Associated Milk Producers Inc., based in New Ulm, plans to shut down its manufacturing facility in Dawson by the end of the year, the West Central Tribune reports. The soon-to-be idled plant has about 130 workers and primarily produces cheese sauces and puddings.

A 19-year-old mother in Fargo is facing a child neglect or abuse charge for allegedly exposing her 1-year-old daughter to methamphetamine, Forum Communications reports. Court documents say the baby girl's hair tested positive for traces of meth and was exposed to hazardous living conditions.

Despite the decline, Minnesota's unemployment dropped 0.2 percent to 5.6 percent last month. State officials say most of the job losses were in retail, construction, hospitality and government sectors. Minnesota remains well below the national unemployment rate of 8.1 percent.

St. Paul-based Ecolab plans to close its Grand Forks office next July, the Herald reports. The facility has 144 full-time employees who support accounting, customer service, human resources, information technology and other administrative functions related to Ecolab's Pest Elimination business. Layoffs could begin as soon as January. Some employees may be able to work from home or take other jobs at Ecolab locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois or Indiana.

The La Crosse Tribune reports the Minnesota-based company is shutting down the Brice Prairie plant near Onalaska in the next couple of months.

Packaging company Bemis will close its St. Louis Park facility at the end of August or early September and its Minneapolis facility near the University of Minnesota will likely close by the end of the year, the company has reported. About 160 employees will be laid off.

Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific's hardboard manufacturing plant in Duluth will permanently shut down on Aug. 31, the Duluth News Tribune. A company spokesman said, "The employees are welcome to apply for any other jobs we have” at other facilities. The closure leaves 140 employees looking for work. They will be paid and receive benefits for 60 days.