The proportion of African-Americans with moderate incomes shrank by 25 percent in just four years during the recession. And many are finding it hard to bounce back: the unemployment rate for black Minnesotans is more than triple that of white residents.

Western exporters, faced with anemic growth in Europe and North America, are banking on China's rapidly growing middle class. But Western companies have misjudged Chinese shoppers' priorities and clumsily tried to export U.S.-style stores. Best Buy is unlocking the mysteries of these consumers -- through trial and error, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak was the only Minnesotan to gain a prime-time spot at the podium during the Democratic National Convention. He used it to extoll the accomplishments of President Obama and exhort Americans to re-elect him.

It's not unusual for Minnesota-company professionals mentoring high school students. So it was this past spring with Fridley-based Medtronic Inc. and students at Buffalo High School. But there was a twist. The Medtronic employees mentoring Brenda Diekman's accounting class weren't local. They are halfway around the world – in Mumbai, India.

Rev. Joseph Jeyapaul allegedly sexually assaulted two underage girls in the Diocese of Crookston eight years ago. The Star Tribune reports the 57-year-old went to India before charges were filed in 2006. Jeyapaul denies the allegations and continues to work with children.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says manufactured, agricultural and mining products were at record highs -- bringing in more than $5 billion. Canada, China and Japan are the state's largest export markets.

Health officials have confirmed three cases of fungal meningitis in Minnesota, while hundreds of other patients who were injected with a recalled steroid are being tested. An executive with one of the clinics that dispensed the steroid says officials are reassuring patients while also arranging tests for those who need them. Nationwide, the death toll in the fungal meningitis outbreak has reached 11, with the number of cases over 100.

A respected Indian business publication is reporting that Medtronic is negotiating with an Indian medical technology company to make a strategic investment in it. Trivitron Healthcare is reportedly India’s largest med tech company. The Fridley-based company has not commented specifically on the deal, however, CEO Omar Ishrak has made no secrets about his interest in India.