Steve Karnowski

Associated Press
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How to Calculate Capacity Utilization: A Manufacturer’s Guide
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How to Calculate Capacity Utilization: A Manufacturer’s Guide
June 9, 2026
Lego's new manufacturing hub includes a 25‑tonne red 2x4 LEGO brick installation.
Lego Opens Global Manufacturing & Innovation Hub in Denmark
June 29, 2026
The MR-X from Mantis Robotics is a biomimetic dual-arm robot.
Mantis Robotics Debuts MR-X Dual-Arm Fenceless Robot at Automate 2026
June 26, 2026
The W56 Electric Step Van from Workhorse.
The Floor Doesn't Lie: Applying Lean Manufacturing Principles in a Real-World Plant
June 27, 2026
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Engineers Develop Flexible Cloaking Skin
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Drones Work as 'Flying Superintendents' on Construction Site
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force station Friday, March 3, 2016. The rocket is carrying the SES-9 communications satellite.
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Fixing Congested/Underutilized Loading Docks
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Fixing Congested/Underutilized Loading Docks
More from Steve Karnowski
Strengthen Your Manufacturing Sales Resiliency
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Strengthen Your Manufacturing Sales Resiliency
Discover manufacturing sales and marketing strategies for today’s volatile market. Get guide now!
June 18, 2026
A former iron ore processing plant near Hoyt Lakes, Minn., that would become part of a proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine, is pictured on Feb. 10, 2016.
Regulation
Long-Delayed Minnesota Copper-Nickel Mining Project Gets Win After Several Setbacks
A court affirmed a decision by a state agency to grant a major permit for the proposed NewRange copper-nickel mine.
December 19, 2023
Cooling towers release heat generated by boiling water reactors at Xcel Energy's Nuclear Generating Plant, Oct. 2, 2019, in Monticello, Minn.
Safety
Xcel Energy Fined $14,000 After Radioactive Tritium Leaks
It's the only fine that the state agency has levied against Xcel over the leaks.
December 15, 2023
A former iron ore processing plant near Hoyt Lakes, Minn., that would become part of a proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine, is pictured on Feb. 10, 2016. The proposed NewRange Copper Nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota suffered a fresh setback Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, when an administrative law judge recommended that state regulators should not reissue a crucial permit for the long-delayed project.
Regulation
Plagued by Delays, Proposed Minn. Mine Suffers Fresh Setback
It could be the final nail in the coffin.
November 29, 2023
Driller Helper Chris Palmer, right, attaches a core sampling tube to a drilling rig at the Talon Metals Corporation drilling site, June 7, 2023, near Tamarack, Minn.
Regulation
Defense Department Awards $20.6 Million to Support Nickel Prospecting in Minnesota, Michigan
The program hopes to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals.
September 13, 2023
A core sample drilled from underground rock near Ely, Minn., shows a band of shiny minerals containing copper, nickel and precious metals, center, that Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, hopes to mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota, Oct. 4, 2011.
Regulation
Federal Judge Deals Another Serious Blow to Minnesota Mine
The judge dismissed the company's lawsuit that sought to regain the critical mineral rights leases that the Biden administration cancelled.
September 8, 2023
Dana Strande speaks at a news conference at the Minnesota State Capitol on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn., in support of state legislation to ban non-essential uses of 'forever chemicals' also known as PFAS. The legislation is named after his daughter, Amara Strande, who spent the last months of her life campaigning for restrictions that will be some of the toughest in the country.
Safety
Minnesota Prepares for Near-Total Ban on 'Forever Chemicals'
Some say the state has a special responsibility because the chemicals were invented by Maplewood-based 3M.
May 10, 2023
A Juul electronic cigarette starter kit is seen at a smoke shop on Dec. 20, 2018, in New York.
Safety
Minnesota Settles Lawsuit Against E-cigarette Maker Juul
The company has now settled with 48 states and paid more than $1 billion.
April 17, 2023
This photo provided by the Phoenix Police Department shows stolen catalytic converters that were recovered after detectives served a search warrant at a storage unit in Phoenix, May 27, 2022.
Supply Chain
Minnesota Moves to Crack Down on Catalytic Converter Thefts
The bill would prohibit scrap metal dealers from purchasing a converter that is not attached to a vehicle unless it bears identifying markings that can be used to trace it.
March 3, 2023
The closed LTV Steel taconite plant sits idle near Hoyt Lakes, Minn., Feb. 10, 2016.
Supply Chain
PolyMet Mine in Minn. Becomes NewRange Copper Nickel
The area is one of the world's largest untapped resources of the critical minerals.
February 15, 2023
In this Oct. 4, 2011, file photo, a core sample drilled from underground rock near Ely, Minn., shows a band of shiny minerals containing copper, nickel and precious metals, center, that Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, hopes to mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota.
Regulation
U.S. Moves to Protect Minnesota Wilderness from Planned Mine
This could be the fatal blow to the copper-nickel project.
January 26, 2023
Project developers plan to build carbon capture pipelines connecting dozens of Midwestern ethanol refineries, such as this one in Chancellor, S.D., shown on July 22, 2021.
Regulation
EPA Seeks to Mandate More Use of Ethanol, Other Biofuels
The move is welcomed by renewable fuel and farm groups but condemned by environmentalists and oil industry groups.
December 2, 2022
This June 29, 2018 file photo shows tanks at the Enbridge Energy terminal in Superior, Wis. The state of Minnesota has gone to federal court to block a lawsuit over Enbridge Energy's Line 3 oil pipeline project from proceeding in tribal court.
Regulation
Minnesota Supreme Court Delivers Blow to Line 3 Opponents
The state's highest court declined to take the case.
August 25, 2021
This Feb. 10, 2016 file photo shows a former iron ore processing plant near Hoyt Lakes, Minn., that would become part of a proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine. The Minnesota Court of Appeals has rejected two of the most important permits for the planned PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota in a major victory for environmentalists. A three-judge panel ruled Monday, Jan. 13, 2019, that the state Department of Natural Resources erred when it declined to order a proceeding known as a 'contested case hearing' to gather more information on the potential environmental impacts of the project.
Regulation
Court Rejects 2 Major PolyMet Mine Permits
The court rejected two of the most important permits for the planned PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota.
January 13, 2020
In this Oct. 4, 2011, file photo, a core sample drilled from underground rock near Ely, Minn., shows a band of shiny minerals containing copper, nickel and precious metals, center, that Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, hopes to mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota. Twin Metals Minnesota has formally submitted a plan to regulators for the underground copper-nickel mine. The filing launches what's expected to be a lengthy environmental review and permitting process for what would be Minnesota's second copper-nickel mine.
Operations
Twin Metals Files Formal Mine Plan in Minn.
The project that has drawn fierce opposition because of its location.
December 19, 2019