Hundreds of residents packed a planning commission meeting to speak out against a proposal to build a Wal-Mart in the city. Residents said they're concerned about traffic, noise, crime and the impact the store would have on local businesses.

The Chanhassen Villager reports the City Council voted unanimously to reject Wal-Mart's proposal.

Picketers are protesting what they call "underpaid" and "underskilled" laborers. The union says a project sub-contractor is trying to cut costs by exploiting workers. AME Construction says those accusations are false and that the company pays workers fairly.

Crews have started demolishing the former Brookdale Center to make way for a new Wal-Mart Supercenter. It's all part of a $100 million renovation project to transform the 50-year-old mall into a shopping center called Shingle Creek Crossing.

In Minnesota, the Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based retailer says it will hire more than 900 people at its two dozen stores in the state. The company says they're able to hire more employees than the last holiday season because of strong store growth.

Target this month had lower prices than Wal-Mart for the first time since October, according to research conducted by Bloomberg Industries. The Minneapolis-based chain also led by its widest margin since the monthly study began two years ago.