Articles by Kyle Potter and Steve Karnowski

Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange Losing Low-Cost Carrier

The insurance company that grabbed the most customers on Minnesota’s health care exchange by offering the lowest rates told state officials that it’s pulling out of MNsure, a major blow to the exchange as the next open enrollment period approaches. …

Tech Troubles Remain at Minnesota’s Health Insurance Exchange

Consultants told the board that governs Minnesota’s health insurance exchange that a lot of work is needed to get the troubled system ready for open enrollment in November. MNsure hired Deloitte Consulting LLP for $5 million in April to be …

Legislative Auditor to Review Minnesota’s Health Insurance Exchange

Minnesota’s legislative auditor said he plans to conduct a thorough, independent review of the troubled launch of Minnesota’s health insurance exchange. “The evaluation will be a comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of many issues related to the development of the website but …

Minnesota Governor Lashes Out at GOP Critics of Health Insurance Exchange

Gov. Mark Dayton lashed out at critics of Minnesota’s health insurance exchange, accusing them of waging a propaganda campaign to destroy it. The Democratic governor spoke to reporters a day after GOP members of the Legislature’s MNsure oversight committee said …

Minnesota Woman Loses Music Downloading Appeal

A U.S. woman accused of sharing songs online owes record companies $222,000 for willful copyright violations, a federal appeals court in Minneapolis, Minn., said reversing a lower court’s ruling in a long-running lawsuit over music downloading. A three-judge appeals panel …

Midwest Farmers Urged to Buy Crop Insurance Due to Dry Weather

A relatively snow-free winter in the Upper Midwest has some officials worried about damage to agriculture if the dry weather persists into spring planting. Minnesota’s agriculture and commerce commissioners, Dave Frederickson and Mike Rothman, signaled their concern when they advised …

Red River Valley Flood Risk Keeps Receding

The risk of significant flooding in the Red River Valley is down from recent years and even lower than last month’s forecast due to the lack of snow, forecasters said on Jan. 26 — bolstering hopes the region may be …

U.S. Targets Crop Insurers’ Profits

The federal government wants to save taxpayers billions of dollars by reducing spending on crop insurance after years of big profits by insurers, but the industry claims the reductions could hurt rural areas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is negotiating …