A Delaware-based investment blog lists the Minnesota Timberwolves as one of seven professional sports teams with the shakiest financial prospects. The report points out that the Wolves lost $7 million last year, and could lose more this year if the NBA season is wiped out by the lockout.

More than 200 conventions are already schedule to be held in Minneapolis this year. MPR reports it will bring nearly 300,000 visitors and generate $225 million for the Twin Cities metro.

The Minneapolis Convention Center will host the USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships in 2014. So what? Planners worked for a year to land the event -- and competition was "fierce." It could have an economic impact of $60 million in the metropolitan area, with $2.25 million in local taxes generated.

Crews have started demolishing the former Brookdale Center to make way for a new Wal-Mart Supercenter. It's all part of a $100 million renovation project to transform the 50-year-old mall into a shopping center called Shingle Creek Crossing.

The convention center is just one of several across the country that have been struggling with lopsided budgets where operating costs outweigh their revenues.

Minneapolis is just one step away from renovating the 32 bathrooms at the city’s convention center. Most have not been updated since the late 1980s or early 1990s. The Star Tribune reports upgrades will include all new tile, flooring, toilets, plumbing, counter tops, sinks, faucets, mirrors and lighting. The deal still requires approval by the full City Council.

About 60 people on behalf of the Animal Rights Coalition protested the annual convention of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the Minneapolis Convention Center Sunday, claiming animal research is inhumane.