workers begins seeking election at Delta

MINNEAPOLIS — One of the biggest unions at Northwest Airlines is seeking an election that will decide whether it stays or goes as the carrier is swallowed by Delta Air Lines Inc.

3rd man pleads guilty in case involving Americans who went to Somalia to fight with militants

MINNEAPOLIS — A third man pleaded guilty Wednesday to terror-related charges stemming from a federal investigation into Americans traveling to Somalia to fight with Islamic militants.

Overnight airline passenger stranding gets the attention of Obama administration and Congress

WASHINGTON — The overnight stranding of 47 airline passengers on an airport tarmac in Minnesota has grabbed the attention of the Obama administration and Congress.

Obama administration investigates whether tarmac stranding violated consumer protections

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has opened an investigation into whether any laws were violated last week when 47 passengers were stranded overnight on an airport tarmac in Rochester, Minn.

Federal judge approves $925 million settlement for UnitedHealth shareholders case

INDIANAPOLIS — UnitedHealth Group Inc. moved closer to finally putting its stock options backdating problems behind it Tuesday, when a federal judge approved a class-action settlement of more than $925 million.

DOT fines Continental, US Airways and Hawaiian for violating disclosure rules

MINNEAPOLIS — The Transportation Department fined Continental Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and US Airways for failing to tell consumers key information about their flights, including taxes and who would operate the plane.

Select Comfort July same-store sales increase 1 percent partly on store closings

MINNEAPOLIS — Bed retailer Select Comfort Corp. said Tuesday that its same-store sales edged up 1 percent in July, partly helped by the closing of more than 50 stores.

3M board declares regular quarterly dividend of 51 cents, payable Sept. 21

ST. PAUL, Minn. —3M Co. said Monday its board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of 51 cents.

47 passengers spend ’surreal’ 6 hours stuck on airport tarmac; Continental apologizes

MINNEAPOLIS —By its sixth hour sitting on a deserted tarmac, Continental Express Flight 2816 had taken on the smell of diapers and an overwhelmed lone toilet.

47 passengers spend ‘nightmare’ 6 hours stuck on airport tarmac; Continental apologizes

MINNEAPOLIS —Forty-seven passengers were forced to sit in a cramped, smelly plane on an airport tarmac for six hours after their flight was diverted because of bad weather.

Outside magazine’s recommendations for the Great Lakes

NEW YORK —If you’re looking for a place to paddle your canoe, ride your mountain bike, dive, fish or climb, Outside magazine is recommending the Great Lakes.

Continental Airlines to give refunds, vouchers to fliers stuck on tarmac in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS —Continental Airlines is apologizing to passengers who were stuck on the tarmac for six hours when a Houston-to-Minneapolis flight was diverted because of bad weather.

47 passengers spend ‘nightmare’ 9 hours stuck on airport runway while new crew is flown in

ROCHESTER, Minn. —Passengers whose flight from Houston to Minneapolis was diverted because of storms had to spend nine hours on the cramped plane on an airport taxiway while a new crew was flown in.

Several airline shares fall as oil prices climb slightly

MINNEAPOLIS —Most airlines’ shares fell slightly on Monday as oil prices rose.

Hormel Foods raises 2009 profit prediction, citing strength in refrigerated foods segment

AUSTIN, Minn. —Hormel Foods Corp. raised its 2009 profit guidance Monday, citing strong performance from its refrigerated foods and grocery segments, as well as improving performance in its turkey business.

US troops who have died while serving in Iraq and Kuwait

Army Spc. Michael S. Cote

Michael Cote wasn’t supposed to focused on romance during basic training.