The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said the soda giant's policy on criminal background checks was discriminatory and adversely affected hundreds of African-American job applicants, including many in Minnesota. The company's policy was to not hire anyone with an arrest on their record, even if they were not convicted of a crime.

A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit filed by a black student against the Red Wing School District over an unsanctioned school ritual known as "Wangsta Day." The student, Quera Pruitt, claimed in the suit filed last August that about 70 Red Wing High School students engaged in an exercise of bigotry and bullying during homecoming week by wearing baggy pants and do-rags, and flashing gang signs. The settlement is pending court approval.

Target Corp. has filed a federal racketeering lawsuit in Minneapolis, alleging that it has been systematically defrauded by a contractor it hired in 2009 to oversee about $100 million in repairs and maintenance on its parking lots around the country.

The Commerce, Public Safety and Natural Resources departments are all facing similar lawsuits over union contracts that award benefits to early retirees but not to older workers.

The Pioneer Press reports a pregnant 17-year-old girl was attacked after allegedly making comments about Facebook entries. A 21-year-old woman and 26-year-old woman, both from Arcadia, are being charged with misdemeanors. A teen is also charged for carrying a concealed weapon.

The U.S. Department of Labor claims women were less likely to be hired and Asian men were favored over other applicants at its meatpacking plant in Arkansas. Federal officials want to cancel Cargill's existing government contracts

Former Senate Republican staffer Michael Brodkorb is filing a gender discrimination complaint over his firing. He argues he was fired for having an affair with Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, while women who have affairs with male senators are not punished. Brodkorb's lawyer says the complaint is a step toward a lawsuit.