EDGE Chicago

A federal judge refused on Monday to interfere with a new Minnesota law that revealed political donations from Target Corp. and other companies, saying the public has an interest in knowing who speaks and who pays for those messages as the election approaches.

Minnesota gay marriage supporters including a Democratic-backed political fund, a state gay rights organization and state candidates, will split a $150,000 donation from a leading gay rights organization.

Gay equality advocates, outraged that a $150,000 donation from Target that ended up funding an anti-gay political candidate, have called for a boycott of the national store. One industry blog says that Target, and other retailers, would do well to be sure they don’t alienate gay shoppers.

Target Corp. is counting on driving customers into its stores in the coming months with two weapons: a 5 percent discount for its store credit-card holders and an emphasis on food.

A few Target Corp. and Best Buy Co. institutional shareholders weighed in Thursday on the flap over the companies’ political donations in Minnesota, urging the boards of both retailers to increase their oversight of campaign contributions.

A few Target Corp. and Best Buy Co. institutional shareholders weighed in Thursday on the flap over the companies’ political donations in Minnesota, urging the boards of both retailers to increase their oversight of campaign contributions.

MSNBC rejected a TV ad calling for a boycott of Target Corp. after the retail giant made a political donation in Minnesota, continuing the controversy over corporate involvement in elections.

A new TV ad from the liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org goes after Target Corp. for making a political campaign donation in Minnesota.

Target Corp. said Monday it won’t give money to gay-friendly causes to quiet the uproar over a $150,000 donation that helped support a Minnesota governor candidate who opposes gay marriage.

Protesters have been rallying outside Target Corp. or its stores almost daily since the retailer angered gay rights supporters and progressives by giving money to help a conservative Republican gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota.