Unemployment benefits in Minnesota will end after 46 weeks, instead of the current 60. The Department of Employment and Economic Development says the unemployment rate has been below six percent for three months, which triggers the reduction.

Brunswick Corp. and Lund Boat Co. have agreed to pay $295,000 in back wages and interest to nearly 200 female job applicants who were rejected for entry-level positions at a Minnesota manufacturing plant. The settlement comes after a lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Department of Labor last year alleging hiring discrimination.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency approved water quality permits needed for the expansion of the U.S. Steel plant. The $300 million expansion is estimated to create 500 construction jobs followed by 120 permanent jobs.

A man from Minneapolis pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime after attacking an 83-year-old Somali man outside a bar. George Thompson admitted he assaulted the man only because he thought he was Somali or Muslim. He could face up to 10 years in prison.

The Pioneer Press reports Ford officials have set Dec. 19 as the close date for their assembly plant in St. Paul. The closing impacts nearly 800 workers. Ford has planned to close the plant for some time, but has delayed setting a shutdown date.

Some will retire, others hope to transfer to other plants. But some of the roughly 800 workers about to lose their jobs are unsure what they'll do next. Some of the workers took early buyouts then were rehired, making them ineligible for transfers. Those who want to continue to work in manufacturing would likely need more training, and the jobs that are out there don't pay as well.

The United Steelworkers of America represent workers at most of the taconite plants on Minnesota's Iron Range. But employees of the Mesabi Nugget plant near Aurora overwhelmingly rejected the union. An organizer for the union even calls the vote "a little embarrassing."