3M wants permission to burn industrial waste from other companies, as well as its own, at its Cottage Grove incinerator. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says even with the additional waste 3M will be burning far less than its permit allows. But a group of neighbors is gearing up for a fight at this month's MPCA meeting, saying "pollution for profit" should not be approved.

After more than three-years, a state pollution control board voted unanimously to grant 3M a controversial permit to start burning hazardous waste from other companies at its incinerator. Some residents oppose the plan to import waste because of concerns it will endanger public health. Both 3M and the MPCA dispute those claims.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency threw out a petition from residents concerned about the health impact of toxic chemicals. 3M wants to import and burn hazardous waste from other companies at its incinerator in Cottage Grove. The board will discuss the new permit to allow non-3M waste next month.

3M is planning a new lab facility at its Maplewood headquarters, the company has told employees. The facility, to be home to 700 researchers, could open by 2014, KSTP reports. The company in recent years has shifted more of its research and development work overseas.

The days are numbered for a summertime staple for movie fans in the southern Twin Cities metro. The Cottage Grove City Council voted unanimously Wednesday in favor of Walmart's plan to build a new SuperCenter store, the South Washington County Bulletin reports. It will be built on the site of the Cottage View Drive-In. After nearly five decades in business, the movie theater will permanently close in October.