BlackRock is buying Global Infrastructure Partners, which would be the majority owner of Allete if regulators approve the $6.2 billion deal. Why that has raised some eyebrows among consumer advocates:

startribune.com/blackrock-glob…

Xcel plans to test this out in Minnesota, cool to see it in action

startribune.com/red-lake-joine…

Minnesotans are among the Americans least likely to move out of their current bracket. Those who start at the bottom here tend to stay at the bottom, and those who start at the top tend to stay at the top. startribune.com/minnesotans-le…

A photo of the cut cables, via state Department of Commerce filing!

Minnesota's Dunn Brothers Coffee plans to add 250 more locations over the next five years startribune.com/dunn-brothers-…

NEW: In backroom talks, House DFLers asked to restore higher bill credits for subscribers to hundreds of community solar gardens, which would overturn a major $600m PUC ruling.

The offer has implications for a high-profile clean energy permitting bill: startribune.com/minnesota-hous…

The Aurora Borealis put on a show above Minnesota, as seen from St. Croix State Forest 2 hours north of the Twin Cities. Star Tribune #Auroraborealis

With Washington state's candidate filing period over, there are now three Bob Fergusons running for governor. st.news/4bywidz

ICYMI: Target limits Pride collection to select stores startribune.com/target-pride-c…

The MN Public Utilities Commission had Duluth's Allete and its buyers in for a discussion of the $6.2 billion deal on Thursday, which offered a window into the initial questions on the mind of those crucial regulators.

One such question? Workforce:

startribune.com/allete-minneso…