MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone announced last month a new effort to better match MnSCU programs to needed skills. Since then, system officials have held more than 30 listening sessions in different fields. Many Minnesota companies report being unable to find skilled labor in their trades, the Information Technology field is especially hard up for talent.

Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill that was overwhelmingly approved by both houses of the Legislature. Supporters of the measure say the basic skills tests will help ensure that teachers are qualified.

The Princeton Review recognized BSU for its efforts to encourage and educate students about being green. This is the second year Bemidji State received national attention for offering and participating in several green initiatives.

Regulators say about $1.2 billion is missing from customers' accounts following the collapse of MF Global. Minnesota farmers, ranchers, feed mills and grain elevators are among those customers. Now they're waiting to find out just how much they might be missing.

It's in conjunction with National Ag week. State officials say nearly one in five jobs in Minnesota are linked to the agriculture industry. According to the USDA, Minnesota generated $15 billion in farm income and $5 billion in exports in 2010.

There is no question — our economy is a mess. Whether it’s Minnesota’s $5 billion deficit, our nation’s mind-boggling debt, or the near bankruptcies of other nations – we are fighting a financial war on all fronts.

The economy remains strong in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states because of the health of agricultural businesses there. The overall economic index on the new monthly Rural Mainstreet survey rose to 58.5 in May from April's already healthy 57.1. Any score above 50 on the index suggests growth in the months ahead.